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The Best Gym Bags for Stashing Your Kit in Style
Nothing screams ‘this guy knows what he’s doing in on the gym floor’ more than a well-kept gym bag
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Gym bags: it pays to invest in a good one. Not only will you look the part – nothing screams ‘this guy knows what he’s doing on the gym floor’ more than a well-kept gym bag – but investing in a proper holdall to store your gym wear will make your life easier. From optimal storage solutions to handy compartments that separate your cleans from your dirties, a decent gym bag is much more than just aesthetics.
The best gym bags are robust, stylish and practical enough to keep pace with your fitness ambitions. Whether you're working out at your local gym, lugging equipment to the park for an AMRAP circuit, or looking to head to an active weekend break in the not-too-distant-future, you’ll need something well suited to your needs. Here's a few the Men's Health team like and use day-to-day.
The Best Gym Bags
Read more: Cruise Through Even the Worst of WODs with the Best CrossFit Shoes
Features to Look For
All well as a roomy main compartment to stash the bulk of your gear – think gym clothes, trainers, your wash bag, a protein shake, the list goes on – the best gym bags for men will have smart pockets, clever zips and snug padding to store and protect your keys, wallet, laptop, face mask, and other loose items, so you can move seamlessly between business and leisure when the office opens up.
You should also look for a bag that’s robust enough to keep pace with your plans. Extra handles are a welcome plus, whether you’re muscling the bag into a locker or onto a busy train carriage – and don’t forget to factor in the size. Too small, and it won’t hold your gear. Too big, and you won’t be able to stash it under your desk or use it as carry-on luggage.
For swimmers – or excessive sweaters – a wet compartment is also a handy addition. If you plan to head to the pool or gym before work, or you commute to the office, storing your wet kit in a separate and secure compartment to your dry clothes will make your pre-work routine run a whole smoother.
What to Take to the Gym
You can tell a lot about a man by looking in his gym bag and sometimes it's not pretty what you'll uncover. Following our guide below, by packing your bag correctly you'll be ready for any eventuality at any time. Having to go commando at work will be a thing of the past, sitting in your sweaty workout socks all day will be banished forever, and as for wet hair days, kiss them goodbye.
Keep these gym essentials in your bag at all times:
- Towel
- Spare pants
- Spare socks
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Flip Flops
- Locks
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Face wipes
- Moisturiser
- Hand wipes
- Wash bag
- Resistance bands
How to Clean Your Gym Bag
Unfortunately, over time, your gym bag will start to smell. That protein shaker you forgot to clean or, worse still, spilt, the wet swimming shorts that spent a day too long at the bottom of the bag, all these things will add to the unpleasant aroma that can stink out a locker room within seconds. Thankfully, keeping it clean and feeling fresh is a relatively simple task.
Well made gym bags are designed so you can clean them easily. For most, a regular wipe with a damp cloth or a disinfectant wipe (make sure you check they can be used on all materials) is enough to keep your bag in a respectable condition. If you want to go that little further, however, mixing warm water with white vinegar and, if a change of smell is in order, an essential oil that you like will give you that freshen-up feel you're after.
It's worth noting that some materials may need to be given a bit more attention. Canvas, for example, which can shrink when wet, should always be put on a cold cycle if you're thinking about shoving it in the washing machine drum. Our advice, if you can, spot clean the areas that need a pick-me-up.If you really want to keep your gym bag in top shape and smelling of roses for as long as possible, make sure you remove sweaty, wet gym gear as soon as you can. Airing it often – after each use if possible – will help blow away that armpit smell from the lining.
15 Gym Bags Worth Buying
Right, now you know what makes a good gym bag, how to clean it, and what to pack, it's now a case of picking the right one for you. Whether you're looking for a bag that's fit purely for purpose, travelling only from your home to the gym and back again, or perhaps one that won't look out of place in the office as it does in the changing room, or one that can even work as a weekend away bag, here's our edit of the best gym bags available right now.
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Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best manscaping tools, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online – whether it's to debunk the latest viral hair growth trend or to get the lowdown on a new type of recovery tech. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
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