Pack It Up: The Pickleball Bags Worth Traveling With
Traveling to play means your gear is going with you—on planes, in cars, through dusty courts, and sometimes sprinting across a tournament venue trying to find court 27. Not all bags are built for that kind of chaos. And let’s be honest, when you're stuffing sweaty socks next to your lucky paddle, it helps to have something a little more sophisticated than a basic backpack.
No matter how much gear you’re bringing, these bags are built for the trips, and still turn heads on the court.
What Makes a Great Travel Bag?
Before we dive into the goods, here’s what we look for in a travel bag:
Durability – Airport bins and court dust don’t go easy on flimsy fabric.
Paddle Protection – Because bubble wrap is not a long-term solution.
Smart Compartments – Dirty shoes, clean shirts, snacks, sweaty wristbands—it all needs a place.
Easy Carrying – Backpack, roller, or tote: whatever keeps your shoulders from screaming.
Style – You’re showing up to play. Might as well show up in style.
The Standouts
The FORWRD Court Caddy Pickleball Bag
FORWRD – For the Sleek, Purpose-Driven Player
Minimalist on the outside, packed with purpose on the inside. FORWRD’s Court Caddy was designed with players, not just for them. With space for four paddles, a laptop, and more, it’s built for the detail-oriented player who wants function without flash.
25L capacity, two paddle sleeves, and a dedicated ball holder
Ocean-bound recycled materials + TPU-coated for serious durability
Optional add-ons like a magnetic eyewear case and towel caddy
A bit of a splurge at $277, but the design speaks for itself
ZÜCA – The Roller for Serious Haulers
The ZÜCA Pickleball Sport Bag
Built like a carry-on with the heart of a coach’s bag. The ZÜCA Pickleball Sport Bag is the ultimate travel companion for players with gear—and maybe back pain.
Aluminum alloy frame doubles as a seat (yes, seriously)
Dual wheels that handle curbs and stairs like a champ
Removable insert is water-resistant and hand-washable
Note: Doesn’t meet FAA carry-on specs, so it’s a checked-bag bestie, but you can check out their Pickleball Pro if you’re looking for something TSA compliant.
The Doubletake NYC Pickleball Backpack
Doubletake – For the Organized (and Stylish) Competitor
Designed by women, for women who are over the black-hole gym bag experience. With fade-resistant fabric and pockets for literally everything, the Doubletake bags are as pretty as they are practical.
Lightweight with aluminum hardware
Wide zippers so you can see everything inside
Options include backpacks, totes, and duffels starting at $194
Great for players who crave elegant structure on and off the court
Fenix Sportier – For the Player Who Treats Their Paddle Like Jewelry
Crafted in LA with premium Italian leather, this bag is designed to turn heads. Founder Lauren Bruksch (former Barbie and luxury brand exec) fused sport with high fashion, and the result is part pickleball, part runway by Fenix Sportier.
The Fenix Sportier Ball Boy
Premium leather, luxe suede linings, custom French hardware
Interchangeable shoulder straps, matching visors, and more
Bags start around $200 and are designed to transition from court to aprés-anything
Best for players who want to play hard and look elevated doing it
Travel-Friendly Tips From the Road
Use packing cubes to separate sweaty gear from clean clothes
Keep a clip-on hand sanitizer and carabiner for keys on the outside of your bag
Always pack an extra grip, extra socks, and your own electrolyte mix
Consider adding a shoe cube or waterproof pouch for damp gear
Invest in a compact towel or microfiber cloth for quick wipe-downs on the go
Final Serve
At the end of the day, the best travel bag is the one that makes you feel ready. Confident. Comfortable. Like you’ve got it all together—even if your partner forgot to bring balls again.
Because showing up matters. And so does showing up with a paddle sleeve, a clean shirt, and just the right amount of main character energy.
So go ahead—pack it up. You’ve got places to play.
