Heading to the gym requires hauling all your gear – from sweaty workout clothes to shower supplies and more. Having an organized gym bag keeps all your items in their place, so you’re not frantically digging around for what you need. The right gym bag also provides enough room for all your necessities, while still being easy to carry and transport. With so many options on the market, choosing the best gym bag for your needs can be a challenge. This article will highlight the top 5 gym bags for men that are stylish, functional and help keep your gear neatly organized.
The 5 best gym bags for men provide plenty of compartments and pockets to separate dirty gear from clean, along with handy features like shoe compartments, wet pockets and padded shoulder straps for comfortable carrying.
Table of Contents
Types of Gym Bags for Men
Duffel Bags The quintessential gym bag, duffel bags offer a roomy main compartment and smaller pockets on the sides or ends. Duffels cinch closed and have short handles for grasping and long, adjustable shoulder straps. They’re made in a variety of materials, like canvas, nylon and leather. Duffel bags are lightweight, foldable and provide a good amount of storage space. However, they lack rigid sides, so your gear can get jumbled together.
Backpacks Gym backpacks have padded, contoured shoulder straps for the most ergonomic carry. They usually feature multiple compartments and interior organization to keep your gear separated. Some have shoe compartments and external mesh pockets for smaller items and water bottles. Backpacks disperse weight most evenly and leave your hands free. But they can be bulky on your back when loaded up.
Messenger Bags Messenger-style gym bags have a flap closure and long adjustable strap to wear across your chest. They offer quick outer access and moderate storage space. However, messenger bags don’t always have the most compartments or load-bearing padded straps. They’re best for light gym trips or commuting after a workout.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gym Bag
- Size – Make sure to choose a gym bag that provides ample room for all your gear, with a little extra space. Measure your gym clothes, shoes, toiletries etc. to determine the ideal capacity.
- Compartments – Bags that organize your dirty/sweaty clothes away from clean items are ideal. Inner pockets help separate smaller items. Shoe compartments are handy to isolate dirty soles.
- Material – Look for durable, water-resistant outer material that’s still lightweight. Inner lining should be easy to clean and maintain over time.
- Portability – Consider backpack-style straps for the most comfortable carry when loaded up. Duffels with short handles and long shoulder straps also make transport easy.
- Extra Features – Water bottle pockets, luggage pass-through bands for stacking bags, clip-on hooks and reflective accents for visibility are useful extras.
The 5 Best Gym Bags for Men
Adidas Defender III Duffel Bag
With its huge capacity and variety of pockets, the Adidas Defender III duffel bag tops our list for keeping your gear neatly organized. The main compartment is massive at over 3,500 cubic inches, with plenty of room for extra clothes, shoes and bulky items.
An padded bottom protects your valuables. Inside, a zippered mesh divider separates dirty gear from clean clothes. The ends have zippered pockets, including a ventilated wet pocket. External pockets hold smaller items and accessories.
Carry handles and a padded, adjustable shoulder strap provide versatile transport. The outer material is durable and water-resistant. Altogether, the Defender III combines storage space with compartments galore.
Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag
This mid-sized duffel bag from Nike doesn’t have as much room as others, but makes excellent use of its storage capacity. The main compartment fits all your gym clothes, while side zip pockets and end pouches organize smaller gear.
Ventilation ports along the side allow air flow to keep gear dry. A separate wet/dirty compartment contains sweaty clothes post-workout. Pockets line the interior walls to sort accessories. Dual handles and a removable shoulder strap allow for hand carrying or wear over your shoulder.
With its array of pockets and breathable construction, the Nike Brasilia duffel keeps your gear neatly organized and aired out.
Under Armour Undeniable 4.0 Backpack
Backpacks evenly disperse weight across your back and shoulders, making them comfortable for transporting hefty loads of gym gear. Under Armour’s Undeniable 4.0 backpack maximizes storage while organizing your equipment.
The large main compartment has a pocket for clothes, towel or shoes. Inside the front pocket, a mesh organizer keeps smaller accessories separated. Stretchy side pockets hold water bottles or protein shakers. Other handy extras include a felt-lined sunglass pocket, fleece-lined laptop sleeve and ventilated shoe compartment.
Padded HeatGear shoulder straps ensure a comfy carry. With all its compartments and premium construction, the Undeniable 4.0 backpack hauls gym necessities with organization.
Herschel Chapter Toiletry Kit
A toiletry bag is gym bag essential for holding shower supplies, small accessories and toiletries. The Chapter kit from Herschel Supply Co. features their signature stylish design in durable polyester fabric.
The main compartment has a waterproof liner that contains any leaks or spills. An interior mesh organizer pockets separates smaller items like creams. The side sleeve fits full-size shower products. An exterior zippered pocket allows quick access to essentials like your toothbrush.
The Chapter toiletry kit packs into any gym bag – or can be carried on its own with the adjustable shoulder strap. Use it to neatly organize your personal care items.
Aer Gym Pack 2
This gym backpack from Aer provides superior ventilation and storage compartments to organize sweaty gym clothes. The shoe compartment at bottom completely isolates dirty soles from the main compartment. Inside, a dividing panel and numerous quick-access stretch pockets sort gear.
Ventilated side compartments hold shoes, laundry or towels for increased airflow. The outer material is ultra-durable 1680D ballistic nylon. Shoulder straps and back panels feature breathable mesh padding. Added features like an expandable water bottle pocket, emergency whistle buckle and luggage pass-through band make this gym pack fully equipped.
With its ventilation and compartments, the Gym Pack 2 contains smells and organizes gym necessities.
Conclusion
Finding the right gym bag involves choosing a design that’s comfortable to transport and offers features that meet your needs. Bags with compartments and pockets allow you to neatly organize sweaty gym clothes away from clean items like your keys and wallet. Breathable construction prevents lingering odors.
For commuting to the gym right after work, options like backpacks and messenger bags make an easy carry. Look for padded shoulder straps to haul heavy gear loads hands-free.
Duffel bags provide roomy storage for bulky items, while still folding up when empty. Sections for laundry, shoes and accessories keep the main compartment clutter-free.
Choosing the best gym bag comes down to your intended use, carrying preference and how much gear you need to transport. But the bags reviewed above all succeed in organizing your equipment while offering sporty style. With your gear neatly packed away into compartments, you can focus on your workout rather than rummaging around for what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size gym bag is best?
Consider how much gear you need to fit – gym clothes, shoes, shower items, accessories etc. Bags around 30 liters offer ample room for most gym goers. Go bigger if you pack lots of bulky gear or smaller for light trips.
What should you put in a gym bag?
Typical gym bag essentials include workout clothes, shoes, shower sandals, towel, toiletries, lock, water bottle, headphones, wallet/keys. Packing cubes or organizers help sort smaller items. Separate soiled gym clothes in a ventilated pocket.
How do you keep a gym bag from smelling?
- Allow dirty workout gear to dry out before zipping into your bag.
- Use compartments or packing cubes to isolate sweaty clothes from clean items.
- Look for bags with ventilated wet pockets or shoe compartments.
- Consider a bag made of antimicrobial material that prevents odors.
- Clean the interior of your gym bag regularly.
What is the most durable gym bag?
Look for bags made of tear-resistant fabrics like nylon, polyester, canvas or leather. These materials also resist moisture. Ensuring straps and zippers are reinforced adds to durability.
Can a backpack be used as a gym bag?
Yes, backpacks work great as gym bags, especially for carrying heavy loads. Look for one with ventilation to keep smell down, various compartments to organize gear, and moisture-wicking padded straps for comfort.
