Your questions about gym bags answered
What is the best gym bag?
The Built For Athletes pro series 45l gym backpack stands atop the gym bag pyramid thanks to its enormous capacity, selection of easy access pockets and comfort. It’s pricey, and undeniably bulky, making it a trickier travel companion, but if you want to transport plenty of fitness kit around then it won’t be beaten.
For value for money you’re after, I prescribe the Gymshark sleek backpack. With a capacity of 21l, it’s significantly smaller than many rivals, but the svelte design and nifty features like a separate shoe compartment make it a strong contender for less than £40.
Or, if you want a cavernous and comfortable do-all bag, the Stubble & Co kit bag should be your first port of call. I was amazed at the sheer amount of stuff I was able to fit inside, and enjoyed the sleeker (relative to the Built For Athletes bags) design while commuting. The padded back panel meant it stayed comfortable throughout travel-heavy days, and waterproof fabric provided me with peace of mind that my belongings would survive any British showers unscathed.
How I tested gym bags
Gym kit lists aren’t what they used to be – they’ve grown longer, bulkier, and far less forgiving. To see how each bag really performed, I packed it to capacity and put it through real-world use, checking not only how much it could hold, but how easy it was to access everything without turning the changing room floor into a dumping ground. Each bag was also assessed against the following criteria:
- Comfort: every bag features different styles of padding and sits slightly differently in the hand or on the back so I assessed each design based on how comfortable it was to carry over short and long distances and commutes.
- Utility: Useful additions like water bottle holders, laptop pockets and extra straps for yoga mats and the like meant that some bags seemed more well equipped than others. Waterproof sections for used gym kit came in handy too so I judged each bag on useful elements and how easy it was to access, pack and repack every style.
- Functionality: I also noted whether each bag might meet the needs of your average gym-goer and whether they might go the distance for those using the gym to train competitively too.
- Materials: Points were awarded for durable materials, waterproofing and sustainability credentials.
- Travelling: I also took these bags on plenty of trips to see just how versatile they could be outside of the gym too.
What should you carry in your gym bag?
No two gym bags will look the same once they’ve been filled, but there are a few items that are fairly universal. For example, a water bottle, trainers, headphones, a small towel and (hopefully) deodorant.
CrossFit fans will also have other items they refuse to train without, be that gymnastic grips or a dip belt, a skipping rope or a shaker filled with protein powder. Some people like to bring their own resistance bands, lifting straps and other accessories too, so make sure you choose a gym bag with the capacity to fit all of your favourites.
What’s a good size for a gym bag?
According to Nike, “a medium-sized bag will suffice for most gym-goers”, and they recommend a size of around 30-40l. This should be plenty big enough to hold a pair of trainers, change of clothes, water bottle, small toiletries and a few other gym accessories such as gloves or wristbands.
However, should you need to pack in more kit – for example, a protein powder/shaker, the weightligting gloves or belt mentioned above, or even your work laptop – then a bag that’s at least 50l should give you more flexibility. Ultimately, though, you need to find what works best for you.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest comprises a team of specialists in their respective fields. And if it’s fitness related, that’s Harry Bulmore’s domain. He’s an avid exerciser and coach – the only thing he loves more than training is experimenting with new ways to move your body. Not a day goes by without him doing some sort of exercise, encompassing everything from walking the dog to training with professional football teams and tackling Olympian’s running workouts. This provides plenty of chances to test the best men’s running shoes, gym trainers and, pertinently to this article, gym bags.
Read more: These are the 13 best men’s gym trainers you can buy, according to our expert tester
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