Ranked on carry comfort, laptop protection, and how much of a session the pack actually holds.
The Best Gym Backpacks (2026)
Gym backpacks compared: packs that carry well on foot or by bike, with laptop sleeves and room for a session.
Our top picks at a glance
Best gym backpack overall
Under Armour Hustle 5.0 BackpackCommuters, cyclists, and anyone who walks to the gym and wants both hands free.
Best gym backpack for lifters
Gymreapers Gravestone 21L Backpack Travel Gym BagLifters who want a compact backpack with a laptop sleeve, and anyone who trains before or after work.
Best classic gym backpack
JanSport Right Pack Backpack NavyCommuters who want a proven backpack, and anyone who prefers a simple pack with no gym-specific fuss.
The Under Armour Hustle 5.0 is the gym backpack pick: a 29 litre pack with a padded laptop sleeve and a water-repellent finish. The Gymreapers Gravestone 21L is the pick for lifters who want a compact water-resistant pack, and the JanSport Right Pack is the classic pick.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Capacity | Laptop sleeve | Material | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best gym backpack overallUnder Armour Hustle 5.0 Backpack | 29 litres | Padded, up to 15 inches | 600D polyester | Check price |
| Best gym backpack for liftersGymreapers Gravestone 21L Backpack Travel Gym Bag | 21 litres | Padded | - | Check price |
| Best classic gym backpackJanSport Right Pack Backpack Navy | 31 litres | Padded, up to 15 inches | 600D polyester | Check price |
Best gym backpack overall
Under Armour Hustle 5.0 Backpack
The backpack pick: a 29 litre pack with a padded 15 inch laptop sleeve and a water-repellent finish, built for the walk to the gym.
Strengths
- The two-strap carry spreads the load across both shoulders, which beats any duffel on a long walk or a bike ride.
- The padded laptop sleeve takes a 15 inch laptop, so the same bag covers the gym and the office.
- The water-repellent finish and the tough base keep the bag dry and clean through daily use.
Limitations
- There is no separate ventilated shoe compartment, so trainers go in the main compartment with everything else.
- At 29 litres it holds a session, but not a weekend of kit, and bulky items have to be left out.
- The front organisation pocket is shallow, and a thick wallet or a large phone fills it fast.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners say the two-strap carry is comfortable on long walks
- Many like the padded laptop sleeve for gym and office in one bag
- Buyers praise the water-repellent finish for rainy commutes
Common complaints
- Some find there is no separate place for shoes
- A few say the front pocket is shallow for a thick wallet
- Some note the bag fills up fast with bulky kit
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 29 litres |
|---|---|
| Laptop sleeve | Padded, up to 15 inches |
| Material | 600D polyester |
| Finish | Water-repellent |
| Colour | Black/Silver |
Best for: Commuters, cyclists, and anyone who walks to the gym and wants both hands free.
Skip if: You carry bulky kit like a foam roller, or you need a separate shoe compartment.
Best gym backpack for lifters
Gymreapers Gravestone 21L Backpack Travel Gym Bag
The lifters' backpack: a tough 21 litre water-resistant pack with a laptop sleeve, built for the gym floor and the trip after it.
Strengths
- The water-resistant shell and the structured shape hold up on the gym floor and in the rain on the way home.
- The laptop sleeve and the organised pockets mean the same bag covers training and the office without a second bag.
- At 21 litres it is compact enough to sit on a bench or in a small locker, and it never feels oversized.
Limitations
- At 21 litres it holds a session but not a weekend, and a belt, straps, and shoes fill it fast.
- There is no separate shoe compartment, so trainers share the main space with clean clothes.
- The skull branding is loud, and it will not suit buyers who want a plain bag.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners say the structured shell holds its shape on the gym floor
- Many like the laptop sleeve for training before or after work
- Buyers praise the compact size for fitting a small locker
Common complaints
- Some find the bag fills up fast with a belt and straps
- A few say there is no separate place for shoes
- Some note the skull branding is too loud for the office
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 21 litres |
|---|---|
| Finish | Water-resistant |
| Laptop sleeve | Padded |
| Use | Gym, travel, and carry-on |
| Colour | Onyx |
Best for: Lifters who want a compact backpack with a laptop sleeve, and anyone who trains before or after work.
Skip if: You carry a lot of kit, or you need a separate ventilated shoe compartment.
Best classic gym backpack
JanSport Right Pack Backpack Navy
The classic pick: a 31 litre backpack with a suede leather bottom and a 15 inch laptop sleeve, unchanged for good reason.
Strengths
- The design has been proven over decades, and the suede leather bottom protects the bag where it gets set down.
- The padded 15 inch laptop sleeve and the front organisation pocket cover work and gym in one bag.
- The 31 litre main compartment holds a session and a change of clothes, and the bag sits comfortably on both shoulders.
Limitations
- There is no shoe compartment and no wet pocket, so trainers and damp kit go in with clean clothes.
- The suede bottom needs care and will mark if it is dragged across rough ground.
- It is a daypack first, and it will not hold a foam roller or a pair of lifting shoes plus a full change.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners say the suede bottom protects the bag where it gets set down
- Many like the padded laptop sleeve for work and gym in one bag
- Buyers praise the comfortable fit on both shoulders
Common complaints
- Some find there is no place to separate shoes
- A few say the suede bottom needs care on rough ground
- Some note the bag will not hold bulky gym kit
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 31 litres |
|---|---|
| Laptop sleeve | Padded, up to 15 inches |
| Bottom | Suede leather |
| Material | 600D polyester |
| Colour | Navy |
Best for: Commuters who want a proven backpack, and anyone who prefers a simple pack with no gym-specific fuss.
Skip if: You need a shoe compartment, or you carry bulky gym kit that needs a duffel.
Questions, answered
Is a backpack or a duffel better for the gym?
A backpack is better if you walk, cycle, or take transit to the gym, because two straps spread the load and leave both hands free. A duffel is better if you drive, because it loads faster and holds bulky kit. The trade-off is the shoe compartment: duffels separate shoes, while the backpacks here do not.
Can a gym backpack hold shoes?
Yes, in the main compartment, but that is the compromise: trainers share the space with clean clothes. A shoe bag inside the pack helps, and a plastic bag works in a pinch. If shoe separation matters to you, a duffel is the better shape, and the Nike Brasilia is the pick.
What size backpack do I need for the gym?
Most people need 21 to 31 litres: enough for shoes, a change of clothes, a towel, and a laptop if the bag covers work. A 21 litre pack suits a light session. A 29 to 31 litre pack suits a full session plus a laptop. Anything bigger is a duffel job, not a backpack job.