The 8 Best Gym Bags for Men, Tested by Editors

We’ve tested more than 30 different gym bags, but Lululemon’s option blew the competition out of the water. I found it can transition from a duffle bag to a backpack by simply clipping the hidden straps onto the base of the bag, so I can wear it on my shoulders. It has a bunch of pockets to store a change of clothes, running shoes, jump ropes, water bottles, and more workout equipment.

Thanks to its water-repellent fabric that dries in seconds, my belongings didn’t get soaked in rainy commutes. When this bag is not in use for the gym, it comes in handy for impromptu overnight stays and road trips, which means you can skip pulling out a bulky suitcase. And you can ensure that work gets done since there’s a padded sleeve for your laptop.

The price may be a little steep, but we guarantee you can fit your entire life in this thing and get your money’s worth. One more thing to know about this gym backpack is that its shoulder straps are very tough and made with nylon and elastane, which will not tear or fray a bit.

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This gym bag has pockets galore: A total of 10 compartments will make organizing your gym clothes, fitness gear, and personal gadgets a breeze. We love that its shoe pocket is very spacious and fits up to men’s size 14. In addition, it has its own wet pocket for storing wet towels, sweaty clothes, or swim trunks. There are two bottle holders as well, one for your pre-workout drink and another for your post-workout drink.

Based on our extensive testing, we found this bag is more than just reliable for the gym. Our gear editors have taken it for a spin during backcountry adventures and quick weekend excursions.

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For those looking to declutter and uncomplicate their life, KNKG has made something really special with the Conquer duffel. Thorp likes the organizing features of this bag are ingenious, giving you a pocket for every occasion, and I can effectively store anything from my laptop to my creatine for post-workout shakes.

In order to accomplish this, KNKG has designed easy-to-navigate dividers that you can change to fit your needs when it comes to compartments. These are not flimsy, which is what he’s come to expect after being burned by other brands. These are as solid as they get and will keep your running shoes or supplements in place.

Thorp is also a big fan of the KNKG Core backpacks, which are good for anyone who prefers to carry the load on their shoulders, but if you like the ability to change up how you carry, between handheld and over-the-shoulder, this is the way to go. You don’t have to be worried about taking this bag outdoors; it’s constructed out of durable materials like 500D nylon with PVC backing. Long story short, this is a gym bag you can trust to hold your most precious items, with organizational features that will save you precious time.

Beyond what meets the eye, Dagne Dover’s carryall bag is designed to hold a great deal, last for a long time, and double as a stylish carry-on. Crafted from premium neoprene, it boasts a high-tech fabric that’s super smooth and water-resistant to keep your gear dry on rainy days. Inside the main compartment, you’ll find significant room for your typical gear as well as a shoe bag and dust bag to help prevent dirt or moisture from transferring to your clean duds. Plus, this section contains a dual water bottle slip pocket, so you’ll never be short on H2O at the gym or on a hike.

We’ve owned this bag for a few years and the fabric’s tough structure has withstood the wear and tear better than the more expensive options out there. If it gets a scuff or a stain, you can pop it into the washer for easy cleaning. There’s an adjustable shoulder strap to wear as a crossbody if you want to be hands-free. Not to mention, it’s a sleek design that we don’t mind showing off as we board flights, too.

In case you get caught in abrupt showers, Mack Weldon’s Atlas Duffle will keep all your gym gear from getting soaked. This bag is coated with a water-resistant recycled poly canvas that not only protects from light rain, but moisture as well. We found the ventilated shoe compartment to be especially useful, giving our sweaty cross-training sneakers some air to breathe and reducing odor buildup.

As we’ve carried this bag from an evening gym session to a red-eye flight, we’ve stored snacks and drinks in the insulated side pocket. We tossed it on the TSA conveyor belt and under our seat, finding the rubber bottom kept everything upright and clean the whole time.

This bag is up to all challenges, outdoors or urban, and is a favorite of Thorp. The latest version is available in 20L and 25L capacities, with plenty of room to carry everything you need. It has a built-in slot that is perfect for carrying a laptop or if you want to use it as a rucking pack, you can snag signature pack weights that will help you build strength and even improve your posture.

In that pursuit, there are special lumbar supports in this bag that help you with hauling heavy loads, by fitting to the curve of your back and providing extra padding. The bag is also highly water resistant, meaning that your valuables stay dry, whether it is your change of clothes for after your workout or your work computer.

The previous edition of this backpack was built of the same materials, and it has stood up to everything that Thorp has thrown at it. So you can be sure that this is a gym bag that you can feel fine being rough with.

Designed to function as a duffle, crossbody, and backpack, Lululemon is the most versatile option we’ve tested. At a volume of 30L, it’s roomy for gym gear, workout headphones, and reusable water bottles. We love that it comes with a separate drawstring pouch to keep sweaty clothes away from the rest of your items. The exterior shoe pocket can store gym sneakers or extra shoes and fit up to a men’s size 14, so it’s pretty substantial.

As a 3-in-1 multi-use design, most would think it’s super bulky, but that’s not the case. It’s surprisingly compact, and we found it can fit into cube-sized gym lockers and move through busy crowds without knocking into people. We also appreciate that the bag is pretty indestructible. During our testing, we found the nylon fabric was resistant to dirt, stains, rain, and daily wear and tear.

“This is my go-to gym bag when I want a slimmer and more stylish look,” says Thorp. The Gymshark Sleek Backpack is exactly that, sleek. It looks great and fits against the back perfectly. The waterproof polyurethane material protects all of his technology and gym gear on those days he gets hit with a random rainstorm during the middle of my urban commute.

That same fabric also makes it both rigid and resistant to scrapes, scuffs, and punctures. There is plenty of room for a change of clothes and my laptop, as well as any other technology Thorp needs to keep with him on the move. There is also ample main compartment space, and front zip pockets are great for keeping smaller goods—like keys, wallets, glasses, and more—safe and secure.

Other core elements include a padded laptop sleeve, side pockets for water bottles, and a specialized section to keep your meal prep fresh while you’re on the go. Overall, it’s a super functional backpack with a polished look.