I used to go to the gym with a recycled Evian bottle and a snipped up bit of old beach towel stuffed in my pockets. Fast forward to now and my armoury is significantly larger.
Between the weightlifting shoes, shaker, a selection of the best resistance bands and myriad lifting accessories, my rucksack is inevitably packed to bursting. I need a vessel capable of carting this travelling circus around, making me an ideal candidate to test the best gym bags for IndyBest.
In this role I’ve tried everything from budget buys and day bags to premium packs and Tardis-esque duffels, loading each one up with fitness paraphernalia to ensure it’s up to the task. Hopeful entrants capable of carrying a few pairs of shoes and remaining comfortable during a day of travelling made it through to judges houses, with the cream of the crop earning a spot in the list below.
If you’re on the hunt for a gym bag that’s got your back, I strongly recommend the following options.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest comprises a team of specialists in their respective fields. And if it’s fitness related, that’s my domain. I’m an avid exerciser and coach – the only thing I love more than training is experimenting with new ways to move your body. Not a day goes by without me doing some sort of exercise, encompassing everything from walking the dog to training with professional football teams and tackling Olympian’s running workouts. This provides plenty of chances to test the best men’s running shoes, gym trainers and, pertinently to this article, gym bags.
How I tested the best gym bags
The list of things you might be taking to the gym these days is a lot longer than it used to be. So, I crammed every bag with kit to test its credentials, then saw how easily I could access everything without having to litter the floor of the changing room. I also tested the bags to these specifications:
The best gym bags for men for 2025 are:
Built For Athletes pro series 45L gym backpack
Best: Overall
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 45l
Colours: Black
Why we love it
- Plenty of zipped pockets
- Separate waterproof compartment for sweaty clothes
- Holds a huge amount of kit
Take note
- Expensive
- Quite bulky
What this rucksack can’t hold probably isn’t worth hauling to the gym. There are water bottle holders on either side which easily held my protein shakers, two smaller zipped pockets on the front for accessories, a sneaky padded laptop sleeve on the back and two large compartments in the body of the bag.
I found the main compartment easily stored a few pairs of shoes, which CrossFit fans wanting to switch between training shoes, runners and lifters will appreciate. But my favourite feature was a hidden, waterproof and aerated pocket on the bottom of the bag, perfect for storing your sweaty gym clothes – just don’t forget to take them out at the end of the day.
The straps and back are heavily padded for comfort, and the bag has been load-tested to 30kg, so you can even use it for a spot of rucking if you want. The only downside? The hefty price tag.
Buy now £199.99, Builtforathletes.com
Gymshark sleek backpack
Best: Budget buy
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 23l
Colours: Black, cement brown, light grey
Why we love it
- Sleek design
- Separate shoe compartment
- Good value for money
Take note
- Smaller than rivals
This Gymshark backpack offers premium features at a price that won’t shake you to your core.
There’s a separate shoe compartment at the bottom, so you don’t have to cram smelly trainers in with your work stuff, as well as a padded laptop sleeve. You also get a cushioned back panel and a sizeable main compartment with a wide zippered entryway, so you can easily access items that have dropped to the bottom.
The look is very Gymshark – svelte and all black – so if that’s your thing you’re going to love it.
And while it isn’t as large as rivals like the Built For Athletes bag, I was able to fit a change of clothes and laptop inside and found it far less cumbersome for commuting.
Buy now £38.50, Gymshark.com
Stubble & Co kit bag
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Best: For versatility
Rucksack/duffel: Both
Capacity: 30l, 40l or 65l
Colours: Black, yellow
Why we love it
- Huge capacity
- Comfortable
- Practical pockets and zips
Take note
- Expensive
If I could only own one bag, for the gym and everyday life, it would be this one. You see, between lugging gym kit around, testing products on the go and squeezing various electricals in for my work day, I rarely travel light. This Stubble & Co bag caters for that perfectly.
It comes in three sizes – 30l, 40l and 65l – and the largest one proved to be something of a Tardis. The main compartment is enormous, and the large zippered window on the back of the bag allows you to open it up entirely so you can easily access all areas.
The bag itself is large, but sits flusher to the back than my Built For Athletes top pick, making it more flight-friendly. Despite this, I was able to keep filling it, and filling it, and filling it, and somehow never ran out of space or found myself in any discomfort while carrying a collection of heavy items.
There are more pockets than I knew what to do with, including a handy separate shoe compartment, and I’ve never felt more sure that my computer would remain safe during a crowded commute. This is because the kit bag has a custom-built padded compartment for laptops up to 16in, and it’s made from waterproof materials.
The straps can also be moved or removed to switch it between a rucksack and a duffel. However, its success boils down to the fact that it’s a very big, comfortable and practical bag.
Buy now £145.00, Stubbleandco.com
Jansport right pack
Best: For daily use
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 28l
Colours: Black, navy, graphite grey, navy corduroy, black corduroy, sun shimmer corduroy, russet red, misty rose
Why we love it
- Looks fantastic
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Deceptively large capacity
Take note
- CrossFit fans may want a bigger bag
This is a really good backpack which looks great and comes at a reasonable price.
The addition of a padded laptop sleeve and water bottle slip pocket on the side of this updated model makes it slightly more versatile for sports and commuting, and the unexpectedly generous 28l capacity provides plenty of room for a change of clothes.
CrossFit fans who tend to carry most of their worldly possessions to and from the box each day might want to invest in a larger backpack, such as the Built For Athletes bags above. But most gym-goers will be more than catered for, with the decent-sized main compartment and front pockets for stashing valuables.
In my opinion, it’s the handsomest bag we tested too, and quickly became my go-to for everyday wear.
Buy now £58.00, Jansport.co.uk
Nike brasilia 9.5 duffel bag
Best: Value duffel
Rucksack/duffel: Duffel
Capcity: 60l
Colours: Black and white
Why we love it
- Huge capacity
- Affordable
- Zipped outer pockets for accessing smaller items
Take note
- No option to wear as a rucksack
I liked the understated design of this spacious gym bag. There’s plenty of room inside the 60l duffel, with its zipped main compartment, which has another one underneath that’s really cavernous and will store two pairs of trainers with ease.
The outer pockets are good for quick-grab items and the whole bag feels very well made, especially in the areas that usually start to degrade over time, such as zips, seams and straps attachments.
Backpacks aren’t for everyone, especially if your commute is a busy one so if a duffel style is more your speed, you can’t go wrong with this sleek style from Nike.
Buy now £39.99, Nike.com
Force Fitness rucking backpack
Best: Affordable rucking backpack
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 20.5l
Colours: Black
Why we love it
- Able to carry weight plates
- Padded straps and back panel
- 20.5l capacity around weight plate
Take note
- Weight plates cost extra
The GoRuck bag above is undeniably pricey. This Force Fitness option is a more affordable alternative if you want to try walking with a weighted backpack, and it’s surprisingly feature-heavy considering its significantly lower RRP.
The backpack can hold up to 60kg, it has an internal sleeve to keep any weight plates sitting securely, and it’s made from a durable 1050D cordura material. It also has plusxh padding on the shoulder straps and back panel, which I found kept me comfortable on longer hikes while I was hauling a 10kg plate around, and it also comes with a welcome chest strap.
Although it didn’t quite feel as premium as the GoRuck bag, it still held all my gym essentials with ease thanks to its 20.5L capacity, and handles on the top, bottom and sides mean you can use it for workouts when you’re on holiday too.
Buy now £89.95, Force-fit.co.uk
Built For Athletes Hyrox x BFA 35l pro backpack
Best: For Hyrox
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 35l
Colours: Black and yellow
Why we love it
- Lots of zipped compartments
- Easily fits shoes and kit
- Waist strap for support
Take note
- Bulky design
Completing a Hyrox race is an impressive achievement. If you’re part of team Hyrox and you want everyone at the gym to know you’re capable of this hardcore fitness feat, this is the bag for you.
It has a velcro section on the front where you can slap personalised patches and comes with a couple of Hyrox ones to get you started. The zippers also have the word “Hyrox” on them – just in case anyone didn’t get the message.
Beyond the branding, it’s also a fantastic bag. As a slightly slimmed-down version of Built For Athlete’s top-scoring pro rucksack, it still has plenty of pockets for stashing your valuables, and lifting knick-knacks and bottles. It also boasts a hidden waterproof compartment on the underside for all your sweaty gear.
The spacious main compartment easily housed my running shoes and lifters, while the padded shoulder straps and waist strap helped keep me comfortable when I carted it to the office and back. This, twinned with its slimmer profile, has meant I keep coming back to this bag for CrossFit sessions and office days.
Like it’s bigger brother, it’s pricey, but I really do believe you get what you pay for here.
Buy now £159.99, Builtforathletes.com
Under Armour triumph sport backpack
Best: Value for money
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 21l
Colours: Black, marine OD green/baroque green, coyote/camel
Why we love it
- Molle webbing for clipping on extras
- Separate shoe compartment
- Comfy and compact
Take note
- Too small for some
Militaristic gym bags are all the rage at the minute, particularly within the functional fitness community. But as with any trendy thing, this means they can be quite expensive.
This Under Armour bag offers the rugged aesthetic of pricier options for under £100 (and sometimes under £50, if you shop the sales).
While it’s not as big (21l) as most rivals, it does everything right, with padded shoulder straps, a chest strap for a secure fit and slip pockets on either side for water bottles and protein shakers.
It’s made from a durable cordura material, uses Under Armour’s water-resistant storm tech to keep your belongings dry, and has reflective molle webbing on the front so you can clip on extras like gymnastic grips. There’s even a separate shoe compartment in the bottom for smelly gym trainers.
After using it for a week, I found it was a comfy and compact option which worked well for gym trips but couldn’t quite hold everything I needed when working out on my way to work.
Buy now £75.00, Underarmour.co.uk
Gymshark power holdall
Best: Duffel for style
Rucksack/duffel: Duffel
Capacity: N/A
Colours: Black, wash, ecru white
Why we love it
- Looks great
- Comfortable strap
- Surprisingly large inside
Take note
- Still too small for some
- Limited pocket options
In a sea of pockets, secret compartments and snazzy features, this holdall from Gymshark stands out for its simplicity.
It’s a medium-sized duffel with a surprisingly generous main compartment and a couple of zippered pockets for your valuables. If you want a bag you can just chuck everything into it and sling it over your shoulder – I think you’ll like this one.
Thanks to its washed cotton canvas finish, it looks great too – as evidenced by the fact that my other half keeps nicking it.
Buy now £50.00, Gymshark.com
Troubadour pioneer 3.0 backpack
Best: Luxury bag
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity : 23l
Colours: Black, navy, obsidian green
Why we love it
- Waterproof
- Durable and comfortable
- Plenty of pockets, including separate shoe compartment
Take note
- Expensive
Retailing at £275, this bag can only be described as a luxury purchase, so what does it do to justify this?
Unboxing the bag, everything about it screamed premium. It has vegan leather side panels, as well as raised metal Troubadour branding on the front and a triple (yes, triple) layered non-slip grab handle which feels soft to the touch.
The backpack is made from lightweight, waterproof FortiWeave fabric and has more compartments than you can shake a stick at – internal pen pockets, a padded laptop sleeve and an aerated separate shoe section were personal favourites, keeping my worse-for-wear gym shoes away from my work gear.
The style proved divisive among my friends, with a 50/50 split for and against, but the bag was undeniably comfortable thanks to its padded back and straps. It was also very versatile, serving me well on work days, gym trips and even travel, as the shape and 23l capacity is practical as a carry-on.
Buy now £279.00, Troubadourgoods.com
Built For Athletes 25l medium gym backpack
Best: For versatility
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 25l
Colours: Black camo, black, black and pink, black and aqua, grey and yellow, mocha
Why we love it
- Plenty of pockets
- Comfortable
- Waist and sternum staps
Take note
- Extends back quite far
- Expensive
If you take a military mindset into the gym, this Bergen-esque 25l backpack will suit you down to the ground. It boasts four compartments, the largest of which can easily house your shirt, shorts and trainers. The three other compartments come in descending size order and will be able to take a 15in laptop, notebooks and all the other pocket shrapnel I carry around. The two biggest compartments open out to 180 degrees, making it easy to pack and unpack, and there are two side bottle holders.
No matter how loaded the bag was, I was still able to dial in some good ergonomics, thanks to waist and sternum straps, along with some compression straps that can slim the bag down when it’s not fully loaded. Although I did find, when it was at capacity, it extended back quite far, making me far from popular when using the tube.
If you want an extra bit of #fitinspo, you can buy Velcro patches to personalise the top pocket of the bag with motivational phrases that range from the encouraging “Hard work pays off” to the brutally blunt “Nobody cares, work harder”.
Buy now £109.99, Builtforathletes.com
Puma x Represent 247 30l backpack
Best: For style
Rucksack/duffel: Rucksack
Capacity: 30l
Colours: Black
Why we love it
- Stylish
- Ergonomic back panel for extra comfort
- Separate padded laptop sleeve
Take note
- Expensive
- Few small compartments
Represent’s 247 collection aims to merge fashion and function. This approach has seen the brand build a reputation for creating gym gear that looks phenomenal, and a recent collaboration with Puma only seems to have reinforced this.
The resulting backpack has an ergonomic back panel which seemed to trace the shape of my spine, making it incredibly comfortable to wear while commuting. A separate and padded laptop compartment added to its commuting credentials, while the slip pocket on the rear of the rucksack, where I tucked my protein shaker, proved more popular with my fellow tube-goers than the protruding side pockets where I usually keep my drinks.
The 30l capacity easily held a pair of shoes and all my lifting accessories. But, while there are a couple of pockets in the main compartment, I did miss having a petite pocket or two for smaller valuables like keys.
Buy now £150.00, Puma.com
Myprotein barrel bag
Best: Barrel bag
Rucksack/duffel/barrel: Barrel
Capacity: N/A
Colours: Black
Why we love it
- Spacious main compartment
- Simple and sleek design
- Affordable
Take note
- Fewer small zipped compartments than others
- No laptop sleeve
This Myprotein barrel bag is uncomplicated and affordable – two attributes I can get behind.
The large main compartment is plenty big enough to store a change of clothes and a whole host of workout accessories, while the zipped inner pocket is a welcome addition for valuables like your keys and phone.
Admittedly, you don’t get some of the premium features seen on other bags in this list, such as heavily padded straps, waterproof compartments for sweat-logged clothes and protected laptop sleeves. But the top zip running along the length does mean everything inside is pretty accessible, however messy the bag is.
So, if you’re after a sleek, cheap and simple gym bag to sling over your shoulder, this is a solid shout.
Buy now £23.99, Myprotein.com
Thule chasm 40l duffel bag
Best: For adventurers
Rucksack/duffel: Both
Capacity: 40l
Colours: Soft sand, pond, olivine, golden, black, deep khaki
Why we love it
- Huge capacity
- Robust
- Works as a rucksack and a duffel
Take note
- Few compartments
Sometimes, you just need a really big bag. And, as the name suggests, the Thule chasm is a really, really big bag – there are 40l, 70l, 90l and 130l options available.
There’s one huge central compartment along with a couple of zipped mesh pockets on the inside of the lid. You can also use it as a duffel or a rucksack, thanks to the inclusion of two padded shoulder straps and a couple of handles. These straps can also be secured to stop them from flapping around when not in use, which I thought was a clever design point.
I found this bag was at its best when I was training outside. I could haul my TRX suspension trainer, gymnastic rings, resistance bands and more to my local park and enjoy an al fresco workout without worrying about the bag getting wet or dirty – it’s made from a robust, water-repellent 900D fabric which easily wipes clean.
Gym-goers might want a few more pockets for their various lifting accessories, but for adventurous sorts, I think the Thule chasm is a strong choice.
Buy now £119.99, Thule.com
What is the best gym bag for men?
The Built For Athletes pro series 45l gym backpack stands atop the gym bag pyramid thanks to its enormous capacity, selection of easy access pockets and comfort. It’s pricey, and undeniably bulky, making it a trickier travel companion, but if you want to transport plenty of fitness kit around then it won’t be beaten.
For value for money you’re after, I prescribe the Gymshark sleek backpack. With a capacity of 21l, it’s significantly smaller than many rivals, but the svelte design and nifty features like a separate shoe compartment make it a strong contender for less than £40.
Or, if you want a cavernous and comfortable do-all bag, the Stubble & Co kit bag should be your first port of call. I was amazed at the sheer amount of stuff I was able to fit inside, and enjoyed the sleeker (relative to the Built For Athletes bags) design while commuting. The padded back panel meant it stayed comfortable throughout travel-heavy days, and waterproof fabric provided me with peace of mind that my belongings would survive any British showers unscathed.
Men’s gym bag FAQs
What should you carry in your gym bag?
No two gym bags will look the same once they’ve been filled, but there are a few items that are fairly universal. For example, a water bottle, trainers, headphones, a small towel and (hopefully) deodorant.
CrossFit fans will also have other items they refuse to train without, be that gymnastic grips or a dip belt, a skipping rope or a shaker filled with protein powder. Some people like to bring their own resistance bands, lifting straps and other accessories too, so make sure you choose a gym bag with the capacity to fit all of your favourites.
What’s a good size for a gym bag?
According to Nike, “a medium-sized bag will suffice for most gym-goers”, and they recommend a size of around 30-40l. This should be plenty big enough to hold a pair of trainers, change of clothes, water bottle, small toiletries and a few other gym accessories such as gloves or wristbands.
However, should you need to pack in more kit – for example, a protein powder/shaker, the weightligting gloves or belt mentioned above, or even your work laptop – then a bag that’s at least 50l should give you more flexibility. Ultimately, though, you need to find what works best for you.
Read more: These are the 13 best men’s gym trainers you can buy, according to our expert tester
