Vessel Baseline Racquet Bag 2.0

Design & Features

One of the best parts about Vessel’s Baseline Racquet Bag 2.0 is that it looks as good as it functions, with thoughtful features perfectly well-suited for our sport.

Logo & Branding

When it comes to branding, Vessel nails it. Their logos are subtle and tasteful for a clean look that lets the bag do the talking, which is counter to what you’ll find with most mainstream racquet bags.

For starters, the word ‘Vessel’ is embroidered in black over the magnetic quick-access pocket at the bag’s top.

There’s also a tiny black metal logo on one side of the bag and a light grey logo badge on the right shoulder strap.

A few more subtle touches include the word ‘Vessel’ imprinted on the metal shoulder strap adjusters and written across each of the bag’s external zipper pulls.

Finally, the removable hanging clip at the top of the bag has the word ‘Vessel’ written in white.

Colors

The Vessel baseline racquet bag comes in perforated black and pebbled navy, which also alludes to each bag’s texture.

The black model has perforated side panels for a fresh look, while the navy version has a subtle pebbled texture for a mature feel. In both cases, I’m a huge fan of the simplicity of each bag.

There aren’t any wild highlight colors, just clean and understated design combined with quality materials.

Thermal Lined Racquet Compartment

The strings of your racquet are susceptible to large temperature swings and moisture, so Vessel uses a thermal lining inside the racquet compartment to maintain a more consistent temperature.

Like the original Baseline racquet bag, Vessel doesn’t skip on their lining. It’s heavy-duty and thicker than most, which translates to better performance to protect your gear.

Regarding size, the racquet compartment can store up to two racquets, and it’s a relatively snug fit, so if you’re wondering if you can squeeze in a third racquet, it’s a hard no.

For the best results, completely unzip the pocket near the handles to expand the compartment fully. There’s enough space for the handles to sit flush next to each other, which also helps reduce the friction of your racquets to protect their paint.

Large Main Compartment

Opposite where you store your racquets, you’ll find the bag’s largest main compartment, which can hold up to four tennis racquets.

However, more often than not, when I use this bag, I’m only bringing two racquets and using the large compartment for bigger items like my towel, a can of balls, etc.

Inside this compartment, you’ll also find a nearly full-length zipper pocket to organize some of your smaller items.

It’s worth noting that this section of the bag shares space with the shoe compartment at the bottom and the quick-access pocket at the top, so if you’re using those, as I find myself doing nearly all the time, you’ll have less space in this section.

Despite that, there’s still plenty of space for additional items I often bring to the court, like my muscle massage gun.

Two Garmet Compartments

Toward the edges of the racquet bag, you’ll find two full-length garment pockets, ideal for storing a change of clothes, extra socks, a light jacket, or a few small towels.

As a bonus, these compartments have two large slip pockets to help keep your items organized.

Of course, you don’t have to use these for storing your clothes, but keep in mind that they’re narrower, so although they’ll work well for various items, the smaller and flatter, the better.

The only area for improvement I can spot in this section of the bag is to have the slip pockets be zipper pockets to ensure the items you put in them stay put if the bag tips over.

Magnetic Quick-Access Pocket

New for the bag’s second generation, Vessel adds one of their quick-access magnetic pockets to the top of the bag, which is one of my favorite new features.

From the outside, it functions like a hidden pocket. If you didn’t tell anyone, there’s a slim chance they’d recognize it because Vessel stitches the magnets into the fabric.

Overall, the execution is impressive. The magnets sit flush and have a super firm hold, so it’s unlikely that anything you could fit in there would ever fall out.

Inside, the pocket has an antimicrobial microfibre lining, and it’s a decent size, perfect for items like your phone, a pair of sunglasses, or your keys that you want to grab quickly.

Ventilated Shoe Compartment

To help keep your dirty shoes separate from the rest of your gear, the Baseline Racqeut Bag 2.0 has a large ventilated shoe compartment at the bottom. It’s also perfect for dirty clothes.

In the previous generation of the bag, this compartment lived at the top. However, I like the new location because it allows Vessel to incorporate a larger opening, making it easier to put your shoes in or pull them out.

Also new for the latest model of their racquet bag is the ability to unzip the internal pouch for this pocket so that you can use it as a standalone shoe or dirty clothes bag or forgo it entirely for extra space in the main compartment, which is super handy.

The only change I’d love to see Vessel make to this compartment is to have the pouch be waterproof so that if you have some super wet clothes or a towel, you can be confident they won’t soak through and get on the other items in your bag.

Insulated Beverage Compartment

You’ll find an insulated beverage pocket on one side of the racquet bag, using the same thermal lining that you’ll find in the racquet compartment.

It’s perfect for keeping a beverage out of the sun and cool, and there’s a vent on the side to keep moisture down while also acting as a drain if you have a spill inside.

I use a double-walled stainless water bottle, which works best for keeping my drinks cold. However, I still love this pocket because I can throw a snack in there with a small cold pack that you might use for a cooler, and it works super well.

For example, I’ve had protein bars melt into an inedible mess in the past, but if I put the bar in this pocket with a cold pack, I’m good to go. It’s super handy, and I’d love more bags to follow suit, especially tennis backpacks, which are more versatile.

Accessories Pocket + Key Clip

Opposite the insulated beverage compartment on the other side of the bag, you’ll find a dedicated accessory pocket filled with all sorts of pockets for organization.

You have a zippered pocket lined with antimicrobial microfiber, another zippered pocket for extra small items like a pack of overgrips, and two smaller mesh slip pockets.

Finally, there’s a clip for your keys so you always know exactly where they are and can easily reach and pull them out when needed. I love this pocket because it gives you dedicated space for all those smaller items you’ll want to keep in your bag without having them floating around in your main compartment.

Here are the types of items I’m talking about:

• Phone
• Keys
• Extra grips
• Suntan lotion
• Small first aid kit
• Hydration packs
• Lip balm
• Deodorant
• Yoga strap

You get the idea. It an excellent and works well for various items you need to keep organized.

Removable Backpack Straps

The Vessel Baseline Backpack 2.0 also has removable backpack straps padded with neoprene for above-average comfort and an ergonomic shape for a perfect fit.

Vessel has also implemented a unique swivel design where the straps connect to the bag, allowing them to move freely and adapt to each person’s unique shape, ensuring added comfort.

When traveling or if you prefer to carry the bag at your side, you can easily remove the straps so they don’t get in your way or get caught in transport, such as an airport conveyor.

I wouldn’t change anything about these straps, but in a perfect world, I’d love to see the addition of a sternum strap, which helps distribute weight more evenly across your shoulders and is ideal when you pack the bag to its maximum capacity.

Two Grab Handles

At the top of the bag, you’ll find a convenient grab handle ideal for picking your bag up when it’s leaning against a fence or pulling it out of your car. There’s also a grab handle at the center of the bag, which is perfect for carrying the bag at your side.

The bag could benefit from one additional grab handle at the bottom of the bag for easily picking it up or pulling it out of a tight space, e.g., a car trunk. However, since the bag has backpack straps, which I always keep attached, it gives you another place to grab the bag at the top and bottom quickly.

Removable Fence Clip

Another new addition to the latest generation of the Baseline racquet bag is a removable clip that attaches to the bag’s top, allowing you to hang it from a fence to keep it off the ground.

The clip is the perfect addition to this bag because some players will want to keep it off the ground to prevent scuffing.

The clip is highly rigid and durable, and the loop that attaches it to the bag appears well-stiched. However, when it’s at maximum capacity, it does feel like a lot of weight for the fabric loop.

With that in mind, you’ll likely want to be gentle with attaching and removing it from a fence if you carry a lot of weight.

Short of that, it presents an opportunity for Vesselt to consider reinforcing the loop in a future bag iteration.