The best gym bags will help you carry around your sweaty workout gear in style
(Image credit: King Kong Apparel)
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By Matt Kollat
last updated
Contributions from
Bryony Firth-Bernard
No gym session is possible without the best gym bag. It's where you store your weightlifting belt, workout shoes, clean clothes, and protein powder – basically, it has everything you need to smash your session, as well as take care of yourself afterwards.
Choosing which gym bag is suitable for you is not an easy decision though. Over the next few years, you and your bag will be taking on the gym side by side together, so you've got to make the right decision (no pressure). That's why we've created this guide, so you can find the best gym bag to suit your style and needs. From duffels to backpacks, holdalls and even totes, these are our top picks to see you through your training.
Best gym bags to buy right now
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1. Built For Athletes Large Gym Backpack
Best gym bag overall
Best for: Work and the gym
Material: 500D Cordura
Capacity: 45 litres
+ Loads or pockets to organise your gear
+ Water-repellent and ripstop material
+ 17" laptop sleeve
- May struggle fitting it into the locker
Walking into the gym with this on our backs, we received plenty of compliments on how 'cool’ it looked. Its 45-litre capacity, with four main compartments and internal pockets, allowed us to fit all our gym gear inside, from weightlifting shoes to lifting straps, knee sleeves, a weightlifting belt and more. There are two bottle holders on each side, one for hydrating and one for refuelling. There’s even a laptop sleeve, just in case you want to double this up as a work-to-gym bag, which we also did. Albeit, ladies, if you pack a lot, you may still struggle.
The padded shoulders and waist belt made this bag feel snug and secure when pacing to the gym, and the water-resistant/rip-proof material meant it could withstand any unpleasant downpours. We also loved the camo print, but there are eight other colours to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. The top front pocket is velcro, so you can personalise it with the different Built For Athlete patches. If you fancy something a little smaller, though, they do a 25-litre version too.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
2. Stubble & Co Kit Bag
Best premium gym bag
Best for: Sports, work and travel
Material: 900D Recycled TPU (base) 200D Recycled PET (lining)
Capacity: 45 litres
+ Extremely large capacity
+ Durable and waterproof exterior
+ Looks good
+ 16" laptop sleeve
- Water bottle holder on the inside
The Kit Bag from Stubble and Co offers substance and style. Whether you’re off to the gym or heading for a weekend away, this bag can handle it all and looks good whilst doing it.
It has the same 45 litre capacity as the Built For Athletes backpack, however when testing it, it felt a lot bigger. This is probably down to the fact that is has one main large compartment, which offered more than enough room for all of our gym kit (and still had some left over). There's also a quick access pocket on the top which was handy for storing our keys/wallet, a large padded 16" laptop pocket on the back and a trainer compartment that you'll actually end up using, as it's a decent size.
It's been crafted from recycled materials and we're pleased to confirm the exterior is 100% waterproof too. The padded straps (which are also removable) and front fastening made this bag comfortable and secure to dash around London with. The only caveat for us was the fact the water bottle holder is on the inside of the bag, not the outside. However, we appreciate it probably wouldn't look as attractive with a bottle poking out the side.
Read our full
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
3. Adidas Convertible 3-Stripes Duffel Bag (Medium)
Best affordable gym bag
Best for: Practicality
Material: Polyester
Capacity: 43 litres
+ Ventilated zip shoe pocket
+ TPE-coated base
- Ripstop nylon fabric cover would be nice
- Plain vanilla design
Can't really go wrong with an Adidas duffel bag, can you? Especially in this case, for the price, you'll get a good-sized holdall bag with plenty of extra compartments to separate your used gym gear from the clean items.
The list of compartments is as follows: zip main compartment, ventilated zip shoe pocket, zip pocket on end, and you even get three inside slip-in pockets. The base of the bag is TPE-coated, so it can withstand some trashing around at least.
The 'convertible' part in the name might give this away, but Adidas' duffel doubles up as a sort of backpack, if not a comfortable one. At least you can distribute the weight of the bag and its contents equally between both shoulders by throwing it on your back.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4. UA Project Rock Duffle Backpack
Best gym backpack
Best for: Everyday gym bag
Material: 100% Polyester
Capacity: 36 litres
+ Can be used as a backpack or holdall
+ Water-resistant finish
+ Large main compartment
+ Separate shoe pocket
- Project Rock branding could be subtler
What's better than a gym backpack? A gym backpack that can be carried around like a duffle. The UA Project Rock Duffle Backpack is this kind of bag; it's super versatile and offers a slew of features you expect to see in the perfect gym bag.
For one, the bag features weather-proof UA Storm technology that will help your bag stay dry when you're being rained. The bottom of the bag is made of tough, abrasion-resistant nylon, so it won't fall apart if you treat the bag like a ball and kick it to the other side of the locker room.
The main compartment is large enough to house a basketball and opens up in a clamshell fashion for easier access. Your dirty workout shoes can be stored separately from the rest of your gear in the gusseted laundry/shoe pocket placed at bottom of the bag. There is even a soft-lined laptop sleeve that can hold up to 15-inch laptops; what else can you possibly ask for?
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5. Chrome Industries Barrage Duffle
Best gym bag for storage
Best for: Hauling all your gear in one go
Material: 1050D Nylon with 500D TPE Tarp liner
Capacity: 55 litres
+ External and internal organisation pockets
+ Plenty of space for a variety of workout gear
+ Made of durable materials
- Seriously huge
- Won't fit in smaller gym lockers
The Barrage Duffle works perfectly well as a large gym bag. The tote straps make it easy to carry the bag in hand or throw it over the shoulders, and there is just so much space for anything and everything you might want to include in your gym bag, including shoes, towels, skateboards, etc. I'm pretty sure you can fit a smaller foldable bike in the Barrage Duffle if you want to.
It's not only spacious, but the Barrage Duffle is also full of compartments and pockets, so you can keep your used gym gear away from your laptop and paperwork. You've got a daisy-chain style net, too, that can be used to store your shoes or cycling helmet. Two additional smaller pockets on the outside can be used to house water bottles and wallets.
Read our full Chrome Industries Barrage Duffle review.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
6. King Kong CORE25 Backpack
Best gym bag for powerlifters
Best for: Carrying your weightlifting belt and shoes
Material: Ripstop Nylon/600D Polyester
Capacity: 25 litres
+ External weight lifting belt holder
+ Ripstop nylon fabric
+ Separate compartments for shoes
- The bag is slightly heavier due to the thick materials used
There are loads of features that make the King Kong CORE25 Backpack an awesome gym bag. It's made of Ripstop nylon material, so it can withstand some throwing around and all those times when you have to cram your bag into those tiny gym lockers. It is also the perfect size for any gym session – 25 litres – not unnecessarily big, neither too small to actually contain all the stuff you'll need in the gym (and after the sesh).
The top flap opens fully so you can easily scan what's inside the main compartment. There is a separate laptop compartment and a zipped compartment at the bottom so you can keep your shoes or towels away from your prepped meals. Multiple zipped pockets at the front and the side help organise your phone, wallet or whatever you would like to carry with you to the gym or elsewhere.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
7. Gymshark Everyday Tote
Best gym bag for 'office to gym'
Best for: Day to gym
Material: Polyester
Capacity: 25 litres
+ Ideal size for everyday carry
+ Lots of small storage spaces inside
+ Available in three colours
- Would have liked more dividing compartments
This tote is perfect from taking you straight from the office to the gym. Inside we found there was loads of space to store our everyday work essentials, from our laptop to lunch, and we had no problem fitting our gym kit and trainers in alongside these. If you do decide to use this solely as a gym bag though, you’ll even be able to fit in extra accessories with no problem, like a weightlifting belt.
There’s lots of little secret pockets on the inside and outside too, which are useful for separating your phone, headphones and toiletries. The soft straps made this bag comfortable to carry, even when we had lots inside it we didn’t experience any discomfort of it digging into our shoulders.
The main body is made from recycled polyester, so it’s water resistant. But the bottom of the bag has a soft, rubber textured material, so if it gets dirty when you put it down, you can just wipe it off. It’s also available in two other neutral colours, which will work well alongside any work/gym outfit.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
How to buy the best gym bag for you
There are no set rules to follow here, but plenty of considerations to weigh up when buying your gym bag. If you plan to exercise on your way home from work, you’ll need a bag to carry your kit and trainers, but also leave space for anything you take to the office – and, preferably, a way to keep them separate.
But, if you pick a bag with space for trainers, your packed lunch, and a laptop, then you should check out the lockers at your gym before buying, as some larger bags might not fit.
And of course, this being T3, how your gym bag looks is an important factor to consider. After all, who feels inspired to head out and hit the gym for an hour if the kit bag staring back at you is a tatty, smelly mess?
Speaking of which, the material of your bag is important if you intend to carry wet swimming trunks and a damp towel home each evening. Waterproof rubber or neoprene is good for the swimming gear and shower stuff, but the inferior airflow of these bags means they can start to smell if not aired out properly.
Canvas is better for starving off that distinctive damp smell but may wear out more quickly if used often. If you walk or cycle, look for lightweight bags made from Nylon or polyester. Finally, there’s leather, which gives you the luxury looks and even smells nice if your trunks don’t get involved - but brings with it a high price and some regular maintenance to keep it looking its best.
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Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active
Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.
With contributions from
- Bryony Firth-BernardStaff Writer, Active
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