Pickleball is a pastime that’s increasing in popularity. What was first a friendly activity for senior citizens is now a game for all ages, thanks partly to its easy-to-learn rules, exciting gameplay, and relatively low cost to get started. If you’re new to pickleball, or simply looking to upgrade your gear, it might be time to equip yourself with the best pickleball bag to carry your paddles, shoes, balls, and extra gear.
We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. In this article, we’ll dive into the best pickleball bags on the market, including sling bags, duffle bags, and backpacks 👇.
What Are The Best Pickleball Bags?
- TMPR Sports Tour 2 Pickleball Backpack: Best overall
- Pickleball Fanatic Duffel Bag: Best duffle bag
- Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag: Best sling bag
- LISH Game Point Backpack: Best multi-purpose backpack
- Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack: Best backpack for storage options
TMPR Sports Tour 2 Pickleball Backpack
Overview
The TMPR Tour 2 is an updated riff on the brand’s Tour 1 bag–which was already one of the best pickleball bags on the market.
The versatile and easy-to-use Tour 2 Backpack is perfect for most pickleball players. It has compartments on each side for your paddles and a spacious middle compartment for paddles, clothes, and balls.
A hidden pouch and a laptop sleeve are concealed within the center compartment for those who want to use the bag before or after school.
The padded and adjustable straps make it comfortable to wear, even when fully loaded down, and the two side compartments on the front are perfect for holding your phone, keys, or other small items.
Highlights
- Spacious main compartment for paddles, balls, and clothes
- Hidden pouch and laptop sleeve in center compartment
- Padded and adjustable straps for comfort
- Two side compartments in front for small items
Pricing
The Tour 2 is by no means the cheapest–it’s actually quite the opposite. But if you want an excellent, durable backpack with loads of space, its definitely your best bet.
Bottom Line
The TMPR Sports Tour backpack is our top choice for the best pickleball bag. It’s versatile, well-designed, and has plenty of room for all your gear.
Pickleball Fanatic Duffel Bag
Overview
The Pickleball Fanatic Duffel bag is a high-quality duffel with a single large compartment serving as the main storage area. There’s a concealed pocket for valuables and sensitive items.
The exterior of the bag is a soft mesh that serves as an outside open pocket for a water bottle or towel, as well as providing breathable space for damp items. A mesh pocket for smaller things and accessories can also be found inside the bag.
The lower pocket of the bag is designed specifically for shoes, which benefits the entirety of the bag organizationally.
This bag also comes with a 6-month anti-defect guarantee, something that’s not offered with all bags.
Highlights
- One large compartment for main storage
- Concealed pocket for valuables and sensitive items
- Exterior soft mesh pocket for water bottle or towel
- Mesh pocket inside the bag for smaller items and accessories
- Lower shoe pocket makes for optimal organization
Pricing
The pickleball duffel bag is one of the most affordable options on our list, making it perfect for those who don’t want to break the bank.
Bottom Line
The Pickleball Fanatic Duffel bag is a great option for those looking for an affordable duffle bag. It has plenty of compartments and pockets to keep your gear organized and a special pocket specifically for shoes.
Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag
Overview
Sling bags are perfect for those who want to be able to move around easily–and the Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling bag does not disappoint. In fact, this pickleball bag is endorsed by the US Open and is used in championship games.
It’s the perfect pickleball accessory for when you’re on the go. It has ample storage with weather-resistant zipper chains, preventing breakage. And inside that storage is a secret electronics pocket covered in felt to keep your valuables safe.
Other features include a hook to hang your bag during games, water bottle storage, and additional keys and wallet storage.
The straps are adjustable so you can make the bag as tight or loose as you need, and it comes in five different colors to fit your style.
Highlights
- Endorsed by the US Open and used in championship games
- Ample storage with weather-resistant zipper chains
- Secret electronics pocket inside
- Hook to hang your bag during games
- Adjustable straps
- Available in five different colors
Pricing
The Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling bag is another affordable option. If you need a great sling bag at an unbeatable price, look no further.
Bottom Line
The Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling bag is a great choice for those who want an affordable, versatile bag. It has storage for just about anything you need and its sling guarantees that you’ll have no problem moving around while wearing it.
LISH Game Point Backpack
Overview
Technically, the Game Poing bag is made for tennis, but we loved it for pickleball too.
The front panel pocket is designed for holding rackets, and it can hold two pickleball paddles with ease. The main zippered compartment is roomy enough to store clothes, balls, and other gear, while the zippered pocket on the side allows you to slide shoes underneath. And the elastic water bottle pocket on the side holds bottles of all sizes with ease.
What we love the most about this bag is its appearance. Since it looks just like a regular backpack, it’s perfect for those who want to be a little more low-key about their pickleball hobby (or those who want to use it for everyday purposes.
Highlights
- Holds two pickleball paddles in the front panel pocket
- Main zippered compartment store clothes, balls, and other gear
- Zippered pocket on side for shoes
- Elastic water bottle pocket holds bottles of all sizes
- Aesthetics for everyday use
Pricing
The LISH Game Point Backpack falls on the low end of our pricing spectrum. So if you’re looking for a fairly-priced bag that can do it all, this is the one for you.
Bottom Line
The LISH Game Point Backpack is perfect for those who want a versatile bag to use for pickleball and everyday purposes. It’s roomy, has several compartments for organization, and looks great too.
Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack
Overview
If you need a bag that can hold everything, the Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack is the one for you. Multiple roomy side pockets, a front zippered compartment, and a massive internal main pocket make this bag perfect for storing all of your gear.
And the best part? The Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack is made with durable, breathable mesh that ensures your gear stays dry and doesn’t overheat.
Although this bag doesn’t have a shoe or water bottle compartment, the large interior pocket can hold everything you need without a problem.
Highlights
- Multiple roomy side pockets
- Front zippered compartment
- Massive internal main pocket
- Made with durable, breathable mesh
- Large interior pocket can hold everything you need
Pricing
The Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack is pricier, but its durability and massive storage make it worth the investment.
Bottom Line
If you need a large bag to store all of your pickleball gear, the Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack is the one for you. Made with durable mesh and multiple roomy pockets, this bag can hold everything you need without a problem.
What To Look For When Choosing a Pickleball Bag
Bag Type
When searching for a pickleball bag, you’ll notice they come in sling bags, duffel bags and backpacks. Each style offers the player different options for storing and carrying their gear.
Sling Bag
Sling bags are the most popular form of pickleball bag, generally offering a combination of comfort, portability, and convenience. Sling bags are shaped in the form of a pickleball paddel, making it a comfortable fit for your collection of pickleball paddels. It is not common for sling bags to offer additional storage space unless it is a small compartment for a cell phone. They either come with a double cinch strap or one large padded strap to throw over your shoulder.
Sling bags are a great choice for players looking for a simple, lightweight bag that can carry their basic pickleball gear. “Sling” it over your shoulder and arrive at the court ready to play.
Duffel bag
For players looking to carry their pickleball gear, pickleball shoes, water bottle, and more, duffel bags come with plenty of compartments to store your essentials. Similar to a gym bag, pickleball duffel bags are large, expansive bags that perfect for players looking to play at the gym for an extended period of time and store extra clothes to change into.
Backpack
Pickleball backpacks are medium-sized bags that offer more space than a sling bag but less space than a duffel bag. They come with one main compartment to store your larger items, and multiple side pockets and flaps to store smaller essentials. Furthermore, pickleball backpacks are highly comfortable to carry on your shoulders and back.
FAQ
Can a Slinger Bag be used for pickleball?
A Slinger Bag is a portable tennis ball launcher. While the manufacturer has expressed interest in expanding into pickleball, it is currently not compatible.
What goes inside a pickleball bag?
Your pickleball bag should store your basic pickleball gear:
- Spare pickleball paddle(s)
- Pickleball shoes
- Change of clothes
- Towel
- Water bottle
Do I need a waterproof pickleball bag?
If you live in a climate with frequent rainfall, it may be wise to pickup a waterproof pickleball bag to protect your gear from getting wet.
Wrap Up
There you have it–our five favorite pickleball bags of 2022. If you’re looking for a versatile bag that can do it all, the LISH Game Point Backpack is the one for you. But if you need a large bag to store your gear, the Onix Pickleball Durable Backpack is the way to go. And if you’re not afraid to shell out the extra cash for the best bag on the market, go for the TMPR Sports Tour 2.
Whether you’re on a budget or need the best of the best, there’s sure to be something on this list for you.
