7 Best Pickleball Bags [2023] - Tour, Sling bags & Backpacks

Pickleball is soo much fun that you might get carried away and forget to get a decent carrier for all your gear. When the pickleball lovebug has got you, you’ll have loads to carry to the court: pickleball paddles, balls, shoes, phones, accessories, and even pickleball nets if you’re awesome.

Depending on your skill level, you may need a:

tournament-caliber pickleball bag,
small pickleball sling bag,
or a medium-sized pickleball backpack.

The Joola Tour Elite Pro came out on top as the best pickleball bag on the market. Its ample storage capacity, water resistance, and durability with convenient fence hooks means you can use this bag from beginner all up to US Pickleball Open level.

For the casual weekend player like most of us, the Onix Pickleball Backpack is our best-value pickleball backpack on the market. It’s durable, stylish, and spacious with a separate shoe compartment. If you’re tight on cash, the popular Franklin Pickleball Sling Bag is our budget pick at under $25.

Best Pickleball Bags

After 72 hours of research and 21 bags analyzed, this is our list of the 7 best pickleball bags you can buy in 2023.

1. JOOLA Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag

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The JOOLA Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag stands out from other pickleball bags on the market thanks to a number of distinctive features. Some of this bag’s most notable qualities are listed below:

Ample Storage Capacity: The bag can hold up to 6 paddles, which is more than the average pickleball bag. Additionally, it has two large main compartments and two smaller zippered pockets that provide ample storage space for balls, accessories, and personal items.
Durable and Water-Resistant Material: The bag is made of high-quality polyester material that is both durable and water-resistant. This means that the bag can withstand wear and tear from frequent use and protect the contents inside from water damage.
Reinforced Stitching: The bag features reinforced stitching on the straps and seams to ensure that it is sturdy and can withstand heavy loads.
Adjustable and Removable Shoulder Strap: The bag comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap that allows for comfortable and customizable carrying options.
Built-in Fence Hook: The bag includes a built-in fence hook that makes it easy to hang the bag on a fence during games, freeing up space on the court and keeping the bag clean and dry.

Why you might not want it:

Heavy Weight: Even when empty, the bag’s robust material and reinforced stitching make it weighty. Some people who prefer a lighter bag may be concerned about this.
Limited Pockets: While the bag has two main compartments and two smaller zippered pockets, some users may prefer a bag with more pockets and organization options.

Overall, the JOOLA Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag is an excellent option for pickleball players searching for a high-quality bag to transport their equipment because of its mix of large storage capacity, toughness, and distinctive features.

2. Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle Bag – Pro Series

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The Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle Bag – Pro Series is a high-quality sports bag specifically made for pickleball players. Here are some of the bag’s distinguishing features:

High-quality Components: The bag is made of tough, water-resistant polyester that is intended to withstand wear and tear from regular use. The material is perfect for outdoor sports because it is also simple to maintain and clean.
Padded Interior: The interior of the bag is cushioned to give your paddles more protection while being transported. For players who spend money on high-quality paddles, the padding helps to avoid damage from hits and scratches.
Ample Storage: The bag contains two additional zipped compartments for accessories, balls, and personal belongings in addition to a roomy main section that can fit up to six paddles. This gives you simple access to a lot of storage space for all of your equipment.
Elegant Design: The Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle Bag – Pro Series features an elegant design that will catch people’s attention on the court. On the front of the bag, which is black with green accents, is the Franklin Sports logo

Why you might not want it

Single Color Option: The bag is only available in one color, which may not be everyone’s preferred color scheme.
No Additional Carrying Handles: The bag only has a single adjustable shoulder strap and does not have any additional handles for carrying the bag in other ways.

3. Onix Pickleball Backpack

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The Onix Pickleball Backpack is a high-quality bag designed specifically for pickleball players. It offers several features that make it a great choice for carrying your gear. Here are some of the key features:

A huge storage: While most pickleball bags with multiple pockets may still fall short of providing enough place for everything, the ONIX Pickleball Backpack has numerous roomy side pockets with zipper closures to guarantee that all of your accessories are securely tucked inside in an orderly manner.
Backpack and Shoulder Strap: The bag has both backpack straps and a shoulder strap, giving you the option to carry it either as a backpack or a shoulder bag.

The backpack’s sleek and trendy design features two shoulder straps that provide significant lumbar support and prevent back or shoulder aches. In addition, the back panel of the backpack is made of ventilated mesh, which helps keep you cool and dry during transport by allowing air to circulate around your back.

Insulated cooler compartment: The backpack has a removable insulated cooler compartment, which gives you the flexibility to use it as a separate cooler bag if needed. The backpack uses high-quality zippers and pulls that are designed to withstand the wear and tear of regular use.
Shoe Compartment: The bag has a separate shoe compartment at the bottom, which keeps your shoes away from the rest of your gear, preventing dirt and odor from getting on your clothes or other items.

Why you might not want it

Absence of padded straps: the Onix Pickleball Backpack does not have padded straps or a padded back panel. This could make the backpack less comfortable to carry over long distances or for extended periods.
No water bottle holder: While the backpack has an adjustable mesh pocket on the side, it lacks a dedicated water bottle holder, which may be a disadvantage for players who want to stay hydrated throughout games and practices.

4. LOB Pickleball Bag

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Large Main Compartment: The bag contains a big main compartment that can accommodate up to six paddles, as well as many auxiliary compartments for accessories, balls, and personal stuff. This provides plenty of storage space for all of your equipment in one convenient area.
Ventilated Shoe Compartment: The backpack includes a ventilated shoe section where you can separate your shoes from the rest of your things. This keeps your other belongings clean and odor-free and stops odours from leaking into your shoes.
Sturdy Bottom: The bottom of the bag is reinforced with a sturdy and durable material that protects your gear from impacts and keeps the bag upright. This is a great feature for players who often place their bags on rough surfaces or hard floors.
Durable Zippers: The bag features heavy-duty zippers that are designed to withstand frequent use and keep your gear secure.

Why you might not want it

Lack of Internal Organization: The bag’s main compartment does not have any internal dividers or pockets, which could make it difficult to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. This could be an issue for players who prefer a more structured and organized bag.

5. Pik’le’ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag

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The bag is a perfect choice for eco-conscious consumers who care about the planet as much as they do about quality. This bag is made with the finest eco-friendly, and ocean recycled materials, ensuring you get a premium experience without sacrificing sustainability. Here are some unique features and cons of the Pik’le’Ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag:

Elegant Design: The Pik’le’Ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag features a stylish appearance that is aimed primarily at female pickleball players. It is a fashionable accessory both on and off the court because it comes in a wide range of hues, patterns, and styles.
Multiple Pockets: The bag features several pockets of different sizes to store and organize your gear. It has a spacious main compartment that can hold up to four paddles, a zippered front pocket for accessories, a side pocket for a water bottle, and a back pocket for personal items.
Insulated Cooler Pocket: The backpack contains an insulated cooler pocket that can fit two water bottles or snacks, making it ideal for hot weather and extended sporting events.
Adjustable and Padded Strap: The shoulder strap is adjustable and padded to provide comfort while carrying a fully loaded bag.

Why you might not want it

Limited Capacity: Although the bag has several pockets, it can only hold up to four paddles, which may not be sufficient for some players.
Gender-defined bag: The bag’s gender-specific construction may not be appealing to male pickleball players or those who like a more gender-neutral aesthetic.

6. Athletico Pickleball Sling Bag

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Ample storage: The sling bag features ample storage that can hold multiple paddles, balls, and other gear. It also has several additional pockets for accessories such as water bottles, sunglasses, and phones.
A dedicated shoe compartment: This sling bag has a separate, ventilated shoe compartment that keeps dirty or wet shoes away from the rest of your gear. A spacious zippered pocket makes it simple to store your wallet and keys, while drawstring pockets on either side of the bag can contain a water bottle and balls. Even a mesh storage pocket for a spare shirt or hat is located on the front of the bag.

Why you might not want it

Straps can be difficult to adjust: Some users have reported difficulty adjusting the straps on the backpack, which can make it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.
Zippers can be stiff: While the backpack features heavy-duty zippers, they can be stiff and difficult to open and close, especially when the backpack is fully loaded.

7. Franklin Sports Sling Bag

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It is a popular option among pickleball players, and it offers several features that make it a great choice for carrying your gear. Here are some of the key features that can attract you to get this product

A large main compartment: The sling bag includes a huge main area that can accommodate up to three paddles, two cans of balls, sweaty socks or clothes, and all of your other important equipment. There is also a zippered area for smaller goods like your phone, keys, and wallet.
Padded Straps and Back Panel: The sling bag has padded straps and a padded back panel for added comfort during transport. This makes it easier to carry your gear for longer periods without experiencing discomfort. Adjustable straps which allow the bag to be used by multiple body sizes
Durable, Water-Resistant Exterior: The sling bag is made of durable, water-resistant material, which helps protect your gear from the elements. This makes it a great choice for outdoor play or for carrying your gear in inclement weather.
Price: The bag is priced very reasonably following the quality and features it offers

Why you might not want it

Limited Color Options: This sling bag comes in a limited range of colors, so you may not be able to find a color that perfectly matches your style or preferences.
The gadget pocket is small: The Pocket provided for mobile might be a little small for new larger models of phones

Best Pickleball Bags – by Category

The pickleball player comes in different shapes and sizes. Some want a small, easy-to-carry, no-frills bag. Others want a stylish pickleball bag that fits their persona, while the serious pickleballer wants a capable bag for tournament play. So, we did our best to group and rate the best pickleball bags for different pickleball types.

Best Overall	Joola Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag
Best Value	Onix Pickleball Backpack
Budget Pick	Franklin Sports Sling Bag
Best for Tournament Play	Joola Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag
Best for Women	Pik’le’ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag
Best Backpack	Onix Pickleball Backpack
Best Sling Bag	Athletico Pickleball Sling Bag
Official US Pickleball Open Bag	Franklin Sports Sling Bag
Most Eco Friendly Bag	Pik’le’ball Women’s Premium Pickleball Bag

Things to consider when picking a pickleball bag

When looking for a pickleball backpack, it’s important to consider the size and capacity, comfort and durability, storage compartments, ventilation, and style and design.

Pickleball bags, unlike standard gym bags, have numerous compartments for carrying pickleball-specific gear such as pickleball balls, paddles, water bottles, snacks, towels, and even shoes.

Bags should have proper ventilation to prevent odors from building up. Finally, you may want to consider the style and design of the backpack to ensure that it matches your personal preferences and on-court look.

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API