Part tennis, ping pong, and part badminton, pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America!
According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), pickleball had over a 600 percent increase in numbers in the past six years!
If you’re looking for a pickleball bag, we’re here with a detailed guide to buying the best pickleball bag along with our top picks.
Table of Contents
Pickleball Bags: Your Ultimate Buying Guide
This nerds’ section is intended to provide you with further information about the different styles of bags, our favorite brands, and what to look for while buying a bag.
Once the sport gets you hooked, and you’ve bought the two fundamental pieces of equipment, the court shoes and the paddle, you’re now in the market of pickleball bags.
Pickleball Carrying Case vs. Bag vs. Cover
The most basic protection you can get for your paddle is the pickleball paddle cover.
As simple as the name suggests, the cover only protects the surface of the paddle so the most obvious downside is that it leaves the handle uncovered and comes with no strap.
Covers are usually made of neoprene because it can handle a wide temperature range.
The carry case, with it’s added strap is the better version of the paddle cover. The case doesn’t come with extra storage compartments and is designed solely to protect the paddle, including the handle.
If you’re looking for something to protect your paddle and carry extra gear, then your best bet is the pickleball bag.
Types of Pickleball Bags
There are different types of bags to choose from and each serves a purpose, read on to find which type suits you best.
Duffle Bags
If you’re already obsessed with pickleball and you’re spending a good portion of the day out enjoying the game or you’re looking forward to spending the next weekend tournament, then a duffle bag is the way to go.
Of all pickleball bags, duffle bags are usually the largest. Duffle bags come with a roomy compartment where you can place all your bulky belongings along with your paddles, like your shoes, towels, and spare clothes.
It may also have interior pockets so you can keep smaller items like your keys, wallet, and cellphone. Also, duffle bags usually come with one or two exterior pockets on the sides.
A duffle bag comes with a long padded strap and may also have two shorter straps so you can carry it however you like.
When it comes to space and convenience, nothing beats a good old duffle bag!
Sling Bags
Ever tried to carry a backpack with one strap and found your shoulder sore from lifting it up all day to prevent the bag from slipping?
Sling bags are like backpacks with only one strap that you slide over your shoulder to carry. They’re designed with a pickleball player in mind because the triangular shape allows for a perfect paddle fit.
They’re usually lightweight and easy to carry around, so you can forget backpack sweat on warm days! A highlight of sling bags that you won’t find in duffle bags and totes, is the distribution of weight on your back.
With sling bags, you’ll probably find small compartments for small personal items, however, they don’t offer much storage space when compared to duffle bags so they’re best for a short game.
Backpack Bags
If you think a duffle bag is too uncomfortable to carry and a sling bag is too compact, then you might want to check out pickleball backpacks.
The compartment options are endless when it comes to backpacks, so it’s a perfect choice for if you like to keep your stuff super organized.
If you’ll be carrying your pickleball bag for a long time, then a backpack is a better option than a duffle bag because it’s easier on the back and will keep your hands free.
Tote Bags
If you want to win that game in style, then a tote pickleball bag is the one for you. A tote can is somewhere in between a duffle bag and a backpack in terms of size.
Designed with female players in mind, tote bags are stylish yet don’t compromise on functionality.
The main storage compartment is usually large enough to carry your belongings along with your paddles. They also come with a few zippered pockets to keep smaller items.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pickleball Bag
Here are some things to bear in mind before buying a pickleball bag
Size
There’s no point buying a large duffle bag if you only play a few friendly games every now and then, don’t you think?
Size is an important factor to consider. If you’re an occasional player and only own one or two paddles, then a sling could be a good option.
However, if you’re an advanced player, you’d be better off with a larger sized duffle bag to fit all your gear.
Cost
If you’re a casual player, then you probably wouldn’t want to spend a fortune on a pickleball bag and a basic bag would do.
On the other hand, if you’re a regular pickleball player, then you may want to invest a little more in a bag with extra features like padding, thermal protection, and insulated pockets.
How to Care for Your Pickleball Bag
Once you’ve bought your pickleball bag, you’ll want to keep it in mint condition. Follow these tips for a sparkly clean bag.
Empty Your Bag as Soon as Possible
As soon as you’re home, you want to empty your bag completely and keep it open to air out. Just imagine a sweaty t-shirt inside a bag for a long time? You certainly don’t want that!
Wipe it Down
Make sure you wipe the inside of your bag once you empty it. A wet cloth with a disinfecting solution is the best way to do it.
If you’re always in a rush, keep disinfecting wipes at hand and give your bag a quick wipe.
Spray a Gym Bag Deodorizer
There’s always room for a little extra pampering, don’t you think? A quick spray is enough to keep your bag smelling fresh.
You can also use dryer sheets, and replace them whenever necessary.
Wash it Every Once in a While
Washing your bag with warm water and soap is key to maintaining its cleanliness.
Just make sure you remove any detachable parts that shouldn’t be washed and check the manufacturer’s instructions for special care.
Top Pickleball Bag Brands
Franklin Sports
Franklin Sports has been in the Sporting goods market for almost 73 years, so they’ve got their good share of expertise.
They’re famous for high-quality sporting clothes, gear, and accessories.
Under Armour
Under Armour started their story in 1996 with their first-ever product “The Shorty”. It all started with a plain, comfy T-shirt that keeps athletes dry and cool.
Today, Under Armour is one of the leading manufacturers of sporting apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Fila
Fila was founded in 1911 by two brothers in Biella, a small town in Italy.
The two brothers had no idea that their brand which started off by selling quality textiles to the locals, would be a globally famous sportswear brand.
Gamma Sports
Gamma has been around since 1974 after it’s founder, Harris Ferrari, lost a match because of inferior synthetic gut strings.
He was determined to create a better racquet to improve performance. Gamma Sports now sells a full line of tennis and pickleball products.
Onix Pickleball
Although Onix has been around only since 2005, it’s nowadays well-known for selling high-quality pickleball products like paddles, balls, accessories, and apparel.
Our Top Favourite Pickleball Bags
In this section, we’ve compiled a list of our most-loved pickleball bags to help you narrow down your search.
1. Under Armour Undeniable 3.0 Medium Duffle Bag
This duffle bag may not be sold as a pickleball bag, but it’s definitely one that you can use for carrying your paddles and other belongings.
This duffle bag is medium-sized measuring 11.8” x 24.8″ x 12.9″ when full. When you take the first look, you may feel that the bag is compact, however, you’d be surprised by how much you can fit in there.
The main compartment is very roomy so you’d probably carry several paddles, spare clothes, water bottles, shoes, and other essentials in it. You’ll also find a small zippered pocket in the main compartment that should fit your keys and wallet.
On the front, you’ll find another zipper in which you can keep flat items. On one side, there’s a mesh pocket and on the other, there’s a zippered pocket.
We like that the zippered pocket is part mesh so you can use it for items that need to be aired, like shoes, for instance.
The bag is made of polyester so it’s water-resistant, and the HeatGear® straps are adjustable and padded for extra comfort. You can also carry it using the shorter straps.
The [amazon link=”B077KGWTV3″ title=”Under Armour 3.0 duffle bag”] comes in a variety of colors for different tastes.
Pros
- Compact, yet large enough to carry a lot of gear
- High-quality, heat and water-resistant material
- Comfortable, padded straps
- Many pockets to keep stuff organized
Cons
- Material is a little thin
- The side compartments are small
[amazon box=”B077KGWTV3″ title=”Under Armour Undeniable 3.0 Medium Duffle Bag”]
2. Game On Pickleball Duffle Bag
This is another duffle bag that we love from Pickleball Central. If you’re looking for a basic pickleball bag and don’t want to spend a fortune, the [amazon link=”B06XC8M69X” title=”Game On bag”] could be a good option for you.
This bag is very spacious so you could fit around 4 paddles and a dozen balls, and you’d still have room for more. This bag measures 18″ x 10.5” x 9”.
Apart from the main compartment, you’ll find 2 slip pockets across the front of the bag. The larger front pocket has a ventilation hole, and the smaller pocket should fit a bottle of water.
You can carry this bag using the long, adjustable strap or the smaller straps.
The bag is available in 3 color variations; red/black, blue/black, and green/black.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Lightweight
- Spacious main compartment
Cons
- No side pockets
- Straps aren’t padded
[amazon box=”B06XC8M69X” title=”Game On Pickleball Duffle Bag”]
3. Fila Backpack With Shoe Pocket
If you’re looking for a bag with multiple pockets and awesome quality, yet you don’t mind spending a little extra cash, this bag is for you.
The [amazon link=”B01B8JZ05G” title=”Fila backpack”] measures 10″ x 19″ x 12″. The Fila backpack has padded compartments to keep your paddles protected separately. It also comes with a special pocket large enough to fit your shoes.
If you’re a fan of ice-cold water, you’ll love that this bag comes with an insulated pocket to maintain the temperature of your drinks. It also comes with a felt pocket, to keep your fragile belongings safe.
The bag comes in 2 color variations, navy/white/red and gray/black.
Pros
- Large, with multiple pockets for the best organization
- Insulated pocket to keep drinks cool
- Separate shoe compartment
Cons
- Relatively expensive
[amazon box=”B01B8JZ05G” title=”Filla Backpack with Shoe Pocket”]
4. Franklin Sports Deluxe Competition Pickleball Backpack
This backpack by Franklin Sports is also one of our favorites because it’s designed to keep all your gear organized in its multiple pockets.
[amazon link=”B07CZK5PRP” title=”This backpack”] measures 13″ x 9″ x 20″ and comes with external storage for quickly accessing your paddle and water bottle.
You can also keep extra paddles, balls, spare clothes, and other items inside the main compartment. The bag also comes with a felt-lined pocket to keep your valuables protected.
We like that the bag comes with a hook, so you can hang it on the fence instead of placing it on the floor.
The shoulder straps are padded, so carrying this bag around would be a comfortable experience.
Pros
- External pockets for quick access
- Comes with an external hook
- Felt pocket to keep valuables protected
Cons
- Relatively small main compartment
- On the expensive end
[amazon box=”B07CZK5PRP” title=”Franklin Sports Deluxe Competition Pickleball Backpack”]
5. Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag
This bag stands out as the official bag for the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. We love that this bag was especially designed with Pickleball pros in mind.
Of course, it’s not the largest bag out there, but you can fit it almost 6 paddles, along with balls and other pickleball accessories.
The [amazon link=”B06XTWH148″ title=”Franklin Sports Sling Bag”] also comes with a felt-lined pocket in which you can keep your personal belongings.
The shoulder strap is adjustable and made from breathable material, so you with this bag, you wouldn’t have to worry about comfort. It also comes with a built-in fence hook.
Pros
- Cool design
- Comfortable to carry
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not very spacious
[amazon box=”B06XTWH148″ title=”Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag”]
The Verdict
Finding the perfect pickleball bag boils down to your personal preferences. Before buying it, consider your preferred style and whether or not you’ll carry a lot of gear in it.
After reviewing our five favorite pickleball bags, we think that the [amazon link=”B077KGWTV3″ title=”Under Armour Undeniable Duffle 3.0 Gym Bag”] deserves to be on top of the list. It’s spacious, comfortable to use, and comes with multiple compartments.
If you’d rather sport a sling bag, then we recommend you give the [amazon link=”B06XTWH148″ title=”Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag”] a try.