I Tested 20-Plus Gym Bags for a Year—Here’s What I Recommend

The best gym bags work overtime. If it isn’t comfortable to carry, can’t keep my gear organized and fresh, or makes my commute harder, then it’s not doing its job. Sure, you could toss your gym gear into a spare tote or shopping bag. Technically, anything can be a gym bag if you’re determined enough. But the best ones are built with the features gym-goers actually need, from removable yoga mat straps to ventilation panels to prevent odors.

After testing 20-plus gym bags for a full year, we’ve narrowed down our best picks, whether you’re a bodybuilder, yogi, powerlifter, or just someone who needs a small gym bag for everyday use. For more bag recommendations, check out our guides to Best Laptop Totes, Best Travel Totes, and Best Messenger and Crossbody Bags.

Best Gym Bag

Don’t let this bag’s compact shape fool you—it holds much more than it appears to. You can toss in a pair of shoes, clothes, and toiletries and still have plenty of space left. The water-resistant fabric is a key feature if you’re commuting through unpredictable weather (hi, Midwest winters). True to its name, it can be carried three ways: by the top handles, crossbody with the detachable strap, or—my favorite—the strap by itself doubles as a yoga strap when you just need to haul a mat. It’s super-stretchy and cushioned, making it comfortable to use for stretching as well.

Storage is well designed, too. There’s a dedicated sneaker compartment that fits sizes up to a men’s 14, but I prefer to stash my gym shoes in the bottom section so I don’t lose any of the main interior space. You also get a drawstring pouch for your post-gym clothes, a side zip for most 24-ounce bottles, and interior pockets to hold keys, cards, and other essentials.

Best Gym Backpack

Troubadour’s Pioneer Backpack is so chic, I’d recommend it as a work bag, but it has all the components of a good gym bag. The high-quality FortiWeave shell, made from recycled plastic bottles, is waterproof, tear-resistant, and fluorocarbon-free, so it can handle accidental spills and unpredictable weather. The sculpted, padded straps and breathable pack panel are game-changers for long commutes, and the trolley sleeve is key for travel.

I love the clamshell design, which gives you a full view of your gym gear. There is a ventilated shoe compartment, so your sneakers don’t stink up the office if you’re heading straight from work to the gym (or vice versa). You get not one but two water bottle side pockets. Inside, there are enough pockets to keep even the most type A gym-goer satisfied: a small shoulder-strap pocket for keys, pen slots, a key leash, and a lockable main compartment, to name just a few. There’s also a padded NanoCushion laptop compartment to protect your electronics.

Best Tote Bag

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WIRED

• Made with ripstop fabric and nylon base
• Designed with compression straps to tighten and adjust
• Extremely lightweight

TIRED

• Lacks structure and feels somewhat flimsy
• Designed with ventilation holes that can be susceptible to tearing

This is Hellen Obiri’s favorite travel bag, and after a month of hauling it to Pilates, I get the appeal. It weighs barely over a pound, yet somehow fits all the gym essentials without feeling bulky. The detachable shoulder strap is super comfortable, and the Swiss-made ropelike handles make it easy to carry by hand. Compression straps let you cinch everything down if needed. Inside, you get bottle pockets, two exterior zip pockets, and an internal mesh compartment for smaller items.

The reflective details on the logo and zippers are a small but smart safety touch. The bag is built from ripstop fabric with a nylon base, though I’m keeping an eye on long-term durability. One month in, it’s holding up well, but I’ll report back if that changes.