Best Pickleball Bag

Pickleball is quickly and increasingly becoming incredibly popular all over the country and there’s excellent reasons for this.

It’s fun for everyone, there’s plenty of places to play it and it’s great for fitness and weight management.

Of course though, like with many sports, there’s a lot of gear and equipment that you have to purchase and take with you to play it properly.

The problem is of course, you’re going to need to carry all of this equipment in something! 

One option is to buy a pickleball bag which can take pretty much everything you need with you, but you’re going to have to know what to look for and why you’re looking for it.

Luckily, we’ve done all that hard work for you.

We’ve written this informative guide that provides you with our picks of the best pickleball bags with product reviews, a complete buyer’s guide for what you need to look out for and some frequently asked questions.

So, if you’re ready to learn a lot more - then read on and discover everything you need!

The Best Pickleball Bags

Let’s kick things off right away with the best pickleball bags.

Product Reviews 

So, it’s a good idea that we show you some of the best pickleball bags on the market today. They are all tried and tested and critically reviewed! 

Buyer’s Guide 

With products like this, there’s a lot of things that you will need to look out for.

So, this buyer’s guide will show you exactly the main considerations for what you need to keep in mind and hopefully get you looking in the right direction.

Type Of Pickleball Bag 

Pretty much like any other bag, pickleball bags come in all different shapes and sizes, so one of your first considerations will be what sort of bag you’re looking for.

Generally speaking there are three main types of pickleball bag; duffle bag, backpack and sling bag.

When trying to determine how suitable these bags are for the proposed user, this is one of the best areas to examine. 

For example, if you are a casual player and you’re not going to frequently play pickleball, and you’re not used to carrying heavy equipment, then something like a sling bag will be much more suitable for you.

This is because sling bags are lightweight, compacted and offer a lot of support for your shoulders at the same time.

However, it is unlikely that a sling bag is going to be the appropriate choice for an experienced and serious pickleball player.

The reasons for this are fairly simple. A more experienced pickleball player, and indeed a player that intends to take pickleball more seriously, will likely be carrying much more equipment along with them. 

As a result, a duffle bag might be a great option because there’s lots of room for sports gear, clothing, towels, water bottles and snacks. 

Then there’s the middle-ground option of a backpack. While it does not offer as much space as the duffle bag, it does still offer enough for the added extras that a player may need to bring along with them. 

This makes a backpack ideal for beginners and intermediate players alike, and it can be a good option for experienced pickleball players every now and then, perhaps as a secondary “backup” bag. 

Size

This consideration pretty much fits in with the previous section, but it’s something that you need to think about - particularly when you are in charge of your kid’s pickleball bag and equipment (Also check out Best Pickleball Sets). 

In this instance, you’ll need to think about space, how easy it will be to carry, if your kids can easily pack things away and take them out without damaging them etc. 

This also applies to people who might be carrying an injury, or someone with specific needs and requirements. 

Compartments And Pockets 

As we said earlier, pickleball bags come in all different shapes and sizes, and as a result - one of the biggest advantages to some of them is the added compartments.

These can be extremely convenient and highly useful for certain things.

For example, there are some pickleball bags on the market that come with their own compartments specially for shoes - which is very handy because it traps any lingering smells, traps moisture in the section and releases it hygienically, along with much more. 

Of course, the biggest advantage of having compartments like this is the fact that you do not need to carry your things in other bags or in your hands - and this is worth its weight in gold.

Another pocket you’ll want to look out for is a water bottle holder.

There’s no compartment more helpful than a bottle holder, and when it comes to sports bags - this is no exception. The holder should be located on the outside using a mesh.

This will allow the bottle to breathe, release any condensation to prevent your bag from soaking and it allows for quick access to drink, as and when you need to. 

Materials Used

Not all pickleball bags are made using the same materials. The main things you’re going to be looking for are materials that offer durability, weather resistance and zippers that are anti corrosive. 

On top of this, you’ll likely want a material that promotes lightweightedness - so you might be turning your attention to a padded parachute, felt lined or fleece lined bag material for all that you need. 

All of these things should promote a long life for your pickleball bag, and of course this will be a consideration for you so your money lasts longer. 

Weight

Speaking of lightweight materials, the overall weight of the bag will definitely be something that you’ll want to pay attention to.

Generally speaking, the less sought after pickleball bags will be made of leather. 

Leather pickleball bags, and indeed extra padded bags, are normally far heavier than other bags and do not do well with moisture.

Over time, they tend to deteriorate much quicker than other materials and the feel of them is very unpleasant. 

In reality, you should be looking for a soft polyester material.

This is not only lightweight but it’s incredibly comfortable and is normally made using airy foam pads which allows for the escape of moisture, but also allows the carrier a much more easy carrying experience. 

Shoulder Strap Or Not?

More advanced pickleball players will likely be asking themselves this question.

More often than not, experienced players will use a duffle bag which has everything they need but it often compromises on a shoulder strap. 

You can, however, find bags with adjustable straps for your shoulders.

The fact is, this consideration will come into your thoughts when you’re weighing up what sort of bag you’re looking for. 

Personal Budget 

Of course, any purchase will certainly include a personal budgetary consideration.

When weighing up your options here, you’ll need to think about how much you plan on playing pickleball and whether it is worth spending top dollar for a supreme bag. 

We’d suggest that if you’re a serious player, it’s worth spending that little extra to get top quality. The bag should last longer and prevent you spending more money in a short period of time. 

However, more casual players might not need to spend this sort of money. Casual players can use a backpack every now and again for when they play and this should be fine. 

The only way to make this decision is by understanding how much you’ll play pickleball, how much you’re willing to spend to begin with and any personal needs you have.

Keep this figure in mind and check the average cost - and try to stick within that area.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Now, as with any other products, customers often have plenty of added questions which seemingly were not answered.

So, we’ve written the most frequently asked questions below with our answers! 

Why Buy A Pickleball Bag?

There are a few main reasons why you should buy a pickleball bag, and this means we need to break them down a little more.

Here’s the key reasons you need a pickleball bag:

Comfort And Portability

Bags in general make carrying things with you much more convenient and far more comfortable.

This does not matter if you are a seldom player, a casual player or a very experienced player. 

Going through the trouble of carrying the pickleball balls, paddles, chalk, water bottle etc. in your hands or a basic grocery bag will become a real hindrance.

Bags can also be used as a place to store things during your game (such as your smartphone for example). 

And let’s not forget, if you have somewhere to be after your game, a bag that carries everything is much better for any event! It also can trap any potential smells from your sweaty gear! 

Protects Your Gear 

Most modern pickleball bags are designed and created in such a way that any accidents that could have led to damage have been considered - so the bag literally protects your gear from accidental damage. 

However, this is why you need to keep an eye on what sort of pickleball bag you are buying and the materials they are using.

It’s not a good idea to spend less on a pickleball bag when it could reduce the overall quality of the bag, as this could reduce the protection offered.

Helps Promote Organization 

Organization is critical in life as a whole, but when it comes to carrying sports equipment it’s very useful.

Having compartments and sections where you can account for everything you need is very handy, as you will know if you have anything missing from your game.

There’s nothing worse than needing to return back home because you’ve forgotten something basic! 

Should I Buy Paddle Protectors If I Have A Good Quality Bag?

Even if your bag is very high quality and offers a lot of protection, it’s always going to be advised that you purchase added protection for your gear.

You’ll likely find that it would save you money overall through time. 

This is especially true if you have really got used to a particular paddle and you don’t want to part with it! 

Do I Need To Find A Bag With A Shoe Compartment?

You might be wondering if your bag needs to have a dedicated area for your shoes or whether you could just use a different section (depending on the size of the bag). 

The fact of the matter is that shoe compartments are designed specifically for shoes, which means their design allows for trapped moisture to escape, keeping any lingering smells inside the compartment and not the overall bag (and general area!) and they are large sized. 

While you might be able to fit your shoes in a different compartment, you are far better off finding a bag with a shoe compartment if you plan to carry your shoes separately. 

How Will I Know The Bag Is Big Enough?

You will be able to see the manufacturer notes for the bag’s dimensions, however most pickleball bags are large enough to fit up to four paddles, six balls and extra equipment.

As a result, they tend to be large enough to begin with. 

However, if you are worried about buying a bag that is too small, then you should always spend that little extra and get a high quality, all rounded bag. 

Final Thoughts 

Pickleball is great fun but it requires a lot of equipment, so you’ll need to find your perfect bag.

We hope this guide has cleared up any questions you may have had and you are able to find the bag best for you.

Good luck and happy shopping!