Pickleball is all the trend right now!
And part of the fun of Pickleball and all the hype is having all the latest and greatest gear right??
I love all the new products that are coming out in the pickleball world, and I have to say, I’m SO guilty of feeling the urge to buying all the new merch!
Do I sound like you?
If so, now that we’ve gone way overboard and splurged on all the pickleball necessities, we need a cool pickleball bag to carry it all in.
I’ve created this blog post to help you find what’s best for you in a pickleball bag. I’ve included features I find important to consider along with the top brands and styles that most of us are already looking into.
Whether you’re a casual player seeking a lightweight option for a few balls and paddles, or a serious athlete in need of a bag for multiple paddles and accessories, understanding these important elements will help you zone in on the type of bag you’re looking for and hopefully I’m saving you a few minutes on your google search! Win win!
So, are you interested in what to look for in a pickleball bag?
Let’s get started….
What To Look For In A Pickleball Bag: Key Features
Here are the 4 most important elements I thought about when I was researching for my perfect pickleball bag:
- Size. Pickleball bags come in several different sizes and styles, so consider first and foremost, your use for the pickleball bag. Are you using it all day? A couple hours? Once a week? These are questions to ask yourself to narrow down just how much use your pickleball bag will have and also how much gear will be coming along with you on and off the pickleball court.
- Style: In consideration of my first point, “size”, then comes style. Do you like a duffle bag, sling, backpack or tote bag? Determining your size based really on how much gear you bring along with you on a day to day basis should help you narrow your style to a couple different options, thus fewer choices and a thinner search result!
- Features: I’ve highlighted features I feel will make the most impact on the choice of pickleball bag: storage capacity, compartments, organization, comfort, durability and materials. These are all major considerations as a result of how much pickleball gear you are towing along with you.
- Brand. While virtually all brands are following suit and offering a variation of a bag for pickleball, some of the most popular, reputable, and trendiest Pickleball brands are the ones I’ve highlighted in my blog post: Franklin Sports, Hoopis Pickleball, JOOLA, Onix, Vulcan, and Wilson.
Let’s dive a little deeper into my 4 main points so you get an idea of what YOU are looking to find in your future Pickleball bag.
Size
It DOES matter 🙂 Because having a bag that is either way too big or way too small is frustrating and leads us down a path of purchasing yet, another bag.
So, consider how much gear you plan on wearing or bringing with you on the court.
Are your shoes on your feet or ideally traveling in the bag for your specific pickleball court use?
Do you have a sweat towel?
How many paddles? Balls?
Phone, wallet, sweatshirt, glasses, keys, water bottle….These are all items we naturally have with us or on us at any given time.
When choosing a pickleball bag, knowing what you’re planning on bringing is essential and thus helps us figure out just how much storage capacity we need. This will also help you determine how much gear you can comfortably carry without overloading your pickleball bag.
For example, the Hoopis Pickleball Bag can easily hold up to 4 paddles, includes five pockets, and even features an external water bottle holder and a very breathable shoe compartment.
By assessing how much gear you tag along with you day to day, you can then select a bag that offers ample space to accommodate your needs.
Style
As stated earlier, you have options: Duffle, Backpack, Sling, and Tote bags are the most common types of Pickleball bags you’ll see.
Each style has unique features and capacities that cater to different player requirements and personal preferences. Knowing the pluses and minuses of each style will help you in making an informed decision for your needs.
If you’ve thought thoroughly about my bullet point one, size, then a couple styles should already be on your radar.
Lets talk about pickleball bag styles starting with our largest options first…
- The Duffle Bag: Duffle bags are a popular choice for pickleball players who require ample storage space and prefer a more traditional sports bag style. These pickleball bags are designed to hold multiple paddles, balls, and additional accessories, making them a good choice for players with more equipment. Duffle bags are an easy, multipurpose, throw over your shoulder and head out the door solution. They are less organized than a backpack, offering just a few pockets for separation, but almost limitless in color and brand.
The Pickleball Fanatic, “pickleball duffel bag”, and the Ame and Lulu, “Hamptons Pickleball Duffel Bag” offer generous storage capacity, adjustable shoulder straps, and reinforced stitching for enhanced durability.
If you’re a player with a good amount of gear, but don’t quite care how your gear is placed within the pickleball bag, then a duffle bag might be a good option for you.
- The Backpack: Pickleball Backpacks provide a balance between storage capacity and comfort, making them the most popular choice for players of all levels.Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, a pickleball backpack can provide the perfect balance of storage capacity, compartments, and comfort to ensure that your gear is well-protected and easily accessible during your games. I also found pickleball backpacks to be organized and a solid choice to hold all of the gear.
Popular options like the Hoopis Pickleball Backpack, Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag, ONIX Pro Team Backpack offer tons of storage space for multiple paddles, adjustable straps, and sturdy materials to accommodate a wide range of player needs, especially for all day play. A cool feature of the backpack as well is the fence hook so you can take this bag on the court with you, hang it up, and not cluttering your space.
Smaller capacity options: Slings and Totes.
Sling bags have always been a popular option among pickleball players because of their lightweight construction and adjustable features, not to mention their low price point.
These bags are perfect for casual players and typically a good choice for an entry level bag. They fit just enough to head to the local court and play with friends, and for those who only need to carry a few balls and a paddle or two.
Slings typically don’t offer a ton of support, are not as stylish, but I’m seeing vast improvement, and rarely offer separate compartments for storage. Slings are not a bad gig for on the fly, short term playing and just looking for a bag to home your new pickleball gear.
A couple options that I thought stood out when researching was the Pickleball Central Game On Sling Bag, which offers a lightweight design with one main compartment for paddles and a smaller one for personal items.
A second option I found, was the Franklin Pickleball Sling bag that is offering more support and pressure relief, along with a variety of color options for both men and women. If you’re a casual player with minimal pickleball gear, a Pickleball sling bag might be the ideal choice for you.
Alternatively, Totes are popping up everywhere as the new “on trend” type of bag with a very specific market in mind….women.
You’ll find the most style in the totes and since they are typically geared towards women, you’ll have lots of color options that combine fashion and practicality. Totes are thoughtful in organization and typically offer separate compartments to keep your gear organized.
While totes are not our most practical for all day play, they certainly have a niche market for anyone wanting to show up in style and maintain a fashionable look on and off the court.
Options like the Fresh Pickle LOLA bag and the Pinkdot Styles, “Dill Epic Quilted & Camo Neoprene Pickleball Tote” both offer a unique blend of style, functionality, and storage capacity, making them an excellent choice for women players who want a bag that caters to both their playing needs and personal style.
Now that we’ve talked about Style of Pickleball bags, lets discuss some features that should help you decide which direction your leaning towards in pickleball bags.
The points I’ve highlighted are just some of many offerings you may or may not find in Pickleball bags, but thought its good to get your brain wrapped around offerings that are out there, as you may not be aware of the capabilities! Check it out!
Features
A well-organized pickleball bag is not only super helpful in finding your gear quickly, but it also keeps your equipment protected and nicely separated!
With compartments and organizational features like zippered pockets, shoe compartments, and water bottle holders, accessing and sorting your gear becomes a breeze.
While I prefer a backpack myself, I’m only highlighting top features that could/would pertain to any type of player, not just me. Some features to consider looking for are as follows:
- Separate storage for your paddle and balls– you want to keep your paddle protected to ensure a long lasting paddle, so having an exclusive compartment just for that is a bonus.
- storage pockets for necessities like wallet, keys, phone, glasses – most of these items, while not pickleball specific, we will still be wearing on our person, so having a place to store them while you play is ideal and not having a separate bag or purse for that is also ideal
- Water bottle holder that fits different size water bottles– I have a very sizable waterbottle at the base and I’ve had a handful of occurrences when it doesnt fit. Frustrating. This is important
- Good quality zippers – seriously it matters. I can’t tell you how many bags the zipper busted and its game over. No bueno
- Built-in fence hook – pickleball is mostly outside, so being able to hang your bag and easily access it is key
- Mesh storage space for your shoes – if you’re planning on having pickleball shoes ONLY for pickleball, then a breathable pocket is ideal. No one wants all of their belongings to smell like the inside of their shoes, you’ll be grateful.
- Nice padded shoulder straps – if you’re looking at the larger bags, then this is something to keep an eye out for. Once your bag is loaded with gear, it is super nice to have a padding for your shoulders.
- Material: Polyester and nylon are commonly used materials that are durable and resistant to tearing. On the other hand, cotton materials should be avoided as they lack the strength and resilience needed for a long-lasting bag.
- Bonus features to think of everything:
- built in phone charger
- Specific sunglass or eyewear pocket
- Insulated pocket for drinks/snacks
- Hidden pocket for money/wallet
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my Pickleball Bag post and found it to be helpful in what to look for in a pickleball bag. It really is a balance of functionality, durability, and personal style.
Just keep in mind, the right bag will not only securely hold all of your gear, but it should also reflect your personality and meet your specific needs.
Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned pro, taking the time to consider storage capacity, organization, material quality, and comfort will ensure you find a bag that’s more than just an accessory – it’s a game-changing companion.
Remember, the journey to finding the ideal pickleball bag is a unique one, and I hope my guide has made your selection process a little bit easier.
Happy playing!
Caring for Your Pickleball Bag
We want to keep our stuff looking good and we want it to last long. So, it’s important to care for it properly.
Regular cleaning, proper storage, and avoiding overloading are important to keeping your bag from blowing out on you. Clean it occasionally, machine wash if it says you can. Otherwise, just wipe it down if you feel the need.
When storing your pickleball bag, keep it in a cool, dry area that is not exposed to direct sunlight to prevent any potential sun damage to the bag’s materials and fading.
Check our full review of the best pickleball bags on the market today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a pickleball bag material?
When choosing a pickleball bag material, consider the pros and cons of nylon and polyester: nylon is more water-resistant while polyester offers more design options. Pick the material that best meets your needs for weight, durability and style.
What makes a good pickleball bag?
Having multiple compartments with sturdy yet lightweight fabric makes for an ideal pickleball bag. Look for a bag that can store your paddles, shoes, balls, keys, snacks, and drinks all in one place.
Which type of pickleball bag is most suitable for players with a larger amount of equipment?
Duffle bags and pickleball backpacks are the most suitable choice for players with a larger amount of pickleball equipment. A pickleball backpack can be easier to carry than a duffle when fully loaded so keep that in mind.
How can I ensure that my pickleball bag remains in optimal condition?
To ensure optimal condition for your pickleball bag, regularly clean and store it properly and avoid overloading.
