I’ve been showering at the gym 3-5 times a week for the past 2ish years. That’s a lot of use out of one gym bag! I wrote about this process in my Locker Room Diaries post.
Actually I’ve had this LiveWell 306 Core bag since about 2009 and gotten a ton of use out of it. It’s starting to show its wear though, and so I’m hunting for a new one. My only complaint about the Core is that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder on the right side! Otherwise it’s been a great bag and has helped me sort through a must haves list.
Must Haves
Spacious – I need space for clothes, make-up bag, and shower stuff bag pouch plus extras like a vest in the winter
Separate Shoe Compartment – Would be so nice but I could use a separate shoe bag too
Water bottle pocket – My one major complaint about my current bag is that there’s no exterior water bottle pocket. Another must. I always worry it will leak!
Exterior pocket – Necessary for phone and keys. Bonus if there are more than one.
Cross-body strap – Because I am always juggling my bag, Mazen’s backpack and holding his little hand across the parking lot.
Cute – subjective but important!
The Options
LiveWell 360 The Luxx [$169]. My first stop on the tour de gym bags was actually back to LiveWell to see what other ones they have, and I found The Luxx. Love its shape, the water bottle pocket, the yoga mat strap, and the shoe compartment. It also comes in a nice slate gray. And I know I love this brand and its longevity! The most expensive of the bunch.
Athleta Go To Gym Bag [$128]. Naturally I went to Athleta, which is one of my favorite sportswear brands. It looks spacious, has a shoe compartment, and exterior pockets to hold a water bottle and my keys and phone. It’s a little hard to tell how much I’ll like it from the pictures alone though. Comes in 2 other cool colors.
Lululemon High Mileage Duffle [$128] Of course I had to stop into Lulu as well, and it doesn’t seem that either of these two high end brands has nailed it in the gym bag category. The High Mileage Duffle is the only one that seemed to fit my criteria, and I think it might even be sold out now! I’m not crazy about the shape, but I like the yoga mat storage and it seems to have a good amount of pockets.
Adidas Squad II [$37]. At this price, this bag seems like a great bargain! Amazon for the win. It also has a ton of great reviews. I have a big Adidas bag for soccer and like it, but it definitely lacks the “feel” of the higher end ones. The one fits all of my requirements though.
Asics Fit-Sana [$62]. Also at Amazon, I really like the look and price of this one! I do worry a little that the shape would be too floppy, but it seems to have a bunch of good pockets. I love the expandable pocket on the outside. It reminds me of the one on my backpack that is so convenient when I have an extra towel or jacket to pack. Love the colors/design of this one a lot! 
Adidas Studio [$49]. I love the look of this bag too! It looks spacious, lightweight and has a pretty design. Meets all the requirements – including a great price! The exterior zip pocket would be great for my phone and keys.
Which one would you buy!?
alexe says
The last one! I like the look of the first one too but would never put that much money towards a purse, let alone a gym bag… 😉
Brielle says
Without a doubt the last one. Adidas is great. I loathe Lulu and Athleta who promote spending that much on a gym bag (and clothing – but I won’t even go there) is worthwhile. No thank you.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’m totally loving the look of that last bag! My gym bag is Gaiam Everything Fits bag which I really like. I think it’s right around the $50 mark too, could be worth looking into?
Tonya says
Just googled this. That bag is pretty awesome. I love that shoe compartment. I prefer something with a cross body strap, though. Also, it seems like it would be kind of big, but I guess that’s how everything fits!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
I have this bag, too! It’s awesome and super affordable!
Lindsay says
I’ve been wanting a lululemon bag for so long. They make great use of space and I’m in love with all the pockets.
Judy says
One of my requirements is a wide zipper that exposes the entire interior of the bag. For that reason, I would not buy the Adidas Squad II or the Aspics. My choice would be the Adidas Studio for the combination of price and design.
Lisa says
You don’t have it listed, but Fivesse has a good bag with great pockets, separate shoe section, amd more. However, it does not have a cross body strap, which is a fail. The two straps are long enough to put over your shoulder, though. I got mine on ebags.
Tonya says
Oh wow! I like the last one a lot. It looks great and is affordable. I might actually get this myself!
Elise says
Maybe I’m not seeing everything in the picture, but your current gym bag looks to be in fine condition! But if you’ve decided it must go, I wouldn’t spend more than $50 on a new bag. Those first three seem outrageously priced to me.
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
I’d get one of the last two, I recently got an amazing Life Time duffle bag but it was HUGE. It wouldn’t fit in the lockers and I felt kind of ridiculous carrying it (even though I worked there.) Now I’m all about a smaller bag!
JulieL says
Have you tried 31 gifts? I have an awesome gym bag from them!
Kait says
Not sure if you’ve heard of Lole down in your neck of the woods, but your American $ would go far as it’s a Canadian brand. Their brand is high quality, similar to Lululemon.
Andrea says
1, 2 or 5. I like long straps to be able to put it all over one shoulder and be hands free !
gmtb says
LeftLaneSports (free to sign up) has the Asics Fit-Sana for $32 for a limited time.
Maureen says
Oh my goodness!! I was just searching your site 2 days ago for your opinion on gym bags (you always suggest the best things)……and then today – a gym bag post! Yeah! Still dont know what I want – they all look great but the last adidas is more in my price range. I’ll wait to see everyone’s comments too :).
Tracy says
I’m in love with my Asics fit-sana! My all time favorite gym bag. Fits all my stuff plus more.
Randi says
I too am on the quest for the perfect ‘gym’ bag, I work out on my lunch break so it must also triple as a commuter bag and hold my lunch. I like the Athleta one.
Bethany says
I just bought the Squad II and love it! I had a lot of the same requirements (especially the shoe pocket!) I ended up buying mine from Dick’s (rather than Amazon) because I got hung up on color. 🙂 There are several pockets inside and out, and for me, it’s the right size – not too big (so I can’t make it too heavy!) and yet still big enough to get my winter running gear in there.
marie says
Check out Lug bags. They are PERFECT and mine has lasted many years.
HEATHER says
ADIDAS Studio! super cute and cheap.. Currently using one from Victoria Secret. Pretty nice, but no pocket on the outside for water bottle 🙁
Tracy says
Even though it’s the most expensive, the first one is my favorite. Especially after watching the video. So many amazing features! Plus, you know it’s durable and will last you a long time. For a more reasonably-priced bag, the last Adidas bag looks nice. I have a Lulu bag and even I love it, I agree with you about the shape of this one. Not great.
Tracy says
*even though I love it…
KathEats says
Happy birthday!
Tracey says
The Lululemon bag is beautiful. I only work out at home, but I feel like I need this. 🙂
Ericka says
Check out the Gaiam Yoga Duffle Bag, I’m thinking about getting it myself but I wish it had a cross shoulder strap.
Brenda says
I started going to he gym in the fall, and I am been on a hunt for something big enough to hold clothes, toiletries, shoes AND a towel. I still haven’t found the perfect one, but this post is beyond helpful. I need to see the bag in person to visualize where everything would go, but I do like your final choice. thanks Kath!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Cute option! I just use an old Longchamp Le Pliage tote. It works great!
Amanda says
This is one of those things that I could not care less about, lol. Whatever one is cheapest!
Leona says
I agree with Marie, my lug bag is awesome.
Kate says
I have the Adidas one and it’s very functional! I go to the gym during lunch at work and it’s the perfect size.
Greta says
I’ve had gym bags (or totes used as gym bags) from Gaiam, Reebok, and Banana Republic, yet my favorite, and the one that has held up the longest? A freebie that I got from the Pike’s Peek 10K race in DC. No joke, I’ve used it every day for my gym bag to work, every race, and also as my carry-on for most flights and train trips (even for official government travel actually!) in the last 3 years, and it hasn’t shown any wear, nothing’s broken, and the 4 external zipper pockets and 2 external mesh pockets are great. It’s not the most stylish (just your run of the mill grey gym bag with the race logo on it), but I haven’t found anything that beats it. Oh, and my purse fits inside it perfectly. The tag says “Sport Science,” which I’d never even heard of.
Kelsey says
I really like the last one – the Adidas Studio – great price and I love the look of it!
Louise RD says
I’ve been on a quest for a wide-mouth gym bag–something that I can easily pack and unpack. To me, that’s more important than one with a lot of pockets. Any ideas???
Jenn says
Fabletics makes a nice gym bag. Lots of pockets!
Heather R says
I sell Thirty One gifts, we are coming out with something that might fit your needs. I would love to send you a catalog. Send me your info if you want. No obligation ????
Heather R says
Those question marks are supposed to be a smiley face.
Sarah & O-HI-30 says
I have this Gaiam bag and love it – think you would too! I get compliments on it all the time.
Sarah & O-HI-30 says
Meant to add – of the ones you shared, I love the last Adidas one!
Meg says
I have 4 of the Adidas Squad bags in a couple different sizes. They are great for the gym and for short trips as well. Highly recommend.