A backpack is the bag most players end up carrying. It is lighter than a duffle, easier on one shoulder than a sling, and it can double as a work or school bag, which matters when you play before or after the office. My earlier bag guide compared five bags across styles, and this one goes deeper on one style: seven backpacks sold in the Philippines through PickleballPH, from ₱3,490 to ₱7,990.
It is a research guide based on the listings, not a hands-on test, and the dimensions and features are the brands’. One caution up front: every backpack on this list was showing as sold out at PickleballPH when I checked. I have kept them in because the prices and specs are a useful guide to what to look for, and because stock changes, but check availability before you plan around a specific bag.
What makes a good pickleball backpack
- A separate paddle compartment. Paddles should not rub against keys or water bottles.
- A ventilated shoe compartment. Dirty shoes belong away from your clothes.
- A fence hook or carabiner. You will hang the bag on the fence every session.
- A laptop sleeve. It turns the bag into a commuting bag too.
- Padded, ventilated straps. A loaded bag is heavy in the heat.
- Insulated or thermal pockets. They protect balls and keep drinks cool.
| Backpack | Key features | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| JOOLA Agassi Edge Backpack | Ventilated shoe compartment, hidden zip pocket | ₱3,490 |
| JOOLA Drawstring Backpack | Cinch top, wide straps, side pockets | ₱4,190 |
| JOOLA Everyday Backpack | 2 paddles, 2 bottles, laptop sleeve, carabiner | ₱4,760 |
| JOOLA Pro Backpack | Vertical center zipper, padded paddle sleeves | ₱5,380 |
| PADDLETEK Sport Backpack | 4 zip pockets, laptop sleeve, fence hook | ₱5,950 |
| CRBN Pro Team Backpack | 3 thermal paddle slots, shoe compartment, 2 fence hooks | ₱6,490 |
| SELKIRK Core Line Tour Backpack | Shoe compartment, insulated pouch, 15 in laptop sleeve | ₱7,990 |
Prices are the peso prices listed at PickleballPH at the time of writing, and all seven were showing as sold out.
SELKIRK Core Line Tour Backpack: the biggest
The Core Line Tour is the largest backpack in Selkirk’s Core Line, at 14 by 11 by 20.5 inches, and at ₱7,990 it is the most expensive backpack here. It is made from Selkirk’s +V11 Max Polyfiber Performance material and has a main compartment with top and front access, a dedicated pouch for up to two paddles, a padded front pocket, and a hard EVA top with a secure phone pocket.
The features that set it apart are the ventilated shoe compartment, the insulated thermal food and drink pouch and the protected 15-inch laptop sleeve. Large mesh side pockets and a padded top handle round it out, and a clip hangs it from the fence. It also comes in red, black, gray and sand. If you carry shoes, lunch, a laptop and two paddles, it is the one that holds it all.
CRBN Pro Team Backpack: the thermal one
The CRBN Pro Team Backpack, at ₱6,490, is the earlier version of the 2.0 I covered in my bag guide. It has a water-resistant nylon upper and a rugged tarpaulin bottom, padded air-mesh straps, and a dual-access main compartment that opens from the top or the front.
The thermal features are the draw: a padded, thermal-lined compartment holds up to three paddles, and dual thermal-lined side pockets protect balls and keep drinks at the right temperature. There is a separate shoe compartment and dual coated metal fence hooks. In a hot climate, thermal lining is the feature I would value most.
PADDLETEK Sport Backpack: the organized one
The Paddletek Sport Backpack, at ₱5,950, is a polyester bag measuring 16 by 6 by 21 inches with four zippered pockets, a laptop sleeve, a fence hook and a luggage sleeve for travel. It comes with colored logo accents in several colors, and the photos show red, blue, yellow and purple. It is a sporty, organized backpack without the thermal or shoe-compartment extras of the pricier bags.
It is a good fit for a player who wants a tidy backpack for the court and the commute, and who does not need to carry shoes inside it.
JOOLA Pro Backpack: the tournament one
The JOOLA Pro Backpack, at ₱5,380, is built around a vertical central zipper that opens the bag so you can see and reach everything without digging. It has padded internal sleeves to protect paddles from scratches and dings, reinforced abrasion-resistant fabric, mesh-padded shoulder straps, a ventilated back panel and quick-access side pockets for bottles. The listing pitches it as a compact daily driver for tournament players, with bold yellow branding.
JOOLA Everyday Backpack: the commuter
The Everyday Backpack at ₱4,760 holds two paddles and two water bottles and has a padded laptop sleeve, a hideaway carabiner for hanging courtside and a trolley strap that fits over luggage handles. The photos show it in gray, black and a tan color. It is the simplest of the JOOLA backpacks and the one that looks least like a sports bag, which suits commuters.
JOOLA Agassi Edge Backpack: the cheapest with a shoe compartment
At ₱3,490, the Agassi Edge is the cheapest backpack here and the cheapest to include a dedicated ventilated shoe compartment, which JOOLA says keeps game-worn shoes ventilated and fresh. A hidden interior zip pocket protects valuables, the main compartment holds a paddle, clothes and gear, and the adjustable ergonomic straps have back support and textured shoulder straps. It has a bold red and black design with Agassi branding.
JOOLA Drawstring Backpack: the light one
The Drawstring Backpack at ₱4,190 is the lightweight option, mixing a cinch-bag top with a bottom buckle and clip system. It has a spacious main compartment for a paddle and towel, quick-access side pockets for bottles or ball tubes, and wider adjustable straps than a standard string bag. It comes in black with yellow accents or white. It does not have a laptop sleeve or a shoe compartment, so it is for a short trip and not for a commute.
How to choose
- You carry everything: Selkirk Core Line Tour (₱7,990).
- You play in the heat: CRBN Pro Team Backpack (₱6,490), for thermal lining.
- You commute with a laptop: JOOLA Everyday (₱4,760) or Paddletek Sport (₱5,950).
- You want a shoe compartment on a budget: JOOLA Agassi Edge (₱3,490).
- You travel light: JOOLA Drawstring (₱4,190).
Backpack, sling or duffle
A backpack sits between a sling and a duffle. A sling is the lightest, but it carries one or two paddles and little else, and it loads one shoulder. A duffle carries the most, but it is bulky and awkward on a commute. A backpack spreads the weight across both shoulders, holds paddles, shoes, clothes and a laptop, and can ride on a scooter or in a jeepney without taking up the seat. For most players who travel to the court by public transport or scooter, it is the most practical choice.
How big should it be
| Size | Dimensions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | Paddletek 16 × 6 × 21 in | A paddle or two, a bottle, a laptop |
| Medium | Selkirk Core Line Team 11 × 11 × 20.5 in | Two paddles, shoes, towel, bottle |
| Large | Selkirk Core Line Tour 14 × 11 × 20.5 in | Everything, plus a laptop and food |
Dimensions are from the listings. Bigger is not always better: a bag that is too big gets filled with things you do not need, and it is heavy to carry in the heat. Pick the size that holds what you carry every session, plus a little room.
Weight and comfort
A loaded backpack can weigh several kilograms once you add shoes, water and a laptop, and in Philippine heat that is tiring. Look for padded, ventilated shoulder straps, such as the air-mesh straps on the CRBN bag or the mesh-padded straps on the JOOLA Pro, and a back panel with airflow. A chest or waist strap helps on long walks. Carry the heavy items close to your back and balance the load so the bag does not pull you off balance.
Zippers, seams and durability
Cheap zippers are the first thing to fail on a bag, so check them. Look for large, smooth pulls and reinforced stitching at stress points like the strap anchors and the top handle. Fabric matters too: the Selkirk bag uses a polyfiber material, the CRBN uses a nylon upper with a tarpaulin base, and the JOOLA Pro uses reinforced abrasion-resistant fabric. A tarpaulin or water-resistant base is a real advantage on wet courts and in the rainy season.
Price tiers
- Under ₱4,000: JOOLA Agassi Edge. A basic bag with a shoe compartment.
- ₱4,000 to ₱5,500: JOOLA Drawstring, Everyday and Pro. Lighter bags with simple storage.
- ₱5,500 to ₱7,000: Paddletek Sport and CRBN Pro Team. Organized bags with extras like thermal lining.
- Over ₱7,000: Selkirk Core Line Tour. The largest bag with the most features.
Questions players ask
Can I take one on a plane? The Paddletek bag and the JOOLA Everyday have luggage sleeves for travel, but cabin size limits vary by airline, so check dimensions before you fly.
Will it fit a full-size laptop? The Selkirk Tour bag lists a 15-inch laptop sleeve. Others list a laptop sleeve without a size, so check before you buy.
Is a thermal lining worth paying for? In a hot climate, yes, for balls and drinks. It slows heat, but it does not stop it, so do not leave the bag in a hot car.
Packing a pickleball backpack
Pack the heaviest items closest to your back and the things you need during play on top or in side pockets. Shoes go in the shoe compartment, or in a bag at the bottom, and paddles in the padded sleeve. Keep a spare overgrip, a towel and a ball in an outer pocket, and a charger and phone in the interior zip pocket. Clean out the bag every week so wet towels and old balls do not build up odors.
Looking after your bag
Empty a wet bag at the end of the day and leave it open to dry. Wipe the inside with a damp cloth, and wash fabric bags by hand if the label allows. Do not leave a bag in a hot car for hours with paddles inside, since heat can soften a paddle’s glue even in a thermal bag. A small fix, such as a broken zipper pull, is easier to repair early.
For the rest of your kit, see my guides to covers and cases and towels.
My picks
- Best overall: Selkirk Core Line Tour Backpack (₱7,990).
- Best for heat: CRBN Pro Team Backpack (₱6,490).
- Best value: JOOLA Agassi Edge (₱3,490).
- Best commuter: JOOLA Everyday (₱4,760).
