From stylish totes to rugged duffel bags, compact backpacks to vast 15 racket pro numbers with isothermal protection and separate shoe compartments.
The choice can be bewildering but don’t panic! We’re here to help.
We’ve compiled what are in our opinion the very best tennis bags on the market broken down into categories to suit your specific needs.
If you’re really short on time and just want to know our favourite pick overall you’ll be very happy with the Geau Sport Axiom 2.0. It’s extremely well made, spacious, comes in a range of colours and at a decent price.
But if you’re after some slightly more tailored advice, read on…
Best for Budding Professionals – Geau Sport Axiom 2.0
Best for Club Level – Babolat Pure Nine Pack
Best for Women – Cinda B Tennis Tote
Best for Girls – Ame and Lulu Game On Backpack
Best for Boys – Wilson Jr Three Pack
Best Value – Acosen Tennis Backpack
Best Backpack – Geau Sport Aether
Best Duffel Bag – Head Gravity
Best for Style – Wilson Lifestyle Tennis Bag
Best for Travel – Cancha Racquet Bag Voyager
Before we get into the reviews, a quick word on how we made our recommendations.
While there are a number of high fashion, high budget options on the market we’ve selected only the bags that we consider to be of good value. That doesn’t mean they’re cheap! Only that for the quality of manufacture we consider them to be reasonably priced. A lot of the time with tennis bags – as many things – you get what you pay for.
The racket bags we’ve chosen have been shown over time to be well-made and durable. Your racket bag tends to take a beating, thrown in the back of your car or tossed down on to court. You need a bag that will last and while we haven’t been able to test these over a number of years, we have ensured that they’re well reviewed and avoid any complaints of coming apart at the seams.
While we’ve made sure that all of our choices are stylish and will make you look good on court, all of that is meaningless if they don’t serve the basic function of taking your gear around with you. Obviously you’ll get many more compartments in a huge duffel than a slimline tote but we’ve made sure that each of our picks serves its purpose for that particular user.
Tennis equipment can get heavy. You need a bag that feels comfortable to carry. That means lightweight materials, comfortable padded straps that won’t slice into your shoulder and a range of carrying options. All of our choices tick those boxes.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that so this last point is always subjective. That said, we think these choices look good and where possible they’re available in a range of colours. If the item pictured isn’t quite for you, make sure to investigate further. That Sage Green that complements your eyes may be only a click or two away!
And with that we present to you… our selection of the best tennis racket bags on the market today…
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Most bags on the market are tie-ins by the well known racket brands and can sometimes seem like a bit of an afterthought. Yes, they come emblazoned with your favourite racket logo but it often feels like you’re just a walking billboard and the features they come with can be pretty standard across the board.
Geau Sport may not have that brand recognition but they specialise only in bag design and manufacture and the quality does show.
This Axiom is the second generation of their largest offering, storing up to 12 rackets – perfect for serious competitors who travel to play and require multiple frames depending on the conditions.
It has three main compartments – two side pockets which store three frames each and a larger middle section which is the Axiom’s secret weapon. With its ability to stand up lengthways and its adjustable dividers (two included, others sold separately) it doubles as a kind of mobile sports locker with lots of room to store spare clothing, grips, jackets and hats.
Above that there’s a separate pocket for shoes and wet gear. It’s got a waterproof interior to prevent any leakage into the rest of the bag while the outer is a mesh to allow the vapour out and help with drying.
There are three extra external sleeve pockets with neat compartments for smaller items. One of them has a softer felt lining for delicates and valuable likes phones, keys, sunglasses etc.
There’s an attention to detail here that’s great to see and while this is one of our pricier picks you can at least see where the money’s gone. Smart design and durable manufacture.
Not everyone will need this amount of storage but for those who take their game seriously, this is a great choice.
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Controversial opinion alert: I don’t love Babolat’s branding. I know they’ve become the premium tennis brand over the last few years but I find a lot of their offerings garish and gaudy.
Which is a shame because they do make very good, durable tennis bags and thankfully this one is far more muted and stylish than a lot of their range.
It holds up to nine rackets which should be plenty for most club level competitors and like the Geau Axiom it’s split into three main compartments, one of which offers isothermal insulation to protect your gear from extreme temperatures. There’s some doubt over the science of this but a lot of players swear it will protect your strings from premature degradation and loss of tension.
It has two side pockets for extra gear and a transparent waterproof shoe section.
Overall this is a well-made bag. And if you’re more adventurous than me it does also come in Babolat’s full range of super loud colours!
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If you’re a woman (or just a fabulous man) in search of a more stylish option to take to the court there are a range of tote bags now available to help amp up your on-court look.
They have a sleeve for two standard sized rackets which sit neatly on a diagonal so the handle is away from the body. The main compartment is roomy enough for a change of clothes and shoes plus there are two side pockets for drinks and tennis balls.
There are standard grab handles at the top or a removable cross body shoulder strap if you prefer. It also comes in various other fun prints including camo and a shocking pink number if you want to stand out.
While this lacks the bells and whistles of some of our other picks, if looking good is the most important to you this is a great choice.
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For a long time girls were not especially well catered for in the tennis market. That’s now changed and this backpack is one that my own daughter loves.
Its navy and pink stripes have a feel of French chic but real thought has also gone into the design and the storage here.
There’s a racket sleeve which offers storage for two (although that might be a bit of a squeeze). There are two side pockets for a water bottle and can of balls and the main compartment has room for a change of clothes and a small towel with internal sleeves for valuables.
Made from lightweight nylon this isn’t the most rugged of our picks but it’s well made with adjustable straps and lots of padding and if it’s well taken care of it will last.
Plus, if the navy and pink isn’t for you it’s worth clicking through to see their full range of colours and prints.
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Wilson’s Junior Three Pack is exactly what it sounds like. A shrunken down version of their adult racquet bags with a shrunken down price to match.
Built specifically to hold three junior rackets (those 26.5” and under) this lacks a lot of the additional features of the adult packs but you’d expect that at the cost.
You get one main compartment to store rackets and additional gear plus a side pocket for valuables and smaller items. The shoulder strap is padded and adjustable and there’s also a grab handle at the top for slinging it around.
Coming in a range of colours, including a cool camo print, this retains Wilson’s reputation for elegant looks, albeit for a younger crowd. It’s a good choice for kids who’ve already bought into the Wilson brand.
If you’re looking for something to grow into it might also be worth looking at the Wilson Team range, often available at a similar price to the Junior but will hold three full size adult rackets.
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If you’re not willing or able to splash the cash on one of the big brands don’t worry! There are a number of under the radar bag manufacturers putting out some pretty decent wares.
We like this one. It’s a really sleek and simple design (although other colours are available) made from a lightweight and hard wearing polyester.
As well as the padded racket sleeve there’s a zippable ball pocket on the outside and a smaller one for personal items. Two elasticated water bottle pockets sit on the side to prevent any spills spoiling your gear.
In the main compartment there’s enough room for clothes, shoes and a towel and at the back behind the straps is a hidden compartment for valuables which is a nice touch.
While it feels well-made a couple of users have complained that the zip can stick over time. That’s not hugely surprising at this price but something to be aware of.
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If you’re not the sort of player who needs to lug multiple rackets and changes of clothes to court every time and you value your shoulder muscles, a backpack might be a smarter choice.
And the best we’ve found is this Aether Backpack from Geau Sport.
Available in a smart mint green or charcoal grey the backpack can carry two full size rackets (up to 108sq in) or one if you favour an oversize head. They’re stored at an angle to stop the handles smacking the back of your head as you walk. That padded back sleeve can also be used as a laptop holder on the days you’re heading to work or college instead of the court.
The main storage area is surprisingly roomy and will easily store a jacket, change of clothes, spare balls etc. Then there are two additional internal zippered pockets, one for your phone and wallet and a larger one for spare grips, strings, wristbands… As someone who routinely loses their keys, this reviewer particularly appreciated the secure key clip so you know where they are at all times.
In addition to the standard flexible side pockets for ball cans and water bottles there’s a large mesh back pocket especially for wet gear. The interior side is waterproof to stop the rest of your gear getting wet while the outer mesh should help those sweaty clothes dry out.
Geau do a slightly more expensive backpack called the Axiom 2.0 which is considered the more premium product but honestly the Aether is extremely smart and well made and I’d probably save yourself the money. The only downside is a lack of more storage but that’s the case with all tennis backpacks.
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Back in the 80s and early 90s Head were arguably more famous for their bags than anything else, producing a range of highly desirable multicoloured hard wearing holdalls. And that heritage is still visible today in this top selling duffel.
At the top end this has space for 12 rackets but my guess is that if you’re going for a duffel you’re mainly interested in its other storage.
The large main compartment comes with a set of adjustable dividers which hold into place with velcro. That gives you the flexibility to organise your gear how you like. Alternatively you can leave them out and luxuriate in the vast amount of space. Because this really is more of a travel bag than purely a tennis bag.
Stick two or three racquets in the thermal protected side sleeve and not only are your strings protected from extreme heat but you’ve got a ton of space left for other gear, including a neat shoe compartment at the end to keep the stink away from your other stuff.
Personally I find these larger duffels a little bit cumbersome to cart around but this does come with a pair of padded shoulder straps so you can wear it as a backpack if you wish.
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Here at Heavy Topspin we’re suckers for the Wilson aesthetic and this might be the most stylish option on our list.
Essentially an oversized tote bag (but with a strap to give you the option to carry over the shoulder) this has space for three rackets, maybe four at a real squeeze.
There’s just the one main compartment for your rackets and gear but it does feature inner dividers and side pockets to organise effectively. And a removable bag for your shoes.
We won’t pretend this is the most feature packed option you can find but if you’re more interested in looking sharp then it’s a great pick.
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If you travel a lot with tennis rackets you’ll know how inconvenient it is to have to lug around all that extra gear.
This company Cancha was set up by a former tennis pro specifically to try to solve that problem. What he’s produced is a range of tennis bags specifically for travel. They’re rugged enough to protect your gear from bumps and bruises in transit but lightweight to avoid additional shoulder strain (and possibly airline weight restrictions).
On the face of it there doesn’t seem a lot else to them. One large storage compartment which fits up to four rackets plus towel, jacket, balls, water bottle etc. But what’s really smart is that you can customise them with additional modular storage accessories which clip on to the back of the bag.
That means you can take as much or as little additional storage as you need so you’re not carrying extra bag for no reason.
The material is fully waterproof so good for all weathers and even the rucksack style straps are protected which is a thoughtful touch.
This one’s only available in two slightly drab colours (for what it’s worth we prefer the black) but the minimal design is a win and you can feel the quality.
While all of our recommendations are of a high quality, which racket bag you choose is an entirely personal choice which you’ll have to base on your own particular needs.
For me, I prefer a smaller backpack design. I no longer need to carry multiple rackets to court and I find the larger, more traditional racquet and duffel bags to be bulky and inconvenient.
For travel though I do like the Cancha Voyager. I usually travel light but it’s nice to have the option for additional storage if you’re going on a longer trip. Also I tend to find myself cursed with bad weather so the waterproof build is vital.
But there are various other factors you may want to consider:
Obviously the first thing you need to bear in mind when choosing a tennis bag is how much you’re prepared to spend.
You could get an adequate bag anywhere from around £30 or $40 but if you’re the kind of person who takes good care of your gear and likes things to last you might want to spend a little more as a decent bag should last a long time.
If you do have the funds then the bags in the one to two hundred range are of a noticeably better build quality.
Of course there are designer options in the high hundreds and although the quality doesn’t really improve at that level you’re paying for a statement look and brand.
Your second consideration should be how comfortable it is to carry. Sometimes, especially if you travel a lot, a bag can become unusable if it doesn’t sit well on your shoulder or your back. Especially if you pack a lot of gear you should look for options with well padded straps and a range of carrying options.
Most of our picks have a choice of backpack style shoulder straps and a grab handle. But you should consider your own carrying preference. Many people with back trouble prefer the double straps so they can spread the weight evenly.
You might also consider if you really need that larger professional sized 15 racquet shoulder bag as once you’ve got it it can be tempting to just load it up with extra unnecessary gear adding to the weight you’re lugging. Which brings us to…
AKA – What do you actually need to carry to court with you?
I’ve played with people who come to court armed with an enormous bag full of jackets, towels and changes of clothes who then proceed to drive off and shower at home. They just don’t need all that extra storage.
So it pays to consider what you want out of your bag.
If you take a single racket to court with a spare overgrip, can of balls, bottle of water and a hand towel you really don’t need a huge racket bag. Save your money or better yet spend it on a top of the line backpack like the Geau Axiom.
If you’re the kind of person who showers at the club and takes a swim and a sauna afterwards then look for a bag with a wet clothes compartment and enough room for your changes of clothes.
It definitely makes sense to consider exactly what you need from your bag before making your choice.
How committed are you to your regular brand? It’s okay. You can admit it. You’re a Babolat Bro and you want a bag to match your brand new Pure Drive. You’re in luck. There’s a range of Babolat bags to fulfil your needs. Likewise Head, Yonex, Tecnifibre, Prince, Volkl and Nike.
Personally I love Wilson’s classic branding and they’ve got a fine range themselves.
Of course if you’re not a fan of any particular brand and you’ve no interest in matching your luggage with your racket it does open you up to some of the lesser known names we’ve talked about such as Geau Sport and Cancha. The benefit of these is that they specialise in tennis bags. Often that’s all they do. So they’re much more design focussed and even open to feedback from their customers.
The final consideration when picking a bag is how often and to what level do you play.
If you’re a wannabe pro travelling to tournaments and playing every day of the week of course you’ll need a bag to hold multiple rackets and assorted accessories.
But if you’re a weekend warrior with just the one stick chances are you can tailor your choice to accordingly.
Unless you just like the idea of rocking up to court like The Fed with a duffel on one shoulder and a 15 pack on the other in which case, you do you. Go for your life!
As I hope we’ve shown there’s a vast range of quality bags on the market and there’s one out there to suit every player and every pocket.
Our favourite of all is the Geau Sport Axiom 2.0 but be sure to follow our advice and find the right bag for you.
When manufacturers talk about 3 Pack or 6 Pack bags they’re simply referring to the number of rackets that bag will hold. Of course you don’t have to take that many rackets. You might prefer to just take one and use the rest of the space for your other gear.
There are four main types of tennis bags. Racquet bags, Duffel bags, Backpacks and Tote bags.
Racquet bags are the large format bags you usually see professionals carry on tour. They’re roughly in the shape of a tennis racquet with one end larger than the other to store the head.
Duffels are like a large holdall, more suited to carrying lots of other gear but in the tennis world often featuring an internal sleeve specifically to hold two or three racquets.
Tennis Backpacks are exactly what you think they are with two shoulder straps to wear on your back but featuring specifically designed racket sleeves usually to hold only one or two frames.
Finally Tote Bags are more like an over the shoulder handbag, usually favoured by women. There’s been a boom in tennis specific totes over the last few years as people look for a stylish way to carry their rackets to the court.
Most racket bags offer a choice of carry options. You can use a single large strap to carry it over your shoulder (as you see the pros do when they walk onto court) or often there are double backpack style straps that enable you to spread the weight better. If you’re walking longer distances it’s likely you’ll favour that option with the racket heads facing downwards to the small of your back.
If you’re wearing over the shoulder, again it’s most common for the head end to be at the back.
These days very few airlines will allow you to take a racket bag on board the plane. Although there are exceptions.
While all airlines will allow you to store a tennis bag in the hold, some will charge extra for that. For more information regarding specific airlines’ policies take a look at our post on travelling with tennis gear.
If you have any questions on China Luggage Bags. We will give the professional answers to your questions.