Best Pickleball Bags
A good pickleball bag holds 2 paddles, a pair of shoes, a water bottle, and a few balls, without feeling like you're hauling equipment. Most players just need a solid backpack.
Before you buy
- →A dedicated pickleball backpack with a paddle sleeve is worth it once you're playing 2+ times a week.
- →Look for a shoe compartment so your court shoes don't touch your gear.
- →Roller bags are for tournaments, backpacks are for everything else.
- →Selkirk and Engage make the most popular recreational bags.
Selkirk Tour Backpack
Holds paddles, balls, shoes, and water. The most popular everyday carry bag in the community.
Why we picked it
The Selkirk Tour is the bag you'll see most often at rec play and clubs. It fits 2–3 paddles, has a dedicated shoe pocket, and is built well enough to last years. The price is right and the brand is trusted in the pickleball community.
Tourna Grip XL (Overgrip)
Not a bag, but the most overlooked gear upgrade. Fresh grip makes a bigger difference than most players expect.
Why we picked it
We're slipping this in because it's the best $8 you can spend on your game. Overgrip absorbs sweat, adds thickness if needed, and makes your paddle feel new. Buy a pack before you buy a bag.
Common questions
What should a pickleball bag hold?
At minimum: 2 paddles, a pair of court shoes, 3–6 balls, and a water bottle. Nice to have: towel pocket, separate wet/dry section for shoes, and a phone/wallet pocket you can access without digging.
Do I need a pickleball-specific bag?
Not necessarily. Any backpack that fits a paddle (roughly 16" long) works. That said, dedicated pickleball bags have paddle sleeves that protect the face, and shoe compartments that keep your court shoes separate from your other gear, both worth it if you play regularly.
More Best Of guides
Browse the full gear collection
See all gear