When it comes to tennis, you need a lot of gear to play, such as your rackets and shoes, so the easier you can carry it, the better. However, with brands like Babolat, Wilson, Yonex, and others selling tennis bags, it can be hard to determine which bags are really convenient for carrying your equipment.
We've compared seven bestselling tennis bags available online and tested them to recommend the best one for you.
We tested each product for the following:
Which product ended up being the best of the best? Our buying guide will also tell you how to pick the best tennis bag, so read on for more shopping tips.
Hikaru Fukusawa has built brands and facilitated rebranding for major apparel makers and textile companies as both a designer and merchandiser. In 2013, he started a new fashion project in Yokohama to support local production and consumption, which led him to build a design lab. He officially established his company, designlab co., in 2019. There he serves as CEO, the creative director, and a designer. He provides branding and design support to industries involving fashion, sportswear, uniforms, and other apparel.
In addition to her work at mybest, Yui Maeno is active as a personal trainer and powerlifter. Previously, she worked at a major fitness club and was involved in various health-related activities, such as personal training and teaching classes. Currently, at mybest, she is in charge of fitness products, such as protein powders and exercise balls.
If you can pack your gear and take it out quickly, regardless of size, getting ready for practice and cleaning up afterward is easier. In addition, if you have plenty of storage space and can organize your gear, you can quickly take out whatever you need.To that end, we tested each product for the following three points and evaluated their ease of use. We put one racket, one pair of shoes, two cans of four tennis balls each, five 17-ounce water bottles, five towels, and a cap in each bag for this test.Was there enough space for all the gear?Was it easy to pack the gear and take it out?Was it possible to pack the gear in an organized fashion?
You need a lot of gear for tennis, including a racket, shoes, tennis balls, and drinks. The weight adds up, so you want a bag that doesn’t strain your body much.We focused on the following three points when testing the portability of each bag.Are the straps sufficiently padded?Are the sections that come in contact with the body sufficiently padded?Can the shoulder strap be adjusted?
If you’re buying a tennis bag, you want one that can adequately hold all your equipment. We tested each bag to see if it was better than a regular backpack, focusing on the following five points.Does it have dividers?Does it have a dedicated racket space?Does it have mesh pockets?Does it have a dedicated shoe space?Does it have small pockets?
Tennis bags aren’t cheap, so you want a sturdy one that can hold up for many years. In addition, you want to make sure it won’t rip if you pack a lot of weight in it.We had an expert evaluate the quality of the material, shoulder straps, and stitching, focusing on the following five points.Is the material durable?Are the shoulder straps durable?Does it have zippers?Is the base of the shoulder strap sewn carefully?
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
We recommend using a tennis bag instead of a regular backpack for your gear. These bags are designed to make carrying tennis equipment easier, keep your racket completely protected, and have a dedicated space for your shoes.
It’s not impossible to use a backpack instead, but if you plan to bring all your gear when you practice or play for leisure, buying a bag specifically for tennis would be more convenient. You can make things a lot easier for yourself by looking for a bag that is easy to organize and doesn’t wear you out.
Many tennis bags are unisex, so you can choose the design you want without worrying about who it’s made for. Still, there are plenty of products on the market with soft colors and cute designs, so the options are out there if you’re looking for something like that.
For this article, we tested tote bags, backpacks, and racket bags used for recreational play and practice.
Tennis backpacks are just the right size to carry everything you need to practice and are very easy to carry. When we put everything you’d need to play tennis (one racket, one pair of shoes, two cans of four tennis balls each, five 17-ounce water bottles, five towels, and a cap), we found that most tennis backpacks could fit all of it with room to spare.
One of these backpacks can be a lifesaver when you’re practicing somewhere that doesn’t provide basic tennis equipment. In addition, you can keep both your hands free, so if you have something else you need to bring along, you can carry it without trouble.
Many tennis backpacks come with dedicated spaces for your racket and shoes, so it checks all the boxes on that front.
You may want to consider a tote bag or racket bag, depending on how much you plan to carry. Keep reading to learn about these bags and make the right choice.
We found that tote bags didn’t have enough room to hold everything you need for tennis and got bulky when we tried to put everything in. However, you can carry them with just one hand, so if you practice somewhere that provides basic necessities and only need to bring a racket, shoes, water bottle, and towel, one of these bags could work for you.
As for racket bags, some can be carried on the shoulders just like a backpack, but they cover your racket completely, which is a plus. They have a great deal of space, so they’re a good choice for people who want to carry stuff for work or school with their tennis gear. However, the bags are heavy, so bringing them to practice might be a hassle.
In particular, you should look at the straps on a backpack or backpack-style racket bag to ensure it'll be easy on your body while you carry it around.
We recommend a backpack with padding on the straps and other parts that come in contact with your body. It should be spongy, and you should be able to make an impression with your finger.
We found that backpacks with spongy padding on the straps didn’t dig into our shoulders even when we put a lot of weight in the bag, reducing the strain. You don’t want to wear yourself out before or after practice, so look for products marked as having padded shoulder straps in our ranking.
If you can adjust the shoulder straps, you can ensure the bag stays snug to your body even when you move abruptly, dispersing the weight and making it stress-free to carry.
If your bag shifts up, down, or to either side on your way to the court, it will feel even heavier and could tire you out.
You can usually see if a bag has adjustable straps by checking the pictures on online stores or the company’s website, so make sure to look before purchasing.
If the bag opens wide in the front, you can put in and take out your gear smoothly regardless of size, which can help you out if you struggle to get packed. As for the products we tested, the Babolat Team Line Maxi was our favorite in this regard.
If you can open the front of the bag, you can quickly check the contents and keep your equipment neat and organized. On the other hand, bags with a small opening can cause trouble depending on the size of your gear. It’s also hard to look inside, which can lead to your bag being messy and untidy, so we recommend avoiding these products.
If the bag has dividers in the main storage space, you can keep your gear organized and check it easily, so these are great for people who tend to lose things. Among the products tested for this article, the Geau Sport Axiom Racquet Bag 2.0 had dividers we liked.
Some bags have removable dividers that are attached via fasteners. This is very convenient because it allows you to adjust as necessary, so check for dividers when looking for a bag. On the other hand, we found that after putting equipment in a bag without dividers, it got messy and disorganized. This was particularly noticeable in racket bags, as everything shifts toward the bottom when wearing them on your back.
If you’re concerned about putting your dirty shoes in your bag after wearing them outdoors, you need a bag with a vinyl shoe space. The Babolat RH12 Pure Drive is a good example.
You can easily remove any dirt from vinyl with a wet towel or tissue, but dirt can seep into fabric, making it harder to clean. If the bag doesn’t have a dedicated shoe space at all, you’ll have to buy one separately. If this sounds like a hassle, you should make sure the bag has space for shoes before you buy it.
Small pockets are great for carrying other small items in addition to your tennis equipment. Mesh pockets and those that zip shut are particularly convenient. Mesh pockets let you see what’s inside at a glance and take it out quickly whenever you want.
On the flip side, pockets with zippers are better for holding things you don’t want to lose, such as your keys or wallet. If you zip the pockets shut, you don’t have to worry about anything falling out, even if you toss your bag in the car.
Tennis bags aren’t cheap, so you want a well-made bag you can use for a long time. The key to finding a durable bag is checking for bar tacks, piping, and cross-stitching at the seams.
This refers to a horizontal series of stitches where the bag and shoulder straps meet to reinforce the connection. It’s perpendicular to the direction you pull the straps, so it helps prevent them from ripping even if you pull them hard.
This is a reinforcement technique commonly used on the lining of bags, in which an additional piece of fabric is used to cover the seam. This secures the fabric together and reduces the risk of damage to the lining.
This is a sewing technique in which the thread is passed through the bag and shoulder strap alternatively. These stitches are X-shaped, which helps protect against ripping regardless of the direction the strap is pulled and allows the bag to withstand heavy loads.
If you want to check how durable a bag is, check for these three things.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ease of use | Portability | Features | Durability | Type | Weight | Length | Width | Height | Materials | Number of rackets | Capacity | Dedicated racket compartment | Fully covered racket compartment | Shoe compartment | Mesh compartment | Zippered compartment | Adjustable shoulder strap | Padded shoulder strap | Sternum strap and hip belt | Wide-mouth opening | Compartment in storage space | Durable construction | ||||||
1 | Babolat Team Line Maxi|BB753064 | ![]() | 4.78 | mybest's Top Choice! Highly Durable, With a Wide Opening That Facilitates Easy Packing | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.29 | 4.68 | Backpack | 2.5lbs. | 23in. | 15in. | 7.5in. | Mesh, Foam | 3 | 44L | Zipper closure,Cross-stitching,Piping | |||||||||||
2 | Geau Sport Axiom Racquet Bag 2.0 | ![]() | 4.76 | Plenty of Storage Capacity With Dividers to Keep It Organized | 4.50 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.40 | Racket bag | 5.1lbs. | 28.75in. | 12in. | 13.5in. | Main body fabric:420D polyester ripstop,Bottom fabric:500D Cordura,YKK zippers | 9 | N/A | Zipper closure,Cross-stitching,Piping | |||||||||||
3 | YONEX Pro Tennis|BAG92012M | ![]() | 4.58 | Soft Material and Durable Shoulder Straps | 4.50 | 5.00 | 3.93 | 4.68 | Bacpack | 2.4lbs. | 21.5in. | 15in. | 3.5in. | N/A | 2 | N/A | Zipper closure,Cross-stitching,Piping | |||||||||||
4 | Babolat RH12 Pure Drive | ![]() | 4.57 | Large Capacity and Safely Stores Dirty Shoes | 4.29 | 4.65 | 4.65 | 4.65 | Racket bag | 3.70lbs. | 30in. | 16.5in. | 14in. | polyester | 10 | 73L | Zipper closure,Cross-stitching,Piping | |||||||||||
5 | Adidas Tour|976593 | ![]() | 4.43 | Plenty of Space, but No Shoe Compartment | 5.00 | 4.79 | 3.75 | 4.15 | Backpack | 0.99lbs. | 10.98in. | 20in. | 11.2in. | Fabric | 2 | N/A | Cross-stitching,Piping | |||||||||||
6 | Ame & Lulu Hamptons | ![]() | 3.92 | Very Durable but Puts Some Strain on the Shoulders | 4.36 | 3.72 | 3.57 | 4.47 | Tote bag | 2.33lbs. | 20.5in. | 17.05in. | 1.65in. | nylon liner, canvas | 2 | N/A | unknown | Cross-stitching,Piping | ||||||||||
7 | Wilson Advantage|WRZ609503 | ![]() | 3.67 | Can’t Hold Much and Strains Your Shoulders | 3.75 | 3.93 | 3.04 | 4.11 | Racket bag | 0.99lbs. | 28in. | 3.5in. | 12in. | N/A | 3 | N/A | Zipper closure,Cross-stitching,Piping |
Type | Backpack |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 2.5lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 23in. |
Width | 15in. |
Height | 7.5in. |
Materials | Mesh, Foam |
Number of rackets | 3 |
Capacity | 44L |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
Type | Racket bag |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 5.1lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 28.75in. |
Width | 12in. |
Height | 13.5in. |
Materials | Main body fabric:420D polyester ripstop,Bottom fabric:500D Cordura,YKK zippers |
Number of rackets | 9 |
Capacity | N/A |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
Type | Bacpack |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 2.4lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 21.5in. |
Width | 15in. |
Height | 3.5in. |
Materials | N/A |
Number of rackets | 2 |
Capacity | N/A |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
Type | Racket bag |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 3.70lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 30in. |
Width | 16.5in. |
Height | 14in. |
Materials | polyester |
Number of rackets | 10 |
Capacity | 73L |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
Type | Backpack |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 0.99lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 10.98in. |
Width | 20in. |
Height | 11.2in. |
Materials | Fabric |
Number of rackets | 2 |
Capacity | N/A |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
Type | Tote bag |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 2.33lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 20.5in. |
Width | 17.05in. |
Height | 1.65in. |
Materials | nylon liner, canvas |
Number of rackets | 2 |
Capacity | N/A |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt | unknown |
Type | Racket bag |
---|---|
Dedicated racket compartment | |
Shoe compartment | |
Wide-mouth opening | |
Compartment in storage space |
Weight | 0.99lbs. |
---|---|
Length | 28in. |
Width | 3.5in. |
Height | 12in. |
Materials | N/A |
Number of rackets | 3 |
Capacity | N/A |
Fully covered racket compartment | |
Sternum strap and hip belt |
We tested each tennis bag for the following four things.
Products we tested
To that end, we tested each product for the following three points and evaluated their ease of use. We put one racket, one pair of shoes, two cans of four tennis balls each, five 17-ounce water bottles, five towels, and a cap in each bag for this test.
We focused on the following three points when testing the portability of each bag.
We had an expert evaluate the quality of the material, shoulder straps, and stitching, focusing on the following five points.
We have some tips for you to get the most extended life out of your new tennis bag.
If your tennis bag gets dirty, don’t wash it with water. Instead, wipe the surface with a wet towel and use a commercial deodorizer for the inside of the bag.
We recommend wiping it down with a damp towel whenever it gets dirty, so you can keep it clean easily. Additionally, using a deodorizer inside can stop sweat odors from your shoes and towels from stinking up your bag.
Washing the bag with water can make the fabric moldy. This can cause it to deteriorate more rapidly and prevent you from being able to use it for a long time, so it’s best avoided.
No. 1: Babolat|Team Line Maxi|BB753064
No. 2: Geau Sport|Axiom Racquet Bag 2.0
No. 3: YONEX|Pro Tennis|BAG92012M
No. 4: Babolat|RH12 Pure Drive
No. 5: Adidas|Tour|976593
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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