The 15 Best Gym Bags for Women of 2023

Best Overall

FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0 Duffel Bag

This may not be the sexiest gym bag on the market, but it checks all the boxes: There are 10 total compartments to keep all your gear organized (including a dedicated shoe pocket that fits up to men’s size 14s and a wet pocket for swimsuits or sweaty sports bras); mesh pockets on the outside were designed to hold a 32-ounce water bottle and a standard size protein shaker so you don’t skimp on hydration or refueling.

Price at time of publish: $30

Size: 20” x 11” x 10.5” | Colors: 8 | Shoe Compartment: Yes | Material: Unlisted

Best Budget

Nike Brasilia 9.5 Duffel Bag

Nike’s Brasilia Duffel Bag rings up at under $50, but has all the essentials of a more expensive bag: a zippered main compartment; a separate, zippered inner compartment to keep your shorts or sweaty workout clothes from stinking up the rest of your stuff; a coated bottom that protects anything stored inside; and outer pockets so you can easily stash your keys or phone on the go. It’s also available in a smaller and larger size.

Price at time of publish: $42

Size: 25” x 12” x 12” | Colors: 3 | Shoe Compartment: Yes | Material: Polyester

Best Splurge

MZ Wallace Nik

MZ Wallace’s bags are perennially popular among gym-goer’s because they don’t look like a gym bag, but they easily store anything you could possibly need during a workout. There are seven exterior pockets, nine interior pockets (including one that fits a 16-inch laptop), a luggage sleeve that turns it into a cross-body bag; and a key ring strap so you don’t waste time digging. And it’s made from the brand’s signature lightweight material, that’s foldable and water- and stain-resistant. “An investment for sure, but MZ Wallace bags are some of my favorites,” says Shannon Bauer, InStyle senior commerce editor. “This duffle is practical and stylish and looks brand new several years after I got it. I also get endless compliments on my yoga matt bag from the brand.”

Price at time of publish: $315

Size: 16.93” x 7.09” x 12.20” | Colors: 6 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: REC Oxford

Best with Shoe Compartment

ICEIVY Gym Duffle Bag

The updated version of ICEIVY’s highly rated gym bag has an expanded storage capacity, complete with a built-in, zippered shoe compartment with venting to let out any post-workout stink. And the main compartment is divided into two pockets: one for your dry stuff, and one for any wet gear. Depending on how much you stuff inside, hold this bag by the straps, add the detachable shoulder strap to turn it into a crossbody or shoulder bag, or wear it as a backpack.

Price at time of publish: $28

Size: 19” x 10.2” x 8.7” | Colors: 9 | Shoe Compartment: Yes | Material: Unlisted

Best Duffel

Alo Yoga Traverse Duffel

You can’t go wrong with a classic duffle, especially one made from hardy neoprene. It has both an interior and exterior zip pocket for tucking away anything important, but you can toss anything else into the roomy main compartment. It’s also structured enough to stand in as an overnight bag, with a detachable carrying strap that makes hauling it around a little less tough on your hands.

Price at time of publish: $158

Size: 17.75″ x 8″ x 10.5″ | Colors: 1 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Neoprene, polyester

Best Small

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

Dagne Dover’s Landon carryall is so sleek and chic, it’s hard to think of as a gym bag. It still has enough space to hold a change of clothes and includes breathable pockets and pouches to store everything from water bottles to headphones. But before you think it’s too nice to dirty up with your gym gear, know that it’s made from durable, water-resistant neoprene and lined in a waterproof material made from recycled bottles—so it can handle your sweatiest activities. The medium The small and medium are popular sizes for gym bags but it also comes in extra small (purse size), large, and extra large, so you can select based on your size needs. 

InStyle editors are huge fans of Dagne Dover (in fact, our whole team uses the backpack for work), and the Landon Carryall is no exception. “The medium size is my go-to gym bag,” says Bauer. “I can fit my work laptop, change of clothes and shower supplies without feeling like I’m lugging a massive duffle bag around all day.” Samantha Brash InStyle Director of Content Strategy says, “The strap is the perfect length and I love how the snaps on the sides of the bag make it more compact without sacrificing space on the inside.”

Price at time of publish: $150

Size: 12” x 6” x 7.5” | Colors: 6 | Shoe Compartment: no | Material: neoprene, air mesh, and polyester

Best Backpack

lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0 23L

If you’re racing from a yoga class to the office, a gym session to dinner, or biking to errands on the weekend, you need a bag that keeps up—and keeps you hands free. A backpack is an easy solution and this one from Lululemon was designed with an on-the-go individual in mind. The small pocket on the top is great for keys or lip balm and the front pocket is the right size for items you need in easy reach. The interior is spacious, but not too bulky, with a laptop sleeve. An exterior side pocket for water bottles allows for quick access to refuel. This is an editor-favorite bag.

Price at time of publish: $98

Size: 11.4″ x 5.9″ x 16.5″ | Colors: 2 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Recycled polyester, nylon

Best Extra Large Bag

Away The Packable Carryall

Away knows a thing or two about bags, and this carryall is no exception—it’s big enough to hold multiple pieces of clothing plus shoes, but smushes to the size of a tiny zip pouch. It’s the perfect bag to pack if you’re going to be hitting the gym on vacation (it even has a built-in trolley sleeve that secures to your suitcase if you’re using it as a carryon). And since it’s made from water-resistant recycled nylon, you don’t have to worry about it getting dinged up on the go.

Price at time of publish: $75

Size: 15″ x 19.7″ x 9″ | Colors: 5 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Recycled nylon

Best for Crossfit

Rogue Gym Bag

Rogue is one of the biggest names in the CrossFit biz, so it makes sense that they’d have their gym bags on lock. This is a traditional duffle designed to take a beating, just like your muscles on leg day; it’s made from 1000D Cordura, a lightweight nylon fabric that’s way stronger than it looks. Load it up with your weight belt, grips, lifting shoes, and more and you’ve got two carrying options: two handles or an adjustable and fully removable shoulder strap.

Price at time of publish: $80

Size: 24” x 10” x 10” | Colors: 2 | Shoe Compartment: no | Material: Cordura nylon

Best for Boxing

Elite Convertible Boxing Gear Gym Bag and Backpack

Anyone who’s thrown a punch in a boxing gym knows how smelly those gloves can get. Good thing Elite Sports built an expandable mesh compartment into this bag, so all your gear can air out on the go without transferring odors into the main compartment. There’s also a hardshell pocket for valuables so things like your sunglasses and phone don’t see any abuse when you toss the bag around.  

Price at time of publish: $75

Size: 9” x 16” x 19” | Colors: 3 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Polyester

Best for Yoga

Caraa Yoga Tote

A luxury option similar to MZ Wallace’s bag, Caraa’s Yoga Tote (formerly known as Sport Tote)—which converts to a backpack via removable straps—is crafted from a water-resistant Italian nylon and features Italian leather detailing to upgrade your gym experience. Inside, the bag is lined with antimicrobial nylon to combat any odors; there’s also a separate shoe compartment, and plenty of space leftover to carry your own yoga block with you. Hidden yoga mat straps make travel to and from the studio hands-free. “I have used the Caraa tote as my commuter bag for years,” Bauer says. It converts from tote to backpack if it gets too heavy or I need to be hands free and the details make it look more high-end than a typical utilitarian bag.”

Price at time of publish: $318

Size: Unlisted | Colors: 1 | Shoe Compartment: Yes | Material: Nylon

Best for Swimmers

Speedo Teamster 2.0

Of course Speedo’s most popular bag would support every swimmer’s need. There are multiple pockets to keep wet suits, caps, and goggles separate from any other gear—including your laptop, which has its own dedicated sleeve. And with an abrasion-resistant shell and water-resistant bottom, you can rest easy tossing this bag around the pool area. There’s also a huge range of colors to show off your personality as well. 

Price at time of publish: $85

Size: 20” x 17” | Colors: 12 | Shoe Compartment: no | Material: polyester

Best for Tennis or Pickleball

Ytonet Tennis Bag

Whether a pickleball novice or a tennis pro, this bag is love-all. The main compartment has an opening at the top for the tennis racket handle to stick out and can hold up to two rackets or six pickleball paddles. There are also separate pockets for balls, a phone, and large front pocket for other needed items. A small exterior water bottle sleeve, anti-theft zipper, and a hook for hanging your bag on a fence rounds it out. It is available in six colors at an affordable price on Amazon.  

Price at time of publish: $30

Size: 13” x 5.5” x 19.3” | Colors: 6 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Polyester

Best Yoga Mat Bag

Athleta Flow Freely Crossbody Yoga Bag

Bags you can slip your yoga mat into and be on your way to class are often the best if that is your modality of choice. This bag has a little something extra in the form of a large side pocket for yoga towels, mat spray, or even a water bottle. The bag has a zipper all along the side (rather than an opening at the top) that makes it simple to slip your mat into the bag without spending five minutes wrestling it into place. You can carry it as a backpack or like a tote, too. 

Price at time of publish: $109

Size: 27″ x W: 5″ x H: 5″ | Colors: 2 | Shoe Compartment: No | Material: Recycled nylon ripstop