A pickleball bag looks like the least important thing you will buy. It is not. A good one keeps your paddles from cooking in a hot car, gives your shoes and wet towel somewhere to live that is not your paddle compartment, and makes it easy to hang your gear on a fence between games. A bad one leaves you carrying a paddle in one hand, a water bottle in the other, and everything else in a plastic bag.
This guide compares five bags that are sold in the Philippines through PickleballPH, an official local retailer: two backpacks, one travel-style tour bag, and two slings. It is a research guide, not a hands-on test. The specs, dimensions and prices below come from the product listings, and I have flagged where a claim is the manufacturer’s own.
How I picked these five
I wanted bags that cover the three situations most Filipino players actually face: a quick trip to the court with a paddle or two, a regular session with shoes, water and a change of clothes, and travel or tournament days when you carry a lot. I also limited the list to bags from brands that are officially stocked locally, because counterfeits are a real problem on marketplace sites, and I wanted prices you can check against a real listing.
Prices are the peso prices listed at PickleballPH at the time of writing. Stock changes quickly, and several of these showed as sold out when I checked, so treat the prices as a reference point and confirm availability before you plan around a specific bag.
| Bag | Type | Listed price | Key spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRBN Pro Team Backpack 2.0 | Backpack | ₱7,770 | Holds up to 3 paddles, magnetic ball garage |
| JOOLA Tour Elite Bag II | Backpack / duffle | ₱6,490 | 45L, two thermal paddle compartments |
| SELKIRK Core Line Team Backpack | Backpack | ₱4,600 | 11 × 11 × 20.5 in, 15 in laptop sleeve |
| CRBN Pro Team Sling Bag | Sling | ₱3,540 | 20 × 11 × 5.5 in, holds up to 3 paddles |
| SELKIRK Core Line Sling Bag | Sling / backpack | ₱2,250 | Fits 1 paddle and a ball |
CRBN Pro Team Backpack 2.0: the most complete bag
The CRBN Pro Team Backpack 2.0, listed at ₱7,770, is the most feature-heavy bag here, and it earns that price with its organization. The standout is a side-mounted magnetic ball garage that holds up to three balls and also opens into the main compartment, so you can grab a ball between points without unzipping everything.
The rear panel holds up to three paddles, and the main compartment opens from the top or the front, which makes it easier to find things without emptying the bag. There is an isolated shoe compartment at the bottom, a felt-lined sunglasses pocket, a valuables pocket for your phone and wallet, and a trolley sleeve that slides over luggage handles for travel. The lower part is a water-resistant tarpaulin, which helps on wet courts, and dual metal fence hooks let you hang the bag courtside.
The downside is the price. At about ₱7,770 it costs well over the Selkirk backpack. If you play several times a week and carry a lot of gear, the organization pays for itself. If you play once a week with a paddle and a bottle, it is more bag than you need.
JOOLA Tour Elite Bag II: the one for travel days
The JOOLA Tour Elite Bag II, listed at ₱6,490, is built around capacity. JOOLA lists it at 21.25 × 11.75 × 11 inches and 45 liters, which makes it the largest bag in this comparison, and it is sized for both carry-on and checked travel. It converts between a backpack and a duffle using hideaway straps, so you can carry it either way.
Inside, you get two thermal, wipeable paddle compartments, multiple pockets, a hidden valuables pocket and an interior shoe bag with a snap closure. The thermal paddle compartments are the feature I would pay attention to in a tropical climate, because heat is one of the things that can damage paddles left in a bag or a car.
It is more bag than most casual players need, but if you travel to tournaments, play several matches a day, or carry a lot of clothes and gear, this is the one that makes sense. The two-way carry also helps when a backpack is uncomfortable and you would rather carry it by the handles.
SELKIRK Core Line Team Backpack: the sensible middle
At ₱4,600, the SELKIRK Core Line Team Backpack is the best value of the three backpacks. Selkirk describes it as a medium-sized option inspired by its Tour bag, at 11 × 11 × 20.5 inches. The listing mentions a large main compartment that fits multiple paddles, balls and accessories, a padded front pocket, a hard EVA top with a secure cell phone pocket, and a protected sleeve that fits a 15-inch laptop.
It also has three internal pockets with extra zippers, large mesh water bottle pockets, a clip for hanging on a fence, and an adjustable strap system. It does not have the thermal compartments or the ball garage of the pricier bags, but it covers what most players need: space for paddles, shoes, a bottle and a phone, in a package that is easy to carry.
If you are buying your first proper pickleball bag and want it to last, this is the one I would start with.
CRBN Pro Team Sling Bag: the best sling
Slings are popular because they are light and quick, but many are too small to hold much more than a paddle. The CRBN Pro Team Sling Bag at ₱3,540 is bigger than most. It measures 20 × 11 × 5.5 inches, weighs 1 pound 15 ounces, and the thermal-lined main compartment holds up to three paddles.
It also has a valuables pocket, expandable thermal-lined side pockets that expand to 5.5 inches for drinks or balls, a water-resistant outer shell, YKK zippers and a metal fence hook that tucks away into its pouch. The strap clips on both sides, so you can wear it on either shoulder, and the main compartment fits a laptop up to 14 inches. Of the bags here, it is the one I would pick for players who want to travel light but still carry a full set of gear.
SELKIRK Core Line Sling Bag: the minimalist pick
The SELKIRK Core Line Sling Bag, at ₱2,250, is the smallest and cheapest option here. It has a padded paddle pocket that fits one paddle and a ball, a bottle pocket that holds up to 16.9 ounces, a back mesh pocket for a phone, an inner security pocket for keys and a wallet, and a front zippered pocket for snacks or sunglasses.
The strap is lightly padded and can be worn as a single-strap sling or unzipped to convert into a backpack, which is a useful detail. It will not carry two paddles and a pair of shoes, but if you only want a paddle, a ball, a bottle and your phone, it keeps things simple and costs less than any other bag on this list.
Features that actually matter
Bag listings throw a lot of features at you, and not all of them make a difference on court. These are the ones I would look for, in order of how much they help:
- A separate shoe compartment. Dirty court shoes next to your paddle face is a bad idea, and a bottom compartment solves it.
- Thermal or padded paddle space. Heat and impacts are what hurt paddles in bags, so a lined compartment is worth having.
- A fence hook. Hanging your bag keeps it off wet or dirty ground, and you will use it every session.
- Good zippers. CRBN lists YKK zippers on its sling. Cheap zippers are the first thing to fail on any bag.
- Water resistance. A tarpaulin base or a water-resistant shell helps in the rainy season.
- A laptop sleeve. Useful if the bag doubles as your work or school bag. The Selkirk backpack takes 15 inches and the CRBN sling takes 14 inches.
How to choose the right bag
Match the bag to how you play, not to what looks best on social media. A few questions help narrow it down:
- How many paddles do you carry? One or two, a sling is enough. Three or more, move up to a backpack.
- Do you carry shoes and a change of clothes? If yes, look for a dedicated shoe compartment, as the CRBN and JOOLA bags have.
- How hot is your court and your car? Thermal paddle compartments are worth paying for if your bag sits in a hot vehicle.
- Do you travel for games? The JOOLA’s carry-on sizing and the CRBN’s trolley sleeve are built for it.
- What is your budget? The Selkirk backpack and slings are the value picks. The CRBN and JOOLA bags are for players who play often.
Avoiding fake bags
Counterfeit pickleball gear is common on Shopee and Lazada. Several local buying guides specifically warn about fake CRBN and JOOLA products, and bags are easy to fake because there is no serial number to check. Buy from Shopee Mall, LazMall or an official retailer, check that the stitching, zippers and logo placement look consistent with the official product photos, and be suspicious of any price that is far below the official listing.
Taking care of your bag
A good bag lasts years if you look after it. Empty it after every session so sweat and moisture do not sit inside, wipe the paddle compartment if it is a wipeable one, and let your shoes air out before you put them back in the shoe compartment. Do not leave the bag in a hot car for hours with your paddles inside, even if it has thermal lining, because the lining slows the heat but does not stop it.
Check the straps and zippers every few months. A strap that is starting to fray or a zipper that sticks is easier to fix early than after it fails mid-game.
My picks
- Best overall: SELKIRK Core Line Team Backpack. It covers what most players need at the lowest price among the backpacks.
- Best for frequent players: CRBN Pro Team Backpack 2.0. The magnetic ball garage and the organization are worth it if you play often.
- Best for travel: JOOLA Tour Elite Bag II. The 45L capacity and the duffle conversion suit tournament weekends.
- Best sling: CRBN Pro Team Sling Bag. It holds up to three paddles and still stays compact.
- Best budget: SELKIRK Core Line Sling Bag. It is small, light and cheap.
If you are also upgrading your paddle, my reviews of the Enflexy Noir and Enflexy Mjolnir cover two paddles that are easier on the wallet, and a good bag is what keeps them protected between games.
