Gym Bag Guide: Find the Right Bag to Carry All Your Training Gear

All Equipment

What Makes a Good Gym Bag?

A gym bag needs to hold your shoes, lifting belt, straps, chalk, water bottle, towel, change of clothes, and whatever else you bring to the gym. That’s a lot of stuff, and not all bags handle it well.

The two main styles are duffel bags (barrel-shaped, open main compartment) and gym backpacks (structured, multiple compartments). Duffels are easier to pack and unpack quickly. Backpacks distribute weight better and are more comfortable to carry, especially if you walk or cycle to the gym.

Who Needs a Dedicated Gym Bag?

If you’re carrying more than just a towel and water bottle, a proper gym bag makes life significantly easier. Once you start accumulating accessories — belt, straps, wraps, chalk, bands, lifting shoes — tossing everything into a carrier bag or rucksack gets old fast.

A good gym bag with dedicated compartments means you always know where everything is. No more digging around for your chalk or realising you’ve left your belt at home because it was buried under a towel.

What to Look For When Buying

Size: 30-40 litres is the sweet spot for most gym-goers. Enough for all your gear plus a change of clothes, but not so large that it takes up an entire locker.

Shoe compartment: A separate ventilated section for shoes is almost essential. It keeps dirty shoes away from clean clothes and lets them air out.

Material: Look for 600D polyester or cordura nylon. Both are durable, water-resistant, and easy to wipe clean. Avoid canvas — it absorbs moisture and smells over time.

Zips: YKK zips are the gold standard. Cheap zips are the number one failure point on budget bags. Give the zips a good tug before buying.

Pockets: External pockets for your phone and keys, an internal mesh pocket for smaller accessories, and a wet pocket for sweaty clothes are all genuinely useful features.

Our Top Picks

1. Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffel (Medium) — £30-£40

The most popular gym duffel for a reason. Water-resistant, tough as nails, and has a separate shoe/laundry pocket. The medium size (58L) is perfect for most people.

2. Nike Brasilia Duffel (Medium) — £25-£35

A classic. Simple, durable, and well-priced. Fewer compartments than the Under Armour but lighter and more compact when not fully packed.

3. King Kong Apparel PLUS26 Backpack — £60-£80

The premium option for lifters who carry a lot of gear. Rigid structure, multiple compartments for belts and shoes, and built to survive years of daily use. Popular with powerlifters and CrossFitters.

4. Rogue Gym Bag — £40-£60

A well-designed duffel from a brand that understands what lifters carry. Reinforced base, wide opening, and thoughtful pocket placement.

5. Adidas Defender IV Duffel — £20-£30

The budget pick. Basic but reliable. Good zips, a shoe compartment, and enough space for essentials. Hard to beat at this price.

Keeping Your Bag Fresh

Gym bags get smelly. Leave the bag unzipped after every session so it can air out. Throw in a dryer sheet or a small bag of baking soda to absorb odours. Wash the bag every few weeks — most nylon and polyester bags can go in the washing machine on a cold cycle.

Never leave wet clothes or towels in your bag overnight. That’s how you get a bag that smells so bad no amount of washing can save it.

Where to Buy

• Under Armour Undeniable on Amazon — best all-rounder
• Nike Brasilia on Nike.com — reliable classic
• King Kong Apparel — premium lifter’s bag
• Rogue Gym Bag — built for lifters
• Adidas Defender on Amazon — best budget option

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.