OVERVIEW
I am going to depart from my normal review format and put my summary up front, then provide individual reviews in the body of the review.
Choosing the Right Pickleball Bag for Your Needs
The perfect pickleball bag depends on your playing style, budget, and storage needs. Here’s a breakdown of top options to help you decide:
The Best Paddle for Easy Access of Your Paddles and Accessories: The oktō™ Bag
The oktō™ bag checks nearly every box for storage (up to 4 paddles), accessibility, and thoughtful design.
Best Budget Pick: TMPR Bag ($99)
Ideal for players who want affordability without sacrificing space. Fits 2 paddles (with covers) and has ample room for gear in the central compartment, including a pocket for a laptop. If the airline will allow it, it can be used in overhead storage.
Best for Paddle Enthusiasts: Six Zero Bag
Designed for players who like options—carry up to 6 paddles (great for testing different setups or sharing with friends).
Best for Minimalists & Travel: KTCHN Court Caddy
Sleek and compact—perfect for 2 paddles, clothing, and accessories. Definitely airline carry-on friendly. However, this is WAY more expensive than other paddles
Still unsure? Consider how often you play, whether you travel with your gear, and how much “extras” you typically bring to the court.
INTRODUCTION
I stopped playing tennis about 15 years ago and picked up pickleball. As in the early days of tennis, there were no pickleball bags around, not ones, at least, that I liked. Instead, I stuffed a couple of paddles, balls and so on into my old Wilson gym bag. That didn’t quite work after a while, though, because I carry multiple paddles for people to test, a lot of balls, markers for lessons, etc. Anyway, my bag looked just a bit different from the one shown below – the side pocket is larger and it has multiple handle straps.
After a while, I decided it was time, I decided to get a pickleball bag. I researched a few bags, and decided on the TMPR Tour 2 bag. I had a few requirements for a bag, namely laptop storage and overall storage. Pickleball bags are continuously evolving, however, and I have found a few that have some features that I like. Below are four of those bags.
INDIVIDUAL BAG REVIEWS
OKTŌ™ PICKLEBALL BAG
Pickleball bags are no longer “just bags”—they’re evolving into full-featured gear hubs. The latest entry, the oktō™ bag, checks nearly every box for storage, accessibility, and thoughtful design.
Paddle Storage
Right up front: this bag holds up to four paddles on the outside, where they’re visible and easy to grab. Many bags—including my Six Zero—bury paddles inside zipped pockets, forcing you to dig around to find the one you want. The KTCHN Court Caddy also displays paddles, but requires removing the paddle holder from the bag to see them. The oktō™ design solves both problems elegantly.
Quick-Access Pocket
A clever magnetic pocket (that also zips for security) keeps essentials like your phone, wallet, or keys handy without having to unzip the main compartment. It’s small details like this that separate a great bag from a good one.
Ball Storage
The dedicated ball pocket is inside, but positioned where balls are visible and within quick reach—no rummaging required. By comparison, the KTCHN Court Caddy’s external ball storage tends to collapse inward, leaving balls scattered inside.
Hooks, Not Tabs
Fence hooks may seem minor, but they’re a huge upgrade over the interlocking tabs most bags use. They make hanging your bag at the courts simple and reliable.
Insulated Compartment
One of my favorite features—an insulated storage area. Perfect for lunch, snacks, or keeping drinks cold, but just as useful for valuables like keys or cash when you don’t want them mixed in with sweaty gear.
Shoe (or Towel) Compartment
At the bottom is a dedicated shoe pocket. I use it for an oversized towel, but it’s versatile enough for either purpose.
Expandable Sides
Need more room? Both sides unzip to provide extra storage space—a smart touch when you’re carrying more than usual.
Final Verdict
The oktō™ bag isn’t just thoughtfully designed—it’s the most complete pickleball bag I’ve used. For players who want more than “just a bag,” it’s hard to beat.
At $225, the oktō™ bag is priced above the Six Zero but below the KTCHN bag. It is currently on sale for $195, but, if you follow this link, and use the discount code GregHansen at checkout, you will get a 10% discount: https://oktopickleball.com/
The website has a neat video showing all of the features of the bag – too many for me to include in this review!
TMPR TOUR 2
Laptop – yes. 1.77 cubic feet (same as Franklin).
So, does a laptop really fit in it? Is it really hidden? Yes. See below.
So, this is my laptop in the inner sleeve (away from prying eyes!).
There is also a compartment for your mouse and power cord.
This is a very well thought-out pickleball bag, ideal for anyone who travels either on business, or who really wants their laptop to be safe and well-contained.
So, here’s my bottom line on pickleball bags – if you intend to travel, and if you intend to take a laptop with you, and if you want that laptop to be secured, and if you want maximum storage space, then you should really consider the TMPR bag.
The bag costs $99, the most economical of those that I am going to review, but if you use the discount code LUCKY10 and follow the link below, you get $10 off the backpack.
Here is the link: https://tmprsports.com?aff=170
Six Zero Pro Tour Bag
My next bag, because I carry as many as six paddles with me, was the Six Zero Pro Tour Bag. Here’s what I found particularly impressive about this bag:
Ample Paddle Storage: The twin padded, thermal-lined side pockets are a standout feature, comfortably accommodating 2 to 3 paddles each. Even with thick covers on some of my paddles, there were no issues fitting them snugly into the pockets.
Ventilated Shoe Compartment: The inclusion of a ventilated compartment for shoes is a feature that a number of bag companies are now including. Not only does the compartment keep my footwear fresh and ready for action, but it also effectively prevents any odor from permeating through to the rest of the bag’s contents. This makes it perfect for storing balls, water bottles, and towels in the thermal-lined inner compartment without any worry of odor contamination. Plus, an additional outside pocket ensures that any other potentially odorous items are kept separate.
Dedicated Cellphone Pocket: The separate pocket for cellphone storage is a thoughtful addition. It provides a secure and easily accessible spot for my phone, giving me peace of mind knowing it’s safely tucked away during play sessions.
Detachable Key Ring: While it might seem like a small detail, the detachable key ring is surprisingly convenient. It offers a practical solution for keeping track of keys, ensuring they’re always within reach when needed.
For those seeking a specialized “pickleball only” bag without the need for a laptop pocket, the Six Zero bag is definitely worth considering. Six Zero does not give a cubic feet specification, but my own match comes up to about 4 cubic feet, which is very good.
At $149.99, it is more expensive than the TMPR bag, but less expensive in the next bag in this post.
If you’re intrigued by the features of the Six Zero Pro Tour Bag, you can explore it further https://www.sixzeropickleball.com/?sca_ref=3948184.kD0c3vqSoW and don’t forget to utilize the exclusive 10% discount with coupon code HANSEN10.
KTCHN Court Caddy Pickleball Bag by FORWRD
The KTCHN Court Caddy is one of several pickleball bags I like—and it brings some standout features that are worth noting.
Key Feature: The Removable Paddle Caddy
What sets this bag apart is the removable paddle caddy. It holds up to four paddles (without covers), and you don’t need to unzip the whole bag to see which ones you’ve packed—assuming you recognize the butt-end logos. The caddy can also stay inside the bag, giving you some flexibility.
That said, if you max out the caddy with four paddles, you won’t have much space left for shoes or other gear. It’s a trade-off.
Smart Storage Design
There are two dedicated side pockets that each hold up to four pickleballs. This is a small but thoughtful upgrade—most players (like me) stash balls in the main compartment, which can be messy. Side access is quicker and cleaner.
Hydration & Convenience
Another plus: two water bottle holders, one on each side. This beats having to dig into the center compartment every time you need a drink.
Laptop Storage
Keep this in mind if you are planning on traveling with your paddles. The bag has an inside pocket perfect for storing a laptop, something other bags don’t have.
Stands on Its Own
The bag stands upright on its own, so you don’t have to lay it down or hang it on a fence to access your gear. Everything is accessible from the front, which is a convenience I didn’t know I needed until I had it.
Price
The catch? It’s pricey—$325 retail. However, the company is currently offering $76 off, and possibly an additional 5% discount if you sign up with your email. That helps soften the blow.
SUMMARY
Choosing the Right Pickleball Bag for Your Needs
The perfect pickleball bag depends on your playing style, budget, and storage needs. Here’s a breakdown of top options to help you decide:
Best Budget Pick: TMPR Bag ($99)
Ideal for players who want affordability without sacrificing space. Fits 2 paddles (with covers) and has ample room for gear in the central compartment, including a pocket for a laptop. If the airline will allow it, it can be used in overhead storage.
Best for Paddle Enthusiasts: Six Zero Bag
Designed for players who like options—carry up to 6 paddles (great for testing different setups or sharing with friends).
Best for Minimalists & Travel: KTCHN Court Caddy
Sleek and compact—perfect for 2 paddles, clothing, and accessories. Definitelyairline carry-on friendly. However, this is WAY more expensive than other paddles
The Best Paddle for Easy Access of Your Paddles and Accessories: The oktō™ Bag
The oktō™ bag checks nearly every box for storage (up to 4 paddles), accessibility, and thoughtful design.
Still unsure? Consider how often you play, whether you travel with your gear, and how much “extras” you typically bring to the court.
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