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Pickleball bags: how many paddles, what else, and how you carry it

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-18.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

What to look for

• Paddle storage: how many paddles fit in a protected pocket, and whether the pocket is thermal or padded.
• Shoe compartment: keeps court shoes away from clothes and food.
• Laptop sleeve: useful if you go from the court to work.
• Carry style: backpack straps, a duffle mode or a tote handle.
• Size: check the listed dimensions against your car trunk, locker or airline limits.

Compare the three picks

These details come from JOOLA's and Selkirk's product pages. We have not tested these bags.

Backpack, duffle or tote

A backpack keeps your hands free on the walk from the parking lot. JOOLA's Tour Elite goes further: its shoulder straps tuck away so it converts from a backpack to a duffle, and JOOLA says it is sized for carry-on and checked travel. Selkirk's Core Line Tour Bag is a backpack with a padded top grab handle and an adjustable strap system.

A tote is simpler. JOOLA describes the Everyday Tote as a bag for an active day that holds a paddle in a slip-in pocket along with a laptop and shoes. It fits players who carry one paddle and want a bag that also works off the court.

Keeping paddles cool and dry

JOOLA says the Tour Elite's two thermal, wipeable paddle compartments protect paddles from heat and moisture. Selkirk's Tour Bag uses a dedicated paddle pouch for up to two paddles and an insulated thermal pouch for food and drinks. Also follow your paddle maker's care advice on heat.

Warranty and where you buy

Selkirk's warranty page says its backpacks and duffles are guaranteed against workmanship and manufacturer defects for the lifetime of the product. JOOLA's limited manufacturer's warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser in the United States and Canada, with the period varying by product, and it does not cover items bought from unauthorized sellers such as auction sites. JOOLA asks you to contact the original seller within 30 days for a return or exchange before filing a warranty claim.

Selkirk's Amazon listing for the Tour Backpack describes its fabric as +V9 Polyfiber, while Selkirk's site lists +V11 Max Polyfiber, so check the current listing if the material matters to you.

Pack for the heat

Bring water and plan for hot days. MedlinePlus advises having plenty of fluids, resting often and seeking shade, and avoiding heavy outdoor activity during hot or humid weather. It says to call 911 if someone with heat illness loses consciousness, becomes confused or has a fever over 102°F.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

How many paddles does a pickleball bag hold?

JOOLA's Tour Elite has two thermal paddle compartments. Selkirk's Core Line Tour Bag has a pouch for up to two paddles. JOOLA's Everyday Tote has a slip-in paddle pocket.

Can I take a pickleball bag on a plane?

JOOLA says the Tour Elite is carry-on and checked travel compliant at 21.25 x 11.75 x 11 inches. Check your airline's current size limit before you fly.

Do pickleball bags have a shoe compartment?

All three picks do: a snap-closure shoe bag in the JOOLA Tour Elite, a ventilated shoe compartment in the Selkirk Tour Bag and a separate shoe compartment in the JOOLA Everyday Tote.

What warranty do pickleball bags have?

Selkirk lists a lifetime guarantee on backpacks and duffles against workmanship and manufacturer defects. JOOLA's warranty period varies by product.

Sources

• JOOLA Tour Elite Pickleball Bag (joola.com), JOOLA
• JOOLA Everyday Tote Bag (joola.com), JOOLA
• Warranty (joola.com), JOOLA
• Core Line Tour Bag Pickleball Backpack (selkirk.com), Selkirk Sport
• Our Warranties (selkirk.com), Selkirk Sport
• Heat emergencies (medlineplus.gov), NIH / MedlinePlus

Sources checked 2026-10-18.