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The best gym bags are stylish and easy to use, and they should feel good on your shoulder as you move from A to B. Tired of having to cram everything into your arms when you go to the gym? Is it hard to keep track of your earbuds and phone when you’re carrying your shaker bottle and towel? Do you need more space because you need to bring a few pairs of training shoes? If any of these sound like you, you might want to buy a new gym bag.
Our list of the best gym bags has a lot of cool features, like special places for shoes, antimicrobial materials to keep smells away, and a wide range of sizes so you can carry whatever you need. Read on for our top picks, whether you want something that can hold a basketball and a change of clothes or a small gym bag for the things you need most.
Best Gym Bags Comparison Table
| Bag Name | Department | Manufacturer | Dimensions | Weight | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag | Sports | Nike | 24″L x 11″W x 13″H | 1 lb | $50-$60 |
| Adidas Women’s All Me Tote | Sports | Adidas | 16″L x 15″W x 5″H | 1 lb | $30-$40 |
| Under Armour Project Rock Gym Bag | Sports | Under Armour | 24″L x 11″W x 12″H | 1.5 lbs | $120-$130 |
| Vera Bradley Small Reactive Gym Bag | Sports | Vera Bradley | 18.5″L x 9.5″W x 9.5″H | 0.9 lbs | $60-$70 |
| Patagonia Black Hole duffel 40L | Outdoors | Patagonia | 23″L x 13″W x 11″D | 2.3 lbs | $129-$149 |
| Adidas Defender 3 Duffel Bag | Sports | Adidas | 24″L x 13″W x 12″H | 1.4 lbs | $35-$45 |
Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 28″ L x 11″ W x 13″ H |
| Material | 100% polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment, shoe compartment, and side pockets |
| Straps | Padded, adjustable shoulder strap and dual handles |
| Color options | Multiple color options available |
The Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag is a classic piece of luggage that never goes out of style. The bag comes in a few colors and has a zip closure and several pockets on the outside to hold your small items. It also has a separate place to store your sweaty sneakers, and reviews say that the main compartment is big enough to hold football and basketball gear.
If you’d rather carry it by the shoulder strap instead of the handles, it’s padded so it doesn’t hurt as much. Even though it’s not completely waterproof, the bottom is made of a material that doesn’t let water through. The Nike Brasilia is a good all-around shoe for the price, good for both casual and serious gym goers.
The Good
- Large main compartment and extra pockets give you a lot of storage space.
- Material that will last a long time
- Both the shoulder strap and the two handles make it easy to carry.
The Bad
- The shoe compartment might not be able to hold bigger shoes.
Adidas Women’s All Me Tote
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 17″ L x 6″ W x 14″ H |
| Material | 100% recycled polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment, interior zip pocket, and exterior slip-in pockets |
| Straps | Dual carry handles |
| Color options | Multiple color options available |
If you don’t need a bag that can carry everything but the kitchen sink, this simple Adidas tote bag will do. Even though this bag isn’t very fancy, it looks sleek and sporty at the same time. The mesh overlay gives the outside some texture, and the small Adidas logo lets people know you’re serious about the gym without making it obvious what you’re doing after work.
The problem is that this bag can only be used for one thing. It can hold your gym gear or some books and an iPad, but not both at the same time. But if you’re just looking for a bag to take to the gym, this tote has plenty of room for pair of shoes, water bottle, and some workout gloves.
The Good
- The design is stylish and can be used for both the gym and everyday life.
- Large main compartment with extra pockets to keep things in order
- Made from recycled materials, which helps with environmental efforts
The Bad
- Users who want a more traditional duffel bag style may not like the tote style.
- Some users may find it easier to carry a bag with a shoulder strap.
Under Armour Project Rock Gym Bag
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24.6″ L x 11.8″ W x 12.6″ H |
| Material | 100% polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment, vented pockets, and interior organization pockets |
| Straps | Padded, adjustable shoulder strap and dual handles |
| Color options | Black |
The Under Armour Project Rock is a gym bag that doesn’t get wet and is easy to clean. It has lots of zip, slip, and side mesh pockets to keep your things separate. You can also choose from three flat colors. This is one of the best Gym Bags that you can buy right now.
The Project Rock line is backed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and the “Blood. Sweat. Respect.” logo shows that this bag is ready for any challenge. Yoga practitioners can carry their mats without using their hands by sliding them between two elastic straps.
The Good
- Material that lasts and is of good quality
- Large main compartment with pockets that let air in for shoes and gym clothes
- Small items are easy to find in the interior organization pockets.
The Bad
- Users may not like having so few color options.
- Some people may find that the bag is too big for what they need.
Vera Bradley Small Reactive Gym Bag
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18″ L x 9″ W x 9.5″ H |
| Material | 100% polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment, exterior slip pocket, and interior zip pocket |
| Straps | Adjustable shoulder strap and dual handles |
| Color options | Multiple color options available |
If you want a small gym bag with a classic look and a good cause, this could be it. Even though the Vera Bradley line usually makes people think of flowers, this is not your mom’s quilted Vera Bradley bag. The outside of each bag is made from 16 recycled PET bottles. It feels like very durable nylon and is very resistant to water.
The inside is also made of a nylon blend, but it is thinner. The bag is very light, which is great if you don’t want to carry a bag that’s already heavy before you put anything in it. But there isn’t much structure to it either. It pretty much falls apart as soon as you set it down if it doesn’t have anything in it to hold it up.
The Good
- Design that is stylish and colorful
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
- Plenty of storage space and extra pockets to keep things in order
The Bad
- Some people may want a bag with more compartments to keep things in order.
Patagonia Black Hole duffel 40L
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 23″ L x 10″ W x 13″ H |
| Material | 100% recycled polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment and exterior zip pocket |
| Straps | Padded, removable shoulder strap and dual handles |
| Color options | Multiple color options available |
What can’t the famous Black Hole bags from Patagonia handle? The waterproof 14-ounce 900 Denier nylon fabric works like an impenetrable forcefield when it’s made into a tote or a dopp. It keeps out whatever the world throws at it.
Its duffel, on the other hand, stands out because it has daisy chains that you can use to attach an extra pair of climbing shoes or a portable speaker for your bike ride to and from the gym. The main compartment a huge 40 liters, which is big enough for a weekend’s worth of clothes.
The Good
- Made from recycled materials, which helps with environmental efforts
- Material that can last and can handle the weather
- With a shoulder strap and two handles, the bag can be carried in different ways.
The Bad
- Users who need more organization options may not be happy with the few extra compartments.
Adidas Defender 3 Duffel Bag
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 26″ L x 12.5″ W x 13″ H |
| Material | 100% polyester |
| Compartments | Large main compartment, ventilated shoe pocket, and interior zip pocket |
| Straps | Padded, adjustable shoulder strap and dual handles |
| Color options | Multiple color options available |
The adidas Defender Duffel Bag is a smaller gym bag that looks like a classic adidas bag and has space on the ends for your team’s logo. This bag is easy to carry because it has a lot of pockets and two handles with padded grips.
This gym bag has a zippered pocket on the inside where you can put small items or valuables. Plus, you can easily put a pair of sneakers in the end zip pockets. And if it starts pouring in the parking lot, your stuff won’t be drenched because the fabric is water-resistant.
The Good
- Large main compartment with extra pockets to keep things in order
- A shoe pocket with vents helps keep shoes fresh and separate.
- Material that is strong and can handle rough handling
The Bad
- Some people may find that the bag is big and heavy.
- If there aren’t many color options, it might not fit everyone’s style.
FAQs
Most of the time, a gym duffel bag of medium size is a good choice. A bag that is about 20 inches long is big enough to hold everything you need but small enough to fit in your gym locker. You should buy a sturdy bag with enough space to put your dirty clothes in one section and your sneakers in another.
Most of the time, duffel bags are bigger than backpacks, which means they can hold more. This is great for people who need to bring a lot to the gym or put a lot of things in their gym bag. Most of the time, it’s easier to pack a duffel bag than a backpack.
If you want to know if you can use a duffel bag as a carry-on, the short answer is yes… probably. Duffels can be used as carry-on bags when flying, but the size and weight of the carry-on duffel bag must meet the requirements of the airline.
Polyester is often used in activewear because it is strong, lightweight, and breathable. Polyester blends are used to make a lot of running jackets, sweatpants, and shirts for sports. Polyester tends to dry quickly, which makes it a great material for workouts with a lot of sweat.