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The best gym bags for every type of workout in 2025
Water bottle? Check. Matching set? Check. Stylish and durable gym bag? Pending...
When it comes to finding the best gym bag, size and portability are two of the key considerations. But you probably want something that looks good too, right?
Luckily, we're flooded with options, from chic tote bags to practical backpacks and everything in between. To help you find the best, the Good Housekeeping fitness experts have shared the ones they swear by – these are their favourites at a glance, but keep reading for our full reviews.
The best gym bags for 2025
To help you find your perfect gym buddy, we asked the Good Housekeeping health and fitness editors what they use for carting their kit around. Our team consists of avid gym goers, runners and certified personal trainers, so they know exactly what to look for in the best gym bags.
You'll find more information on how they put them through their paces below our reviews, along with advice on gym bag essentials and how to keep yours in tip-top condition.
Lululemon combines style and utility in the form of this multi-pocketed tote bag. It has a handy internal pocket, great for your phone and keys, as well as five (!) external ones for storing snacks, a water bottle, or your latest issue of Good Housekeeping. Plus, it has a sturdy base that means it can stand up on its own – handy for when you’re digging around for that gym fob you were sure you packed...
The nylon material (which the brand claims is 100% recycled) means that this tote can be spot-cleaned with your chosen cleaning product – a spray, wipe, or even warm water and soap will do. It’s large enough to store a laptop or any shopping you pick up along the way, and the snap-close adds a layer of security.
Key specifications
| Size | 51 (L) x 15 (H) x 35 (W) cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon, polyester |
| Colours | Black, mauve, white opal |
If a rainy day isn’t stopping you from heading to the gym, then this water-resistant bag is a great option for keeping all your kit dry. The soft polyester material makes it easy to wipe down and fold away to store on rest days too.
It has multiple external pockets for easy access to your phone, water bottle or keys. It also has a separate shoe compartment, which scores extra points for hygiene. With all of this, plus 25 colourways to choose from, we think this is a steal.
Key specifications
| Size | L 45 x W 24cm x H 28cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester |
| Colours | 25 colourways, including black, pink and green, purple, teal |
This quilted tote from popular lifestyle brand Adanola is proof that gym bags can be stylish and practical.
The zip opening will keep your contents safe inside the extra-large main compartment, all wrapped up in a quirky padded material that will help you stand out from the crowd. It’s also priced at just under £35 – which, for such a big bag, is great value for money.
Key specifications
| Size | L 13 x W 61 x H 36 cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon |
| Colours | Black, Olive Green |
There’s no need to sling multiple tote bags over your shoulder with this high-quality adidas by Stella McCartney design. It will easily fit all your everyday essentials, with separate compartments for stashing your laptop, shoes, clothes and toiletries.
We love that it has a range of strap options, allowing you to wear it in multiple different ways, and features a water-repellent base to keep your bits and bobs protected, whatever the weather. Overall, a reliable pick for daily activities and weekend getaways alike.
If you’re browsing the H&M site to update your work wardrobe or to stock up on some new homeware bits, we recommend picking up this great value waterproof tote for carting to the gym, taking on holiday or just carrying around town.
It’s on the larger side, so you can fit all your essentials inside – from gym gear and trainers to a towel and snacks – and there’s a zipped internal pocket so your keys and phone won’t get lost in the abyss and will be held safely in place. The fabric is waterproof to keep the contents protected, and it’s ultra lightweight, so you won’t feel weighed down. For under £20, it’s a reliable budget-friendly buy.
If you’d rather opt for a backpack over a tote to reduce shoulder strain, but you still want something stylish, may we suggest this simple but sleek option from celeb-favourite brand Alo.
The well-thought-out design features a laptop sleeve, four generous pockets and a bottle holder, so you can comfortably fit all your work essentials and gym kit inside. It’s also made from a waterproof neoprene fabric, so you don't have to worry about your bits getting damaged if you get caught in the rain. Granted, it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a premium buy that will be with you for years to come.
Another stylish shopper that has enough space for your coordinating leggings and tee, as well as your post-gym snacks.
It’s great for the gym as well as work and travelling, and the bold Adanola tagline lets everyone know you’re a part of the super trendy fitness club.
Key specifications
| Size | 36 (H) x 61 (L) x 13 (W) cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled cotton |
| Colours | Cream/black |
Not quite a gym bag, but sometimes the essentials – your keys, card and phone – are enough, which is why this wristlet from Lululemon is a great option for storing them without weighing you down.
There’s a whole range of colours to choose from and the pouches are both detachable too, so you can use them in or outside the gym.
Key specficiations
| Size | 11.5 (L) x 7 (H) x 0.5 (W) cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon, polyester |
| Colours | Green, pink, black, grey, sage |
Running/fast walking to the gym? Then this compact Motion sling bag from Sweaty Betty is a great option. Its lightweight material won’t slow you down, and the adjustable strap means you can size to your preference.
Inside, there's a convenient internal pockets for important stuff and a larger compartment for chucking in some extra bits. As well as two external zips for quick access too.
Key specifications
| Size | N/A |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyamide |
| Colours | Black |
Nike gets a big tick from us for developing this simple and sleek sports bag. It’s big, so you’ll be able to fit all your gym bits in, and the soft material means there’s no unnecessary bulk. It also comes in either a bright pink or black.
Use the removable strap to sling it over your shoulder, or the handles for carrying; either way, it’s a great-sized bag for getting it done, or just doing it, if you will...
Key specifications
| Size | 51 (W) x 23 (D) cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester |
| Colours | Black, pink |
How we chose the best gym bags
Our health and wellness team – who are avid gym goers, runners, cyclists and yogis – have been busy trialling a range of gym bags from popular brands.
They used them for carting their kit to and from the gym, as well as for commuting, weekends away and even festivals. They assessed the bags on a variety of factors including comfort, durability and storage capacity, and considered additional features like shoe compartments, waterproof linings and secure pockets.
Only the options they truly love made our final round-up.
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- Whether you're into gentle yin yoga or fast-paced vinyasa flows, these are the best yoga mats to buy now
- We've tested the best headphones for exercise, with our top picks starting from just £24.99
- Getting into running? Here are the best running shoes for women according to our editors
What to look for when buying a gym bag
The kind of gym bag you decide on will depend on a few factors, such as what kind of session you’re doing, whether you need to bring different shoes and if you’re coming straight from the office. Luckily, we have a range of different options on the list.
Here are some of the things to consider before adding to basket.
Workout type: If you’re attending a yoga class, it would make sense to bring a yoga mat carrier. For leg sessions in the gym, you may need to bring extra accessories such as the best resistance bands or barbell pads alongside your gym clothes, so a larger carrier would be more suitable.
Size and compartments: If you’re coming from the office, you may want to opt for a bag with a laptop compartment. If you’re heading to the gym straight from home, there are a few smaller options on our list for those essentials (keys, phone, snacks).
Design: Utility isn’t the only thing that we considered when selecting these bags, as many take into consideration style too. Look good, feel good, right?
How do I clean my gym bag?
When you’re carting your used gym kit and shoes back and forth after sweaty sessions, sometimes your gym bag can start to smell a little, ripe, let’s say. But not to worry – most gym bags are designed with this in mind, making them easy to clean.
For bags that have a canvas or plastic lining, they’re easy enough to spray or wipe down with your chosen cleaning product.
For material bags, we’d recommend putting them in the wash every few weeks to keep things fresh. You can also chuck in some scented sachets to keep it smelling of roses, or lavender, if you prefer.
Gym bag essentials
To save you from an extra, unexpected weights session, you’ll want to keep the contents of your gym bag light. Here are some essentials we’d recommend squeezing in alongside your kit.
- Hand sanitiser and wipes: After touching all that equipment, we recommend a good old sanitise session, so the only thing you’re taking home is gains.
- Towel: When you need a brow dab or seat covering.
- Water bottle: Goes without saying really. Here's our pick of the best reusable water bottles if you need some inspiration.
- Pump cover: A jumper or jacket is good for warm-ups and providing some extra coverage on your journey to and from the gym. We love this after-class sweatshirt from Sweaty Betty.
- Post-workout snacks: Whether it’s a protein shake or one of our tried-and-tested best protein bars, you’re going to need some refuelling after a gym session.
- Deodorant: For those extra sweaty sessions. See also our best dry shampoos...
- Face wash: We recommend a quick facial cleanse to rid your skin of any excess sweat or sebum to avoid unwanted breakouts. A cleansing balm could be a good option to remove makeup pre-session, too.
The verdict on gym bags
If you're after a classic tote with enough storage space and a good amount of pockets, this Lululemon design is a good choice.
Prefer a well-organised holdall for stashing all your essentials? This FIORETTO number will do the job nicely. Best of all, it'll set you back less than £25.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
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