19 Gym Bags for Every Type of Gym Goer

The best thing about this durable duffle (other than its sleek look and waterproof coating)? Its spacious interior holds all your workout essentials, including a change of sneakers. The optional shoulder strap is adjustable so you can tailor the fit to your body, while the front zipper pocket perfectly stores sweaty gym clothes without your coworkers being the wiser.

This backpack is more stylish than your average gym bag, but that’s exactly why we love it. Its smooth, minimalist design will fit in equally well on the morning commute as it does in the gym, thanks to its functionality. It has dedicated pockets to carry everything from your work laptop to lunch to two water bottles, plus external zipper compartments for easy access to your phone and keys.

Bringing your own boxing gloves to the gym? Invest in this backpack with a vented glove pocket. Mesh combines with polyester to let odors and moisture escape, keeping everything inside nice and dry. There’s also a laptop compartment on the outside of the bag, and a headphone port inside so you can swap your AirPods for your trusty over-ear headphones on the walk over.

If you hit the gym before work, you’ll want to get a bag that minimizes odors and has enough room to store sweaty clothes separate from your home-prepped lunch. This duffel does just that thanks to its antimicrobial, odor-fighting lining and various compartments with breathable mesh material. The side pocket unzips to reveal a pocketed organizing system for smaller items, and there’s a suitcase strap on the other, making it ideal for use as a personal item for your next flight.

For the guy who doesn’t want a workout bag that’s too big or too heavy, this rucksack is roomy enough to fit everything you need. It’s water-resistant to keep your gear dry and there’s even a separate storage compartment specifically designed for wet, dirty clothes or shoes.

Made of rugged, water-resistant material and secured with reliable zippers, L.L.Bean’s Adventure Duffle is our go-to for weekend trips and the gym. Its small, 18-inch length is the ideal size for stashing an extra pair of clothing, sneakers, and water bottle. It made our list for the brand’s generous return policy—if the bag gets damaged or is deemed defective due to craftsmanship at any point down the line, you can return it or request a new one at zero cost to you. Consider it the bag that keeps on giving.

Big duffle bags are great if you carry a lot of workout essentials with you, but they aren’t always needed for a quick jaunt to the gym. A drawstring-style workout bag is compact yet effective at holding all your things, and this one has a side pocket, durable bottom, and is made of waterproof material.

Not only is this bag ideal for a weekend away, but it’s also our go-to for the gym. It has two handles for ease of carrying, plus a removable shoulder strap if you’d rather sling it around your chest. Plus, it has pockets on the outside for your phone and wallet and lots of space on the inside for everything else.

If you like to keep workout snacks on hand during the day and when going to and from the gym, then this duffle is the perfect workout bag and gym accessory. It is made with 100% recycled reinforced canvas, and has two compartments: one is ventilated to fit your gym shoes and dirty clothes and another is insulated for workout snacks and your water bottle or sports beverage.

Carry this workout bag two ways: as a backpack or a duffle. It has a ton of space inside and boasts a separate compartment to safely stash your laptop and valuables, as well as a ventilated compartment to store gym shoes. The built-in password zipper ensures everything is protected whether or not you remembered your master lock.

This drawstring sack flattens completely making it easy to pack for vacation gym sessions. It has an exterior zip pocket to keep small items, like your keys and wallet, secure, plus a reinforced bottom to help protect your gear against bumps and scrapes.

This classic duffle comes in a few different sizes, and it has removable slip pockets to efficiently store dirty laundry and tame odors. The material is abrasion-resistant on the bottom and around the sides, making it especially durable and resistant to tears or rips.

This water-resistant bag is equipped with a dedicated shoe compartment and accessories pockets for storage, making for an impeccably organized gym duffle. The external mesh water bottle holder is ideal for grabbing a sip when you’re on the move, and the attached lanyard will prevent you from fishing in your bag for far too long looking for your key fob.

Prefer to take your workout outdoors? This sling bag is perfect for fresh-air runs and hikes thanks to a whole host of thoughtful features. There’s an internal hydration sleeve to fit a water reservoir, bungee cord loops for holding a hiking pole, a mesh fabric back panel for ventilation, and a padded, breathable harness with an adjustable sternum strap to keep it secured in place. Plus, there’s even a side pock for quick access to your water bottle while on the move.

If you’re one to get in, get your reps in, and get out, you truly only need headphones, a cell phone, keys, and a water bottle. So forgo the large bag or backpack and opt for this small duffle instead. It’s miniature in size and meant to hold the essentials—what more do you really need?

Small but efficient, this functional fitness bag packs a lot into its miniature frame. Its five compartments hold all the essentials (including a dedicated spot for your sneaks), and it has an external mesh pocket big enough to hold a water bottle and blender bottle. Plus,it easily transitions for weekend trips—it’s airplane-friendly and fits underneath the seat with room to stretch your legs out.

Love the idea of drawstring bags, but wish they were a bit studier? This backpack is your answer. It cinches at the top for ease, but is made of a durable fabric and features a zippered external pocket for your sneakers and two mesh water bottle holders. It’s also machine washable, so you don’t have to worry about gym floor dirt or dust.

Sitting a bit higher up on your chest, this fast-drying crossbody bag keeps your things safe and accessible at all times. It functions as both a workout bag and a casual daypack to everything you need while on the go. Plus, it’s made with breathable, sweat-wicking technology and has a stretch pocket on the front panel perfectly sized for an extra pair of sneakers.

Mesh is an excellent workout bag material because it’s breathable and odor-preventing, even when dirty gym clothes and sneakers are cooped up inside. Sanabul’s bag is made to last with heavy-duty zippers and durable stitching, plus there’s a separate wet/dry pocket to keep sweat-drenched items away from everything else.