Terrence Kennedy
We all know that as a modern man in town, it’s important to keep fit and healthy, and more importantly looking good. A big part of this is the gym; the gym is where we curl, squat, press, push and if you’re not too scared, deadlift. In the last few decades the science and understanding behind the biomechanics of our bodies has come on in leaps and bounds.
The result of this progression in fitness has been new pieces of equipment and crazy accessories; fat grips, cable machines, fit bits, fitness apps, hack squats, and the laughable smith machine. Yet there has been one piece of equipment which has been there as long as commercial gyms have; the gym bag.
The gym bag is a fitness fanatics best friend; he keeps our valuables safe, our towels dry, our 2 day old protein cups from stinking up the entire room and allows us to take our necessities wherever we like. Yes, the gym bag is essential, and one which needs to be chosen carefully.
What to consider in Choosing the Best Mens Gym Bag for You:
If you’re thinking you can go and pick up any old bag from Walmart or your local sports store, you’re wrong! You need to consider three things before you purchase a gym bag.
- First you need to think about the size of the bag. How big a bag do you need? What are you going to be putting in it? If you are going to use it just for a towel and change of clothes, then a small bag will do you just fine. However, if you are planning on using it to carry a tennis racket, weight belt, your protein, meals for the day, or any number of other space eating items, then you will need a long and deep option to fit it all in.
- Once you have decided what size you want, you’ve then got to consider whether you need it to be waterproof. Now for the lucky ones among you who live in the sunnier states you’ll probably be scoffing at the notion of needing anything waterproof, but it’s not just to protect your stuff from rain, it's to keep your wet towel from making everything your bag touches wet. Lastly, you should consider the price, and by extension the quality you are willing to pay for.
- The more frequently you go, and the more stuff you carry, the higher quality bag you will need; simply because all that stuff in there (especially weight belts and the like) are going to increase the wear and tear. Choose wisely gentleman.
9 Best Mens Gym Bags for the Modern Man
For the Professional Man on the Go: AER Duffel Pack ($150)
AER have produced one of the most eloquent resolutions to one of the most taxing issues the corporate man faces; how to get a session in at work whilst looking professional and not lugging around a big-ass gym bag.
Their solution is this, the Duffel Pack; a sleek and sexy backpack-duffel bag hybrid which seamlessly treads the line between work appropriate and gym-suave (a new genre you’ll want to be a part of). The bag has enough room for the essentials of both work and workout; shoes, towel, clothes, notebooks, laptop and other bits and bobs.
The bag has a dedicated pocket large enough for a 15” MacBook and still has space for your chocolate protein shake. This bag is the embodiment of win-win. If you are looking to grow your bank account and arms in one day, this is for you.
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The Preppy Gent: Brunello Cucinelli- Grained Leather Duffle Bag ($3,995)
This isn’t the sort of gym bag you take to a Gold’s or an Equinox, it’s more the sort of bag where your gym has an invite only membership. The bag itself costs more than a few years of basic gym memberships. Nevertheless, it is an incredible option, one which should at least be admired.
The eminent status of Brunello’s work is validated by this exquisitely made product. The bag itself is crafted by Italian artisans, who have combined the classic duffle with a roll-top bag for ultimate easy access.
The 100% leather is not the end of the luxury, inside you will find a twill lining to keep the static out of your clothes, making your post-gym attire as sleek as the price tag suggests. If you can afford the bag, then by all means get it, it’ll be something you can cherish.
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For The Serious Fitness Man: Six Pack Fitness Expert Beast Duffle ($199)
This one is for the serious lifter, the man who not only tracks how much protein he’s getting but all his macros, micros, effectively everything he puts in his body.
This is truly a bag built for the bodybuilder. Although not limited to bodybuilders, the compartment for your pre-made meals is incredibly convenient when you’re on the go and need to keep your meal frequency up. With six meal slots and icy gel packs to keep them cool, you cannot ask for much more. But you get more!
On top of this quite ingenious little section for Tupperware, there is also a separate shoe compartment, meaning your sweaty foot smell will not be made to dwell in the rest of your bag, infusing the rest of your clothes and items with foot odour.
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For the Odour Conscious: Dsptch Gym/Work Bag ($184)
Just like the first bag we visited, this one is ideal for the work and gym balance. Sleek design and a simple black coloring means that it isn’t obviously a gym bag and can go undetected.
The benefits don’t end there. A separate ventilated shoe section keeps your files from smelling and keeps the rest of the bag in a more accessible format. Like with the Aer bag, this duffel has a special laptop compartment to keep your tech in.
If you are always travelling with work and either can’t find space for your kicks or always forget them, with this bag you have no excuse. You’ll be able to hit the road no matter where you are and get in some miles.
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For The Classic Gym-Goer: Nike Air Max Vapor ($52)
A list of gym bags wouldn’t be complete without Nike making an appearance. The stalwart of sport has been around for decades, producing quality and affordable gear year after year, and this bag is no different.
Sporting the mandatory tick we have all grown to love, the Nike creation has a separate shoe section with a perforated cover meaning it can breathe those nasty smells out.
On top of this the sturdy shoulder strap is detachable and more importantly comfortable, taking advantage of Air Max cushioning. No one likes getting a dead shoulder because the strap is digging into the neck. It is both cheap and a decent product. You can’t really go wrong with Nike.
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For The Retro Man: Adidas- Team Issue Duffle Bag ($45)
I couldn’t praise Nike without at least mentioning their nemesis, Adidas.
While Nike has dominated the market and all but overpowered their competition, Adidas works hard to consistently produce good quality products, often opting for a more old school design.
This particular Adidas bag is one such old school design, taking influences from the late nineties and early noughties. In combination with the throwback look it uses modern FreshPAK technology to fight odours and bacteria, keeping your bag fresh. In fact Adidas are so confident in their creation they offer a lifetime guarantee.
If you want a bag designed just for the gym, which will keep your gym gear safe and sound as well as odour-free (relatively), then this bag is the one for you.
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For All Black Everything Man: Killspencer Overnight Duffle ($325)
The bag for the stately chap, a beacon of luxury and a debonair sense of style. This rather luxurious duffle bag from Killspencer works both as a weekender bag and as a gym bag.
The main compartment features a large spacious area for your gym gear or weekend essentials, as well as a pocket specifically designed for your tablet; so if you are one of those guys who likes to hit the bike whilst reading a good eBook or catching up on the latest Game of Thrones, this bag’s got you covered.
An American made delight with a waterproof nylon lining to keep your towel from leaking out onto the floor. There is also something quite special about this bag, if you’re willing to put in an extra $25. For this little fee you can add a customised monogram, just in case people didn’t know how big a deal you were already.
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For the Fashion Conscious: Hard Graft Tote ($393)
Proudly unconventional, Hard Graft are always looking to make something a little bit special.
The London based company develop only the best accessories and leather goods, and this bag is no different. The canvas is a rugged British cotton, the leather a washed Tuscan variety, all brought together under the careful and precise eye of classic British craftsmanship.
If you are looking for understated class, Hard Graft are your guys, they manage to meld quirky designs with the unfussy elegance which the Brits are known for. If you’re still not convinced, think about the fact that each handle, seam and rivet are reinforced from the inside, making the bag a true testament to durability and quality.
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For The Simple Man: Jack SpadeTech Nylon Gym Duffle ($278)
Jack Spade Gym Duffle is another subtle gym bag well-suited to balancing your need for cash and for ‘dem gains’. The nylon which this bag is made out of ensures that it is an incredibly robust, flexible and all together durable gym bag.
It would not be phased by a turbulent plane journey, being thrashed around in the overhead locker, nor would it mind being thrown in the back of the trunk as you leave work stressed on the way to your gym-therapy.
The water resistance will add to its multi-faceted claims, being able to ward of the rain and your sweat soaked socks. One thing which stands out about the bag is its style, for a nylon bag to look this good and not like a rambler’s (people who walk around mountains and forests) carry of choice is impressive. A carrier you will use nearly every day, for under $300 is not too bad, and certainly worth considering.
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CONCLUSION
The bags above should give you some idea of what sort of bag you want; high-elegance, affordability, rugged manliness, or British charm. Whatever you choose, remember to go down the checklist, ticking off your needs, especially size.
Buying a bag to then find out you can’t actually fit your size 13's in will be an infuriating endeavor. Do your homework and find the right bag for you. Happy hunting.
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