The 10 Best Pickleball Bags Money Can Buy
Pickleball is a great game to play for fun, sport, or competition. Having a pickleball bag for all of your equipment and accessories is a great way to make it even more enjoyable.
The problem is that there are a ton available, so picking the right one can be a challenge. And that’s why I put together this quick guide: to help you determine what you need from your bag and to give you ten great options to start your pickleball bag search. Let’s dive in.
How Do I Choose the Best Pickleball Bag for Me?
There are plenty of great options available to carry all of your equipment, of course, but not all of them are right for each person. Before we dive into the best overall choices, you should get clear on your needs. And that can best be determined by answering the following question.
What Do I Need to Pack in a Pickleball Bag?
There are really only a few things you absolutely need in order to play pickleball, including:
- Paddles
- Pickelballs
- A court
- A net
Assuming that you already have the court and net available, all you really absolutely need to pack in your pickleball bag are the paddles and the pickleballs you’ll be using to play. But before you stop there, you should know that there are some other things that pickleball players often pack in their bags. These include the following:
- Small first aid kit, just in case you have any mishaps on the court
- Towels, usually a small one for wiping away sweat and a larger one if there are showers nearby
- Water bottle
- Change of clothes
- Extra socks, which can be important if you get into an intense game
- Sunglasses or hat
Now, obviously, what you carry after your absolute necessities is completely up to you, but deciding now what you’ll carry is an important part of choosing a bag. And if you’re playing with your little ones, you’ll need to be sure you think about things they’ll probably need – like snacks, extra water, and similar things. After you’ve determined what you’ll put in your pickleball bag, you can move onto the next section to find one that suits your needs.
10 Best Pickleball Bags
You have many pickleball bags at your disposal. The following are some of the top picks to help you narrow it down.
1. Mangrove Pickleball Bag
If you like something with a sleek design, the Mangrove Pickleball Bag is a pretty good choice. This sling-style bag provides space for up to four pickleball paddles and eight balls in a padded main compartment. Additionally, it has an extra large secondary pocket, a security pocket, and even a pocket designed specifically for storing your valuables while you play.
There are two basic downsides to this pickleball bag. The first is that – while it does offer a lot of compartments – you’re not likely to get a change of clothes or your shoes in. You might need an additional bag for those.
The second disadvantage is that it is a sling-style bag. Granted, this style looks awesome, but it can be bad for your musculoskeletal system. That’s because when you wear it, all the weight is distributed on one side. Basically, you’ll want to not carry it for long periods or you might experience some pain.
2. Pickleball All-In-1 Backpack
The Pickleball All-In-1 Backpack has a lot going for it. First, it’s a backpack, which helps to more evenly distribute the weight. And it’s made of some pretty tough Denier polyester, so it’s durable.
It also has multiple compartments. This includes five zippered pockets that vary in size. They give you room to hold several paddles, balls, sunglasses, keys, cell phone, snacks, and more. And there are two mesh pockets on the sides for water bottles.
It also comes at a pretty fair price, especially considering all of the space you get. The biggest downside is that it only comes in one color at this time, so there’s not a lot of room for showing off your personality.
3. Athletico Pickleball Backpack
The Athletico Pickleball Backpack is a great choice for anyone with a little extra to carry – which includes those of us who are parents. It can hold up to four pickleball paddles, thanks to the exterior padded pocket. It also has side compartments for two 32 oz water bottles.
Inside, you’ll find two separate compartments, great for holding towels, clothes, and more. At the bottom, you’ll find a shoe compartment. Additionally, you’ll find six extra pockets and storage areas on the outside of the bag and an extra mesh bag that can be attached to the backpack.
You get to choose from several different color schemes, which is always nice. The biggest downside is that the shoe compartment isn’t exactly made for larger shoes, but if you wear a size 10 or up, you can put your shoes on the inside of the backpack and use the shoe compartment for something else.
4. Pik’le’Ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag
The Pik’le’Ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag is a good choice for ladies looking for a more feminine design. And with three color choices, you can find one to suit your personality. But style isn’t the only place this tote shines – it also provides plenty of space for a day on the court.
For starters, there is an external zippered pocket designed specifically for up to three of your paddles. There is also a mesh pocket on the side for your water bottle. On the bottom, you’ll find rubber feet so that your beautiful bag isn’t sitting directly on the ground.
Inside, you’ll find pockets and sections for everything from your phone to your pickleballs. Now, it’s not a huge bad, so you might need a separate bag for shoes and additional items. However, if you pack pretty lightly for your sport, this bag is great.
5. Franklin Sports Pro Series Pickleball Bag
Though it’s a bit higher on the price chain than many of the other options on this list, the Franklin Sports Pro Series Pickleball Bag is an incredible option to consider. One of the things I love about this one is that it’s convertible. You can use it as a duffel-style bag or flip it to wear as a backpack. This means you can decide which way is more comfortable for you.
It also has a large interior, multiple external zippered pockets that fit plenty, and a separate shoe compartment. And it comes in multiple color schemes, making it a great choice for men, women, and children.
6. Vulcan VPRO Pickleball Backpack
And traveling a little higher up on the price scale is the Vulcan VPRO Pickleball Backpack, but users love it. It comes in six attractive designs and color schemes, making it a versatile choice. It comes with several useful compartments: a vented shoe compartment, an insulated snack area, a mesh pocket for keys, a padded compartment for paddles, and a lined area to protect your sunglasses.
There are two common complaints, though. One is that the shoe compartment kind of interferes with the space inside the bag. The other is that there’s no easy-to-access water bottle area on the side.
7. ONIX Pickleball Backpack
Moving back down the pricing structure but not in greatness is the ONIX Pickleball Backpack. From the outside, you might think that there’s no way to fit much in it, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, users have been thrilled at how much they’ve been able to pack for the court – including snacks, extra clothes, personal items, shoes, and much more.
The biggest complaint is similar to the previous bag – there is no separate water bottle holder. There’s plenty of space to fit a water bottle – or two – inside, though.
8. Sucipu Pickleball Bag Backpack
If you love the idea of a sling backpack but maybe don’t want to wear it in sling-style all the time, the Sucipu Pickleball Bag Backpack might be a good pickleball bag for you. The straps are adjustable. You can zip them together and hook them to one side. Or you can unzip them, hook them on opposite sides of the bag, and wear it as a backpack.
It also comes with many pockets and compartments for your equipment. However, there is no separate shoe compartment, so you’ll need to put your kicks inside the main compartment.
9. Pickleworld Pickleball Bag
For those looking for more simplicity and comfort, consider the Pickleworld Pickleball Bag. It’s a sling bag that’s big enough to carry a few paddles and balls. There’s also a side pocket for water bottles, as well as space for smaller items, like your keys and phone.
The great part about this pickleball bag is that it has a very ergonomic, padded design, meaning it was built for comfort and to minimize strain. The biggest downside is simply that it’s not a perfect fit for those who like to take an extra outfit and shoes.
10. Babolat Pure Pickleball Backpack
The Babolat Pure Pickleball Backpack offers more space than the Pickleworld Pickleball Bag. It has enough space for at least two paddles and several balls in the main paddle pocket. You also get a shoe compartment and clothing or accessory compartment.
Even though it’s bigger than some of the pickleball bags on this list, it’s not big enough for everyone. So if you like to pack extras, you’ll want to look at one of the more spacious options.