The Best Pickleball Bags List – How to Choose the Right One

The best pickleball bags on the market come in various types and sizes. If you’re searching for how to choose the right one for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ve covered the top two types of pickleball bags in each category for you to choose from. I’ve organized them by size, starting with the smallest.

With the variety in size, types, and specialties of the sports bag market, I decided to focus on bags that were specifically for pickleball. That means I excluded bags made for tennis bags, racquetball, or just general gym bags. By doing that, I’ve narrowed it down for you so that you can choose a pickleball bag that is big enough to hold what equipment you need.

Paddle Cover Pickleball Bags

Paddle cover bags have an obvious narrow focus of holding only your paddle. I’ve included paddle cover bags because it makes sense to have protection for your paddle, even if it’s not the only thing you’re carrying.

They are usually cheap and widely available in different patterns and colors. Paddle covers are a good idea if you are looking to protect your paddle from damage. They shield your instrument from dings to help prolong the life of your paddle.

Paddle Cover Best Choice for Variety: Pickleball Central Neoprene Pickleball Paddle Cover

Pickleball Central makes a variety of paddle cover bags. They’re made from a lightweight neoprene material with a zipper closure. You can get this “ ZERO ZERO TWO” design to let your opponents know you mean business on the court. If you prefer a simpler design, you can get a ton of different styles here.

What makes it the right choice:

• Lots of choices to personalize your cover
• Pickleball Central makes products for the game; you aren’t adapting another racquet cover type
• Standard neoprene with zipper closure

Paddle Cover Best Choice for Value: Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Covers, Set of Two

Amazin’ Aces carries a variety of pickleball focuses equipment, this set of two neoprene covers for your paddles is the best value. Using a protective cover for your paddle will protect it from scratches and scuffs, prolonging the life of your paddle.

What makes it the right choice:

• Two paddle covers for one great price
• Amazin’ Aces makes products for the game. You aren’t adapting another racquet cover type
• Standard neoprene with zipper closure

Sling Pickleball Bags

Sling bags differ from backpack or duffle bags in that they have only one strap, usually worn in a sling over one shoulder or across the body. There are different shapes and sizes of sling bags, but these two are the most common. The ZOEA style is copied and repeated for many different types of sports but serves well for pickleball and its smaller paddles and balls.

Sling Pickleball Bag Best Choice for Sleekness/Portability: ZOEA Adjustable Pickleball Bag with Water Bottle Holder

The ZOEA bag is a true sling, with one strap. This bag is great for people that ride bicycles to the court or need to keep both hands free. It holds a water bottle, up to four paddles, and has a hook on the outside to attach the bag to fences at outdoor courts.

These hooks are a feature on many bags, but it depends on where you play. You don’t need fence clips for indoor courts, so this feature may not be that important for you personally.

What makes it the right choice:

• Hands-free portability
• Holds up to four paddles
• Water bottle pocket with cord lock to keep hydration in place

Sling Pickleball Bag Best Choice for Space: Yuar butee Pickleball Bag

This large bag has a separate zippered compartment large enough for six paddles and a large central area to store your pickleball balls, shoes, or other equipment. The amount of space in this compartment makes it the choice for the sling bag with the most room.

What makes it the right choice:

• Large compartment will store all equipment
• Holds up to six paddles
• Waterproof

Sling Pickleball Bag Best Choice for Just Your Paddle: Honourable Mention to Franklin Sports Pickleball-x Single Paddle Carry Bag

Franklin Sports is a well-known brand in the pickleball world. This paddle bag holds only one paddle, and of course, that should be your matching Franklin Sports paddle. The bag is the official bag of the US Open Pickleball Championships and a great value; the paddles are approved for tournament play.

What makes it the right choice:

• Comfortable sling with a padded compartment for your paddle
• Look like the pros with official gear from the US Open Pickleball Championships

Backpack Pickleball Bags

Franklin Sports and Amazin’ Aces both return in this category. Backpacks have a larger storage area than sling bags, holding more equipment. These two bags look similar, but the way they store your equipment is different.

Backpack Style Pickleball Bag Best Choice from Amazin’ Aces Premium Pickleball Backpack

This top-selling bag comes from the trusted name Amazin’ Aces. It has a ton of features: padded straps, an external reinforced mesh bag to hold four pickleball balls, and an insulated side pocket to keep your drink cool. This backpack is the best choice for those needing a smaller bag. A smaller bag can be preferable for some people.

What makes it the right choice:

• More compact than Franklin bag
• Store paddles in the main compartment
• Mesh pocket for up to four balls

Backpack Style Pickleball Bag Best Choice from Franklin Sports Deluxe Competition Pickleball Backpack Bag

The Franklin bag gives you a choice to store paddles inside the compartment, but it can also hold one paddle on the outside of the bag. There’s no protection from the bag for this paddle, though (grab one of the paddle covers I recommended above). This bag is large, measuring 13"L x 9"W x 20"H. Like the Amazin’ Aces bag, it has padded, adjustable straps and many specialty compartments to store your phone and water bottle.

What makes it the right choice:

• Larger storage compartment
• Option to store paddles inside the bag, or secured one paddle to the outside
• Waterproof

Duffle Style Pickleball Bags

Duffle bags are a great alternative to backpacks. You don’t have to carry a duffle bag on your back, though you can. Some duffle bags have three handles, two on the sides so you can carry it one-handed, and one long strap so you can carry it like a sling. They are often as big, or bigger, than backpacks but have fewer features.

Duffle Pickleball Bag Best Choice for Value: Pickleball Central Game On Pickleball Duffle Bag

Pickleball Central is back on the list with a great duffle bag at an affordable price. This large bag measures18"L x 10.5" H x 9" W and comes in a variety of colors with the popular “ZERO ZERO TWO GAME ON” phrase spoken by true picklers.

What makes it the right choice:

• Inexpensive with tons of room
• Adjustable shoulder straps or double handle
• Outside pocket

Duffle Pickleball Bag Best Choice for Space, Function, and Versatility: ARMOUR Pickleball ProBag

This sleek black bag with red trim is the best bag on this list. It functions as either a duffle or backpack has multiple compartments for your water bottle, paddles, shoes, and other equipment. It’s easy to carry and keeps all your stuff safe inside.

Now that you’ve taken a look at this list of pickleball bags, it’s up to you to decide if you’re looking for a paddle cover, a sling bag, a backpack, or a duffle, and narrow down from there. Choosing the best bag for your needs depends on what you need to store in it, how you want to carry it, and of course, how much you’re willing to invest in your gear.

I’ve given you a few different ways to make your pick, using your judgment for selecting what’s best for you in terms of space, versatility, and cost.

We’ve narrowed down your choices for tons of different pickleball equipment right here on Swing it Big. Once you’ve picked the best pickleball bag, you may want to take a look at paddles, balls, or shoes.

Since we’re all looking to improve, you can try these 8 Pickleball Drills To Increase Your Game Now or jump straight to techniques and strategies guide instead.

Take care, picklers! See you on the court!