These are the best gym bags I’ve tested

For the sessions when travelling light just isn’t an option, my pick of the best gym bags in 2025 has your back.

Do you spend hours searching for the best workout clothes, only to carry your new kit in a plastic carrier bag? If that sounds familiar, it might be time to invest in a high-quality gym bag. Gym bags need to do a lot more than regular backpacks. They need to be robust, large enough to store a day’s work of gym gear, have plenty of pocket options and offer waterproof or breathable compartments to separate wet and dry gear. They should also spread loads evenly across your back, be comfortable to wear for extended periods and, ideally, look the business too. Combining style with practicality and versatility, these are the best I’ve tested.

Best gym bags in 2025

There are a few contenders vying for the Best Gym Bag crown, but in my opinion the Built For Athletes Pro Series Backpack clinches it on points. It’s nigh-on indestructible, has more zips and pockets than you’ll ever need and spreads whatever load you’re carrying evenly across your back so there are no pinch points.

Other gym bag recommendations

Best for build quality	The KNKG Everyday Tactical Backpack is a beast of a pack and its 1000D nylon body will withstand a proper beating. It’s no surprise that KNKG stands for King Kong. If this was waterproof it may have given our winner a run for its money.
Best for travel	If you’re as partial to a weekend escape as much as a weekday gym sesh, the Stubble & Co Adventure Bag will be up your street. Use its full 45L capacity or just a fraction – and use those compression straps so everything stays put.
Best for sustainability	Certified B Corp company Red Equipment takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. It makes kit like the Adventure Waterproof Backpack to last, and built from recycled, recyclable and biodegradable materials.

1. Built For Athletes Pro Series Backpack

Features	Waterproof compartments; 2-year warranty; anti-microbial lining; vented shoe compartment; shock absorbent laptop compartment
Capacity	11.9 gal / 45L
Dimensions	12.2 x 18.9 x 8.7in / 31 x 48 x 22cm
Color	Black

One of the toughest gym bags we’ve tested, the Pro Series 45L bag has plenty of space for all your gear and an indestructible design that will last for years. It may be pricey but we think it’s worth every penny.

Featuring military-spec rip-proof fabric and dedicated laptop and shoe compartments, the Pro Series has more zips and pockets than we’ve had protein shakes. Its load-spreading design means it’ll go easy on your back too.

• Read our full Built For Athletes Pro Series Backpack review

2. Stubble & Co Adventure Bag

Features	Weatherproof design with additional rain cover; trolley sleeve; detachable waist strap; waterproof shoe compartment; padded laptop compartment
Capacity	11.1 gal / 42L
Dimensions	22 x 15 x 9in / 55 x 38 x 24cm
Colors	Black / Ember orange / Urban green / Tasmin blue

The Adventure Bag is an ideal choice for those who spend as much time jet setting as they do bench pressing. It’s a 42L waterproof bag with all the compartments you could ever need, as well as horizontal and vertical handles.

Look beyond the bombproof Ripstop fabric and you’ll find neat touches like detachable waist strap with bum bag and a trolley sleeve that lets you slip it securely onto your trolley handle. We appreciate its compact dimensions, which make it carry-on compatible too.

• Read our full Stubble & Co Adventure Bag review

3. Red Equipment Adventure Waterproof Backpack

Features	Weatherproof rolltop design; padded laptop compartment; reinforced base; reflective detail; emergency whistle
Capacity	7.9 gal / 30L
Dimensions	22.4 x 16.5 x 7.9in / 57 x 42 x 20cm
Colors	Obsidian black / Olive green / Storm blue

While not an out-and-out gym bag, the Red Equipment Adventure Waterproof Backpack can easily do workout duties. However, its reliably waterproof rolltop design, as well as details like reflective strips and emergency whistle, point to a more outdoor-focused design.

A padded and comfortable back with airflow panels and adjustable straps mean you could walk, hike or fastpack all day. Its 30L volume will cope with almost all your equipment needs on the trail or in the gym while MOLLE webbing is ideal for attaching climbing equipment for epic adventures.

Back in the gym and a removeable padded laptop bag and plenty of zipped compartments will be enough for your post-gym work and nutrition needs too. The best thing about the Adventure Waterproof Backpack? It’s almost half the price of its competitors.

4. Mous Active Backpack

Features	Weatherproof design; shoe compartment; padded laptop compartment; instant access side zips; rolls out from 25L to 35L
Capacity	7.7 gal / 35L
Dimensions	18.5 x 12.2 x 7.4in / 47 x 31 x 19cm
Colors	Black

The Active Backpack is a sleek looking bag that wouldn’t look out of place in an office, gym or airport carousel. Its rolltop design means it can expand from 25L to 35L depending on your requirements. In my days at the gym I never had a problem getting all my gear in, and it’s the perfect size for weekend escapes too.

I appreciated its rugged, waterproof construction, separate shoe compartment and AiroFoam padded laptop compartment, but the thing I loved most about the Mous Active Backpack was the unprecedented comfort even when fully loaded, thanks to those wide, adjustable straps and plush inside padding. I can see me using this for gym sessions and overnight stops for years to come.

5. Bloxx Backpack

Features	Weatherproof design; waterproof shoe compartment; padded laptop compartment; expandable side pockets; three main transition-bag-style compartments
Capacity	7.7 gal / 35L
Dimensions	21.6 x 11.8 x 7.8in / 55 x 30 x 20cm
Colors	Black, black and silver, teal,

As a triathlete I hugely appreciated the Bloxx Backpack’s compartmental design. Its three main mesh zipped compartments are great for separating wet and dry clothes, or ordering gear by each of the swim-bike-run disciplines. I was a little worried at first as the bag feels a bit flimsy but after a rigorous testing period it’s shown no signs of faltering. It’s a lighter bag than most 350-litre offerings, but no worse the wear for it.

There are plenty of nice touches too: a padded laptop compartment, sternum strap, stretchy side bottle pockets, hidden keyring loop and a choice of handles. Its expanding pockets mean you can pack over 35-litres and the wipeable waterproof base compartment is ideal for slimy running shoes.

6. KNKG Everyday Tactical Backpack

Features	1000D nylon body; Ripstop nylon lining; Full-grain American cow leather accents; Duraflex buckles; Expandable bottle pockets; MOLLE webbing
Capacity	4.8 gal / 18.2L
Dimensions	12.2 x 18.9 x 8.7in / 31 x 48 x 22cm
Colors	Black / Tan

The KNKG Everyday Tactical Backpack (EDT) stands out as a robust and stylish option, and it offers good value compared to its competitors. Despite the absence of a hip strap, it shines with features like MOLLE webbing and expandable bottle pockets, ensuring versatility and convenience.

With a dedicated laptop sleeve and multiple compartments for organization, it proves its worth for daily use. While the shoulder straps could be more ergonomic, they still provide adequate comfort. The 18.2L capacity, although modest, can be added to with attachments, enhancing its utility.

The EDT represents a solid investment for those seeking a reliable and enduring gym bag. While it may not suit those with extensive gear, its durability and functionality make it a good choice for both the gym and more adventurous outings.

• Read our full KNKG Everyday Tactical Backpack review

How I tested the best gym bags

I’m an experienced product tester of all manner of fitness kit. I’m also a fitness enthusiast and keen triathlete – a sport where carting a large amount of kit around transition has become something of a science. While testing out these backpacks, I used each one for at least a month, testing them on weekends abroad as well as regular gym workouts and multi-sport brick sessions. I assessed them in terms of style, storage and comfort, paying close attention to the durability of the design and whether they were worth the price tag. My testing process involved packing the backpack with a range of items – from workout clothes and gym shoes to a laptop and headphones – to assess the storage capabilities, before wearing it for hour-long walks to assess the comfort factor.

• October 2025: Bag availability and affiliate prices checked; Bloxx Backpack added; how-we-test section expanded; best-for headers added