Padel bags: which kind do you need?
You don't need a bag to play padel. Once you own a racket, though, a bag with a padded racket compartment protects it from knocks, and a shoe pocket keeps grass and sand away from your clothes.
Updated 30 September 2026. No sponsored picks: we don't sell kit and nobody paid to be mentioned.
Short answer: one racket and a short trip to the club? A backpack with a racket sleeve is plenty. Two rackets, shoes and a change of clothes? A padel racket bag, a long holdall with a padded, insulated racket compartment, is worth it.
The four kinds of padel bag
The LTA's equipment guide sorts them like this.
- Racket cover
- A padded sleeve for one racket. Stops scratches in a sports bag. Often comes with the racket.
- Backpack
- A rucksack with a racket compartment, sometimes insulated. Easiest on a bike or the Tube.
- Racket bag
- The classic padel bag: usually sized for two or three rackets, with a padded (often insulated) racket compartment, a shoe pocket and, in bigger ones, room for clothes.
- Sports bag
- A general holdall big enough for a couple of rackets and the rest of your kit. A good option when travelling.
What is a thermal compartment for?
It's a lined, insulated pocket that keeps the racket away from extremes of heat and cold, such as a car on a hot day, and from knocks.
What to look for
- A padded racket compartment, ideally insulated, big enough for the rackets you actually carry.
- A separate, ventilated shoe pocket, so sand and damp stay away from everything else.
- A small pocket for balls and keys that you can reach without unpacking.
- Straps that suit your journey: backpack straps for bikes and public transport, a shoulder strap for the car.
- A tough, water-resistant base, because club floors are often wet.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a padel bag?
- No. It's worth having once you own a racket, to protect it and keep your shoes apart from your clothes.
- Can I use a tennis bag for padel?
- Yes. Padel rackets are shorter than tennis rackets, so they fit easily in a tennis bag.
