The 12 Best Gym Bags for Men, Tested by Editors

Designed to function as a duffel, crossbody, and backpack, Lululemon is the most versatile option we’ve tested. At a volume of 30L, it’s roomy for gym gear, workout headphones, and reusable water bottles. We love that it comes with a separate drawstring pouch to keep sweaty clothes away from the rest of your items. The exterior shoe pocket can store gym sneakers or extra shoes and fit up to a men’s size 14, so it’s pretty substantial.

As a 3-in-1 multi-use design, most would think it’s super bulky, but that’s not the case. It’s surprisingly compact, and we found it can fit into cube-sized gym lockers and move through busy crowds without knocking into people. We also appreciate that the bag is pretty indestructible. During our testing, we found the nylon fabric was resistant to dirt, stains, rain, and daily wear and tear.

Beyond what meets the eye, Dagne Dover’s carryall bag is designed to hold a great deal, last for a long time, and double as a stylish carry-on. Crafted from premium neoprene, it boasts a high-tech fabric that's super smooth and water-resistant to keep your gear dry on rainy days. Inside the main compartment, you'll find significant room for your typical gear as well as a shoe bag and dust bag to help prevent dirt or moisture from transferring to your clean duds. Plus, this section contains a dual water bottle slip pocket, so you’ll never be short on H2O at the gym or on a hike.

We’ve owned this bag for a few years and the fabric’s tough structure has withstood the wear and tear better than the more expensive options out there. Perhaps, it gets a scuff or a stain, you can pop it into the washer for easy cleaning. There's an adjustable shoulder strap to wear as a crossbody if you want to be hands-free. Not to mention, it's a sleek design that we don't mind showing off as we board flights, too.

In case you get caught in abrupt showers, Mack Weldon's Atlas Duffle will keep all your gym gear from getting soaked. This bag is coated with a water-resistant recycled poly canvas that not only protects from light rain, but moisture as well. We found the ventilated shoe compartment to be especially useful, giving our sweaty cross training sneakers some air to breathe and reducing odor buildup.

As we've carried this bag from an evening gym session to a red-eye flight, we've stored snacks and drinks in the insulated side pocket. We tossed it on the TSA conveyer belt and under our seat, finding the rubber bottom kept everything upright and clean the whole team.

For a budget-friendly option, you can’t go wrong with Gymshark’s $42 gym bag. It comes with all the nuts and bolts like Lululemon and Rhone, but isn’t as water-resistant. We wouldn’t recommend carrying it around in a heavy rainstorm, but the polyester material can manage light drizzles. Besides that, it’s perfect for everyday commutes or leisure travel.

The main entry is large and has quite a few pockets and compartments within to help you organize your stuff. And it does have a ventilated compartment to air out and store your fresh-off-the-bench-press clothes. Overall, we love the functionality and versatility of Gymshark’s gym bag. It can take you from the office to the gym every day and carry all your essentials without putting a huge dent in your wallet.

UA’s sturdy backpack doesn’t flinch at rain, rough terrain, or getting stuffed to the brim. Our testers say this gym bag is tough enough to handle spills, scrapes, and surprise downpours without fraying or soaking your belongings. That’s because it’s designed with Under Armour’s Storm technology—a water-resistant fabric treatment—which creates a protective barrier to keep your gym clothes, laptop, and socks dry. Unlike traditional waterproof coatings that can feel stiff or heavy, UA Storm is more lighter and flexible while still being an excellent safeguard against the elements.

We found this bag to be very useful beyond the gym. With enough space for clothes, toiletries, and travel essentials, it’s perfect for camping, hiking, and weekend getaways. The secondary compartment is a great place to store smelly running shoes or dirty laundry. Wherever you commute or however you decide to pack, it won’t be a hassle to wear on your shoulders. The top grab handle lets you move freely, especially for guys that just knocked out a rigorous back workout.

Rhone’s duffel doesn’t scream gym warrior, so it’s a do-it-all bag that can transition from a morning workout to the office—or even to a weekend retreat at a cabin. This is our go-to bag to take on a business trip or country club. No bulky, logo-heavy design—just a clean, minimal bag that works anywhere. The carry-on size means it fits perfectly in a plane’s overhead bin, making it just as great for quick flights as it is for gym runs.

Since it’s produced from a water-resistant nylon material, this bag can weather unexpected downpours without drenching everything inside. With smartly placed internal pockets, we were able to keep things organized—so you’re not fishing through a pile of gym clothes to find what you need. And the detachable padded shoulder strap gives you options. Sling it over your shoulder for a casual carry or grab the handles for a polished look.

Sure, Amazon offers a bunch of gym bags, but this one from Adidas takes the cake. At 66L, it comes with ample space in the main compartment for play and travel, so it can also be used as an overnight or weekender bag. What also sets it apart is the water-resistant base, which protects your belongings from moisture, accidental spills, or even a sudden downpour. We've used this bag for months now and found this feature not only safeguards your items, but also contributes to the bags overall longevity by preventing water damage to the material. The branding is a bit in your face, so it may not be ideal for guys who prefer a more subtler approach. On the flip side, the iconic three-stripe logo shows your commitment to athletic style.

For those looking to declutter and uncomplicate their life, KNKG has made something really special with the Conquer backpack. The organizing features of this bag are ingenious, giving you a pocket for every occasion, and I can effectively store anything from my laptop to my creatine for post-workout shakes. In order to accomplish this, KNKG has designed easy-to-navigate dividers that you can change to fit your needs when it comes to compartments. These are not flimsy, which is what I’ve come to expect after being burned by other brands. These are as solid as they get, and will keep your running shoes or supplements in place.

I’m also a big fan of the KNKG Core duffels, but being someone who likes to carry the load evenly on my shoulder, especially when I’m carrying a lot of gear, this purpose-built backpack is the right fit for me. You don’t have to be worried about taking this bag outdoors, constructed out of durable materials like 500D nylon with PVC backing. If you have any weights or plates kicking around, you could take this bag out for a ruck. Long story short, this is a gym bag you can trust to hold your most precious items, with organizational features that will save you precious time.

Read More: Best Gym Backpacks