How to Choose your Padel Bag
A padel bag is the easiest way to protect and transport your equipment. This is why many padel players prefer to have a dedicated padel bag rather than using a regular sports bag. However, padel bags come in many different shapes, brands and designs, which can make it difficult to know what to choose. That's why we've put together the ultimate guide for choosing the right padel bag.
What to Consider when Buying a Padel Bag?
First of all, you need to be clear about what you're going to use the padel bag for. Are you just going to use it to carry your equipment from the car to the padel court? Do you walk or use your bike to go to the centre? Or are you a padel coach or do you play tournaments and team matches and therefore need extra space? Different needs make different demands on the bag. In the following, we'll go through the main features of a padel bag to help you decide what you need.
Which Size Padel Bag Do I Need?
Once you've worked out what your needs are for space and compartments, it's easier to decide what size bag to get. Typically you carry 1-3 rackets in your bag. Some recreational players carry a single padel racket, but more and more are choosing to bring a spare racket so that you don't risk having to stop during a match if you are unlucky enough to break a racket. Another reason for carrying more than one racket is to change your style of play during the match, for example if the balls have become softer or the court has become wet, which reduces the bounce of the ball.
In addition, there should be space for clothes and a change of clothes - preferably with separate compartments so that wet and dry clothes don't get mixed up. A separate compartment (or embedded inside the bag) for shoes is also highly recommendable to avoid odours and sand or dirt from the shoes mixing with the clothes. Finally, the vast majority of padel bags also have a smaller compartment for keys and valuables.
The above covers the need for space in the bag for the majority of players. If you're an elite player or padel coach and need to carry full sets of playing gear as well as multiple rackets that you may need to transport over long distances, you should choose a bag with at least 3 compartments. Learn more on this topic in the next section, where we review the different types of bags.
Different Types of Padel Bags
There is a wide range of padel bags on the market. They come in different sizes, shapes and designs. The most commonly used type of padel bag is the regular or standard version. It is suitable for the vast majority of players as this bag has space for 2-3 rackets, clothes, shoes, balls and valuables.
Example of a padel bag with 2 compartments from Nox:
If you need additional space for your padel gear, you can buy a larger model. These are extra large bags providing you with significantly more space for your equipment. If you are a tournament player, coach or simply a padel gear freak who needs sufficient space to carry many rackets and maybe even a tracksuit and extra shoes, a padel bag with extra space is the right choice.
Example of a padel bag with 3 compartments from Babolat:
If you're travelling long distances, for example playing tournaments or going to the popular padel camps, consider a padel bag with wheels. The wheels make it a bit easier to walk with it, for example at the airport or on longer stretches.
Duffel Bags for Padel
If you are looking for a bag with a different shape and design, a duffel bag is a good alternative. The duffel bag is often spacious and has one large compartment. It is cylinder-shaped and can easily be carried on the back or in the hand. The material is soft, so the duffel bag adapts well if you need to fit it in the trunk of your car, where there is not always enough space.
Example of a duffel bag from Head:
Padel Backpacks
Moreover, there are also backpacks for padel. They tend to be a bit smaller than the bags, but if you walk or ride your bicycle to the padel centre, a backpack may well be the best choice for you. A padel backpack has space enough to store the most necessary equipment like shoes, clothes and rackets. It's worth mentioning here that most backpacks are large enough for you to store your racket inside it without it sticking up, which significantly reduces the impact of wind and weather.
Example of a backpack from Starvie:
What Material Is a Padel Bag Made of?
Padel bags are generally made to resist wind and weather. Often they are made of nylon, polyester and water-repellent materials. This not only extends the life of the bag, but also the contents inside. In particular, the durability of a padel racket is affected by temperature (the foam does not tolerate either high or low temperatures over time), so if your bag does not hold tightly, or a zipper is broken, this significantly reduces the protective properties of the bag.
If you ride a bi cycle or walk to and from the padel centra, it might be a good idea to buy a bag made from water-repellent material so that your equipment doesn't get soaked if it starts to rain. The same applies if you play padel on outdoor courts and therefore keep your bag in the open while you're playing.
Transportation of Padel Gear
The way you carry your bag may also influence your choice. For example, a shoulder strap with good padding is important if you carry your bag on your shoulders. And straps that can be tightened and loosened as needed. Others prefer handles on either side of the bag that can be folded over the bag for easy carrying by hand. If the padel bag is to be squeezed into a full trunk, you may also want to consider which shape of bag suits your needs.
The Small Things That Make a Big Difference
The key is in the details. Thus, there are several smaller aspects of a padel bag with the potential to make a big difference. For your racket, it's beneficial if the bag has an insulated compartment to ensure the racket is kept at an appropriate temperature.
Some bags also have 'padding' inside, so your rackets are stored separately without scratching each other. Furthermore, the quality of the zipzer and handles shouldn't be underestimated either.
How Much Does a Padel Bag Cost?
Most bags from brands such as Adidas, Head and Babolat are within a price range between €50-150. If you want to narrow it down even further, many are priced between €60 and €90. The old adage that price and quality go hand in hand also applies to padel bags. Besides that, the choice of size, design and brand also affects the price of the bag.
We hope this article has helped you choose the right padel bag for your needs. Browse our selection of padel bags.