The Best Gym Bags for Men, According to Personal Trainers

By A Mystery Man Writer

Need a gym bag? Don't sweat it. We've got you covered. See the year's best gym bags from adidas, Under Armour, Nike and other top brands.
A common choice among our experts was bags from Under Armour’s Undeniable line, which comes in versions that are numbered (like software releases). White says that his Undeniable (version 3.0) “comfortably fits my training shoes, workout clothes, resistance bands, and even my foam roller,” and that the ventilated shoe compartment is a game-changer: “My shoes get their own space separate from my clothes, which allows them to air out and prevents any unpleasant odors,” he says. Todd adds that the fully polyester bag lasts forever: “I had the 3.0 for years and years," he says. “It has an abrasion-resistant bottom and the 5.0, the latest version, now has a water-resistant finish to ensure longevity.” The $60 price tag is more than fair for a gym bag with this proven track record. Bonus: The simple black and white styling and padded shoulder strap and handles are crowd-pleasing details. Testing Notes: SPY's tester used this bag to go to both a local climbing gym as well as a fitness chain with obnoxiously small lockers, and found it helpful in both scenarios. They found that it had plenty of room for all of their clothing and toiletries, as well as helpful compartments for smaller items like keys and AirPods. "If you’re the type of person who goes to the gym then work and wants to use the same bag for both, this is a good option, especially if you have a car to stash it in," SPY's tester says. They also note how durable and sturdy the bag feels. "I like that the handle is padded so that it rests comfortably on the shoulder during the walk to and from the gym," SPY's tester says. They did add, however, that only occasional gym-goers may find the bag too big and unwieldy.
This bag, which is designed for use by weightlifters — there’s a dedicated spot on the outside for a cumbersome weightlifting belt — is unsurprisingly tough. Its materials are super durable: ripstop nylon, YKK zippers, powder-coated buckles, and the whole thing is backed by a solid warranty. “These are built to rigorous standards, designed for durability, and often come with a heftier price tag,” says Jenks of what he calls training bags like this one. Speaking of the price tag, $150 for the 35-liter medium model is certainly on the higher end of the scale. But for those who are tough on their gym bags, the additional price is well worth the peace of mind of having a well-warranted, over-built bag that’s going to withstand whatever happens to it.
Nike's Brasilia gym bag is the option for those looking for a classic, easy option — or those who lack the patience and just want a solid bag from a trusted brand. “The bag's durable construction, ample storage space, and comfortable carrying options make it one of my go-to choices for working out,” says Todd. Price-wise, at just $42 for 60 liters of storage space, the medium version of the Nike Brasilia has what Todd calls a Goldilocks amount of storage space for a relatively affordable price. “It has a lot of interior space and options for organizing,” he says. ‘I believe this bag makes for a versatile option that suits both casual gym users and serious athletes.”
In black, red, or blue, this bag eschews the sleek, aggressive styling common to gym bags for something warmer and more vibrant. Jenks says it “will make you feel like it’s the ‘90s again” — a look that will certainly appeal to those who want a bag that's a bit snappier to carry into the gym. Also, all three colorways feature a brightly colored interior that makes it easy to sort through the contents. Along with the large mesh zipper pocket and shoe pocket, it’s a feature that makes this simple-looking bag supremely useful. At $90, this bag has a middle-of-the-road price point, but its combination of style and substance makes it worth it, if the aesthetic is a fit.