7 Best Pickleball Bags, Reviewed by Experts
Sport these sling and backpack styles at your next pickleball match.
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If you've fallen in love with pickleball, you've probably already mastered the rules of the game and invested in your own pickleball paddle. Now it's time to stock up on helpful accessories to improve your playing experience like a pickleball bag to store your paddle, balls and other gear. We've found cute and trendy crossbody and backpack options to keep things stylish on your way to and from the court.
Our top picks:
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test athletic gear and accessories from the best exercise dresses to the best pickleball paddles and pickleball shoes. When testing pickleball bags, we pay close attention to their construction and send out styles to consumer testers who use the bags in their real lives. We also spoke with pickleball players and experts in the industry to narrow down the best bags for every level, style preference and budget.
Read on to learn more about how we chose the best pickleball bags as well as expert advice on how to choose the right style for your needs. Whether you're a beginner or a more advanced player, we'll answer your FAQs so you can head onto the pickleball court ready to play.
Doubletake Melbourne Tennis Backpack and Tote
Pros
- Can store up to two tennis rackets
- Various organizational compartments
- Water- and fade-resistant
Cons
- Pricey
Our experts and consumer testers alike were awed by the versatility of this gym bag that can store either pickleball paddles or tennis rackets as well as convert from a tote to a backpack. It has two additional compartments for your water bottle and balls plus various zippered pockets and sleeves to keep essentials organized. It's available in eight neutral colors and is made from water- and fade-resistant fabric for long-term durability.
Our consumer tester found the bag to be great for pickleball and going to the gym and appreciated its cute style and high-quality materials. It comes in at just under $200, making it the most expensive pick on our list, but if you are a frequent or advanced pickleball or tennis player, the investment may be worth it.
Mangrove Adjustable Sling Pickleball Bag
Pros
- Affordable
- Includes multiple compartments and pockets
Cons
- Only comes in three colors
While we haven't tried this bag for ourselves quite yet, it has an impressive 4.8-star rating on Amazon across more than 2,000 online reviews. The Mangrove Sling Bag is also mentioned in a Reddit thread on the best pickleball bags, so it's safe to say this pick is popular among shoppers, and it doesn't cost a ton. This bag is slightly larger than other sling bags on the market and has two large pockets plus smaller compartments for your essentials.
We appreciate that it's made of polyester for durability and easy cleaning, although we wish there were more colors to choose from. Still, one five-star review writes: "This is a great beginner bag. Fits one or two paddles, some balls, keys and wallet. It has a compartment for water and space for snacks."
Pros
- Fits up to four pickleball padles
- Built-in shoe compartment
Cons
- Some Amazon shoppers found the bag lacked durability
Most of the pickleball bags on our list are one-shoulder, but this backpack style gives you a little more stability. This spacious bag by Athletico is available in four basic colors, and the brand claims you can fit up to four pickleball paddles in the backpack: two in the padded compartment and two inside the main compartment. Plus, it has a separate vented shoe compartment, two water bottle pockets and external storage perfect for storing a towel.
It's also a top seller on Amazon with a 4.3-star rating. One five-star review writes, "This was well worth the purchase. I have filled this backpack with size 12 court shoes, six pickleballs, two paddles, eye protection, a water bottle and other small miscellaneous items. There was also room for my shorts and t-shirt." A few Amazon shoppers found that the bag was vulnerable to quick wear and tear.
Tangerine Hunter Classic Pickleball Bag
Pros
- Exterior paddle compartment and zippered pockets
- Stylish design
- Can wear it as a tote or crossbody
Cons
- Canvas material is harder to clean
This bag from Tangerine gives an air of quiet luxury thanks to a canvas fabric and subtle trim, and it's practical to boot. "I love this bag, it's lightweight, spacious and has an interior zipper pocket and two others to help keep things organized," says Contributing Writer and Analyst Jamie Ueda. Though she uses it with one paddle, Ueda suspects you could likely fit two in the spacious exterior paddle compartment. "I also like that you can carry it like a tote or use an attached strap if you want to carry it crossbody," she adds. The versatility and roomy design improve the overall value of the pricier bag. Note that the canvas material may be harder to clean if it gets dirty after lots of use.
Franklin Sports Sling Pickleball Bag
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Built-in fence hook for easy storage while playing
- Popular among Amazon shoppers
Cons
- Some online reviews found the cellphone compartment too small
Franklin is another popular brand among pickleballers, which is why it's no surprise this sling style is Amazon's Choice with an overall 4.7-star rating. One satisfied customer says, "I'm impressed with it at this price point. Not to mention, Franklin is not some unknown brand in the sports equipment industry." The affordable bag is available in six fun colors, and we like that it has an adjustable shoulder strap for a perfect fit plus a built-in fence hook so you can keep it off the ground while playing. Amazon shoppers do note that while they appreciate the various compartments, they wish that the cellphone compartment was larger.
Ame & Lulu Hamptons Pickleball Bag
Pros
- Preppy canvas style
- Spacious compartments
- Impressive five-star rating on Amazon
Cons
- Only available in three colors
Nutrition Lab Director and NASM-certified personal trainer Stefani Sassos was able to try a few pickleball bags in her last categorical test of pickleball paddle. She found Ame & Lulu bags to be both cute and functional, and online shoppers agree. One satisfied shopper writes, "The size is perfect. It fits a pair of shoes, extra balls, a water bottle and all my necessities like keys, phone, wallet." Even though the canvas bag is only available in three colors, we think its preppy look is timeless chic on the pickleball court. Although it's pricey, its useful compartments, adjustable shoulder strap and versatile size make it perfectly practical.
selkirk Core Line Team Backpack
Pros
- Includes a laptop sleeve
- Available in fun neon colorways
- Under $100
Cons
- May be too large for some casual players
Lydia Hirt, Chief Marketing Officer of CityPickle, alternates between two pickleball bags: this Selkirk's pickleball backpack and the Francis Valentine x CityPickle bag ($298). The Selkirk, however, retails at under $100, and we like its sportier flare. It's available in seven bright colors including navy (pictured), prestige pink and green, and it's sturdy and spacious. Hirt says she can fit everything she needs for an entire weekend of pickleball, making it a great choice if you often compete in tournaments.
"You can pack it full for travel and there’s an optional chest strap for comfort, and it slides under an airline seat," she says. There is even a laptop sleeve if you head to the office after your matches. It's another popular bag among online shoppers, earning a 4.8-star rating on Selkirk's website across more than 40 reviews. This is one of the larger bags included in our list, which is great for serious players who carry multiple paddles.
How we chose the best pickleball bags
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute test all kinds of bags for various activities from gym bags to tote bags and more. In the Lab, we evaluate each bag's construction and pack and unload the bag to make sure it'll fit everything you need for a pickleball match. We then send bags to consumer testers who provide feedback on how comfortable the bag is to carry, how it feels to use, its appearance and more. We also interviewed professionals to learn more about top-performing brands and narrowed down the results by factoring in price and online shopper reviews.
What to consider when shopping for the best pickleball bag
✔️ Size: If you only need a paddle, then a smaller bag will do just the trick and save you some money for more playing time. On the other hand, if you like to play a few games before work and need room for extra clothes, a medium or large bag may be a better fit. Hirt sums it up perfectly: "Don’t get a bag that’s bigger than what you need, as no one needs to carry around extra baggage, in life or pickleball!"
✔️ Materials: Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst Emma Seymour recommends shoppers look for bags made from durable materials like nylon or high-denier polyester. Not only do you want to choose a sturdy bag, but "smooth materials are easier to wipe clean than a textured material like canvas," says Seymour. Hirt reiterates the importance of performance materials: "Ensure the fabric feels high quality and will last awhile (as once you get started playing pickleball, it often becomes a regular hobby!)"
✔️ Compartments: While some pickleball bags are designed to hold just your paddle and not much else, others have extra compartments for balls, a change of clothes or even sneakers. Hirt advises players to reflect on what is essential to their needs: "Is it important to have easy access to your paddle and/or water bottle? Do you want a separate compartment for a change of sneakers?" The more compartments, the bigger the size and the higher the price tag, so consider what essentials you like to have nearby when you play.
✔️ Style: Hirt urges players to choose a bag that brings them joy as pickleball is all about having fun — and there are certainly some fashionable bags out there. From sporty yet affordable sling bags and backpacks to preppy pickleball bags and sleek athletic styles, find delight in choosing the bag that fits your personality.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she works across Labs to ensure our product guides reflect accurate pricing and information. She has written on a variety of athletic categories including the best tennis shoes for women and men. While she grew up playing tennis, since moving to NYC she has played a few pickleball matches (so far).
To write this story, she interviewed Lydia Hirt, Chief Marketing Officer of CityPickle, as well as consulted our fitness and textile experts Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT and Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst Emma Seymour.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
