The 11 Best Gym Bags for Leg Day and Every Other Day

A duffel bag as standard as they come, an option you most certainly can't go wrong with. Rains designed this bag to be multifunction for all of your needs; go to the gym, to work, or to a weekend getaway. This waterproof style has a side mesh pocket, a zippered front pocket, and a spacious main compartment. Choose from three different colors, with a detachable shoulder strap for easy carrying.

This super-simple duffel is an easy option for gym trips and overnights. It has a minimalist shell, which makes it usefully versatile, and comes in two smaller sizes. The big one is our favorite, though; it features a laptop sleeve, a trolley sleeve, a shoe compartment, and a removable strap.

It's tough, it's cool, it's durable—obviously, it's Carhartt WIP. The brand that makes your favorite workwear jackets also has a damn good versatile duffel, which makes for the perfect gym companion. It has a water-repellent exterior, an adjustable and detachable cross-body strap, and a D-ring carrier that's convenient for tying your shoes or water bottle to.

If you want a gym duffel that doesn't quite look like a gym duffel, that's where Steele comes in. As our commerce editor Luke Guillory says, "It makes an old-school 'I play football in the 1980s' looking gym bag." This bag doesn't just have the retro vibes down; it also has premium composition: an antimicrobial vinyl coated nylon liner that is both water and tear resistant.

If you're looking for a duffel that can go from the gym to the airport, this is the duffel for you. The water-resistant fabrication and boxy structure make it ultra durable, so it can handle anything you throw at it. With ample internal pockets, its storage capabilities don't disappoint either.

For the man that alternates a quick tennis sesh with the gym, there's nothing chicer than this Tumi bag. It's sophisticated enough that he can bring it to his work to go straight from his office to the courts, and it has a main compartment, a racket compartment, a side pocket for tennis balls, and a side water-resistant water bottle pocket. Even if you don't play tennis, you'll still get use out of this bag.

The highlight of this duffle (aside from being incredibly lightweight) is its pockets. There's a ventilated pocket and an insulated pocket—perfect for storing smelly gym shoes in one and then snacks and drinks in the other. Oh, and it's made from 51 recycled plastic water bottles, which we love.

Hikers and runners, rejoice. On answers the call for a gym bag with a smart, ergonomic style designed to hold just about everything. The laptop pocket doubles as a hydration bladder storage, compression straps and waist belt add security, and a custom molded back panel and cushioned shoulder straps give support and comfort.

If you really wanna get fancy with your gym bag (I don't blame you), invest in a full-grain-leather option. No matter how sweaty and red you get, this one from Leatherology will keep you looking good. It has padded straps, a shoe compartment, mesh storage, and a water-repellent lining, so it's okay if your water bottle spills inside. Plus, you can add personalization.

You already trust Lululemon's workout gear. How about a water-repellent, well-organized backpack to carry it all? With plenty of pocket space, a water-repellent exterior, and designated storage for your laptop, sunglasses, phone, and more, you'll use this one at far more places than just the gym.

Dagne Dover makes some of the best-quality bags on the market. This water-resistant backpack comes in all sorts of colors and sizes while keeping everything inside nice and dry. Plus, the sleek, minimalist outer easily pairs with your gym clothes or your work attire.

Fabric: Some people are going to want a water-repellent gym bag, and some are going to want full-grain leather. The fabric of your gym bag determines how you should clean it, what materials it can be exposed to, and generally how easy it is to carry to places that aren't just the gym.

Features: Some gym bags come packed with things like a laptop sleeve, shoe storage, zippered pockets, adjustable straps, and more. Others are more simplistic. Depending on your preferences and how and when you plan to use your bag (i.e., going to the gym straight after work), pay attention to what features are offered.

Our editors are marathon runners, gym rats, hikers, and more. In other words—we know what makes for a good bag to store your activewear, because we frequently use them ourselves. The bags on this list have been tried and tested by our editors and chosen out of many more options for their infallible durability, convenience, and great storage.

We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire's roundups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to gym bags, you can rest assured that we're hand-selecting styles that we've personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We've had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these bags are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don't, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.