The 6 Best Gym Bags of 2024
Best for
Made to withstand a lifetime of abuse, this bag was the toughest we tested. Its many compartments let you keep clean clothing separate from sweaty towels and sneakers, and it has a lifetime warranty.
The KNKG Plus Duffel is best for a dedicated gym goer or heavy lifter who needs a bag to stand up to years of being shoved in and out of lockers without breaking.
It’s tough. This bag has been our top pick for five years running. During our testing, the competitive lifters we interviewed all gravitated to the KNKG Plus Duffel, drawn by its durability and strength. Just holding this bag, we felt a noticeable difference in quality compared with every other bag we tested. The 1,000-denier nylon is thicker and more robust than the nylon used in other sport bags: It’s like the difference between a school knapsack and a thick canvas duffle bag. (The term denier refers to the thickness of the fibers in a fabric; the higher the denier number, the stronger the fabric.) The sturdiness of the bag is evident in the details, as well, from its double-stitched seams to its all-metal fasteners.
It’s well organized. Most gym bags are made to be somewhat disposable—inevitably, odors, stains, and the weird abuse they sustain wears them out. Before we tested the KNKG Plus Duffel, we wouldn’t have considered spending three figures on a gym bag, but it won us over not only with its durable materials and strong construction but also with its clever organization options. In addition to its main compartment, the Plus Duffel, which has an overall capacity of just over 30 liters, comes with four accessory pockets (one button-sealed for clumsy hands), a stretch catchall, and a shoe compartment. KNKG also makes internal dividers if you want to keep things even more separated. If you’re a powerlifter, the similar KNKG Core Duffel comes with an integrated weight-belt attachment.
It’s tough. (Did we mention that?) In our destructive testing, squat world-record holder Roy Glenn took one look at the original model of this bag, threw up his hands, and emphatically declared that there was no way he could tear it apart. Every corner of this bag is built to last, from the zipper points to the seams, and it should stand up to years of abuse. The Plus Duffel comes with a practical lifetime warranty as long as the original purchaser is still in possession of the bag, which should be plenty of coverage for even the most dedicated gym buff.
It comes in multiple sizes. KNKG also makes the same bag in larger, 45-liter and 63-liter models.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s pricey. The cost may raise a few eyebrows, but considering the Plus Duffel’s durability and quality, it’s worth the investment. And the truth is, after years of testing and comparing bags of all types and prices, we have found many, many cheaper gym bags that are just that: cheap and not worth even their low price. But you’ll probably want to pair the Plus Duffel with a plastic shopping bag or a dry bag to protect its nylon against your dirty gear or wet post-workout towel.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11 by 18 by 11 inches (LWD)
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Capacity: 33 liters
- Warranty: “practical lifetime”
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