The 7 Best Gym Bags For Women [2024 Reviews]

Carry everything you need for a great workout, we break down this year's top women's gym bags

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

Selecting one of the best gym bags for women isn’t as simple as it sounds, once you start looking.

There are quite a few options to choose from these days, so it’s important to have a solid idea of what you’re looking for.

Not to worry, though!

We’ve done extensive research, putting these bags through the ringer, and have come up with the 7 best ladies gym bags on the market today. Let’s get started!

Best Gym Bags For Women

NIKE Gym Duffel BagSKYLE 3-Way Duffel BagAdidas Defender III Duffel Bag
editorschoice
Made From:PolyesterNylonPolyester
Shoe Compartment:NoYesNo
Carry Methods:Shoulder & HandShoulder, Backpack & HandShoulder & Hand
Pockets:233

For more of my workout gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Women’s Workouts guide links: Gym Gloves, Weight Lifting Shoes, CrossFit Shoes.

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Women’s Gym Bags For 2024

  1. NIKE Women’s Gym Duffel Bag
  2. Skyle 3-Way Duffel Bag Backpack
  3. Adidas Defender III Duffel Bag
  4. Vooray Burner Compact Gym Bag
  5. Boost Sports Gym Bag
  6. Jadyn B Barrel Women’s Duffel Bag
  7. Malirona Gym Bag

We’ve reviewed the 7 top rated women’s gym bags, followed by a comparison table and buying guide to help you decide on the one that will work best for you.


Women’s Gym Bag Reviews

NIKE Women’s Gym Club Duffel Bag at a Glance:

  • Fashionable & trendy design
  • 15 colors and styles
  • Features shorter handles and one longer shoulder strap
  • Lightweight yet durable

We all know that Nike puts out high-quality ladies sports bags, and their Womens Club Black White Gym Bag is no exception. The bag comes in 15 stunning colors, among which, include: Sander Blue, Rush Pink/White, Atmosphere Grey/Rush Coral, Obsidian/Neon Turquoise, and many more.

If you’re on a team and are looking to find a color to match your uniform, chances are you won’t have a problem. It’s definitely an item that will make you stand out, yet enhance your already-existing style.

The bag is made of a very durable material, that you can tell is high-quality, and put together well, so you can really throw it through the ringer and not have to worry about it disintegrating or falling apart.

The straps are nice and long, and fit over the shoulder well, without being uncomfortable. It comes with two shorter handles and one longer strap, so you have some options with how you carry it. The bag is very lightweight, so really the only thing you’ll be carrying is the weight of your clothes, shoes, and sports items.

It’s perfect for just about any sport you can imagine, and is just as great for daily workouts or travel. It features a large main pocket, along with plenty of smaller pockets to hold things like goggles, socks, valuables, and more.

It is a bit more expensive than some of our other gym bags, but if you’re looking for a very trendy bag that’s going to last you a while, this is it.


SKYLE 3-Way Travel Duffel Bag Backpack at a Glance:

  • Can be used a backpack
  • Separate shoe compartment
  • Thick, protective mat at bottom and in side pockets
  • Lightweight yet good-sized capacity
  • Various pockets to keep organized

If you’re on the hunt for one of the most versatile gym backpacks on the market today, then look no further than the 3-Way Travel Duffel Bag Backpack. It comes in 6 attractive colors: Purple, Pink, Cyan, Blue, Black, and Army Green, so there’s something to fit everyone’s tastes.

The material itself is quite durable, and is of high-density nylon, which is both wear-resistant and rip-stop, making it perfect for daily use, travel, gym trips, and much more.

One of the reasons it caught our eye as one of the best gym tote bags, is due to its versatility. You can choose to carry it three ways: as a duffle bag, a shoulder bag, or your traditional backpack style. With the two hidden, padded straps in the back, you can easily convert it into a backpack.

The detachable shoulder strap also easily turns it into a shoulder bag so you can have your hands free to do whatever else. The straps themselves are breathable, and thick enough that it won’t cut into your skin.

Changing the different carrying styles around is quite easy to do, as they’re simple to adjust, they lock firmly, and the two-way zipper moves smoothly, and is made of high-quality material. In addition, they’ve added in a thick, protective mat at the bottom and in the side pockets to make sure your electronics or more fragile items go unharmed.

It’s decent sized bag at 22.85” x 9.8 x 11”, and weighing just under than 1.5 pounds. The way the bag is set up, is with one large, U-shaped opening for easy access, 2 front zipper pockets to store smaller items, an inner pocket for valuables, one inner shoe compartment, and a little zipper bag at the opposite end.

It’s very easy to be well-organized, and keep your things to where you can access them immediately.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a great ladies gym bag for travel, camping, school, obviously the gym, and more, this is best gym backpack!


Adidas Defender III Duffel Bag at a Glance:

  • Comes in a huge variety of colors and sizes
  • Made of durable 100% 3D ripstop polyester
  • FreshPAK technology resists bacterial odors

Adidas is one of the biggest household names not only in the sports world, now, but it’s only natural that we include one of their products here, and their Defender III Duffel Bag is their best, in our opinion.

Coming in a whopping 38 colors, we guarantee you will find a color scheme that you like, or that matches your uniform, if you’re using it for sports.

The multi-purpose duffel comes in either Small, Medium, or Large, so you can choose the best size that works for your needs and lifestyle. Take it to school, traveling, hiking, or to your games; it’s perfect for whatever you need!

Made of 100% polyester, you can be assured that this gym tote bag lasts you for many years to come. It is very resistant against tears, and squishing it into tight spaces.

In addition, it features FreshPAK technology to resist bacteria, which makes it great for eliminating odors, as well. If you’re worried about room, don’t.

With 2 zippered end pockets and a zippered external pocket, you can easily store your little stuff. The main compartment is very roomy, and stands tall so you can easily fit whatever you need in without trouble.

You have the option of using the two haul handles for easy transportation, or using the padded, removable shoulder strap which is located in the end pocket of the bag.

They’ve made these nice and sturdy, with reinforced 3D ripstop material made to stand up to even the roughest users.


Vooray Trainer Compact Gym Bag at a Glance:

  • Water-resistant, durable exterior
  • Ventilated side shoe pocket
  • Padded, faux fur-lined media pocket
  • Attractive designs

One of the most fashionable gym bags out there, is undoubtedly the Vooray Trainer Compact Gym Bag. Just at first glance, you can tell it’s one of the most unique, high-quality bags you’re going to find.

It comes in five different patterns: Gray Cherry Blossom, Black Marble, Rose Black, Rose Gray, and Rose Navy. They all look high-class, yet vary a bit depending on what style suits you the most.

This isn’t your typical women’s gym bag.

It may be pretty, but it’s made with the user in mind. Sure, it’s luxurious, but it’s durable enough to use in sports-like settings, or for use as a carry-on for travel. The quality is impressive, in every aspect. All of the zippers are metal, and the hooks and clips to attach the shoulder strap are, as well.

The bag is made of durable nylon, as well, and is reinforced well in all the right spots. However, the bottom isn’t hard like a board, like some are, which is perfect if you need to fit it into a small gym locker or overhead compartment on a plane.

It is, however, water-resistant, so if you’re standing in the rain, you won’t have to worry about your clothes and valuables getting soaked through.

Ventilated side shoe pockets are handy to have, ensuring your clothes and electronics don’t get dirty, and the fact that they’re ventilated means you won’t have damp shoes smelling up the bag.

The leather magnetic handles are soft, and the magnets are a nice little addition to keep everything organized and easy to handle. They’ve even thought to include a padded, faux fur-lined media pocket, to ensure your electronics are protected against scratches, and anything else they might encounter.


Boost Sports Womens Gym Bag

Boost Sports Gym Bag at a Glance:

  • Lightweight, comfortable bag
  • Separate shoe compartment
  • Multifunctional pockets with a wet towel pouch
  • Bargain priced

If you’re searching for one of the best ladies gym bags on a budget and don’t know where to look, check out the Sports Gym Bag by Boost.

Most at this price range are flimsy, poorly-made, and don’t look attractive, which is why it can be discouraging trying to find one while trying to save money.

This gym tote bag has changed the game, with a stylish design perfect for women or men, and coming in 4 colors: Pink, Purple, Grey, and Blue.

It is made out of high-quality Oxford fabric, that looks classy and pairs well with a dressed-up outfit, just as well as gym clothes. It’s not just looks, though. It’s also great for storing as it easily folds, it’s very breathable, wear-resistant, and waterproof, so all of your clothes and other valuables will be safe.

The gym duffel bag works great for camping, sports, hiking, the gym, yoga, and pretty much any other outdoor or activity where you’re going to be active.

As far as compartments go, you’ll get a big main compartment where you can keep a change of gym clothes, a shoe compartment so they don’t interfere with your clothes and electronics, a wet towel pouch to keep everything dry that should be, and more.

The strap is also easily adjustable and is quite comfortable, if you need to carry if for longer periods of time.


Jadyn B Barrel Women’s Duffel Bag at a Glance:

  • Well-made with high-quality fabrics
  • Trendy, beautiful designs with 6 colors available
  • Internal zippered pocket, exterior front-access pocket

If you’re still searching for a great budget women’s gym bag but want something a little more fashionable than a sporty bag, check out the Jadyn B 19” Barrel Women’s Duffel Bag.

It comes in 6 different colors/patterns, that you’re sure to love: Yellow Flowers, Tropical Vintage, Tropical Black, Navy Floral, Gray Floral, and Arrow Tails Gray.

Each one of them has their own “mood” and all look very sophisticated.

The bag features a large main pocket, a zip=enclosed interior pocket for keys, ID, and other valuables, as well as an easy-access front pocket to hold everything you’ll need within short notice.

It also has a 13” handle drop, and includes an adjustable shoulder strap, if that’s the way you prefer to carry your things. We were actually a bit surprised at how much room you’ll have even after putting in your clothes and gym equipment.

All in all, if you are having trouble finding a stylish gym bag with a low price tag, then we feel there’s really no better option than this one.

You’ll be shocked at how well-made this bag is, considering there are bags out there at twice the price, that don’t even hold a candle to this one. It’s very high-quality, thick, and will last you for a long time.


Malirona Gym Bag at a Glance:

  • Durable canvas
  • Carry handles and detachable, adjustable shoulder strap
  • Separate shoe compartment
  • Large main opening is easy to access items quickly

One of the biggest hurdles when using a gym duffel bag is trying not to get your clothes dirty from touching your shoes. Sure, you could put them in a plastic bag, but honestly, it’s just too much of a hassle.

One of our favorite features in the Malirona Canvas Duffel, is the fact that it makes it easy to organize your shoes and clothes, with a separate shoe compartment that’s convenient, and fits just about any type or size of shoe you plan on bringing.

Made of foldable canvas, it’s quite simple to store away when you’re not using it. It’s also very durable, and won’t rip easily like many comparable cute gym bags.

Speaking of stylish, this bag has a gorgeous printed floral pattern, called “Bohemian Flower”. It can be easily used in sports settings, but is pretty enough to easily pair with “nicer” outfits, as well.

With the large, U-shaped opening in this women’s gym bag with shoe compartment, you don’t have to go digging around to try and find something, like you do with bags with smaller openings, or backpacks.

Once you unzip it, you can literally see everything, which is great if you are playing in a game and need to grab something quickly or are traveling and need to grab your ID or boarding pass right away.

The zipper has a double slider, that also helps with the ease of opening the bag so you don’t have to worry about snagging.

In addition to the separate shoe compartment and the main, it comes with a side-open pouch. It can easily fit one set of clothes, a water bottle, a towel, and a toiletries/makeup bag, as well; essentially everything you need.

Carrying it is easy, too, as you can choose between the short carry handles, or using the detachable, 47” adjustable shoulder strap for hands-free, convenient transportation. Overall the Malirona is our Editors Choice as the best gym bag for women!


Women’s Gym Bag Comparison Table

Women's Gym BagMaterialShoe PocketPocketsCarryRating
Malirona Gym BagCanvasYes3Shoulder & Hand4.7 / 5.0
SKYLE 3-Way Duffel BagNylonYes3Shoulder, Backpack & Hand4.3 / 5.0
NIKE Women’s Gym BagPolyesterNo2Shoulder & Hand4.7 / 5.0
Vooray Burner Gym BagNylonYes3Shoulder & Hand4.5 / 5.0
Boost Sports Gym BagOxford fabricYes3Shoulder & Hand4.8 / 5.0
Jadyn B Barrel Duffel BagCotton/polyesterNo3Shoulder & Hand4.6 / 5.0
Adidas Defender IIIPolyesterNo4Shoulder & Hand4.3 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Women’s Gym Bag

best womens gym bag

If you’re still wondering which of the women’s gym bags are right for you, don’t worry! We’ve taken it upon ourselves to write a buying guide to help make sure you know exactly why and what you should select for your needs.

Material

Gym bags vary widely in their material, and depending on what you’ll be using it for, it could either end up being your favorite bag, or one you never use. If you’re going to be using it for sports, such as swimming, or putting wet or damp items in your bag, you’re definitely not going to want to choose leather.

Most polyester bags are water-resistant, and are very durable, as well. Some high-density nylon is also great in these situations, and are quite easy and quick to clean, making it convenient. Leather bags are a good idea if you’re just going to carry dry things, but they can also absorb odor, so be careful.

Size

Most of the bags on our list come in just one size, but there are some that come in various sizes. If you’re just going to be using yours to carry around a couple of smaller items, then a small is definitely the one for you.

Medium works for most people, as you can typically fit in the essentials, like a change of clothes, gloves, a small towel, and usually even a pair of gym shoes.

Large is great if you need to fit in large pieces of sports equipment, lifting shoes, leggings, or more than one change of clothes, and you’ll probably still have room left over. It’s also a great size if you’ll be using it for traveling, as well.

Price

It’s always a good idea to set a budget in your mind before even going window shopping. Set the price and stick to it, so you don’t end up with any kind of buyer’s remorse if for some reason you’re not 100% satisfied with your new ladies’ gym bag.

No matter what you need, we can assure you you’ll find something within your budget on our guide. For just over $20, in fact, you can find some of the most well-made bags we’ve seen on the market, today. It just depends on what your preferences are.

Type/Size of Compartments

Once again, think about what you’ll be using your bag for. Are you going to be packing it full of items? You may want to ensure your bag has a large, U-shaped or standing compartment so you can easily see everything you have inside without having to dig around.

In addition, if you’re going to be carrying valuables with you, make sure it has an inside zip pocket to keep everything secure. Finally, if you’re carrying electronics, it never hurts to have a dedicated media pocket that’s padded and lined to protect them from scratches!

Final Thoughts

So, which one of these was the best ladies’ gym bag for you? For us, it was difficult to choose, because they were all so beautiful, sturdy, and easy to use.

However, there were a couple which particularly stood out to us. The first one, is the Adidas Defender III Duffel Bag. It comes in a huge amount of different color schemes and a few various sizes to choose from, so you have a better chance of purchasing something that fits your needs.

Not only that, but it’s very durable, made of high-quality material, and can be used for sports, travel, school, the office, or any other situation. The second, was the Vooray Burner. It’s a bit more compact, but is the prettiest gym bag we’ve ever seen.

It’s very well-made, and will stand up to a lot of wear and tear. It has various pockets to easily organize and separate your things, including a shoe compartment. If you’re still on-the-fence about which one to purchase, you really can’t go wrong with either one of these.

If you need something for more portability or more storage, consider a dedicated gym backpack. So, which one of these stylish women’s gym bags will be making their way into your home?

How We Researched

To come up with the top women’s gym bags, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Walmart, Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources


Notice:

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Ericka Parker

Ericka started her career as a personal trainer over 20 years ago and her goal was to help people become healthy, happy and fit. To do this she would find out their goals and provide the tools and routines to help them reach them. As her career progressed, she added yoga training to her skills to help her clients achieve mindfulness and help with clients mobility. To help more people she started bestwomensworkouts.com to help other people achieve their fitness goals with advice, tips and fitness equipment reviews.
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