A good gym bag is the one you do not have to think about. It holds everything for a session, keeps your shoes and sweaty kit away from clean clothes, and is easy to carry the way you travel, whether that is on foot, by bike, on the Tube or in the car.
Start with two questions. How do you get to the gym, and what do you carry on a normal day? Someone who walks in with a towel, a bottle and a change of top needs far less than someone who trains before work and needs a full outfit, shoes, toiletries and a laptop.
Once you know that, choosing comes down to the type of bag, the size, and a few compartments that make a real difference. Everything else, from colour to personalised initials, is a matter of taste.
Types of gym bag compared
| Type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Drawstring bag | A towel, bottle and top for a short session | No structure, thin cords can dig into shoulders |
| Backpack | Walking or cycling, carrying a laptop as well | Less room for bulky shoes unless it has a shoe pocket |
| Holdall or duffle | A full change of clothes, shoes and toiletries | Carried on one shoulder, so heavy loads get tiring |
| Tote | Light loads, classes and yoga | Usually no separate compartments |
| Yoga mat bag | Carrying a mat to and from classes | Little space for anything else |
The gym bags range covers all of these, from children’s drawstring PE bags to leather weekend holdalls. Many are made to order and can be personalised, which is useful in a busy changing room where several black bags look the same.
What size do you need?
Bag capacity is often given in litres. As a rough guide:
- Short sessions or classes: a small drawstring bag or tote is enough for a towel, a bottle and a spare top.
- Training before or after work: a medium holdall or a roomy backpack fits a full change of clothes, shoes and a wash bag.
- Swimming plus the gym, or weekend trips: a large holdall or duffle gives space for wet kit and a second outfit.
Bigger is not always better. A large half-empty bag is awkward to carry and to fit in a locker. If your gym has small lockers, check the bag dimensions on the product page before you order.
Compartments that are worth having
A few features make a bag much easier to live with:
- Shoe compartment: a separate, often ventilated section at one end keeps shoes away from clean clothes.
- Wet pocket: a lined pocket for swimwear or a damp towel, so the rest of the bag stays dry.
- Bottle pocket: an outside pocket that holds a bottle upright saves leaks inside the bag.
- Small inner pocket: for keys, a phone, cards and earphones, so they are not lost at the bottom.
- Padded laptop sleeve: only if you carry a laptop, usually in backpacks.
If a bag has no shoe compartment, a separate drawstring shoe bag does the same job.
Materials and carrying
- Polyester and nylon: light, easy to wipe clean and often water resistant. The most common choice for sports bags.
- Canvas and cotton: sturdy and good looking, but slower to dry and best kept away from wet kit.
- Leather: smart enough for the office and long lasting, but heavier and more expensive, and it needs care if it gets wet.
- Sailcloth and coated fabrics: good water resistance, useful if you cycle in the rain.
For carrying, look at the straps. A padded shoulder strap helps with a heavy holdall. A backpack spreads weight across both shoulders, which is easier if you walk or cycle a long way. Some duffles convert into backpacks with hidden straps.
What to pack
A simple list, adjusted to your routine:
- Training clothes and socks.
- Gym shoes; see the guide to choosing gym shoes for which type suits your training.
- A water bottle. The gym drinking bottle range includes insulated steel bottles.
- A small towel for the equipment and a larger one if you shower.
- Wash bag, deodorant and a hairbrush.
- A padlock if your gym’s lockers need one.
- A spare bag for sweaty kit on the way home.
- Headphones and a charged phone if you use a training app.
You can add training tops and other clothing from gym clothing, and trainers from gym shoes.
Keeping your bag fresh
Unpack the bag as soon as you get home, wash kit promptly and leave the bag open to air. Wipe the lining every so often, and wash fabric bags following the care label. Never leave a damp towel inside overnight. A small sachet of bicarbonate of soda in the shoe compartment helps with smells between washes.
Quick checklist
- Matches how you travel to the gym.
- Big enough for a normal session, not oversized.
- Fits your gym’s lockers.
- Shoe compartment or separate shoe bag.
- Wet pocket if you swim or shower.
- Comfortable straps for the weight you carry.
- Easy to clean material.
Common questions
Is a backpack or a holdall better for the gym?
A backpack is easier if you walk or cycle, because the weight sits on both shoulders. A holdall is easier to pack and unpack and holds bulky items such as shoes and towels better.
Do I need a waterproof gym bag?
Not fully waterproof, but water resistant fabric and a wet pocket help if you cycle or swim. A separate plastic or dry bag for wet kit works in any bag.
What gym bag suits children?
For school PE and clubs, a named drawstring bag is usually enough. Personalised bags are easy to spot in a pile, and wipe-clean fabrics cope with muddy kit.
