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By Jessie Atkinson and Esat Dedezade
From duffel bags and rucksacks to bum bags and hybrids, here are the best gym bags to be seen within the gym changing rooms.
Something we are not in the business of: the things you keep in your gym bag. Something we are interested in, though? The gym bags themselves. Perhaps the most important part of your gym wardrobe, the bag is where you'll stow your protein powders, fresh clothes, deodorant, moisturiser and whatever else you see fit to put in it. While shorts and muscle tees will be in rotation, then, your gym bag is, alongside your gym trainers, the one true constant.
Duffels, backpacks, totes and even bum bags: all of these kinds of gym accessories feature on the list to follow, representing a wide range of capacities and fussiness. Which you choose will entirely depend upon what you keep in yours, and like we said up top, that's really none of our business.
A comprehensive, pocket-studded backpack that's been obsessively-designed with the athlete in mind.
A simple, functional duffel bag with slip and zip pockets. Our favourite part? That retro electric blue colourway.
Expensive though it may be, Bennett Winch's leather weekend bag is a purchase for life that'll double as a quick-trip holdall — and put every other bag in the locker room to shame.
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Pros: Purpose-built shoe pocket | Leather trims | Doubles as a weekend bag Cons: High price in line with weekend bag purpose
The fever for Antler’s suitcases, packing cubes, and Chelsea backpack has reached a fever pitch, but it isn’t only these best-seller items that the heritage luggage brand excels in. Its Weekender — a duffel bag equivalent of the rucksack that sold like wildfire last Christmas — is just as efficient, promises acres of space as well as a snug, purpose-built section specifically for your new Hokas. £128. At antler.co.uk
Pros: Designed to run and hike with Cons: Pricey for the size
Lululemon isn’t all about looks: it also cares a lot about the function of its products, as proven by this 10L sports backpack, which can be worn whilst hiking and running as well as a simple knapsack for the essentials. £128. At lululemon.co.uk
Pros: You heard the bag, this is Built for Athletes | 45-litre capacity Cons: Possibly too many external compartments | Cumbersome silhouette
There's no pussyfooting around who these bulky backpacks are made for. So utilitarian is Built For Athletes' 45L backpack, you could fill it with sand and turn it into a functional piece of workout equipment. With two bottle holders plus space for two pairs of trainers, a towel, clothes, meal prep, training accessories and a laptop, if you're fully committed to a fitness goal, no bag will take you to it more efficiently. £119.99. At builtforathletes.com
Pros: Large | Waterproof | Extremely stylish Cons: Few zipped pockets
Neoprene, most ordinarily associated with wetsuits, takes a starring role in this stylish zip-up holdall, which gives the air of super spies and adventurers with its liquid black finish. A ludicrously capacious option for those who go from the gym to the office and back again with everything but the kitchen sink. £158. At reiss.com
Pros: Waterproof and tough | Deceptively large Cons: Not as much space for clothes
You already know that Uniqlo is in the business of making life as easy as possible with its inventions, and that is no different when it comes to bags. While its viral sling bag will certainly fit your phone, keys and water bottle for a jaunt to the gym, this utility edition will fit even more, packing a 23L compartment inside waterproof, rip-resistant nylon. And all that for under 30 quid. £29.90. At uniqlo.com
Pros: Affordable | Retro style | Multiple pockets Cons: Clothes in the main compartment can become jumbled
As far as gym bags go, this could be the most desirable archetype we’ve ever come across. Bright retro blue, this Adidas number is a duffel with a large main compartment, additional zipped pockets and — best of all — a highly reasonable price tag. £30. At adidas.co.uk
Pros: Retro stylings | Waterproof | Laptop and phone pockets Cons: Fitting in a pair of shoes as well as clothes might be a squeeze
The brown piping on this Nike Essentials bag might remind you of your childhood trainers, but its design is all-modern. Made sustainably from 50 per cent recycled polyester, it’s an all-rounder made to hold a laptop and phone alongside a change of clean clothes. Its even water-repellent, making it a shoo-in as your next cycling backpack too. £69.99. At nike.com
Pros: Sleek leather construction | Good for transitioning from sweaty gym class to sharp office settings Cons: Better suited to travelling than to the gym | No ventilation
Bennett Winch might sell holdalls better suited to daily use, but its weekender bag is a fine choice for gym regulars thanks to its copious storage space and separate shoe compartment to swap Metcons for monk straps and hit the office once a morning session is done. Not only that, but a separate quick-access zipped pocket to the other side is perfect for keeping sweat-soaked activewear separated from your office uniform. And if you're taking some time off from training, it makes an excellent travel bag or long weekend carry-on. £850. bennettwinch.com
Pros: Roomy | Easy to clean Cons: Rucksacks are better for your back…
Gymshark’s first foray into the duffel bag arena happened many years ago. Today, it has perfected the craft. This ‘Pursuit’ number — in either black or stone grey — is a top handle stalwart favoured by sportspeople and gym devotees everywhere. Time you be one of them? £75. At gymshark.com
Pros: Lightweight | Manageable and hands-free Cons: On the small side
For every gym-goer who operates on an everything-but-kitchen-sink basis, there’s a light packer. For the latter, a simple bum bag should suffice. Diminutive yet deceptively roomy, Lululemon’s belted option should fit your phone, keys and miscellaneous other bits. Your water bottle and towel? Well, you can carry those, can’t you. £38. At lululemon.co.uk
Pros: Funk-infused colours | Large enough for weekend trips Cons: You can get equally large bags for less
With a combination of green, orange, and bluey-purple panels, this is one of our top picks from standing out from the black-on-black-on-black crowd. Its delightful appearance is matched by a cavernous capacity, with velcro handles and a removable shoulder strap for added flexibility. And if you're torn about the colour, we say pull the trigger. It'll help lift your spirits when you're walking back with trembly legs after a brutal squat rack session. £130. At thenorthface.co.uk
Pros: Stylish | Utility pouch included Cons: Non-waterproof
As indestructible and stylish as the cotton duck jacket that inspired it, this Carhartt duffel bag is the pick for the man who can’t help but overpack. Gym trainers, a spare pair of shoes for the office, a towel, a book for the Tube…all of this and more should fit comfortably inside this one. £62. At amazon.co.uk
Pros: Affordable | Unfussy Cons: Will lead to an inevitable jumble
Let’s keep it simple, why don’t we? You’ll find no fancy compartments, bells or whistles in this drawstring bag, just a nice big compartment for chucking all of your bits in. The cheap, cheerful and totally competent option. £15. At gymshark.com
Pros: Available in multiple colours Cons: On the large side
The weekend bag is the only choice for the person who packs a spare pair of gym trainers in with their office brogues as well as a full lineup of gym toiletries. Everlane’s newest version of its roomy bag comes in black, grey, cream and khaki. £90. At everlane.com
Pros: Dual zip fastening | Head-turning design Cons: Minimalists, avert your gaze | No internal pockets
Not just a post-workout protein source – Los Angeles Apparel has used a fish motif for this playful gym garb vessel. A nautical gimmick? Hardly. The shape of a fish actually lends itself nicely to your activewear, grooming kit and the laundry that comes with it thanks to two zips, one at the top and one at the mouth. £50. At losangelesapparel.eu
Pros: A comfortable carry | Excellent for cyclists Cons: Too small for everything and a pair of shoes
Another rucksack option for the man who cycles to the gym (or else takes his spinal health very seriously) this Allsaints knapsack in black or khaki drawstring polyester should fit everything including your standard 16” MacBook Pro. £159. At allsaints.com
Pros: Eyecatching design | Unlikely to get lost/confused with that of a fellow gym goer's Cons: No internal organisation
A brand known to provide quality staples in a smorgasbord of colourways, Los Angeles Apparel's canvas gym bag is a fuss-free, spacious design that'll easily stow gym kit, trainers and a change of clothes, sans any rigorous attention to organisation. We're especially fond of the tie-dye iterations, which will add a splash of playful energy to gym-bound 'fits. £31. At losangelesapparel.eu
Pros: Patterned with Burberry's Vintage Check | Spacious, barrel-shaped main compartment Cons: Luxury price tag | No internal pockets
Featuring calfskin leather that's clad in Burberry's vintage Nova check, this bag ensures a locker-room flex not limited to your guns. Its compact barrel is best for storing just the essentials – think keys, towel, bottle and your phone – and clips onto a detachable crossbody strap convenient for hands-free style. £850. At ssense.com
Pros: Not too big, not too small | Minimalistic design | Waterproof Cons: No internal organisation
Made from the same signature waterproof fabric that Rains uses for its signature anoraks, this 27-litre holdall is a very sensible gym bag indeed for keeping your kit dry in unpredictable ol’ Blighty. The main compartment has all the space you need for gym trips, while the top handle and shoulder straps make it easy to carry alongside any more professional day bags. £95. At rains.com
Pros: A lightweight alternative | Can be placed inside your typical work bag | Two additional zipped pockets | Deodorising fabric Cons: Limited space | Necessitates space in a bigger bag
If you'd rather bring the gym bag to your preexisting holdall, La Pochette's sweat bags offer the functionality of two additional zipped pockets for your belongings, with a main compartment with enough space for a pair of gym shoes or set of activewear and a smaller pocket for essentials such as phone, wallet, hand sanitiser and face mask. Thanks to its antibacterial protection and deodorising fabric, it's also perfect for keeping soiled activewear from morning meeting documents. £40. At lapochette.co
Pros: Abrasion-resistant panelling | Minimalistic appearance | If it's good enough for The Rock… Cons: Bulky silhouette
If it's good enough for Dwayne Johnson's fitness goals, we're going to assume it's good enough for yours. From Under Armour's Project Rock collection, this duffel-backpack hybrid is as tough as gym bags get with its abrasion-resistant nylon bottom panel and UA Storm tech to withstand the elements. Like The Rock himself, though, it's more than a ripped, rugged facade, with plenty going on inside, too (organisationally speaking). £115 £68.97. At underarmour.co.uk
Pros: Hard-wearing | Streetwear-approved Cons: Non-waterproof
The barrel-shaped duffel will always look like the coolest vintage version of the gym bag, as proven by this circular Dickies model. Coming in the same hard-wearing canvas as its famous workwear trousers, this choice will last you years of trips to Barry’s Red Room. £75. At dickieslife.com
Pros: Compact silhouette | Ideal for the highly-organised Cons: Requires some packing planning
With a 20-litre capacity, you'll want to be more fold than throw when it comes to packing this nifty Puma gym bag. That said, if you have the organisational skills to make it work, this is an excellent bag for your fitness staples, with neat organisational solutions to nourish the neat freak lurking beneath the muscle. £30.75 £16.99. At tradeinn.com
Pros: Waterproof | Padded internal pockets | Ideal for the post-work gym-goer Cons: Available in just one colour
Made with function at front of mind, Chrome Industries' tardis-like day bags boast the utmost versatility for gym regulars. The PU-coated shell is waterproof, and features adjustable straps on its exterior not just to tweak the fit but to strap in awkward accessories like yoga mats. Plus, with a padded laptop, notebook and stationery sleeves, it serves you just as well at the office as it does in the gym. £154. At chromeindustries.com
Pros: Can take on gym classes and weekend trips alike | Durable construction | Additional internal and external pockets Cons: Cumbersome shape
This is one of those bags that comes in handy so much more than you think it will – be it a trip to the gym, a weekend getaway or even a house move when you’re dealing with some overspill. Thanks to its super-durable G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S fabric, it can be used and abused but will still stand the test of time. The spacious main compartment means you can fill it to the brim with clothes and equipment and still keep valuables separated in its smaller inner and outer pockets. £77. At amazon.co.uk
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