Once padel gets its hooks in, you accumulate stuff. Two or three rackets, spare grips, a tube of balls, indoor shoes, a towel and a water bottle. At some point a carrier bag from the supermarket stops cutting it and you want a proper padel bag. This is a guide to the bags worth buying in 2026, what actually matters, and what to put in one.
Prices below are rough UK figures to give you a sense of the ranges. They move around with sales and stock, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
The two main types of padel bag
Racket bags and tour bags
The classic padel bag is a long racket bag, often called a paletero, or a bigger tour bag. It is built around a dedicated racket compartment, usually holds two to six rackets, and carries by shoulder strap or as a backpack. Tour bags are the biggest, made for people carrying a full kit to matches and tournaments, or for a couple sharing one bag. If you play a lot, own multiple rackets or travel to comps, this is the format for you.
Backpacks
Padel backpacks are more compact, carry one or two rackets, and are ideal if you play a couple of times a week, commute to the court, or just do not want to lug a big bag around. They fit a racket, shoes, a change of clothes and the odd extra without being bulky. For most casual and regular players, a good backpack is genuinely all you need.
What to look for
- Thermal compartment. The headline feature on better bags. An insulated pocket helps shield your rackets from heat and cold, which matters because extreme temperatures are not kind to a padel racket core. Brands market this under names like Thermotech and CCT, and while no bag is a fridge, decent insulation is worth having if you leave your bag in the car.
- A ventilated shoe pocket. A separate compartment for your shoes keeps the muck and smell away from your kit. The good ones are ventilated so sweaty shoes can breathe. Once you have had one you will not go back.
- Capacity and compartments. Think about how many rackets you carry and whether you want a split for wet or dirty gear. More pockets means less rummaging. A bottle holder and a small valuables pocket are handy extras.
- Carry comfort. Padded, adjustable straps make a real difference, especially on a full tour bag. Backpack straps that actually sit right save your shoulders on the walk from the car park.
- Build quality. Zips are the first thing to fail on a cheap bag. Chunky, smooth zips and solid stitching are what you are paying the extra for on the mid and premium bags.
Our picks by category for 2026
Best overall: Bullpadel Hack (2026)
Bullpadel is the bag brand you see most on courts, and the Hack racket bag is the reason. It has a proper thermo compartment for your rackets, a dedicated shoe tunnel, and enough room for a full kit without being enormous. It carries as a backpack or over the shoulder. Well made, sensibly laid out and available in a few colourways. Roughly £80 to £110 depending on the version and where you buy. If you want one bag that does everything and looks the part, this is the safe pick.
Best backpack: Adidas Multigame Backpack (2026)
For players who want to travel light, the Adidas Multigame backpack is a strong option. It holds a racket or two, has a thermal insulated racket sleeve, a shoe or kit compartment, and comfortable straps for commuting to the court. Compact enough for the bus or bike, roomy enough for a session. Around £75 to £90. Nox and Head do similar backpacks worth a look if you want to compare, and the Nox AT10 range converts between backpack and racket bag if you cannot decide.
Best budget: Adidas Control or a Slazenger padel bag
You do not need to spend a lot to keep your kit tidy. Entry level bags like the Adidas Control racket bag or a Slazenger padel bag give you a racket compartment and basic pockets, usually without a proper thermal section, for somewhere around £35 to £55. If you are new, play now and then, or just want something better than a holdall, these do the job without fuss.
Best big tour bag: Wilson Bela Super Tour or Head Coello Tour
If you carry serious kit, own several rackets, or share a bag as a pair, go big. The Wilson Bela Super Tour swallows up to six rackets with room for shoes and gear to spare. Head Coello tour bags are in the same bracket, with Head using its CCT thermal tech for the racket compartment and space for a full tournament load. These are premium bags, roughly £100 to £130, and overkill for a casual player, but exactly right if you live at the club. Babolat and Bullpadel both make comparable tour bags if you want more to choose from.
What to actually carry: a checklist
A padel bag is only as good as what goes in it. Here is a sensible kit for a session:
- Your racket, plus a spare if you have one.
- A tube of balls. See our balls guide if you are unsure which.
- Court shoes with good grip, kept in the shoe pocket. Our shoes guide covers what works.
- A spare overgrip or two, they weigh nothing and save a session.
- A water bottle. Padel is more of a workout than it looks.
- A small towel and a change of top.
- Sun cream and a cap for outdoor courts, and a light layer for chilly indoor ones.
- Plasters or tape for blisters, especially when you are breaking in new shoes.
- A phone, keys and card in a zipped valuables pocket.
If you are still building your kit, our guides to rackets and shoes will help you choose, and you can browse gear over on the shop. When your kit is sorted, find a court on the Manchester venues page.
FAQ
Do I really need a thermal compartment in a padel bag?
It is a nice to have rather than essential. Padel rackets do not love extreme heat or cold, so if you often leave your bag in the car, insulation gives your racket some protection. If your bag lives indoors between games, you can happily save the money.
Backpack or racket bag, which should I get?
If you play a couple of times a week and carry one or two rackets, a backpack is lighter and easier. If you own several rackets, carry a full kit, or play in tournaments, a racket bag or tour bag makes more sense. Plenty of players end up with both over time.
How many rackets fit in a padel bag?
Backpacks usually take one or two, mid sized racket bags two to three, and big tour bags anywhere up to six. Think about how many you own now and might own soon rather than buying for the sake of it.
How much should I spend on a padel bag?
A solid budget bag is around £35 to £55, a good all rounder with a thermal compartment and shoe pocket is roughly £80 to £110, and a big premium tour bag runs to around £100 to £130. For most players the mid range hits the sweet spot.
What is the difference between a paletero and a tour bag?
Paletero is simply the Spanish word for a padel racket bag, and it usually means a standard sized one. A tour bag is the larger, higher capacity version built for carrying a full tournament kit or for sharing between two players.
Can I use a tennis bag for padel?
You can at a push, but padel rackets are shorter and shaped differently, so a tennis bag wastes space and lacks the padel friendly touches like a snug racket sleeve and a shoe tunnel. A proper padel bag is not expensive and does the job far better.