I tested more than 20 sports bags for a year – here’s what I recommend

The best gym bags work overtime. If it’s not comfortable to wear, can’t keep my stuff organized and fresh, or makes my commute more difficult, then it’s not doing its job. Of course, you can throw your gym gear in a spare bag or shopping bag. Technically, anything can be a gym bag, if you’re determined enough. But the best ones are built with the features gym-goers really need, from removable yoga mat straps to ventilation panels to prevent odors.

After a year of testing more than twenty gym bags, we’ve come up with our top pick, whether you’re a bodybuilder, yogi, powerlifter or just someone who needs a small gym bag for everyday use. For more bag recommendations, check out our guides to the best laptop bags, the best travel bags, and the best messenger and crossbody bags.

Best gym bag

Don’t be fooled by the compact shape of this bag: it holds a lot more than it seems. You can throw in a pair of shoes, clothes, and toiletries and you’ll still have plenty of room left over. The water-resistant fabric is an important feature when traveling through unpredictable weather (hello, Midwest winters). True to its name, it can be worn three ways: on the top handles, crossbody with the removable strap, or – my favorite – the strap itself doubles as a yoga strap when all you need to do is lug around a mat. It’s super stretchy and cushioning, making it comfortable to stretch with too.

Storage is also well designed. There is a dedicated sneaker compartment that fits sizes up to men’s size 14, but I prefer to store my sneakers in the lower section so that I don’t lose any of the main interior space. You also get a drawstring pouch for your post-gym clothes, a side zipper for most 24-ounce bottles, and interior pockets for keys, cards, and other essentials.

Best gym backpack

Troubadour’s Pioneer backpack is so chic that I’d recommend it as a work bag, but it has all the components of a good gym bag. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the high-quality FortiWeave shell is waterproof, tear-resistant and fluorocarbon-free, so it can withstand accidental spills and unpredictable weather. The contoured, padded straps and breathable pack panel are game-changers for long commutes, and the trolley cover is essential for travel.

I love the clamshell design, which gives you a full view of your gym gear. There is a ventilated shoe compartment, so your sneakers don’t stink in the office when you go straight from work to the gym (or vice versa). You get not one but two side pockets for water bottles. Inside, there are enough pockets to keep even the most Type A athlete happy: a small shoulder strap pocket for keys, pen slots, a key strap, and a lockable main compartment, to name a few. There is also a padded NanoCushion laptop compartment to protect your electronics.

Best tote bag

This is Hellen Obiri’s favorite travel bag, and after a month of lugging it to Pilates, I’m getting the appeal. It weighs barely over a pound, yet somehow fits in all the gym essentials without feeling bulky. The removable shoulder strap is super comfortable and the Swiss rope-style handles make it easy to carry by hand. The compression straps allow you to secure everything if necessary. Inside you’ll find bottle pockets, two exterior zippered pockets and an internal mesh pocket for smaller items.

The reflective details on the logo and zippers are a small but smart safety aspect. The bag is made of ripstop fabric with a nylon base, although I’ll keep an eye on its long-term durability. A month later it’s holding up well, but I’ll report back if that changes.