The 9 Best Gym Bags

A no-fuss duffel, the Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 covers most gym routines. The medium holds about 58 liters, and its coated, foam-lined base keeps the bag in shape and shrugs off a wet locker-room floor. A vented end pocket takes shoes or dirty laundry, and the padded strap tucks away when you carry it by the handle. The fabric feels thinner than before, and the medium runs large, so light loads slide around.

Anyone who likes everything in its own place should look at the FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0, a compact duffel with 10 compartments. A full-length shoe pocket fits big men's sneakers, a hidden water-resistant pocket holds a wet swimsuit, and mesh side pouches carry a bottle and a shaker. The main compartment unzips all the way, and the base is firm. The shoe pocket eats into the main space, and the zippers can wear out.

Keeping wet and dirty things apart is the idea behind the Fitgriff Classic, a light barrel duffel. Swimwear or sweaty clothes go in their own waterproof pocket, shoes ride in a vented pocket at one end, and the bottom is waterproof too. Long zipper pulls and metal strap hooks are nice touches. Fitgriff is a small brand, and the dimensions on its own page are wrong, so go by the size chart in the photos.

Team sports, heavy lifting days and weekend trips all suit the Adidas Defender, a big, simple duffel. The medium holds about 59 liters, and a zippered, vented compartment keeps cleats or sneakers away from clean clothes. The base resists water, and webbing loops hold keys or a bottle. Adidas calls its defect warranty lifetime, but the seller puts it at five years. Inside, though, it's one big space with few small pockets.

For a work-wear look, there's the Carhartt Classic Round, which folds into its own pouch between trips. The polyester shell sheds rain, and the coated lining wipes clean, which helps with sweat and odor. It has a padded strap that comes off, sturdy double-layer handles and a front pocket with a key clip. There's no separate shoe or wet pocket. It's sold as travel-friendly, but it's longer than the carry-on limit many U.S. airlines use.

Anyone who doesn't want a lot of pockets can grab the Nike Brasilia 9.0, a plain training duffel. The small size carries clothes, a towel and a pair of shoes with space to spare. It has two handles and a removable shoulder strap, and with only a white Swoosh for decoration, it looks right on a weekend trip or at the gym. There's no shoe or wet compartment, so dirty shoes need their own bag.

If you bike or walk to the gym or carry a laptop to work, the G4Free 3-in-1 Tactical helps, since this duffel turns into a backpack. Padded straps let you carry it by hand, on one shoulder or on your back. There's a vented shoe compartment, a waterproof toiletry pocket, a laptop sleeve and military-style webbing outside for clipping on gear. It's heavy for a gym bag, though, and the army look won't suit every office.

The Bagsmart Weekender is a soft, quilted tote-duffel that looks at home in an office or a yoga studio. A sleeve on the back slides over a suitcase handle, and a lined pocket keeps a wet towel or swimsuit away from dry clothes. It carries by short handles or a crossbody strap. Bagsmart sizes it as an under-seat bag, but it's too tall for United's limit unless the soft sides squash, and it slumps when it isn't full.

For a cheap way to carry a change of clothes, the Adidas Alliance Sackpack is a simple drawstring sack that rolls up small enough to stash in a larger bag. A zippered front pocket keeps a phone or earbuds apart from sweaty clothes, and drop-down mesh pockets hold a bottle. It's sized for kids as well as adults, so it doubles as a practice bag. There's no padding, and the thin cords dig in when it's full.