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Aug 23, 2023

Best Gym Bags 2023

If you've been stuffing your workout essentials into a worn-out duffel, it might be time to invest in a new gym bag with all the bells and whistles. If you’re someone who craves organization, many gym

If you've been stuffing your workout essentials into a worn-out duffel, it might be time to invest in a new gym bag with all the bells and whistles. If you’re someone who craves organization, many gym bags have allotted space to store your weightlifting shoes separate from your workout leggings, as well as nifty pockets to zip away your smaller essentials. Keep in mind, the best gym bags may not carry the highest price tag, but rather, will complement your workout sessions. Your preferred gym bag may have separate compartments to keep your sweaty gear out of the way, or it may have added features like a built-in harness for your yoga mat for hands-free carry.

Function meets fashion with these stylish gym bags that stash all your workout must-haves.

Gym bags cater to every type of gym-goer—which makes sense. Whether you opt for a spacious duffel, a sturdy backpack or a double-handled tote that can double as a weekend bag, you’ll find a glut of options in all shapes, sizes and shades. We’ve relied on first-hand experience with gym bags and combed through hundreds of customer and expert reviews to spotlight the best gym bags on the market today. Below you’ll find a selection of bestselling bags for runners, lifters, yogis and more.

Nike

Dimensions: 23.6 x 9.45 x 11.8 inches

Simple in its design, the Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag is a classic carryall that’s always in style. Available in a few colors, the bag features a zip closure and multiple exterior pockets to hold your odds and ends. It also features a separate shoe storage compartment for your sweaty sneakers, and its main compartment is big enough to store football and basketball gear, according to reviews.

In terms of carrying, the shoulder strap is padded to offer a degree of cushioning, if you prefer this method over handles. Although it’s not fully waterproof, the bottom is coated in a water-resistant material. For the price, the Nike Brasilia is a good all-rounder for both casual and avid gym goers.

One customer said: “Exactly the size I was looking for. Have had it now for 2+ months and it seems to be holding up just fine. I use it everyday.”

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Under Armour

Dimensions: 20.7 x 9.4 x 15.4 inches

The Under Armour Project Rock is a water-repellent gym bag (easy to wipe clean) that embraces hyper-organized storage to separate your gear across various zip, slip and side mesh pockets. Plus, you can pick from three flat color options. The Project Rock range has been approved by the Rock—Dwayne Johnson— himself and its ‘Blood. Sweat. Respect’ branding lets you know this bag is up for any challenge.

Aside from two handles and adjustable shoulder straps, yogis can slide a mat in between two elastic straps for hands-free carrying.

One customer said: “This bag can hold everything I need for the gym—shoes, equipment, change of clothes etc. Simple pockets to keep organized but not too many!”

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Girlfriend Collective

Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 10 inches

The Aarde Gym Bag by Terra Thread is a sustainable, carbon neutral addition to your workout gear repertoire. Made from ethically sourced Fairtrade organic cotton canvas in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India, every bag purchased supports Feeding America's campaign to end hunger, with meals donated to families in need.

Feature-wise, it’s spacious enough to store shoes, a towel, a change of clothes and other gym must-haves. There’s a long adjustable shoulder strap and carry handles, as well as an outside pocket and inside zip pocket for your more valuable items, plus the zips and fasteners are made of lead-free metal. It’s also available in seven color options to match your favorite gym ensemble. For upkeep, you can spot clean the fabric with a wet cloth or toss it into the washing machine on a cold wash.

One customer said: “Received my new gym bag recently, and am very happy so far. Seems like the perfect size to fit everything and a very high quality material. Also shipped very quickly.”

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Amazon

Dimensions: 21.6 x 7.09 x 10.6 inches

The Hyc00 Sports Tote is a bargain buy for those looking to neatly stow their workout gear while avoiding any mishaps—a separate toiletry bag (wet pocket included) protects your clothes from a shampoo leak.

Inside the bag are four separate compartments—a zip pocket, a main pocket, an open mesh pocket and a wet pocket, with plenty of roomy to tuck away your shoes, clothes, towel and toiletries without the squeeze. Plus, it’s water-resistant for an added layer of protection in case the weather turns. As with many other gym bags, you can carry it via a removable and adjustable shoulder strap or handles. It also comes in a palette of colors.

Many customers commented on its versatility for both the gym and an overnight getaway.

One customer said: “Absolutely love this bag for the gym. Holds my boxing gloves & wraps with room for change of clothes & water bottle. Separate compartments for my dirty sweaty wraps.”

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Amazon

Dimensions: 17 x 9 x 8 inches (medium), 18.75 x 10.25 x 8 inches (large)

Yogis on the hunt for a gym bag that doubles as a mat carrier will quickly understand the benefits of Y.U.M.C.’s Travel Yoga Gym Bag. Rather than carrying your yoga mat separately, a built-in strap woven into the design allows you to secure a yoga mat to the pack’s exterior for easy transport from A to B. It also features a waterproof finish to keep your gear dry.

Available in two sizes (medium and large), the bag has ample space for storing your workout essentials—water bottle, towel and post-workout toiletries included. You’ll also find a wet-dry pocket, shoe storage to separate your sneakers from your other gear and a roomy internal compartment to tuck away everything else you need for your workout. The bag is available in six color options.

One customer said: “This bag is everything I’ve ever needed in a gym bag. It has multiple pockets including a separate area to hold gym shoes and a place to hold a yoga mat securely. Very good quality for the price. Durable. Easily cleaned. 10/10 recommend.”

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Under Armour

Dimensions: 17.6 x 8.9 x 8.7 inches

If you want a quality gym bag without splashing the cash, look no further than the Under Armour Undeniable Duffle. The lightweight bag is available in five colors and is made from durable UA Storm fabric, which means it’s treated with a durable water-resistant finish.

It has a vented pocket to tuck away your used clothes and shoes as well as an inside slip pocket to separate your gear. On the outside, you’ll find a spacious front zip pocket and side mesh storage for grabbing what you need on the go. And there’s even a loop to attach your key chain.

As with most gym bags, it has the option of an adjustable shoulder strap in addition to a double-top grab handle.

One customer said: “This bag is so practical and beautiful, light and easy to carry, fits everything that I need has pockets inside and out, and looks amazing. Not super huge but enough space for even a pair of box gloves.”

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Amazon

Dimensions: 20 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches

The Vorspack Duffel is a lightweight, water-resistant bag to store your gym gear. Made from durable nylon, it's available in three sizes of 20, 24 and 28 inches, and in a rainbow of shades. And what it may lack in long-lasting quality, it more than makes up for in functionality and affordability.

The exterior features a zip enclosure to hold smaller items—wallet and gym fob included—as well as a detachable shoulder strap and double handles for carrying. As for the interior, one open space is roomy enough for shoes, a towel and toiletries. In addition, there’s an internal zip pocket to tuck away other items, such as your earphones and keys.

As a bonus, if you want to take it along on your travels, the duffel folds into a small zip bag that neatly slots into the teeniest of spaces.

One customer said: “Exactly what I needed for a gym bag- fits a pair of shoes, a change of clothes, a water bottle, then has pockets inside and outside for deodorant and hair products. Great size and lightweight.”

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Cotopaxi

Dimensions: N/A

Sustainable-conscious shoppers—this one’s for you. The Cotopaxi Chasqui 13L Sling is a gym and leisure bag that meets rigorous environmental standards. As a carbon-neutral company that dedicates at least 1% of its revenue to nonprofits that help communities experiencing poverty, Cotopaxi also has a Gear for Good promise—meaning it only produces durable, ethical and sustainable products.

Material-wise, the bag is made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester ripstop, while on the features side, it has separate storage spaces for securing all of your workout clothes and accessories. A wrap-around zipper allows you to open the bag from both sides for easier access to the interior, which is designed with multiple zip pockets and space for a small laptop (in case you’re heading to the gym straight from the office). There’s also a front pocket to store your water bottle and more, plus a hidden back panel for added security when on the move.

The padded, adjustable shoulder strap makes carrying the bag on one shoulder more comfortable. However, if you prefer to haul it by hand, built-in handles make for convenient carrying.

One customer said: “I love that the carabiner lets you change which way you want to sling the bag. I am a commuter in a city and it carries my MacBook while I travel to and from work really well. The security pocket is nice and large (but still hidden when wearing it) and keeps things feeling secure. I usually carry my water bottle when walking, but the front pocket is large enough to put my Hydro Flask in there if I don't want to carry it anymore!”

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Athleta

Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 15.5 inches

The Excursion Bag by Athleta is perfect for outdoor workouts if hikes, long walks or trail runs are your preferred forms of exercise. You won’t need to worry about snagging it on a branch or dropping it on the ground either as its lightweight ripstop material prevents tears—plus it can be wiped clean should you encounter mud, dirt or debris. There's a separate compartment for your water bottle to grab on the go, alongside other zip, mesh and internal pockets for storing your essentials too.

The bag is designed with your comfort in mind, from a mesh back panel that bolsters support to adjustable mesh straps that dial in the perfect fit.

An eco-friendly product, the bag is made from recycled materials sourced from plastic bottles.

One customer said: “Love this backpack! It's so lightweight and has great pockets and space. Easy to wipe off. Great for hiking and going on adventures with my dog.”

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Here at Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, tested and written our way through dozens of exercise equipment stories. We’ve fostered relationships with top exercise brands and relied on our own staffers, including ACE-certified personal trainer Leoni Jesner. Needless to say, we’re well-versed in all manner of exercise equipment and continue to keep our pulse on the market. To keep this story current and accurate, it’s updated regularly and was last edited in March 2023.

When conducting our gym bag research, we stuck with reputable, highly reviewed brands and staffer recommendations. We dug into the features of each bag to ensure we added an option for exercisers of all sorts and included classic duffels, a sling bag and tote, as well as one backpack, the Excursion Backpack from Athleta. Customer reviews had to be stellar, and each model has an average rating of 4 or more stars out of 5. Finally, we kept an eye out for options that embraced sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing standards and testimonials from well-known fitness personalities.

The most suitable gym bag depends on your needs. For example, do you prefer to shower at the gym and take a change of clothes and toiletries with you? Heading from the office to the gym and need a bag with padded straps that won't hurt your shoulders? And on that note, many bags employ separate compartments to store your post-workout clothes, shoes, tech and other equipment to keep your work essentials in safe distance from sweaty gym clothes. The same applies if your favored sport entails bulky gear—rackets, boxing gloves and maybe even a TRX for outdoor workouts. In this case, a bag with a larger capacity will serve you well. On the other hand, if a small towel and water bottle are all you have in tow, a smaller, easier-to-carry bag may be ideal.

You might want to consider a waterproof gym bag for two principal reasons. First and foremost, the last thing you want is moisture from wet and sweaty clothes ruining the inner material of your bag. However, a waterproof finish is easy to wipe clean and keeps your gear intact. Second, if you’re caught in the rain on your way to the gym, your clothes, shoes and electronics will remain safe and sound. Some gym bags take it a step further by including dedicated compartments for your soggy shoes, clothes and towels. These compartments can also be used to store your toiletries and protect your bag from spills.

If your bag is packed to the brim with gear, a spacious duffel (or heavy duty backpack for that matter) should provide ample room, functionality and better support than a standard tote or sling. A tote bag is carried via two handles, which isn’t ideal if you’re carrying heavy workout equipment, but does work well if a small towel and headphones are all you need—plus, it can double up as a bag for running errands. Sling bags, although they may take some getting used to, are another supportive option that quite often feature an ergonomic design to ward off shoulder and neck pain. While some might prefer the shape of a classic duffel or convenience of a tote, sling bags come in all shapes and sizes to store everything from just a gym fob and fitness tracker to your entire workout repertoire.