You’ve got the perfect shorts, you found the best training shoes, you’ve got your weightlifting belt, but you need something reliable to transport all your gear to the gym everyday. Sure, you can get away with using an old backpack, but eventually, you’re going to want a dedicated gym bag. Having your sweaty gym clothes in a bag not dedicated to the gym is going to lead to some pretty nasty smells eventually.
Out of all the bags we tested, the best all around gym bag is the Under Armour Undeniable 4.0 Duffle Bag. This bag has everything you need in a gym bag, and comes in at a very reasonable price point. The UA bag comes in a variety of sizes and colours, has vented pockets for your laundry, a pocket just for your shoes, and comes with a comfortable shoulder strap so you can carry your bag around all day.
In this round up, we’ve included our thoughts on 4 of the best gym bags on the market. Each of the bags we’ve listed is the best for one specific use or situation, so take a look and find the best gym bag for you! We’ve also included FAQ at the end to get you started!
The Top Gym Bags Reviewed
| Product's name | Dimension | Cost USD | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simplicity Rogue Gym Bag | 24x10x10 | $75 | View Product |
 | Best looking Topo Design Mountain Duffel 40L Bag | 22x11x10 | $149 | View Product |
| [amazon fields="B07GSJ45CF" value="thumb"] | Keeping OrganizedBest price [amazon fields="B07GSJ45CF" value="title" title_length="75"] | 20x11x10.5 | $28 | [amazon fields="B07GSJ45CF" value="button"] |
| [amazon fields="B07J37YHD2" value="thumb"] | Best all around [amazon fields="B07J37YHD2" value="title" title_length="75"] | 14.6"x14x29.6 (Large size) | $55 | [amazon fields="B07J37YHD2" value="button"] |
Find the right gym bag for You
Simplicity
#1- Rogue Gym Bag
Their quality is world renowned, so obviously Rogue would have another entry on this list. The Rogue Gym Bag is a simple, sleek, and modern take on the traditional duffel bag. The bag is made from durable nylon, and comes with two handles on either end of the bag, as well as an adjustable shoulder strap.
One zipper runs the length of the bag, to ensure easy access to all of your storage. This simple design also negates the situation where you’re looking through ten different pockets looking for your other sock. There is one external pocket, where you can store valuables during training.
The Rogue Gym Bag retails for $75.
Pros
- Simple design
- External Pocket
- Durable Construction
Cons
- If you have a lot in your bag, it could be tough to find some items in one compartment
Best looking
#2- Topo Design Mountain Duffel 40L Bag
Topo Designs are a mountain culture apparel company. They specialize in gear that you can trust on any adventure. Their Mountain Duffel bag is as much at home on the side of a mountain, as it is in the gym locker.
The Mountain Duffel Bag is constructed of 1680D nylon, which means it’s very durable. The Mountain Duffel Bag comes with handles for carrying, backpack straps to throw the bag on your bag, and an adjustable shoulder strap. The variety of handles makes the bag extremely versatile for any situations you might want to throw its way. The bag also has internal and external pockets to keep any small items organized.
The Topo Designs Mountain Duffel Bag retails for $149.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Versatile handle options
- Smaller pockets for storage
Cons
- Price
Keeping Organized
#3- [amazon fields=”B07GSJ45CF” value=”title” title_length=”100″]
[amazon fields=”B07GSJ45CF” value=”button”]FocusGear crowdsourced the design of their Ultimate Gym Bag. They used reviews from different sites all over the internet to combine the features people loved about their gym bags and leave out the features customers didn’t love. The Ultimate Gym Bag 2 comes with 10 storage compartments, specifically designed for any and all needs. There is a shoe-specific pocket which can hold the largest shoe sizes. There are also 2 wet pockets which can either help keep the insides dry, or, keep the sweaty insides from soaking into the rest of your bag.
The Ultimate Gym Bag 2 also has a water bottle holder AND a shaker holder. The Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0 retails for $27.99.
Pros
- 10 compartments
- Wet pockets
- Price
Cons
- If you don’t like to be organized, so many pockets might be annoying
Best all around
#4- [amazon fields=”B07J37YHD2″ value=”title” title_length=”100″]
[amazon fields=”B07J37YHD2″ value=”button”]The Under Armour Undeniable 4.0 Duffle Bag might just be the best all around bag on this list. The bag comes in 5 different sizes from extra small to extra large. This makes it versatile for anyone and any purpose. The bag also has vented pockets, for shoes or laundry.
The UA bag is made for travel. The water resistant material will keep your stuff dry, and the comfortable shoulder strap allows you to carry your bag and not get sore. The UA bag also comes with abrasion-resistant panels, to ensure the bag holds up for a long time.
The Under Armour Undeniable 4.0 Duffle Bag retails for $55.
Pros
- Choice in size and colour
- Vented pockets
- Comfortable
- Water resistant
Cons
Buying Guide
What to look for when buying a gym bag
Ask yourself what you need a gym bag to do for you. How much gear do you really want to be transporting to and from the gym. Is it just shoes, a towel, and clothes? Or do you have a lifting belt, wrists wraps, knee sleeves, etc? Do you train outside? Then maybe you should look for a water resistant bag or a bag with abrasion resistant panels.
Exterior Materials
Make sure you check the materials the bag you’re looking at uses. If you are simply taking your bag from your house, to the car, to the gym, and back, this might not be as important. But if you are walking or taking public transit a lot, or you train outside frequently and want to have your bag out on the field or track, you’ll want to make sure the bag you get is water resistant, and strong enough that you can put it down on any surfaces.
Compartments
Do you like to stay organized? Do you want special pockets for your phone, or your shoes, or your shaker bottle? Or, do you prefer to just chuck everything into your bag and sort it out when you get home? Depending on your needs and style, gym bags come in a spectrum of compartment needs. If you are the organized type, or you want to become more organized, the FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0 might be for you. This bag comes with 10 different compartments to stay organized. If, however, you want to just chuck everything into one big pocket and deal with it–or not–when you get home, you might want to look at the Rogue Gym Bag.
Handles
You want to make sure that carrying your gear is both convenient, and comfortable. Most gym bags come with a shoulder strap, but don’t assume this. Make sure you look at the product info. If you’re going to be going all over the city, especially without a car, get a bag with comfortable carrying attachments, whether that sits in your hand, on your shoulder, or on your back. Also, if you are going to be using a shoulder strap frequently, check out some reviews and see if the strap holds up over time.
Design
While not as important as function, if you’re going to be using the same bag every day you go to the gym, try and find one you like the look of. Find a bag that you’re proud to sling over your shoulder and strut into the gym with. Are you the type who wants to be loud and proud, maybe have a giant skull on your bag? Or do you want something more subdued, more modern? A bag, along with your clothes, can really tell the world a lot about your style and you as a person.
FAQs for Gym Bags
What is a gym bag?
A gym bag is anything that carries equipment to and from the gym.
Can I take my gym bag in the rain?
Yes, so long as it is made of water resistant materials.
Can I leave dirty gym clothes in my gym bag?
No, this will encourage bacteria to grow which will both stink, and potentially make you sick.
Do all gym bags come with a shoulder strap?
No. While this is a very common feature today, some bags only come with handles, while others function more like a backpack.
Conclusion
Hopefully this list has helped you make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing a gym bag. While your bag might not be the sexiest piece of fitness equipment you own, it certainly will be one that you use the most. So, take your time, and don’t be afraid to spend a little bit more on a higher quality gym bag. I’ve had the same gym bag for almost a decade, and it’s still holding strong. This is an investment in yourself, so make it wisely.
If you’re looking for just a great all-around bag, you might want to look at the Under Armour Undeniable 4.0 duffle bag.
If you’re looking for lots of compartments, and the best priced bag, check out the FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0, which sells for half of the next cheapest bag on this list.
If design and style is top of mind, check out the Topo Designs bag. This gym bag comes in a variety of styles, so you can really show off who you are at the gym.
Just want something simple and sturdy? Check out the Rogue Gym Bag. This bag has a single opening, and comes with the famous Rogue construction. This could be your single lifelong gym bag if you want it to be.
Remember, a gym bag isn’t going to magically add 5lbs to your bench. But if you’re more comfortable going to and from the gym, you’ll be more likely to go, and keep making progress.