NOT EVERY BACKPACK or duffel in my closet has what it takes to be a solid gym bag. I work out four times a week, and I’ve crammed sweaty clothes into work backpacks and tossed sneakers into flimsy totes, and they immediately smelled like a locker room. The truth is, hitting the gym is a gear-heavy activity, and if I’m going to stay consistent, I need a bag that does more than carry a water bottle and a stick of deodorant.
Because I live in New York City, when I’m heading to work out, I’m hauling office and performance clothes, shoes, headphones, and—more often than not—my work laptop too. A supermarket tote or random backpack just doesn’t cut it. To find gym bags suitable enough for our busy schedules, the Men’s Health team, including fitness and reviews editor Charles Thorp, NASM, tested a bunch of different styles built for the job.
The standouts are comfortable to carry, durable, spacious, and water-resistant to handle rainy commutes. I narrowed it down to sleek, well-designed picks from brands like Dagne Dover, Lululemon, and Mack Weldon that move seamlessly from gym sessions to overnight trips. Most importantly, these gym bags keep things organized.
Think separate compartments for sweaty workout shoes and gym shorts, odor-resistant linings, and smart pockets that prevent clean gear from mingling with the gnarly stuff. Because once you’ve experienced that cross-contamination, there’s no going back. I've tested more than 30 different gym bags, but Lululemon's option blew the competition out of the water.
I found it can transition from a duffle bag to a backpack by simply clipping the hidden straps onto the base of the bag, so I can wear it on my shoulders. It has a bunch of pockets to store a change of clothes, running shoes, jump ropes, water bottles, and more workout equipment. Thanks to its water-repellent fabric that dries in seconds, my belongings didn't get soaked in rainy commutes.
When this bag is not in use for the gym, it comes in handy for impromptu overnight stays and road trips, which means you can skip pulling out a bulky suitcase. And you can ensure that work gets done since there's a padded sleeve for your laptop. The price may be a little steep, but we guarantee you can fit your entire life in this thing and get your money's worth.
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