21 of the best gym bags to arrive to your workout class in style, from Adanola to Nike
Gym bags became somewhat redundant during lockdown, when the doors of our favourite fitness establishments were slammed shut and gym-goers had no choice but to work out from home. But now, with our favourite yoga and spin classes back up and running like a virus-induced sabbatical never happened, gym bags, too, are back in action.
If you’ve been relying on a dusty old tote bag to take you from office to treadmill in one fell swoop, investing in a dedicated sports bag is of high importance. With more space and greater organisation options than the Prada Raffia tote bag you use to carry your laptop and new book, high-quality gym bags have plenty of space to house a full change of clothes, your running shoes, water bottle and small items and valuables. Often from within a zipped pocket. The best gym bags look a little more like travel bags, if you will – and are often water-resistant to withstand the commotion of your busy routine.
It may sound like we’re asking for a lot, but luckily, there are some seriously stylish gym bags on the market right now that tick our every requirement (and more). From brands like Reebok, Under Armour, Puma and Nike, these unisex gym bags marry design with functionality. And they won’t look out of place doubling up as a weekend bag on your next city break.
After more workout content? Shop gym leggings, yoga pants, black gym leggings, high-waisted gym leggings, Gymshark leggings and Nike gym leggings. We've also curated edits of the very best sports bras, dumbbells, resistance bands and spinning bikes to keep you hydrated.
Ready to shop? Here are the best gym bags to buy right now. See you at the squat racks.
Small gym bags women
Go Getter Bag, £148, Lululemon
Why we love it: Not only is this bag ideal for the gym, but it's smart enough to use for work, too.
Pros: It features a padded laptop compartment so you can go from the office straight to a workout class. A quick-access phone pocket keeps your iPhone safe, and the exterior water bottle pocket gives you quick access to hydration.
Cons: It's pretty expensive.
Dimension: Dimensions: 47cm x 22.5cm x 32cm (18.5" x 8.9" x 12.6").
Volume: 25L.Nike Gym Club Women's Training Duffel Bag
Why we love it: This sleek design is a great size – large enough for your workout kit, but small enough that it won't get in the way if you're out and about for the day. Plus, it's a great statement colour that goes with pretty much anything.
Pros: It's really lightweight, making it easy to carry around. Perfect if your gym/fitness studio is a little further away.
Cons: Nothing to note – reviews state that this is a great everyday gym bag.
Dimensions: Height: 33cm / 12.9in, Depth: 23cm / 9in, Width: 51cm / 20in
Volume: 24L.
Small gym bag women
FP Movement Class Tote Bag, £74, Free People
Why we love it: Go from your yoga class to brunch with this spacious yet stylish tote gym bag, which has been finished in a plush puffer fabric.
Pros: There are interior pockets to keep your valuables safe, plus top handles and an adjustable strap to carry it over your shoulder. There's a zipper closure, too.
Cons: It's slightly smaller than some of the other gym bags in this edit.
Dimensions: Width: 41.91 cm, Height: 27.94 cm, Depth: 15.24 cm.
Volume: Undisclosed.
Fashionable gym bags
Glossier Duffel Bag, £19, Glossier
Why we love it: Mood-boosting and affordable, this gym bag has countless five-star reviews on the Glossier website.
Pros: It has a zippered main compartment and comes in a properly smile-inducing colour. Reviewers report that it fits so much more inside than you'd first expect, and it is also waterproof.
Cons: It only has one separate zipped pocket.
Dimensions: 18" x 10" x 10".
Volume: Undisclosed.
Gym duffle bag
Why we love it: Made from 100% polyester, this cute lilac gym bag with retro Nike logo keeps everything you need for your class or workout zipped away.
Pros: At least 65% of the polyester this bag is made from is recycled. It can be carried by hand or over your shoulder. There is a spacious main compartment, plus zipped pockets on the inside and outside for your valuables.
Cons: The handles aren't padded for comfort.
Dimensions: 33cm H X 51cm W X 23cm D (approx.)
Volume: 24L.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these Nike discount codes.
Cute gym bags
Puma Training Barrel Bag in Mauve, £25, ASOS
Why we love it: Inject some welcome and mood-boosting colour into your gym get-up with this pretty, pink gym bag by Puma.
Pros: It can be worn on shoulder or across the body and has a zip-top fastening to keep your kit secure. There's a ventilated side compartment which is ideal for shoes, plus an internal zip pocket.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: Undisclosed.
Volume: 25L.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these ASOS discount codes.
Gym bags with shoe compartment
One Club Women's Training Duffel Bag, £44.95, Nike
Why we love it: The Nike One Club Duffel Bag keeps everything you need for your day close and organised.
Pros: It has elastic bungee straps which provide space for a yoga mat, plus a vented compartment that keeps your shoes and sweaty clothes separate from the rest of your things. It's made from at least 50% recycled polyester fibres.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: 33cm H x 51cm W x 23cm D (approx.)
Volume: 24L.Save when you shop for the best gym bag with these Nike discount codes.
Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffle
Why we love it: It's completely waterproof, so you can be rest assured your belongings will stay dry, no matter the weather. Plus, it's got So. Many. Pockets. Great for all of your post-workout toiletries.
Pros: It's got a separate vented pocket to store shoes or dirty gym clothes, making it easy to keep your clean and worn items separate.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: Height: 29cm / 11.4in, Depth: 30.8cm / 12.1in, Width: 62.4cm / 24.6in
Volume: 58L.
Womens gym bags
Two Tone Tote Bag - White/Green, £27.99, Adanola
Why we love it: If you've done as little as opened your Instagram app over the course of the past six months, you'll have spotted Adanola. The Manchester-born athleisure brand is arguably the prime contender on the activewear scene for cool and minimalist pieces that bridge the gap between working out and lounging about. And their gym bags are no exception.
Pros: You can wash in in the washing machine under 30 degrees. The strap is strong and durable. There are pockets on the front and bag.
Cons: It's not waterproof or water-resistant.
Dimensions: Size: 61cm W x 36cm H x 13cm D.
Volume: Undisclosed.
Best compact gym bag
On My Level Bag, from £118, Lululemon
Why we love it: This stylish gym bag is made from water-repellent fabric and is perfect for commuting/rushing around from gym-office-pub.
Pros: It's small and compact at first glance, but actually fits 19L worth of stuff inside. It's available in three colours and can be worn over your shoulder, cross-body or carried by hand if you remove the strap. Plus, there's an interior pocket for storing your essentials.
Cons: Nothing to note, other than its slightly smaller size.
Dimensions: Dimensions: 30cm x 24cm x 36cm (12" x 9.5" x 14").
Volume: 19L.
Black gym bags
Why we love it: The Barrel Bag has a classic silhouette which has been refined for convenience. With a side handle, padded shoulder strap and carry handles with fastening, it boasts a three-carry design with three spacious storage compartments for everything from gym essentials to light luggage.
Pros: It's available in two colours: pink and black. It's wipe-clean.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: Length: 48cm. Height: 30cm. Width 25cm.
Volume: 23L.
Puma gym bag
Puma Training Essential Shopper Bag in Pink, £30, ASOS
Why we love it: Pink? Check. Printed? Check. Complete with twin straps and a waterproof outer? Check. What more could you want from an affordable gym bag?
Pros: It has a zip fastening, internal compartments and is machine washable.
Cons: The straps aren't adjustable, and there's no longer strap to carry the bag across your body.
Dimensions: H: 50cm/20" W: 32cm/13" D: 17cm/7".
Volume: 23L.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these ASOS discount codes.
Adanola workout bag
Active Lifestyle Tote Bag - Cream/Green, £27.99, Adanola
Why we love it: Another gym bag from trending activewear brand Adanola, this tote is available in a bunch of different colourways and has plenty of space for all of your gym kit.
Pros: It's really spacious and the thick strap is super durable.
Cons: It doesn't have any additional compartments or pockets, and it's not waterproof. There's no zip fastening to keep your belongings safe.
Dimensions: Size: 61cm W x 36cm H x 13cm D.
Volume: Undisclosed.
Nike gym bag
Nike One Women's Training Backpack (16L), £35.97, Nike
Why we love it: Alongside the fact that it's really rather stylish, we love that this gym bag has been made from at least 50% recycled polyester fibres. The recycled polyester used begins life as recycled plastic bottles, which are then cleaned and shredded into pellets to be spun into yarn.
Pros: You can carry your gym kit hands-free. There's space for both a laptop (thanks to the mesh pocket) and yoga mat, and reviewers reported that it's really comfortable to wear.
Cons: It's around 9L smaller in volume that some of the larger duffle bags in this edit.
Dimensions: 38cm H x 30cm W x 18cm D (approx.)
Volume: 16L.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these Nike discount codes.
New Balance Performance Duffel Bag
Why we love it: This large duffel is your typical gym bag, roomy enough to fit all your workout essentials, including trainers. It also features a handy shoulder strap, making it easy to carry around.
Pros: It features a 100% waterproof bottom panel, meaning you can set it down whilst travelling knowing that your belongings will stay clean and dry.
Cons: The reviews say that there aren't any extra pockets – so you'll need to keep smaller items, such as keys, in a separate bag or pouch.
Dimensions: Depth: 29.5cm / 11.6in, Height: 29.5cm / 11.6in, Width: 61cm / 24in.
Volume: 40L.
Sports bag womens
Quilted Nylon Tote Bag - Black, £34.99, Adanola
Why we love it: Trending on site right now, this quilted gym bag is stylish enough to take from gym to office and even out to dinner, with plenty of space for all of your essentials.
Pros: It's made from nylon so it's easy to wipe clean. There's a zip fastening at the top, an internal zip pocket and an outer front pocket.
Cons: The straps are not adjustable.
Dimensions: 61cm W x 36cm H x 13cm D.
Volume: Undisclosed.
Nike sports bag
Nike Gym Club Printed Training Duffel Bag (24L), £27.95, Nike
Why we love it: Easy to carry and with space for all of your belongings, this cute, polka-dot gym bag has a removable shoulder strap and a snap pocket on the side to keep your purse/keys/phone safe.
Pros: It has been made from at least 65% recycled polyester fibres.
Cons: Some reviewers reported that it was a little smaller than they envisaged, and the fabric was quite thin. That said, Nike report that the Lightweight Ripstop fabric is durable to keep your workout t-shirts/shoes/leggings safe.
Dimensions: 33cm H x 51cm W x 23cm D (approx.)
Volume: 24L.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these Nike discount codes.
Small gym bag mens
Rubberised Weekend Bag, £59, Marks and Spencer
Why we love it: Sometimes, keeping things simple is best, and that's exactly what M&S have done with their duffel bag. It sells out time and time again, thanks to its purse-pleasing price and spacious interior.
Pros: It has side pockets for storing your essentials (read: dry shampoo and resistance bands). It's made from a water-resistant fabric which is easy to wipe clean.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: Height: 35cm, Width: 26cm, Length: 78cm.
Volume: Undisclosed.Save when you shop for the best gym bag with these Marks and Spencer discount codes.
Gymshark bag
Everyday Holdall, £30, Gymshark
Why we love it: The Everyday Holdall is specifically designed for your everyday items, with a wet pocket for gym kit and slip pockets for work essentials, as well as a main-entry space for anything else you need for the journey.
Pros: It's available in five colours, including a cute cucumber green. The base is reinforced for durability. You can pick up a matching wash bag, bum bag and mini backpack.
Cons: Nothing to note.
Dimensions: Length: 47cm. Height: 20cm. Width: 22cm. Volume: 26.4L (approx).
Volume: Undisclosed.
Rains gym bag
Why we love it: Crafted by the brand best-known for their raincoats comes this Rains gym bag - a front-runner in the style stakes.
Pros: Available in a handful of neutral hues, it boasts a minimal and clean design with a zip-front pocket and sturdy handles. The main compartment is super roomy, and it has a waterproof finish for any (inevitable) downpours.
Cons: Nothing to note - this gym bag is super durable and timeless.
Dimensions: H25 x W48.5 x D22cm / H9.8 x W19.1 x D8.7 inches.
Volume: 27L.
Athletic bags
PARAVEL + NET SUSTAIN Fold-Up Vegan Leather and Webbing-Trimmed Shell Weekend Bag, £70, Net-A-Porter
Why we love it: Sleek and crafted from vegan leather, this weekend-bag-come-gym-bag folds up easily into a small pouch for storage between gym classes. It has an internal zip pocket for your valuables and it can be hooked to the handle of your suitcase if you want to use it for holidays.
Pros: This product has been selected for the NET Sustain edit because of its efforts to reduce waste – and the fact that it was created using considered materials and processes.
Cons: The straps are not adjustable.
Dimensions: Depth: 25cm / 9.8in, Height: 28cm / 11in, Width: 42cm / 16.5in.
Volume: Undisclosed.Save when you shop for the best gym bags with these Net-A-Porter discount codes.
