Buying guide for best tennis racquet bags
Playing tennis is a great way to get a workout and have some fun. But you won’t be able to play at all if you can’t get your racquet to the court. Carrying your racquet around in your hand isn’t exactly practical either, which is why, if you’re a tennis player, you should strongly consider investing in a tennis racquet bag.
Not only do tennis racquet bags hold your racquets, they also provide storage space for tennis balls and other gear, freeing up your hands while keeping all of your equipment together. But the variety of tennis bags on the market is about as diverse as the players who buy them. It can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the game, to figure out which bag is right for you.
For all the key factors you need to consider when choosing a tennis racquet bag, read our handy guide.
Key considerations
The two most important features to think about when choosing a tennis racquet bag are its size and durability.
Size
Tennis racquet bags are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different amounts of gear and racquets. If you only need a bag for a racquet or two and some tennis balls, a three-racquet bag should be plenty. It contains a single compartment where you can store up to three racquets, plus some smaller items.
More frequent players may want to invest in a six-racquet bag. These bags have two compartments, each of which can hold up to three racquets. This is a smart choice if you have multiple racquets, or if you play tournaments often and need a larger bag to hold food, snacks, and other gear.
There are even bags that can hold anywhere from nine to 15 racquets, but unless you’re a coach bringing racquets for your players — or touring on the professional circuit — you probably don’t need a bag this large. They have three or more main compartments, and may have an additional number of smaller compartments for accessories. These bags can be useful for storage, though.
Durability
You want a tennis racquet bag that’s going to last. It should be made of strong, durable fabric, with tough zippers and seams that aren’t going to break when you’re carrying a heavy load or degrade when left out in the sun. It’s difficult to assess how durable a bag will be until you’ve tried it out, but most trusted brands have mastered this balance.
Expert Tip
If you’re concerned about smelly clothing and shoes, choose a tennis racquet bag that includes ventilated pockets for these items.
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Tennis racquet bag features
Insulated racquet compartments
Extreme heat or cold can cause tension loss in your racquet strings, which renders them more brittle, making them more likely to break during play. Temperature extremes can also have adverse effects on the tennis frame. Some tennis racquet bags include special insulated racquet compartments to prevent your racquets from getting damaged when your bag is sitting in the sun. A bag with these insulated compartments can be a worthy investment if you play often and want to extend the life of your racquets as long as possible.
Carrying style
Tennis racquet bags are available in three main styles: backpack, shoulder, and tote.
Backpack bags resemble traditional backpacks, though some extend much further down the back. If you choose this style, you must decide if you want a bag that can fit the entire racquet inside, or a bag that just holds the head of the racquet while the handle sticks out. While bags that fit the entire racquet are larger, they will likely do a better job of protecting your racquet from damage.
Shoulder bags are similar to duffle bags. Some shoulder tennis racquet bags may also have backpack straps, so you can choose whether you’d like to carry it like a duffle bag, or whether you want to wear it as a backpack. One of these may be a better choice if you like to switch up how you carry your racquets.
Tote bags are slim bags that you carry in your hands. These bags aren’t designed to fit whole racquets. The handles will stick out of the top, but as long as you’re ok with that, these bags can be a great fit. They’re roomy enough to hold multiple racquets, plus some other gear, and you can take out your tennis gear and use them as a purse when you leave the court.
Accessory storage compartments
In addition to the main racquet compartments, some tennis racquet bags include smaller compartments for carrying accessories. You can use these compartments to hold your tennis shoes, extra clothing, water, food, your keys and wallet, and other accessories while you’re playing. Not everyone will need these additional storage compartments, but they’re undoubtedly useful for tournament players who need to bring more than just a racquet or two to the court with them.
A few racquet bags also include a special compartment designed to hold wet clothing or shoes. This is useful if you’ve brought multiple changes of clothing and you don’t want to throw your sweaty clothes back into the bag with the rest of your gear once you’ve changed out of them. Hot-weather players will especially appreciate this feature.
Wheels
Few tennis racquet bags have wheels, and the ones that do are usually quite large. Nevertheless, a bag on wheels may be worth considering if you have not only several racquets but also a lot of heavy gear to carry around with you.
Did you know?
A few tennis racquet bags include molded outer shells around the racquet compartments to help protect the racquets against damage during transport or play.
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Tennis racquet bag prices
Tennis racquet bags may cost anywhere from $20 to over $100. You can purchase a simple racquet sleeve or a single-compartment bag that can hold up to three racquets for $35 or less. If you want a bag with two compartments, you should expect to spend $35 to $55. And you could spend $60 or more if you want specialized features, like a shoe compartment or insulated racquet compartments.
Tips
- It’s smart to purchase a tennis racquet bag that can hold more racquets than you need so you have extra space for clothing, tennis balls, and other gear.
- If you play regularly, you should choose a bag that can hold at least two racquets so you have a backup in case one breaks or a string snaps.
- Place your tennis racquet bag in the shade when possible to prevent high temperatures or the UV light from damaging your racquets or your bag.
- If you choose a backpack tennis racquet bag where the handles stick out, be careful not to catch them on anything — otherwise, the racquet may fall out of the bag.
"Choose a tennis bag fabric that’s resistant to staining and follow manufacturer instructions if you need to spot clean or wash the bag."
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Other products we considered
The Wilson Advantage 2-Pack Tennis Racquet Bag is a nice option for beginning tennis players. It can hold two racquets, plus some tennis balls and a change of clothes. There’s also an accessory compartment where you can put smaller items, like your keys, wallet, sunglasses, cellphone, and more. It’s made of sturdy canvas, and is available in two neutral colors that will appeal to men and women alike.
The Gigavibe Premium 3R Tennis Bag can hold up to three tennis racquets, so it’s a great fit for the casual player. The fabric is durable, and most users report that it holds up well; if you run into any issues, the bag is backed by a lifetime warranty. There’s also a fleece-lined media pocket where you can store your phone and other valuables while you’re playing and a shoe compartment so you can keep them separate from the rest of your gear.
FAQ
Q. How do I know which size tennis racquet bag I need?
A. If you only need it to carry racquets, base your decision on the number of racquets you have. But if you need room to store extra gear like balls, water, and spare clothing, purchase a bag that can hold one or two more racquets than you have so you can use the extra room for your other items.
Q. Is a tennis racquet cover the same as a tennis racquet bag?
A. Yes and no. A racquet cover holds your racquet so you can carry it over your shoulder, and it may provide some minimal protection against the elements. But a racquet cover can only hold the racquet and doesn’t leave any additional room for storage.
Q. Do I need to worry about weight in my tennis racquet bag?
A. This depends to some degree on the quality of the bag’s construction and what you put in it. But if you are using a well-made bag and you only carry your tennis supplies in it, like racquets, water, and shoes, you shouldn’t need to worry about the weight of your gear straining the bag too much.
