The Most Versatile Gym Bags

Finding the best gym bag to suit all your needs can be difficult. Not only do you want something with ample space that’s ready to take a little bit of beating, but there are often other factors at play. Do you need something waterproof that protects your gym gear from the rain? If you’re hitting the gym straight after work, you might want somewhere to put your shoes on after a workout where they won’t stink up the rest of your kit. Do you need two bottle holders or one? All of these are important questions.

Luckily, the choice on the market is much better than it was ten years ago – catering to the needs of everyone with some truly handy features you would have never even thought you needed. Are you looking for a rucksack-style gym bag? Or do you prefer the classic duffel design? How about a bit of both? Something more designer? In this list, there’s something for everyone, so let’s get started.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

BEST OVERALL

Our top pick is hands-down the FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0. The name doesn’t sell this gym bag short with ten organizational compartments, a full-length shoe pocket, two bottle holders, and highly durable construction.

IF YOU WANT A DUFFEL STYLE GYM BAG

The Goruck Kit Bag with Shoulder Strap wins the race if you’re looking for a standard heavy-duty duffel. This bag is inspired by special forces military construction, and it shows.

IF YOU WANT A BACKPACK STYLE GYM BAG

The Under Armour Adult Hustle 4.0 is our favourite backpack-style gym bag on this list because it can pack so much away in a low-profile design. This bag even comes with an external-access shoe compartment, which is unusual for a rucksack-style gym bag.

BEST WITH A SHOE COMPARTMENT

We’d recommend the KingKong PLUS33 JNR Kong as it comes with an easy-access shoe compartment as well as seven pockets and dual bottle holders (so you never have to pick between your pre-workout and your water bottle again).

IF YOU WANT A LARGE GYM BAG

If you need to go large when it comes to your workout kit, the OGIO Endurance Duffel has you covered with a whopping 74L capacity. The best bit about this bag is that even when you’re cramming it full of all of your gear, you can keep valuables safe with the built-in, crush-resistant Tech Vault.

IF YOU WANT A SMALL GYM BAG

The Matador Transit30 is the pocket anorak of gym bags, folding up into a tiny, fist-sized storage pouch when you’re not using it. If that’s not compact enough for you, we don’t know what is.

IF YOU WANT A LUXURY BAG

For those who need fashion to be a priority even when you’re hitting the gym, take a look at the Herschel Novel Duffel, which has a timeless designer feel and high-quality construction.

1. DALIX 17” Blank Duffel

This classic gym bag comes in a range of colourful hues and a durable 600D polyester fabric. With a spacious central compartment and two separate side pockets, it’s easy to keep your gym wear and daily items organized.

2. Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 26L

Why choose between a rucksack, holdall, and shoulder bag when you could have all three? Patagonia’s Black Hole Mini MLC has the choice of all three carry options thanks to a fully modular strap system and built-in carry handle. This entry into Patagonia’s line of designer gym bags also packs a lot more visual punch than your typical gym bag, with a unique, modern design.

3. Under Armour Adult Undeniable Duffel

Looking for something fairly low-profile that you can overpack a little when you need it? The Under Armour Adult Undeniable Duffel is made with a durable polyester finish combined with 16% Elastane, meaning it can take a little stretching when you need to pack it to the brim with your favourite gym wear.

4. Under Armour Project Rock 60 Bag

For those who favour the rucksack design but need a little more room, we’d recommend checking out the Under Armour Project Rock 60. This spacious but comfortable gym bag is highly water-resistant, uses padded shoulder straps for optimal comfort, and even comes with a soft-lined device sleeve capable of fitting a 13” laptop.

5. KingKong Plus33 JNR Kong Duffel

Not only is the KingKong Plus33 JNR Kong carry-on compatible – making it a great option for avid travellers. It also comes with a built-in shoe compartment with easy side access. This rugged gym duffel comes with seven pockets in total to keep all of your belongings neatly organized and easy to access without having to rustle through your bag to find them.

6. Herschel Novel Duffel Bag 42.5L

If fashionable gym bags are the priority for you, look no further than the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag. With a timeless, minimalist design, stylish striped fabric liner and an articulated carrying handle, you won’t just look good having hit the gym; you’ll look good on your way there too.

7. FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0

With a name like the ‘Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0’, the second iteration of these highly-engineered gym duffel bags has a reputation to live up to, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint! Ten different compartments keep everything organized, and it even comes with a quick-access notepad sleeve for keeping track of your PBs. Are you fed up of having to choose between your water bottle and protein shake in the built-in bottle-holder? This bag has one for each.

8. OGIO Endurance Duffel Bag

The OGIO Endurance Duffel has a unique design in that it serves as both a rucksack and a duffel bag without any adjustments needed. Simply take it off and pick it up (or vice versa). We love this bag because it comes with a unique crush-resistant ‘Tech Vault’ to keep your gadgets or sunglasses from breaking, which is a nice touch.

9. Aer Duffel Pack 2

This highly durable duffel pack is made with heavy-duty 1680D Cordura nylon. It features a ventilated shoe compartment to keep sweaty trainers from stinking out the contents of your kit and a 15.6” laptop sleeve. Perhaps most importantly, this bag is highly comfortable to wear even when loaded up fully, making it a fantastic choice for gym-goers who have a long journey to their favourite gym.

10. Canway Sports Gym Bag 45L

Ever been hit by a freak storm on your way to the gym and had to call it in because your gym gear got soaked? It sounds like you could use a waterproof gym bag. Canway has a fantastic offering with their 45L Sports Gym Bag, which is completely waterproof on the outside, and also has a built-in ‘wet pocket’ to keep things like soap and shampoo, so you never need to worry about what’s in your bag making a mess either. That’s peace of mind.

11. REI Co-Op Ruckpack 

The Brasilia Medium Training Duffel is a classic holdall gym bag with the signature Nike logo, so people know that you mean business. This duffel sports bag comes with an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap for variable carrying options, as well as a durable, water-resistant base to keep your kit safe from shower-room puddles and changing-room scrapes.

12. Matador Transit30 Pocket Duffel 2.0

Here we have another fantastic waterproof option, this time from Matador. The Transit30 Pocket Duffel is the ‘Pocket Anorak’ of gym bags and can be rolled up into the included, fist-sized storage bag. Throw your gear in this bag, and you know it will be safe and dry no matter the weather, thanks to its siliconized waterproof coating.

13. Under Armour Adult Hustle 4.0 Backpack

Don’t be fooled by its unassuming, low-profile design. This backpack-style gym bag has plenty of room for all of your gym gear. Despite its small profile, the bag still has room for a large laundry or shoe pocket that can be accessed from the outside, as well as two side water bottle pockets and internal organization for your valuables and other small items. Hitting a little rain on your way to the gym? No problem, Under Armour’s ‘UA Storm’ tech keeps a water-resistant coating between the rain and your belongings.

14. North Face Base Camp Duffel

If you need to use an ID card to access your gym daily, the North Face Base Camp Duffel will keep you from leaving it at home, thanks to a water-resistant ID window that’s easy to access. This durable gym duffel is also water-resistant by design and has a double-stitched main compartment, meaning both weather and overloading concerns are a thing of the past.

15. GoRuck Kit Bag with Shoulder Strap

Inspired by special-forces military construction, the GORUCK Special Forces Duffel Bag is as rugged as it gets. Take a leap of faith with this heavy-duty, 1000D Nylon gym bag, and you’re unlikely to need a new one for years to come. If you travel a lot, you’ll also be happy to know that this bag is TSA carry-on compliant, so you won’t have any unexpected luggage charges to deal with on your trips.

16. Josh Uvela Small Duffel

This sophisticated designer duffel bag by Josh Uvela boasts a simple, clean design that doesn’t compromise on quality: Hand-set, solid copper rivets, vegetable-tanned bridle leather straps, and 100% cotton body. Josh Uvela also provides a lifetime warranty with every purchase, so you know you’re not just getting great form; you’re getting function.

17. Carhartt Legacy Gear Bag

Carhartt’s answer to the classic duffel bag design, the Legacy, gives you everything you need from a great gym bag and nothing more. It’ll keep your clothes dry, stand the test of time, and pack a full workout kit no problem. Choose from three classic colourways (Black, Grey, and Carhartt Brown) to complement any ensemble as you make your way to the gym and back.

18. Stuart and Lau The Regimen Gym Bag

If you’re in the market for something that’s good for the gym but also won’t look out of place in the office, we’d recommend Stuart and Lau’s ‘The Regimen’ Gym Bag. Inspired by more traditional satchel and briefcase designs, this black gym bag will surprise you with its functionality. The Regimen comes with a ventilated shoe pocket, washable laundry bag, and even a padded sleeve for a laptop of up to 16 inches.

19. Fjällräven Greenland Duffel 30

If there’s one thing that Scandinavia does well, it’s design (and also skiing). The Greenland Duffel from Swedish firm Fjällräven executes that timeless nordic feel that’s ever so versatile. As well as being a stylish piece to throw over your shoulder, the Greenland is also a well-built piece of kit made of heavy-duty polyester (recycled, of course) and cotton.

20. WolfWarriorX Tactical Gym Bag for Men

The WolfWarriorX Tactical Gym Bag comes in a range of military-inspired hues and camos and, just like a well-trained soldier, is unlikely to fail at the first hurdle. A reinforced handle ensures that this bag can take a bit of a beating when you get a little too excited after a heavy workout, and it even comes with a built-in shoe compartment that’s accessible from the outside.

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