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By Aaron Toumazou , Tracy Achonwa and Esat Dedezade
With memberships back in action, the best gym bag to stow your workout gear in are an essential once again. From Nike and Lululemon to the latest luxe takes from Adidas x Prada, here's our pick of the duffle bags and backpacks primed for personal bests (in both squat loads and style)
For all too long, any need for gym-goers to carry with them a dedicated duffle bag for their gym locker was redundant as we took to workouts from our living rooms. Thankfully, gyms and studios are back in action and show little sign of needing to close their doors for the foreseeable, thus reinstating the necessity for a roomy, high-quality sports bag that balances easy-access functionality with luxe stylings that'll help you transition from office to squat rack with elan.
Boasting plenty more storage space than the backpack, tote or briefcase you rely on for your laptop and the odd document, a quality gym bag will closer resemble a weekend bag, in that it should boast copious space for a full change of clothes, water bottle pockets and separate compartments and zip pockets for gym shoes, toiletries, supplements, notepad and the rest. Plus, to get you through the rigamarole of your daily routine, it should boast durability in a water-repellent and abrasion-resistant fabric, with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap to ease carrying.
As you can see, we're not asking for much... Worry not, however, the fussy fitness folk at GQ have done all the hard work of pinning down the perfect gym bag for your fitness needs, sourcing sporty styles from the likes of Nike, Under Armour and Adidas alongside more sartorial offerings that will pair nicely with a suit and tie until it's time to roll out the yoga mat or get weightlifting. Shop our full edit below.
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Pros: Made for gym bunnies, by gym bunnies | An abundance of pocket space | Sleek, monochromatic appearance Cons: Not ideal for post-arm-day workouts
If you're looking for a gym bag made by a brand that knows exactly what the modern-day gym bunny needs, Gymshark quite literally has your back with its X-Series 0.3. No training stone has been left unturned in the design of this bag, with tech, food prep, notebooks and kit all catered for with a smorgasbord of internal and external pockets. Best of all, thanks to a removable T-frame inside, you can adjust it to work precisely to your needs. £50. At uk.gymshark.com
Pros: Small but mighty | Handy for running and/or keeping your essentials close mid-workout | No locker? No problem Cons: No room for a change of clothes here | Not made for maximalists
Perfect for sessions where you need your things handy, Lululemon's coveted Everywhere Belt Bag is the smallest - but mightiest - entry on this list. The neat cuboid pouch holds an impressive 2l, with interior and exterior zippers for securely stashing your valuables. Need somewhere to stow your phone between sets, or whilst on the treadmill? Sling it across your chest, or adjust the straps and wear it at the waist whilst you smash your personal best. Comes in five sleek and stylish hues, that look just as good with your gym kit as they do with the rest of your wardrobe. £48. At lululemon.co.uk
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. £750. At bennettwinch.com
Pros: Generous size | Dedicated exterior compartment for your sweaty gear Cons: We hope you like black
With a total capacity of 32 litres, Lululemon's All Day Essentials duffle bag should comfortably fit everything you care to throw into it, from trainers and a change of clothes, to resistance bands, protein shakes, massage guns and more. There's even a handy exterior compartment for storing all of your sweaty items once you're done. If you've ever suffered from post-gym bag stench before, you'll know just how essential this really is. £108. At lululemon.co.uk
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. £65. At rains.com
Pros: Nostalgic, vintage-inspired design | Fits everything but the kitchen sink Cons: We hope your gym has lockers
This bag is massive. Boasting a cavernous, lengthy compartment that can fit your yoga mats and more, it's an excellent choice for those who train with a lot of sporting kit. Rackets? In the bag. Hockey sticks? In the bag. Heck, you could probably fit your gym buddy in this too. It's not just big, it's beautiful – finished in a minimal, muted colourway that goes effortlessly with all your gym outfits. If you weren't already convinced, it also doubles as a backpack. Which is as good a reason as any to heed the embroidered Nike tick, and just do it. £24. At lovell-rugby.co.uk, sportsdirect.com & tradeinn.com
Pros: Extremely compact design | Side panel for phone Cons: Only suitable for ultralight gear
As one of the smallest items on our list, this dinky 5.6-litre Gymshark bag doesn't major on carrying capacity. But if you're a minimalist who doesn't need a bulky, cavernous bag with all sorts of straps and compartments, this could be the ideal gym companion for you. Big enough to hold essentials like small towels, your phone, headphones and a water bottle, its lightweight design and compact nature will make for a much more comfortable gym commute. If you travel to the gym in your workout gear, before nipping back to shower at home, then this is the cylindrical companion you've been searching for. £25. At uk.gymshark.com
Pros: Can be used as a backpack or duffle bag | Multiple compartments for organisation fans Cons: Might be too small for those with a lot of kit
This sleek all-black affair has a 100 per cent 800D nylon-coated body for impressive durability, along with plenty of zipped pockets and internal compartments for getting your gear into order. One of these is a laptop pouch, making it a solid choice for those who hit the gym before or after work. It's a convertible number too, letting you use it as either a regular rucksack or duffle bag, thanks to its use of handles and straps in all the right places. A perfect choice for those who travel light. £299. At selfridges.com
Pros: Doesn't scream “activewear” | Hardwearing material with reinforced handles Cons: Not the best choice for colour lovers
Crafted from hardwearing Cordura with reinforced handles to boot, this stealth-centric duffle bag will be just the ticket for use in the gym, airport, and everything in between. With plenty of pockets inside and out (with a dedicated fleece-lined laptop sleeve for good measure), it's a jack of multiple trades. If you're after a do-it-all bag that'll blend into any surroundings with chameleon-like ease, look no further. £125. At mrporter.com
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. £155. At ssense.com
Pros: Versatile design | Ventilated mesh pocket to the rear | Plenty of storage Cons: Bulky frame
Stuck between choosing a duffel and a backpack? Why not enjoy the best of both? With this multitasking holdall from Ted Baker, hoisting your heavy gear is made easier by shoulder straps, top handles and padded backpack arms. There's plenty of storage and an inner pocket for all your bits, plus a ventilated mesh pocket that comes in handy after the sweatiest sessions. At 28 x 50cm, it's great as a gym bag and equally good as hand luggage. Pick this one up, and book that class – or flight – with confidence. £149 £74. At fenwick.co.uk & tedbaker.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. £168. At chromeindustries.com
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 & uk.burberry.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. £47. At losangelesapparel.eu
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. At underarmour.co.uk & very.co.uk
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. £35 £16. At puma.com & tradeinn.com
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. £89.99. At builtforathletes.com
Pros: A luxe, fashion-forward, take on the sporty essential | A bold, embroidered logo front and centre Cons: Not designed specifically for gym use | Expensive
Taking on a sporty aesthetic in typically luxe fashion, this preppy, Italian-made Saint Laurent duffle is cut from durable corduroy with the brand name embroidered front and centre. A big gym flex, and just the thing for a weekend away done in style. £1,215. At mrporter.com
Pros: High-quality gym kit? Good, it's on show Cons: Less secure cinch fastening | Better pack it neatly
What's the point of owning the best activewear and gym kicks in the biz if you're hiding them in an opaque polyester holdall? The likes of Off-White and Crash Baggage have championed showing off the grails within your bag, and this decidedly less designer drawstring bag by Holyluck goes by the same sentiment for a fraction of the price tag. Just make sure you're packing squeaky clean Nike Metcon's and not novelty underwear. £24.37. At amazon.co.uk
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. £35. At lapochette.co
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. £80. At amazon.co.uk & surfdome.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. £29. At losangelesapparel.eu
Pros: The best that your boutique gym will ever see | Stylish and sleek | Constructed with attention to sustainability Cons: Expensive | Better suited to travel
The widespread adoption of gym memberships has made them much more than a place to flex your muscles. The treadmill is just as much a runway as any and Gucci’s gym bag is about as “fashun” as fitness gets. Part of the fashion house’s sustainable collection, signature monogramming embellishes a regenerated nylon body and is finished with chrome-free tanned leather. £1,290. At farfetch.com & gucci.com
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