Best gym bag UK 2022: Cart your kit about with reliable gym bags from Nike, Lululemon, Under Armour
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Gym bags. You may think that low-fi is fine, but try carting some sweaty gym gear on public transport or stashing it under your work desk and you’ll soon rue the day you shoved everything in a Tesco bag at left it at that.
A solid gym bag, by contrast, will compartmentalise the fresh from the sweaty, work docs from well-worn shoes, electronics from resistance bags. The best ones are easy to cart around and even - dare we say it - look rather good.
Best gym bags at a glance:
- Best backpack for water-proof commuting: Lululemon New Crew Backpack
- Best for swimmers: Speedo Teamster 2.0 Rucksack 35L, £45
- Best for keeping your kit separate: WIT Ripstop Backpack, £125
- Best for carrying heavy weights: Built for Athletes Small Hero 2.0 Backpack, £79.99
- Best light-weight duffel bag: Unisex OutDry Ex 40L Duffel Bag, £80
- Best for easy-access to kit: Fjällräven’s Vardag Duffel, £69
- Best for storage space: Reebok Training Weave Backpack, £78
How to shop for the best gym bag
Let’s not overcomplicate things – gym bags largely come down to preference and specific requirements.
So, consider the type of exercise you do and the kit required (do you need to lug around weight belts and barbell pads, or do you just need space for a resistance band or two?), along with how much space you need for additional items.
If you tend to commute to work from the gym (or vice versa) it’s likely you’ll want a gym bag with a laptop pocket, or one that’s spacious enough for work essentials as well as gym kit.
Keep an eye out for bags with water-resistant properties if you often exercise outside or walk between the gym and your home or workplace, and those which allow you to separate stinky, worn kit or footwear from clean items.
If you travel with lots of smaller items (keys, cards, earbuds, for example), a bag that has multiple, zipped pockets might be preferable for you, whilst padded, adjustable shoulder straps should be prioritised for those who cycle or walk a substantial distance to or from the gym.
Size: 22L
Lululemon’s New Crew Backpack is ideal for taking from gym, to desk, to dinner – by which, we mean that its super-sleek and smart aesthetic doesn’t scream stinky-gym-kit-carrier, and wouldn’t look out of place in any environment.
It has three zipped compartments, one that’s padded for a 15” laptop, one for workout gear, and a third for small items – there’s also an exterior bottle pocket.
It’s made from water-repellent and wipe-clean fabric, perfect for commuters exposed to the Great British elements, and is lightweight for comfort, too.
It has a minimalistic, understated appearance, and is available in five colours.
Size: 35L
Swimmers, this is the gym bag for you.
Designed specifically to store swim paraphernalia, Speedo Teamster 2.0 Rucksack 35L has water-resistant fabric (so it doesn’t absorb residue from damp kit post-dip) and mesh side panels to encourage ventilation and aid belongings in drying.
It opens wide to allow easy access, and has a secure roll-top closure.
On the front of the bag, there’s a laptop compartment with an adjustable drawstring and a zipped pocket for stashing smaller items,