One of the most overlooked items of a tennis player? Socks, for sure. Next up? Tennis bags. It seems strange to think that we put so much effort in finding that perfect next tennis racket and then just agree to dump it in some old, left over textile we have laying around. For some reason most people think they’ll just do fine with the cover they got with the racket in the first place, but fail to think what items you often really want to take with you to court. So in this article we’ll dive into the best tennis bags for women and present you with our shortlist.
In a hurry? These are our top three picks for the best tennis bags for women.
1. Ame & Lulu Hamptons Tennis Tour Bag (Blueberry)
This stylish canvas tennis bag has a removable, adjustable shoulder strap and features two, handy interior water bottle pockets. It’s made out of cotton and nylon and comes in 7 available colors. It also has an exterior pocket that can hold up to two rackets and a zip pocket at the front. You can put up two water bottles inside, each fitted in separate pocket.
- 20.5 x 18 x 2.52 inches
- 1.27 Kilograms
- Cotton, nylon
Things we like:
- Classy, vintage tennis look
- Exterior pocket that can hold up to two tennis rackets
- Two interior pockets for water bottles
2. Tennis Tote Bag
Looking for a large tennis or pickleball tote bag, that you can carry over the shoulder? This classy and lightweight bag allows room for some rackets, bottles and towels. It’s made out of neoprene, which will guarantee it’s waterproof while still being flexible, avoiding the wear and tear you see on other tennis bags. It’s an adjustable long strap, which means you can use it as a shoulder bag or hand bag too.
- 16 x 6 x 13 inches
- 0.83 Kilograms
- Nylon
Things we like:
- Neoprene fabric, keeping the bag water proof and elastic
- Lightweight
- 6 possible color combinations
3. Tennis Backpack for Women
This medium sized backpack has it all. Well, almost. One of the main benefits of this nicely designed bag is the insulated (side) pocket, where you can put some water or soda bottles and keep them cold, while you are playing. It has a large racket compartment, with room for up to two rackets. At the back, this compartment is padded, so you won’t hurt your back. At the front, you’ll find some pockets for small items, like keys, cards and phones. At the sides, you have the ability to store another water bottle or an umbrella. Another plus is the separate shoe compartment, with ventilation. Handy, if you want to changes shoes right away. Looking for a court side place to store your items, but no bench around? No worries, because this backpack comes with a fence hook, with which you can just hang your bag almost literally at arms length.
- 12.6 x 9.1 x 17.9 inches
- 0.47 Kilograms
- Polyester
Things we like
- Shoe compartment
- Isolated bottle or food compartment
- Fence hook
Frequently asked questions about tennis bags
Most of us have an idea of why we want to use a tennis bag, but as always, the devil is in the detail. That’s why I have taken the time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about tennis bags (for women).
How much is a tennis bag?
A typical tennis bag costs between 25 and 75 dollars, with some more expensive ones selling for more thant 100 dollars. Racket covers can cost quite a lot less though and often are shipped for free with the purchase of a new racket.
Why are tennis bags so big?
The problem for beginners is that they might mistake a racket cover for a typical tennis bag, which allows room for multiple rackets, but also for necessary racket sport items, like water bottles, caps, towells and sometimes even shoe compartments. A racket cover is just simply that, a cover for your racket. It does not allow room for other items and if you do decide to put extra items in, you run the risk of damaging your racket and strings.
Can you wash tennis bags?
In theory, yes, you can wash tennis bags. The need for washing a tennis bag might seem logical. Putting sweaty clothing or even shoes back in to your bag is a guarantee for nasty smells. However, in order to get your bag in the washing machine, you have to fold it and this process doesn’t benefit the structural integrity of the bag. So putting it in the machine will lessen the life span of your bag. A smarter way of keeping your bag clean is to care for it manually, by getting your items as quickly out of your bag when you return home, and then use basic clothes and water to clean your bag on the inside.
How to wear a tennis bag?
Tennis bags come in a variety of ways. Depending on the available straps on your bag, you can carry them on your back, shoulder or diagonally across your back and shoulder.
What size tennis bag should I get?
This is an important question, which mainly depends on the answer to the question of how many rackets you want to store. When you look for buying a tennis bag online, you’ll probably find that racket bag sizes are measure by the multiple of rackets you want to carry. There are bags for 3 rackets, 6 rackets and 12 rackets. However, as you’ll become a better (or: more fanatic) player, you’ll find that the needed size of the bag isn’t so much decided by the amount of rackets you’ll carry (as amateurs we normally carry a minimum of two), but by the amount of extra items we want to take with us to court. You might think you don’t need much at first, but this can add up quite quickly.
Think of it: you’ll probably want to have a water bottle and a snack, but also a towell to wipe of a sweaty head or grip, get an extra cap against the sun and your keys. But what if you have an appointment after training? Then you’ll need some fresh clothes and some shower items. It adds up quickly; think large when it comes to space.
What type of tennis bags are there?
Classic racket bags are like blown up backpacks. They have one or two straps, which you can use to carry it on the back or over the shoulder. However, there are actual backpacks too, that have extra compartments for rackets, and tote bags, that are more fashionable. The latter look more like your typical gym bag, with to handles that you carry as a normal brief case.
Are tennis bags allowed on planes
Tennis bags are allowed on planes, but it might vary from airline to airline if they are suitable as hand luggage or you will need to check them in, as a suitcase. Also, it is not a good idea to carry tennis balls with you on a plane, as they are pressurized. They might not even be allowed on planes, but they also can be damaged. Just don’t take them with you.