8 Best Pickleball Bags for Comfort and Maximum Portability
Pickleball is a hassle-free game with minimal gear, yet the pickleball bags are still an essentially useful part of the player’s sports kit. The best pickleball bag is lightweight, adjustable, and designed to offer maximum portability and comfort. Normally, Pickleball bags come in a variety of designs, fabric choices, and sporty styles.
After reviewing the 8 best pickleball bags thoroughly, we have set our eyes on the Franklin Sports Pickleball bag as an editor’s chosen option. The size may not seem large, but it has a capacity to hold up to six pickleball paddles and 40 pickleballs with still some room to spare. As it includes a bottle-specific side pocket, taking a sip of water every now and again is more convenient and trouble-free. The bag’s price with all the accompanying pros seems a great deal. Still, we have listed our other favorite options, all of which are worth reviewing, in the table below.
To be honest, we have organized this chart, review descriptions with pros and cons of every product included, and the detailed buying guide keeping in mind the importance of comfort, affordability, and trendiness in a sports man’s life. Therefore, after 72 hours of thorough researching and reviewing, we have come up with the top 10 pickleball bag options in this post to help you decide conveniently.
Quick Summary
- Editor’s Choice: Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag
“This roomy and comfy pro sling bag can hold all your pickleball necessities and has a triple pocket design and a fence hook.” - Best Stylish Design : Athletico Sling Bag
“A padded multiple-compartment sling bag with a fence hook and a reversible shoulder strap.” - Best for Multi-Purpose: LISH Game Point Backpack w/ Shoe Compartment
“A professionally crafted racket holder backpack with large paddle pockets and a dedicated shoe compartment.” - Best Adjustable Bag: Franklin Sports Pickleball Premier Competition Backpack
“A tough and sturdy backpack which is comfortable to carry and has plenty of space and a nice shoe pocket.” - Best Spacious Bag: Pickleball Fanatic Duffel Bag
“A high-quality duffel bag with a roomy main compartment, several side pockets, and a shoe compartment.” - Best Multi-Pocket Bag: Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack
“A backpack with multiple roomy side pockets, breathable mesh panels, and a dedicated shoe compartment.” - Best Compartmentalized Backpack: HEAD Racquetball & Pickleball Backpack
“A backpack with several compartments, including a dedicated one for shoes, and ample room for accessories.”
Top 8 Pickleball Bags Review 2022
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Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag
Available in five vibrant colors with black, including hot pink, green, blue, charcoal, and grey, this super stylish, comfy sling bag is adjustable and lightweight. Perfect for your next pickleball session, it has extra large storage with weather-resistant zipper chains to avoid corrosion or breakage. Suitable both for men and women, the Franklin Sports Pickleball backpack is also an officially endorsed bag used by US open championships. A pro bag good in all aspects, this can be a go-to choice for all players.Also present inside is a protective felt-covered, secluded pocket to tuck in the electronic devices safely. Along with that, it has a built-in hanger to hook up the bag on the court fence whenever needed. The bag can also hold up your water bottle safely along with keys and wallet, etc. as it has a dedicated area for that. The strap is convenient to use and sturdy. However, as it is a sling design, it is a more comfortable choice for players preferring a single-shoulder bag. The canvas material is also of pro-quality and is durable enough.
What are its best features?
Easy-to-use, built-in fence hook
Professional’s choice
Plenty of storage space
Variety of color choices
Best price for valuable choice
Lightweight option
Sturdy and durableWeaknesses
Add Padding
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Athletico Sling Bag – Best Stylish Design
A padded, multiple-compartment bag, the Athletico Sling Bag is a cross-body sling backpack with a variety of excellent features. Available in multiple colors, this runner-up in our rating list contains a tech pocket dedicated for personal, electronic devices and a comfortable mesh pocket on the side to carry your water bottle. The pocket can be secured by a draw-string along with a cord-security lock.
The adjustable buckle on the strap gives maximum convenience while carrying the cross-body bag on the left or right shoulder, and this reversible feature can be considered as a useful add-on. There is also a hidden pocket on the backside which can serve as a safe pouch for your valuable items.
As a unisex design, Athletico Sling Bag is a perfect choice for all players with an extra layer of padded mesh to support your lumbar area all day long. Called on its official site as an Everyday Sling Bag, this option can be your easy pick if you prefer a stylish design with adequate room for all your equipment. The company even claims a 100% moneyback guarantee in case of getting an unsatisfactory product.
What are its best features?
Many compartments
Padded
Variety of colors
Reversible shoulder strap
Reasonable price
Fence hook availableWhat Could Be Improved?
The large compartment should have been wider
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LISH Game Point Backpack w/ Shoe Compartment – Best for Multi-Purpose
As named by the brand, this product is a Racket Holder bag. The official name being ” LISH Game Point Backpack”, it is a sports bag serving not only as a pickleball bag but a racket holder equipment bag for tennis, racquetball, and squash too. This bag has a dedicated compartment for your pickleball paddles. Space, however, allows only a couple of rackets to hold, their width being 11.5 inches approximately. Though, for a regular pickleball game, that should be quite sufficient. The zipper provides secure holding while traveling, and its quality is good. There is also a dedicated shoe compartment that serves as an ideal choice for organized players. Although, it could have been better if it didn’t occupy some space of the main compartment.
The adjustable shoulder straps have internal padding which ensures cushioning comfort and support while carrying. A small side handle can be used to grab and carry the back hurriedly. The elastically flexible side pocket is dedicated to holding a bottle and makes it easily accessible. As claimed by the company, LISH bags are generally crafted from high-quality polyester which is durable and luxuriously textured. The bag comes with multiple external pockets in a perfect size for variable usage such as keys, mobile, gloves, vibration dampeners, etc.
What are its best features?
Large paddle pockets
Dedicated shoe compartment
Fine stitching
Spacious main compartment
Perfectly sized zipper pocketsWhat Could Be Improved?
The paddles’ pockets should be fitting so that they stay in place
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Franklin Sports Pickleball Premier Competition Backpack – Best Adjustable Bag
This rectangular-shaped, comfortable backpack styled bag is tough and sturdy. The material is quite durable, and the design is impressive too. However, the paddle pocket dimensions should be a tad bit larger to hold the paddle conveniently. The other pockets are quite usable though. The external side pockets are tube-shaped sleeves like areas for holding pickleballs and bottles. There is also a separate compartment having a zipper closure to hold all the extra stuff such as clothes, snack boxes, sunglasses, etc. The main compartment has adjustable draw-string strapping to divide or combine the separate areas inside the bag. The shoes also have a removable secluded compartment.
There is a sternum-shoulder strap that is convenient enough for adjustable fitting and preventing shoulder pain, which may be caused by exerting too much pressure or burden otherwise. There is also an inside portable hook for hanging the bag on court fences or poles. As this Franklin Sports Pickleball Premier Competition Backpack is heavily padded, it may seem bulky to some occasional users, but it is very comfortable for frequent carrying.
What are its best features?
Sturdy material
Soft, safe front tech pocket
Plenty of space
Multiple tube-shaped side pockets
Nice shoe pocket with draw-string separator
Fence hookWhat Could Be Improved?
The paddle compartment should have been larger
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Pickleball Fanatic Duffel Bag – Best Spacious Bag
The Pickleball Fanatic Duffel bag is a standard high-quality duffel bag with a roomy single compartment serving as the main storage space. There is a zipper pocket to hold valuable sensitive items in a secure manner. An outside open mesh pocket serves as a water bottle or towel holder as it is a breathable area for damp stuff. There is also another mesh pocket for smaller objects and accessories. The bag has a dedicated lower pocket for shoes to carry your equipment all together in a clean, orderly manner. According to the manufacturer’s technical specifications, this bag has a 6-months anti-defect guarantee covering material damage and craftsmanship apart from any unconventional wear-and-tear situation.
Apart from the regular manual handles, there is also a comfortable shoulder strap to serve as an alternative carrying option. There is a Velcro belt on the hand straps to hold them together while moving around. The size of this duffel is medium to large and has length, width, and height dimensions as 18, 9, and 10.5 inches, respectively. The spaciousness and maximum functionality at an affordable price make it an excellent pick.
What are its best features?
Dedicated shoe compartment
Sturdy choice
Multiple pockets
Large main compartmentWeaknesses
Possible ordor
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Pickleball Fanatic Sling Bag with Pockets – Best Compact Choice
Picked by us as a best compact design sling bag, this Pickleball Fanatic Sling Bag with Pockets is a perfect choice for those who wish to travel light and carry less yet adequate. It could have been better if there was a divider, but still, the minimalist design works best for the majority of average players. Approximately 20 inches in length and 14 inches wide in a pyramid-shaped structure, this comfy bag is sleek and fun to carry around on your shoulder with easy mobility.
The bag contains a padded shoulder strap, Velcro flap pocket on the front side and a hanging loop for court fence. There is also an external zipper compartment to hold all the spare accessories such as clothes, towels, or lunch packets. The mesh pocket on the side, along with a flexible, elastic opening, provides easy access to your water bottle whenever needed while snugly holding it otherwise.
This lightweight bag is a phenomenal buy and can accommodate about four oars and more than three balls to get a game moving. Also, you can get it in blue, dark or green shading options to suit your style. Overall, we feel it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a compact sling bag.
What are its best features?
Adequate room for paddles
Compact design
Minimalist style
Hassle-free use
Exterior personal pocketWeaknesses
Bottle holder should be larger
Loose sling strap -
Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack – Best Multi-Pocket Bag
While most of the multi-pocket pickleball bags may still fail to deliver adequate space for everything, this ONIX Pickleball Backpack has multiple roomy side pockets having zipper closures to ensure that each of your accessories is safely tucked inside in an organized way. A cool and trendy design, the backpack has dual shoulder straps to offer considerable lumbar support and prevent back or shoulder pain.
There are also ventilated meshed layers on the front and back of the bag to enable breathable storage in the outer panels and tuck away used clothes or towels in order to avoid the damp interior smell. However, it could have been better if there was a separate compartment for balls or a holder for the bottle as well.
The rectangular, sturdy structure of the bag makes it easy to put or hang it in an upright position while playing. The material of the straps is quite durable and strong.
What are its best features?
Cool design
Dedicated shoe compartment
Adequate space
Multiple small pocketsWeaknesses
No dedicated holder for a water bottle
Small insulated pocket -
HEAD Racquetball & Pickleball Backpack – Best Compartmentalized Backpack
Claiming to contain a separate space for each item, the HEAD Racquetball & Pickleball Backpack indeed has several compartments along with adequate room for accessories. Although the paddle compartment has space for a pair of paddles the padding inside, the bag’s cover makes it a little stuffy to utilize the offered space to the maximum. However, the manufacturer recommends that the bag is designed in a way that rackets may stick out but the auto-stop, sturdy zippers can hold the compartment in place so that the backpack will not fall open.
There is also a glove cord present which is removable and can be considered a positively useful add-on. A fence loop is also present at the top of the bag and an extra zipper pocket on the front side for multi-purpose functionality. The mesh pocket on the side is ventilated and accessible as a bottle holder.
A great feature of this bag is the underside pocket, which many will find useful for storing dirty shoes. This bag stands out because of its dedicated compartments, and it would be a decent buy for starters.
What are its best features?
Fence hook available
Dedicated shoe compartment
Dedicated paddle compartment
Spacious
Removable glove cord or karabiner presentWhat Could Be Improved?
Racquets stick out of the bag
The paddle compartment should be largerThings to Consider
Playing Pickleball is as enjoyable as it is smooth. However, if you are relatively new to this sport, you might need all the help to buy the correct, comfortable choice of a pickleball bag to carry all your precious gear in a protectively convenient way. Therefore, the selection should be made according to the size, storage capacity, price, dedicated compartments, additional comfort features, and the overall style of the bags available in the market. Our buying guide is designed in a way that it caters to all the standard criteria and answers all the necessary questions that might come your way while you look for your ideal choice.
Here, you might be thinking, “Can’t I just get any fitness bag or a backpack to place all my pickleball equipment?” The thing is, the bags designed for pickleball have some advantages for pickleball players.
Portability and comfort
A pickleball bag is a convenient commodity to carry your things around in a comfortable fashion. Even if you go for a casual play session, you don’t have to go through the trouble of carrying your paddles, balls, water bottle, and even some personal gadgets in your hands. With a proper pickleball bag, you can have a portable carrier to move around with your gear while going to the court, recreational clubs, and after-sport parties as well.
Gear Protection
The modern, quality pickleball bags have protective coverings such as felt, leather, and stuffed or padded lining inside the compartments to prevent any accidental damage to the players’ gear. Properly designed pickleball bags enable the players to move around carrying their paddles without having to walk on eggshells. This makes it all the more important to invest in a decent pickleball bag to ensure maximum gear protection.
Order and organization
Maintaining order is very important in not only a player’s life but generally too. Ease of multiple compartments and adequate space dedicated to each object such as sports gear, bottles, shoes, cell phones, other devices and accessories, a pickleball bag containing these features ensures not only a well-organized play activity but stress-free, orderly routine.
Features to consider when choosing a pickleball bag:
As mentioned previously, while considering a suitable pickleball bag, several features play a decisive role in letting us make a perfect choice. These features include style, size, space, compartments, material, weight, cinch or straps, etc.
A duffle bag, a sling bag, or a backpack
The style is important in determining the suitability of the intended bag according to the buyer’s convenience of usage specification. If a casual player, not very used to carrying heavy equipment, intends to buy a pickleball bag, he may need a compact, lightweight choice offering maximum shoulder support too. In this case, a sling bag can be a suitable option as it is easy to carry and contains adequate space too; however, it may not offer separate pockets for each object.
A more professional regular player may have several things to carry apart from the sports gear, so a duffle bag having plenty of storage space may seem a more convenient choice to tuck in clothes, snacks, gear, etc.
Though it is fine for an experienced player, it may not be a lightweight, supportable option for a beginner. On the other hand, a backpack might not be the most spacious yet it is a medium, multi-purpose option for an everyday play session that offers good back and shoulder support along with a systematic organization of players’ objects.
Size – will all my gear fit?
The above-mentioned pros and cons of the three styles of the pickleball bags show a detailed analysis of which style and size of the bag might be convenient to put all your gear in. Different compartments and pockets’ availability can ensure the maximum spaciousness.
Bottle holder
Just like other sports or gym bags, pickleball bags should also have a dedicated bottle holding pocket with a cinch or padded holder. For instance, our editor’s choice Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag has a separate outer holder for the bottle.
Materials
Padded parachute, fleece or felt-lined, lightweight material is a good choice for pickleball bags. Check for durable, weather-resistant polyester material with anti-corrosive zippers as these should be used to ensure long-term usage.
Weight
Most leathered, or extra padded, plastic holder bags are heavier in weight, hard on touch, and less spacious too. Try to look for quality bags with soft, lightweight polyester, and airy foam pads so that it can easier to carry yet still has enough pockets for adequate gear. For example, the Pickleball Fanatic Sling Bag is lightweight, having enough pockets for casual use.
Shoulder strap feature
More seasoned players prefer a duffle bag with enough room for everything but the shoulder strap feature is still important that is why causal players opt for backpacks compromising on space. However, you may want to look for an added shoulder strap feature if you prefer both space and support. For instance, the Game On Pickleball Duffle Bag has an adjustable strap for shoulders.
Tips
Always determine your style preference and usage type before considering the available options.
Never rely on other players’ habits while selecting your choice. The other may be fine with a bag without supportable straps while you may need to be used to carrying a conventional duffle bag.
It is always recommended to read the instructions of the manufacturer carefully before use. Some bags may be easily damaged in extreme weather conditions or careless handling.FAQ
Do I need to get a paddle cover or carry case for added protection in the bag?
Always try to look for bags offering separate, protective compartments for paddles as they are your main gear. However, if the bag has no padded paddle compartment, which is generally not the case, then you can carry a paddle or racket case in the bag.
Can I use large compartments of the bag to keep my shoes there if there is no dedicated shoe compartment?
Although it is always convenient to have dedicated pockets for each object, some players prefer to use a large, single-compartment duffle or gym bag so that all the equipment, clothes, shoes, etc. are carried altogether.
How do I know the bag is large enough for all my pickleball gear before I buy it online?
Normally, the pickleball gear set comes with four to six paddles and four to six balls with some spare ones too. Apart from that, sufficient space for your regular items such as phone, water bottle, towel, shoes, etc. should also be there. So choose accordingly.
Wrapping It Up
It is generally agreed upon that the best pickleball bag is the one that is lightweight and durable, and has adequate space. However, what suits you might not be preferred by someone else. That is why we have enlisted variable choices in this review guide to cater to all sorts of players’ requirements.
We hope that this guide would help you in choosing the best pickleball bag according to your needs and liking. Before parting, we leave you with our three best hand-picked options from the list above.
The first of the top three choices are our Editor’s choice Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag. With hook for hanging, back support, padded storage, and holding up to 6 paddles and x40 balls, this is in the league of its own.
The next in our top three is the Athletico Sling Bag due to its compact portability and easy, sling design. It can be a most casual, light option or easy-going people wanting an occasional, fun game.
The last but not least is the Game On Pickleball Duffle Bag which has been our budget pick of the list. This spacious bag has a large compartment and can hold gear along with shoes and other stuff. We think that the added shoulder strap and outer slide pocket can be very helpful as well and it is an overall affordable choice.
