7 Best Tennis Backpacks in 2023 | Top Picks and Reviews
As someone who likes to be minimal with my tennis gear, buying a new backpack has been a great choice.
A reliable tennis backpack is an essential piece of equipment for any tennis player as it is responsible for carrying their rackets, balls, shoes, and other essentials on the court. Plus, it also protects all of your gear to ensure it remains in top-tier condition!
In this article, I have reviewed the 7 best tennis backpacks in 2023, carefully selected for their outstanding qualities and user-friendly designs.
Whether you prioritize storage space, comfort, or aesthetics, this guide has a tennis backpack for you.
Let’s not waste any more time!
Quick Summary
Should You Get a Tennis Backpack?
There are many different types of tennis bags out there such as traditional tennis bags, duffel bags, and more.
But the reason you’re here is because you’re looking for a new backpack. Let’s take a look at why tennis backpacks are so popular:
- Portability: Tennis backpacks are designed to be carried on your back, distributing the weight evenly and leaving your hands free. This makes them convenient and easy to carry around, especially if you cycle or take public transport to your tennis sessions. The adjustable shoulder straps and padded back panels also provide plenty of comfort which is ideal for long travels.
- Compact Size: Tennis backpacks are generally more compact compared to traditional or duffel tennis bags. Their sleek design allows you to navigate through crowded spaces with ease. They are also less bulky, making them suitable for players who prefer a lightweight option.
- Versatility: Tennis backpacks often feature multiple compartments and pockets, allowing you to organize your gear efficiently. You can typically find dedicated compartments for rackets, balls, shoes, accessories, and personal items. Some backpacks even come with additional features like laptop sleeves, water bottle holders, and exterior mesh pockets.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate player, I’d highly recommend a backpack as it will provide enough storage space to hold all of your items. However, if you’re an advanced player who is frequently playing tournaments, a backpack may not have enough storage space for all of your rackets and other equipment.
That being said, I know plenty of advanced players who use backpacks to hold all of their gear and have no issues. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference and how much gear you need to carry.
What to Look For in a Tennis Backpack
When it comes to choosing the perfect tennis backpack, there are several factors to consider:
Storage
One of the most crucial features of a tennis backpack is its storage capacity.
A well-designed backpack should offer plenty of space to carry all your essential tennis gear. Look for compartments and pockets that can hold your tennis rackets, tennis balls, shoes, towels, water bottles, and other accessories you typically need on the court.
You should also consider the organization options available, such as dedicated compartments for keeping your items separate and easily accessible. This will make it much easier to find your gear when you need it, which is essential when playing matches.
Quality
When investing in a tennis backpack, it’s important to prioritize quality.
A durable and well-constructed backpack will withstand the demands of regular use and provide long-lasting performance. Pay attention to the materials used in the backpack’s construction, such as sturdy fabrics, reinforced stitching, and reliable zippers.
If you’re someone that frequently plays in wet conditions, look for bags made out of waterproof materials.
Remember, your backpack is what protects your expensive gear and keeps it in excellent condition.
Brand
The brand of the tennis backpack can often be an indicator of its overall quality and reputation.
Established brands in the sports industry often have a history of producing reliable and functional tennis backpacks. They invest in research and development to offer features that cater specifically to tennis players’ needs.
While brand recognition isn’t the most important factor, it can give you confidence in the backpack’s reliability and performance.
Plus, many tennis players like to buy tennis bags that match the brand of their racket. Even I do this. However, keep in mind that your options will be limited as each brand will only offer a certain number of bags. If you don’t care about having matching brands, you’ll have a much larger selection of bags to choose from.
Price
Price is an important consideration for many people when selecting a tennis backpack. While it’s tempting to opt for the cheapest option available, keep in mind that a higher price tag often reflects better quality and additional features.
Most tennis backpacks will range from $50-100, which is the price range I’d recommend for any beginner to intermediate player. If you’re an advanced player who’s looking for a tennis backpack, you may want to consider the premium options which can reach $100+.
However, for most advanced players, I’d recommend a traditional tennis bag as these will offer a lot more storage space and provide extra protection for your rackets. You’ll find that most traditional tennis bags are more expensive than backpacks.
See my article on the best tennis bags to learn more.
Reviews of the 7 Best Tennis Backpacks in 2023
1. Babolat Pure Aero 3 Pack Backpack
Price: $$$ | Racket Capacity: 3
Pros
- Foldable racket covers
- Plenty of storage space
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to carry around
Cons
- No shoe tunnel
The Babolat Pure Aero 3 Pack Backpack is my pick for the best tennis backpack in 2023.
The Babolat Pure Aero Backpack can hold up to 3 rackets in a very unique way. It features a foldable main compartment that covers the length of the tennis racket and keeps it protected at all times. This is an excellent feature if you typically play in wet conditions as the cover will prevent the handles of your racket from getting soaked.
Furthermore, this bag includes two more compartments that offer plenty of storage space for any extra gear you may need. It also has a small accessory pocket that can hold all of your valuable items.
When testing out this backpack, I found the adjustable straps to be very comfortable even after wearing the bag for long periods of time. This is because the straps feature thick padding that reduces strain on your back and shoulders.
This bag is also available in a Pure Drive and Pure Strike version if you’re looking for a different color.
2. Tecnifibre Team Dry Backpack
Price: $$$ | Racket Capacity: 3
Pros
- Roll-top design
- Lots of storage space
- Very durable
- Waterproof
Cons
- None
Tecnifibre has taken the tennis world by storm in recent years due to the outstanding quality of their products, and this is no different when it comes to tennis bags.
The Tecnifibre Team Dry Backpack has a main compartment with a roll-top design that not only looks great but allows you to fit extra items if needed. The main compartment can also be accessed from the top or side which I found very convenient.
Furthermore, the Team Dry Backpack features a specific racket compartment that can hold up to 3 rackets. Tecnifibre has also included 3 handle covers to protect your rackets from the weather.
One of my favorite features has to be the vented tunnel where you can store your shoes so you can keep them separated from the rest of the gear. This is ideal if you frequently play on clay and want to prevent any clay from getting on your gear.
The entire bag is made from tarpaulin, making it very durable and water-resistant. You won’t find many backpacks that are of better quality than the Tecnifibre Team Dry Backpack.
3. Vessel Baseline Backpack
Price: $$$$ | Racket Capacity: 2
Pros
- Premium quality
- Thermal-lined compartment
- Good amount of storage space
- Comfortable to carry
Cons
- Only fits 2 rackets
- Expensive
If you’re looking for a luxury tennis bag, look no further than the Vessel Baseline Backpack.
When it comes to producing premium tennis bags, Vessel definitely takes the crown. This backpack features a thermal-lined, padded compartment that can hold up to 2 rackets. This means that your rackets and strings are always protected, regardless of the weather conditions.
The Vessel Baseline Backpack also offers plenty of storage space with 2 expandable exterior pockets and 4 velour-lined interior pockets. Plus, you also have a ventilated shoe compartment to keep your tennis shoes separate from the rest of your gear.
When testing out this backpack, I found it very comfortable to carry around. This is due to the fact that it has a compression-molded back panel as well as adjustable shoulder straps that have been lined with soft, synthetic rubber.
However, this bag is on the expensive side which is why I’d only recommend it if you’re serious about your tennis.
4. Head Pro X Backpack
Price: $$$ | Racket Capacity: 2
Pros
- Protective racket compartment
- Loads of storage space
- Vented shoe tunnel
- Great for everyday use
Cons
- Needs better quality zippers
The Head Pro X Backpack is one of the largest backpacks made by Head.
This bag features a padded compartment which Head claims can hold up to 2 rackets. However, I found that I could definitely fit 3 if I wanted to. In the middle, there is a huge main compartment that can fit loads of gear. It even has a padded sleeve pocket where you can fit a laptop, making this backpack great for everyday use as well.
On the bottom, there is a vented tunnel so you can keep your tennis shoes separate. Plus, there is a front accessory pocket where you can store all of your valuables.
I found this backpack very comfortable to carry around and I am a huge fan of the all-black look. The downside is that I wish Head had made this bag with higher-quality zippers.
5. Wilson Lifestyle Foldover Backpack
Price: $$$ | Racket Capacity: 2
Pros
- Stylish
- Fold-over design
- Lots of room for gear
- Good organizational features
Cons
- Only holds 2 rackets
- Awkward to carry with rackets
If you’re looking for a stylish tennis bag that can double up as an everyday backpack, then the Wilson Lifestyle Foldover is an excellent choice.
Much Like the Tecnifibre Team Dry Backpack, the Wilson Lifestyle Foldover features a main compartment with a fold-over design that allows you to fit plenty of gear. It also has many pockets within the compartment so you can keep your equipment organized.
Furthermore, there is a specific racket compartment that can hold up to 2 tennis rackets. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of how the rackets are kept off to the side as this made it awkward to carry around when on public transport.
While this bag doesn’t feature a separate shoe tunnel, Wilson has included a removable, zippered shoe sack.
I can’t be the only one that loves the design, can I?
6. Yonex Pro Backpack
Price: $$$ | Racket Capacity: 2
Pros
- Racket compartment is well protected
- Lots of accessory pockets
- Good amount of storage space
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Only fits 2 rackets
The Yonex Pro Backpack is a simple, yet versatile tennis bag that is great for any player.
Like most of the tennis bags on this list, the Yonex Pro Backpack features a specific racket compartment that can hold up to 2 rackets. Extra padding has also been included in this section to ensure your tennis rackets are well-protected.
In the main compartment, you have loads of storage space to fit anything you need such as clothes, tennis strings, and much more. There is also a front and side accessory pocket to fit any of your miscellaneous items. Furthermore, you have an extra accessory pocket that is perfect for a water bottle or a can of balls.
If you’re looking for a simple tennis backpack with plenty of storage options, then I’d recommend the Yonex Pro Backpack.
7. Head Tour Team Backpack
Price: $$ | Racket Capacity: 2
Pros
- Cheap
- Plenty of storage space
- Shoe compartment
Cons
- Lacks features of other tennis backpacks
- Only holds 2 rackets
For those of you who are looking for a budget-friendly option, look no further than the Head Tour Team Backpack.
This backpack includes its own racket-specific compartment that can hold up to 2 rackets. It also features a main compartment that has enough storage space to fit all of your gear. Furthermore, Head has included a front accessory pocket so you can keep your valuables separate from the rest of your gear.
One thing I was impressed by was that Head has included a zippered pocket on the bottom of the bag where you can keep your shoes separate. I didn’t expect this from such an affordable backpack.
While the Head Tour Team Backpack may lack some features compared to other tennis backpacks on this list, it is still a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions related to tennis backpacks:
Can a Tennis Racket Fit in a Backpack?
Yes, a tennis racket can fit into a backpack.
In fact, many tennis backpacks can fit up to 3 rackets!
However, it’s worth noting that with most backpacks, the handle of your racket will be sticking out the top of the bag, which means it won’t be protected.
If you think this will be an issue for you, I’d recommend investing in a racket cover sleeve or checking out the Babolat Pure Aero 3 Pack Backpack which comes with a built-in racket sleeve.
What Does 3 Pack Tennis Bag Mean?
A 3 pack tennis bag means it can fit up to 3 tennis rackets.
These types of backpacks are best suited to intermediate or advanced player who needs to carry around spare rackets in case they break a tennis string.
Are Tennis Bags Allowed on Planes?
With most airlines, you’ll find they have no restrictions when it comes to carrying a tennis bag on a plane. However, if the bag is too big, it may have to go into the holding of the plane.
Before you travel, I’d recommend checking with your airline to see if there are any restrictions on bringing a tennis bag on the plane.
Final Words
Whether you’re an advanced player or a beginner, investing in one of these excellent backpacks will make transporting your gear so much easier.
From specialized compartments for rackets and shoes to durable materials that ensure long-lasting performance, these tennis backpacks cater to the needs of players at every level.
I hope this article has given you some options to consider and educated you on what to look for in the best tennis backpack.
Now, get out onto that court and hit some balls!