The perfect gym bag is an essential companion for every fitness enthusiast, and finding the best women's gym bag can make a world of difference in your fitness journey. From keeping your workout essentials organised to seamlessly transitioning from the gym to your daily activities, a gym bag should be both functional and stylish.
By offering a designated space for your workout essentials like clothing, shoes, Pilates bands, socks and toiletries, a gym bag ensures you're always well-prepared to break a sweat. This level of organisation will not only save you time, but will also reduce the stress of searching for items before, during, or after your workout. Moreover, a gym bag can promote hygiene by separating sweaty gym socks from your everyday items, preventing the spread of odours and bacteria. Overall, it serves as a motivating and practical tool, encouraging regular exercise and helping fitness fanatics maintain their goals effectively.
The best women's gym bags at a glance:
• Best overall women's gym bag: Nike One Club Women's Training Duffel Bag - View now on Very
• Best large women's gym bag: Sweaty Betty Icon Gym Bag 2.0 - View now on Sweaty Betty
• Best budget women's gym bag: M&S Goodmove Gym Tote Bag - View now on Marks and Spencer
Ladies, it's time to bag the best of both worlds - style and functionality - as we dive into the realm of the best women's gym bags. Just like a well-planned workout routine, the right gym bag should leave you feeling excited and ready to conquer your fitness goals. So, let's weigh in on our top picks, where fashion meets function, to ensure your gym sessions are nothing short of glamourous.
Get your hands on the best women's gym bags:
Best overall women's gym bag
www.very.co.uk
Starting with what we're dubbing as the 'ultimate workout companion.' Nike's versatile duffel bag blends style with functionality, making it the perfect choice for gym sessions, sports activities, or even a weekend getaway. With a roomy interior and multiple pockets, it provides ample storage space for your workout gear, trainers and personal items. The sleek and minimalist design exudes a modern and sporty vibe, while its durable construction means it can withstand the rigors of everyday use.
Additionally, the bag features comfortable carrying options, including robust handles and a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap.
Pros
- Features a vented compartment to keep your sweaty gear separate
- Elastic bungee on the side cinches down to carry a mat
- Gorgeous guava colour
Cons
- At 24L it may be slightly on the small side for individuals who prefer to carry more items on an everyday basis
Best large women's gym bag
www.sweatybetty.com
Sweaty Betty has long been a favourite among fitness fashionistas, and their Icon Gym bag certainly doesn't disappoint. This bag exudes style with its two webbing tote straps and outer pocket with magnetic closure. It's not all about looks, though; it's incredibly functional too, offering a spacious interior, multiple pockets and a zip compartment for shoes. Whether you're headed to the gym or a post-workout brunch, this bag will elevate your look.
Pros
- Inner laptop sleeve which is great for post-work exercise
- Internal zip pocket for valuables
- Wipe-clean
Cons
- Doesn't have a lined section for wet towels or sweaty gym gear
Best budget women's gym bag
www.marksandspencer.com
The M&S Goodmove Gym Tote bag is a dependable choice for individuals who value functionality. Designed with practicality in mind, its tote bag features multiple interior and exterior pockets for organised storage and easy access to your belongings. Crafted from durable and water-repellent materials, it can withstand the wear and tear of daily gym visits. On top of all this, its minimalist design make the tote a easy-to-style accessory that you'll be able to take from your workout session to other daily activities.
Pros
- Features Stormwear water-repellent technology
- Very affordable
- Two outside zip pockets
Cons
- Not very large
Best women's gym bag with USB charging port
The Etronik Gym Duffel bag is a versatile and highly functional accessory that caters to the diverse needs of individuals leading active lifestyles. A standout feature of this gym bag is the USB charging interface, which means you can easily charge your phone wherever you are by attaching your power bank inside the bag. Its gym bag also boasts a roomy interior and multiple compartments, including two pockets and one large zippered wet bag inside.
Pros
- Separate ventilated compartment at the bottom for dirty shoes and clothes
- Sold with an extra small cosmetic bag
- Great large size for multipurpose use
Cons
- Some users found the material of the bag wasn't the thickest
Best women's gym bag with designer collaboration
www.adidas.co.uk
If you are looking to make a fashion statement while working up a sweat, the Adidas by Stella McCartney gym bag is the way to go. Its bag boasts the perfect marriage of sporty chic and practicality. The large size means its's spacious enough to fit workout attire, trainers and even a yoga mat in, and its eco-friendly materials are in line with designer Stella McCartney's commitment to sustainability.
Pros
- Large size
- Extremely lightweight
- Zip pockets inside and out
Cons
- Some may not love the feel of the material
Best women's gym bag for yogis
uk.gymshark.com
The Gymshark Quilted Yoga Tote is the perfect bag to elevate your yoga experience. This tote stands out from the rest with its unique quilted pattern, giving it a touch of elegance that transitions from the studio to the street. With a spacious interior, it can fit your yoga mat, block, and even a change of clothes. Also, the bag's thoughtful design includes dedicated pockets for your water bottle, phone and purse, ensuring you stay organised before practice. Its sturdy construction and shoulder straps make it an ideal bag for yoga sessions, gym workouts or everyday use.
Pros
- Made from premium quilted fabric
- Can easily fit a yoga mat
- Zip pocket on the front, perfect for your phone
Cons
- Drawstring closure is not the most secure type of fasten
Best no-nonsense women's gym bag
For the no-nonsense gym-goer, the Under Armour Duffel 4.0 is undeniably great. Its bag is all about performance, featuring a large main compartment, a water-resistant finish and a ventilated shoe section to keep your sweaty trainers separate from the rest of your items. Like most Under Armour products, its durable materials make sure it can withstand even the toughest workouts.
Pros
- UA storm technology means the tote is water-resistant
- Removable and padded HeatGear shoulder strap
- Large vented pocket for dirty shoes or gear
Cons
- One reviewer found the shoe compartment was too small for any shoes size nine or above
Best women's gym bag for colour choice
uk.gymshark.com
The Gymshark Everyday Holdall is here to help with your gym organisation with a dash of lemonade pink pizzazz. And, it's got more pockets than you have stuff for. Including a wet pocket for your sweaty gym wear, slip pockets for your work essentials, a shoe tunnel (let's face it, your kicks deserve their own VIP section), and a main entry for anything else you'll need (aka snacks). Plus, when you're ready to strut your way to the gym, it's got super comfy padded carry handles and shoulder strap.
Pros
- Available in four aesthetically pleasing colour options
- Separate pocket for wet/dirty gym gear
- Shoe tunnel
Cons
- No outside zipped pockets for small frequently-needed essentials
Best women's gym bag made with recycled materials
www.adidas.co.uk
Adidas' versatile companion offers ample storage for all your yoga essentials. Whether that be your outfit, foam bricks or water bottle. Not forgetting this bag has the option to securely strap your mat to the side to effortlessly transition from your everyday hustle to your tranquil practice. Beyond its practicality, this bag reflects Adidas' commitment to sustainability, made from a series of recycled materials with at least 40% recycled content. Thus, making your yoga experience not only mindful, but eco-friendly.
Pros
- Made with a series of recycled materials, and at least 40% recycled content
- Can strap your yoga mat to the side
- Front zip pocket
Cons
- Only one colour available (beige)
Best women's gym bag for durability
The Leolake Sports Gym Bag is made from high quality oxford fabric, which makes it extremely durable and resistant to all of life's bumps. The thoughtfully designed compartments ensure that every fitness essential, from your workout shoes to your water bottle, finds its designated space, keeping your belongings organised and easily accessible. So whether you're hitting the gym, heading to a yoga class, or embarking on a weekend getaway, this Leolake bag is there as your reliable sidekick for your active lifestyle.
Pros
- Multifunctional pockets, with shoe compartments and wet towel pouch
- Can be worn two ways: as a handbag or crossbody
- Great value
Cons
- Might be a little small for some
FAQs
What kind of bag is best for the gym?
The best women's gym bag is one that fits your individual needs and the type of workouts you tend to complete.
Gym duffel bag: A duffel bag is a classic choice of gym bag. Generally speaking, they offer a spacious main compartment and various pockets for organising your athleisurewear, trainers, water bottle, keys, the list goes on. Duffel bags are very versatile and can also double as travel bags for trips away.
Gym tote bag: A more feminine and stylish option, often equipped with multiple pockets for added storage. It's great for women who prefer a more fashionable look and need a bag that can transition seamlessly from the gym, to work, to dinner.
Drawstring bag: A benefit to a drawstring bag is that they are usually very lightweight and compact - perfect for minimalists who don't require a lot of gear. They're ideal for quick trips to the gym or during running, where you don't want to carry any added weight.
Yoga mat bag: If you're a yogi, a yoga mat bag is designed to carry your mat comfortably. Like the Gymshark Yoga bag we mentioned earlier, many also have extra pockets for your personal items and accessories.
Are tote bags good for the gym?
Tote bags are suitable for the gym, depending on your workout routine and how much stuff you usually carry. They are stylish and versatile, which has made them a popular choice for individuals who want to still look great, even if they are dripping in sweat. The only time a tote bag may not be the best option as a gym bag is if you need to bring lots of heavy equipment to your workouts, or if you want a bag that can hold an exercise mat.
What is a good size for a gym bag?
A good rule of thumb is to aim for a gym bag with dimensions around 45-60cm in length, 25-30cm in width and 25-35cm in height. This size will provide enough space to fit your leggings, sports bra, trainers, towel, toiletries and any additional items like a yoga mat or wrist weights. It's essential you find a balance between having enough room for your essentials and ensuring the bag remains manageable and easy to carry. Smaller bags may be suitable for minimalist fitness fanatics, while larger duffel bags or totes are better for those who need to carry extensive gear.
Gemma Lavers is a Health & Fitness writer for What's The Best. From understanding nutrition to practising yoga and Pilates to delving into the psychology of motivation. She enjoys demystifying the latest fitness trends and staying on top of the dynamic health landscape, whether that's the best gym leggings, fitness trackers or the benefits of yoga.
When Gemma’s not writing, she can be found attending Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes. She’s also a bit of a home workout aficionado, constantly trying out new ways to keep her moving at home. Between writing, exercising and shopping, there’s nothing she loves more than hopping on a plane and exploring new cultures.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.