There’s nothing more conducive to shifting our mindsets into one of avid gym-goers than having all the necessary kit in the most stylish iterations.
Frustrated that you can’t bring yourself to attend that mid-week yoga class? Invest in a new sports bra and shorts combo that you’ll be itching to show off at the studio. Struggling to get your head around running a 10K this weekend? Maybe it’s the fact that your old trainers no longer have any grip or support. Failing to fit all your climbing gear into your work backpack? It’s time to buy a versatile, stylish and portable gym bag for all your kit storage needs.
What to consider before investing in a gym bag
- Versatility: If you’re going to spend your hard-earned cash on a dedicated vessel for sweaty clothes and dirty trainers, make sure it can be used for other adventures too. That means checking whether it’s washing machine safe, so that it can be brought abroad as a handy travel bag without a permeating gym sock smell.
- Compartments: Better yet, keep clean and dirty clothes separate by investing in a gym bag which has a bottom compartment for shoes and sweaty kit. You’ll also want to make sure the bag has additional internal and external zip pockets for valuables as well as grab-and-go items like water bottles and headphones.
- Waterproofing: Protection against inclement British weather and the potential for spilt electrolyte drinks is essential for getting the most out of your gym bag.
- Packability: Capacity is all well and good, but a cumbersome gym bag which doesn’t fit in the cupboard when not in use isn’t a good gym bag.
- Dual straps: For long commutes into the city, a gym bag which can be worn a multitude of ways is a godsend. Invest in a bag that has an adjustable, removable shoulder strap and that can also be worn as a backpack.
We’ve curated a selection of the best gym bags for stylish and versatile kit storage, no matter whether you’re a weightlifter, rock climber, swimmer, runner, yogi, pilates-lover or all-round Olympian.
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Glossier Duffle Bag
Sleek and effortlessly stylish, the Glossier Duffle Bag is equipped with a single main compartment, two interior pockets, a side pocket, and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap. We love the subtle desert rose colourway.
Buy now £55.00, Glossier
Kipling Palermo Up
With all things Nineties and Noughties remaining wildly popular, it’s fitting that the gorilla-clad designs of Kipling have come back into the fashion forefront. The Palermo Up is an incredibly versatile piece of kit, for all your kit needs. It has a handy trolley sleeve for travel days, a separate compartment for shoes or dirty clothes, and can be worn as either a cross-body bag or backpack. Plus, the stylish holdall of course comes with a classic Kipling monkey attached.
Buy now £120.00, Kipling
KAVU Little Feller Duffle Bag
Made by adventurers for adventurers, this fantastic duffle by KAVU is perfect for both gym trips and impromptu hikes. With a packable 22-litre capacity, it’s another option that transforms from duffel to backpack in seconds and includes padded shoulder straps to keep you comfortable long-haul. It’s got plenty of cinch straps for keeping all your kit safe and compact, and is also equipped with an array of handy inner and outer zip pockets including a padded bottom compartment for shoes.
Buy now £88.00, Free People
Gymshark Everyday Tote
Available in black, sage green, silver lilac and autumn brown, this brilliant tote bag by the gym specialists over at Gymshark is a must-have for all your daily exercise needs. We love the trio of mesh compartments for keeping your water bottle, gym pass and headphones all within easy reach.
Buy now £30.00, Gymshark
Lululemon Packable Tote Bag 32L
An ingenious invention by the Canadian activewear experts, this packable 32 litre tote bag can be zipped up and folded into a miniature, easy-to-store pouch. It’s brilliant for those who don’t want a gym bag which takes up too much space in the downstairs cupboard, or for those who often need an extra bag to take on holiday for potential purchases.
Buy now £78.00, Lululemon
Adanola Active Lifestyle Tote Bag
A bag that our very own shopping editor marks firmly into her “good totes” pile, Adanola’s Active Lifestyle Tote Bag is likely to become your most frequent travel companion. Made from thick, durable cotton with extra-wide straps and an oversized design, it’s neutral enough to go with all kinds of outfits and spacious enough to throw in a quick change of clothes if need be, too. Perfect if you tend to find yourself juggling multiple bags on the daily, this practical tote ensures stress-free travelling with a few different colour accents just to round it off.
Buy now £27.99, Adanola
adidas by Stella McCartney recycled-polyester backpack
There’s a lot to love about this drawstring bag that comes as part of Stella McCartney’s ongoing collaboration with the sportswear giant. It has a secure closure so no opportunists can stick their hands inside but there are also exterior zipped pockets for those items that are notoriously challenging to find when you need them, namely tissues and hand sani.
Buy now £88.00, Farfetch
Arket 72-Hour 3-Way Duffle Bag
If it’s versatility and functionality you want, then Arket’s 3-way duffel should be going straight in your basket.
You can carry it via the top handles, over the shoulder with the detachable strap or even as a backpack. Better yet, it features plenty of compartments, two hanging pockets, and a laptop sleeve to boot. Perfect for a weekend away.
Buy now £149.00, Arket
Rowing Blazers X Warden Brooks Duke & Duke Banker Bag
Once a fashion faux pas, the classic banker duffel has become something of a coveted aesthetic - whether it’s ironic or cool, Rowing Blazers has hit the nail on the head with their collab with Warden Brooks, the manufacturer of the iconic style.
Elevating the look with a new colourway, logo-emblazoned webbed straps and the Rowing Blazers logo patch, it’s a stylish bag for the gym or for an overnight stay.
Buy now £145.00, Rowing Blazers
WANDF Drawstring Backpack
For an inexpensive but hard-working drawstring, look to this option on Amazon. It is worth opting for a bag of this type that is more than just material and string as these have been known to fall apart mid-festival. The WANDF bag has a large capacity, and even a separate compartment for shoes or dirty items. The wider straps encourage the weight to spread out to reduce stress on your shoulders.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
Rains Tote Bag Rush
Created to withstand mercurial weather, the Tote Bag Rush from Rains will keep your contents dry and protected no matter the level of downpour. Much like the rest of the rain-ready collection, it is made from a specialised PU fabric that is waterproof and durable. Inside, the brand has kept it simple with just a main compartment and an inner pocket. The bag is finished with smooth comfortable shoulder straps that have been created with a webbing construction. A mini version is also available.
Buy now £65.00, Rains
MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag
For the adventurers among you, you may be looking for a gym bag that will store your wet gear as well as keep the water out, whether you are hiking, trekking or simply braving the uncertain British weather. This option comes in a range of sizes and is crafted from a hard-wearing construction. It comes complete with a roll-top closure that forms a seal to keep the elements out. It is available in an array of shades including orange, blue and camo.
Buy now £16.75, Amazon
The North Face Base Camo Duffel
This duffel from The North Face comes in an extensive array of colours and in six varied sizes depending on your needs. The versatile bag has a spacious compartment to house your gym gear, but can also double up as a case for travelling. It has a mesh storage bag and a zipped compartment at the end to separate wet, dirty or smelly clothes. The bag can be transformed from a duffel to a backpack with detachable and adjustable padded straps.
Buy now £125.00, The North Face
Nike Utility Power Training Duffel Bag
Haul your workout essentials to and from the gym in this sleek all-black bag from Nike. It is made up of a spacious compartment with pockets aplenty and a separate shoe section. There are two options when it comes to handles, including an over-the-shoulder strap that is both removable, adjustable and padded for added comfort. The bag comes in a variety of sizes.
Buy now £41.49, Nike
