15 stylish and functional gym bags to buy right now: New Year, New You
To accompany this journey, a stylish and sturdy gym bag is a clever investment because we all know how flimsy these recyclable tote bags can get.
Ah, 2024. It's the start of a new beginning, and thus the right time to set good intentions for one's self. If you're anything like me, I began the new year by being active with a reformer pilates class, followed by yoga at my gym, weekly.
One of the most important life lessons that I've learned throughout the difficult 2020 is to stay active and prioritise my health. To accompany this journey, a stylish and sturdy gym bag is a clever investment because we all know how flimsy these recyclable tote bags can get. Plus, you'll want a gym bag that you can lug to the office from home without looking messy, and has multiple useful compartments like shoe storage.
We've rounded up some duffels and gym bags that we think work for whatever activity you do, with carefully planned out pockets, compartments and storage areas for your water bottle, extra clothing, shoes and yoga mat. Trust us, you'll want water- and scratch-resistant bags that are stylish enough for everyday use or even a short weekend trip somewhere.
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1. Lululemon Wunderlust Duffle Bag 40L
Commuters would love this useful and spacious duffle bag that's full of storage solutions. The large zip opening offers easy access to items while adjustable straps hold a jacket or yoga mat in place. There are external pockets to keep your water bottle, shoes, and sweaty gear separate and an exterior padded pocket that fits a 16" laptop.
2. Lululemon Command the Day Duffle Bag 40L
Command the day. With designated compartments for your shoes, laptop, and gear, this roomy duffle keeps your commute organized and on track. Why this bag is on our radar: it contains an exterior padded pocket that fits a 16" laptop and side pockets for quick access to water bottles and small items.
3. Alo Yoga large traverse duffle
A studio bag and weekender in one. The sleek Large Traverse Duffle is made with luxe neoprene and has a detachable carrying strap, top handles and pockets for the essentials, plus room for all your gear and so much more. Plus this gym bag comes in a cool black and silver combo colour that's all too stylish for your everyday needs.
4. Nike Gym Club Training Bag
This bag keeps everything you need for your class, workout or adventure one zip away. It has a spacious main compartment and zippered pockets inside and out for quick-grab organisation. Carry it by hand or over your shoulder so your gear is always close. This product is made with at least 65% recycled polyester fibers. Carry in in two ways: use the dual handles or removable, adjustable shoulder strap to carry the bag a few different ways.
5. Puma Prime Time Backpack
Packed with smart details, secure pockets, and comfortable padding, this backpack has all the bases covered so you can look ahead to your destination with style and confidence. An added stylish touch is the side pockets, which are lined with fleece fabric for added accents. Carry your items with ease as this bag is lightweight to begin with.
6. Nike Sportswear Essentials Tote Bag
An elevated take on a classic, the Nike Sportswear Tote keeps your everyday essentials organised. The spacious main compartment features interior pockets and a laptop sleeve for secure organisation, along with an exterior pocket for quick access to your keys, cards and phone. This product is made from at least 65% recycled polyester fibres.
7. Adidas by Stella McCartney Studio Bag
Whether it's a quick lunch break escape to the gym or a weekend getaway, the roomy design and zip pockets throughout help keep things organised and accessible. Made with a series of recycled materials, and at least 60% recycled content, this product represents just one of Adidas' solutions to help end plastic waste.
8. Adidas Hybrid Duffel Training Bag
Whether it's a quick trip to the gym or a weekend getaway adventure, this Adidas duffel bag does it all. This bag contains separate storage for shoes and wet gear that makes for worry-free packing. Adjustable straps let you carry it as a backpack for hands-free ease. This product is made with at least 50% recycled materials. By reusing materials that have already been created, we help to reduce waste and our reliance on finite resources and reduce the footprint of the products we make.
9. Nike Women's Training Duffel Bag (24L)
The Nike One Club Duffel Bag keeps everything you need for your day close and organised. It has space for a yoga mat and a vented compartment that keeps your shoes and sweaty clothes separate from the rest of your things. This product is made from at least 50% recycled polyester fibres.
10. Tommy Hilfiger Heritage Barrel Bag
Tommy Hilfiger women's barrel bag is inspired by their heritage archives. This scaled-down barrel is at once both undeniably Tommy and a functional choice for toting the essentials. There is an adjustable shoulder strap that allows your hands to remain free when you're on the go.
11. Bellroy Lite Duffel
A traditional duffel with a twist, this bag is rugged enough for adventure, but light enough to let you move like the wind. The full-length zipper opens from both ends, creating an ultra-wide opening that lets you access everything, without rummaging. On top of that, the quick-access pocket on the front keeps your must-haves, like wallet and keys, sorted at hand, so you don’t need to open the main compartment.
12. The North Face Base Camp Duffel L Summit Navy
Loved by travelers, this iconic duffel bag from The North Face, the Base Camp Duffel L has a plethora of features and durability fit to get you to the summit and back. The legendary expedition duffel is now improved with new carrying handles to help move your gear with ease. For a start, there are detachable, adjustable, alpine-cut shoulder straps for an ergonomic fit with minimal twisting.
13. Tobeape Sports Gym Bag
This sports duffel bag features a separate zipper compartment on the left side for shoes, laundry, or dirty gear storage. Not only that, the duffle bag comes with a wet pocket in the main compartment to separate your wet clothes or towels after your workout. Suitable for working, traveling, business, or weekend trips, the duffel bag can also be used every day depending on your needs.
14. Adidas Essentials Logo Duffel Bag
From socks to shoes, shirt to shorts, store your workout basics in this sleek Adidas duffel bag. Stash your small stuff in the zip pocket so you never have to dig around in sweaty gym clothes to find your keys. The easy-to-clean, coated material protects it from dirt and grime. This product is made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials.
15. Jordan Velocity Duffle Bag
Whether you need a way to haul your gear to the game or you need a spacious overnight bag, this duffle has you covered. The main zippered compartment has an inner zippered drop pocket to help you keep smaller items in their place and there is a shoe garage on the side to keep things clean and organised. Plus, with that iconic logo, who could resist such a good-looking bag?
What kind of bag should I take to the gym?
Look for a gym bag that is lightweight, water-proof resistant and functional, with pockets and storage spaces that fulfill your needs. Some of the best gym bags even contain zipped exterior and interior compartments to store important things.
How often should you wash your gym bag?
If you head to the gym often, then it is advisable to wash your bags once a month. This is especially important if you're storing items like boxing gloves, gym clothing that's drenched in sweat and outdoor walking shoes. These items may carry odour-causing bacteria which may set in your clothing and gym bag.
How do you disinfect your gym bag?
Start by emptying your gym bag first. You can start spraying the inside and outside of the gym bag with a disinfectant spray, or wipe down with a mixture of white vinegar and water to disinfect and remove any lingering odour smell.
