Travel Gear

The Best Gym Bags For Fitness-Minded Travelers

Extra luggage can be a burden, but when your workouts are a big part of your vacations, this one is a necessity.

Of course you want to keep your load light, but your fitness gear is just as important as your other luggage. | Shutterstock

By Victor Tan Oct. 14, 2021

For avid and casual athletes alike, a gym bag is sort of like your bag of supplies. With your supplements, extra clothes, a towel and other gym essentials, bringing a gym bag on your travels is a must for keeping up with your fitness routine. Here are the best gym bags to consider ahead of your next adventure away from home.

PUMA Evercat Align Women's Duffel — It doesn't just have to be for your fitness gear if you pack with a strategy. | PUMA

You may already have enough bags as it is, so it's not always a great idea to bring another one — unless it's a lightweight gym bag that can also be easily packed away in one of your bigger bags. A key factor to consider for gym bags is their load, as you don't want to be carrying around a huge, heavy bag after an intense workout.

G4Free 40L 3-Way Duffle Backpack Gym Bag — Carrying your luggage shouldn't be a workout, so pick a style that takes a load off the arms. | G4Free

Sometimes, the most convenient way to carry a gym bag is by the traditional backpack. This leaves your hands free for other items or other bags when you are depending on yourself as the sole traveler.

Under Armour Adult Undeniable Duffle 4.0 Gym Bag — Whether jogging on the beach or climbing steeper trails to gorgeous waterfalls, you'll need something that can handle splashes. | Under Armour

A durable gym bag is important to have for both at home and on the go. At the end of the day, you want a gym bag that you can rely on for many journeys and many years to come.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Port Stanley 20 — Who says you have to tell everyone you're planning on working out? | Kenneth Cole

High-quality bags come in all shapes and sizes, but you'll know one when you see protective, durable material. That's how you know your gym essentials won't spill out of ripped or cracked bags.

OGIO Endurance Duffle Bag — For straightforward fitness agendas, pick a style that has a space for everything—and even keeps the stinky items separated. | OGIO

Depending on yourself is important in any solo traveling situation. Having extra pockets on all your bags, including your gym bag, can be extremely helpful and is a good feature to have when traveling alone.

Victor Tan is a contributing writer to Islands, an award-winning brand founded in 1980 that speaks to international travelers who have an affinity for the Caribbean and beyond. The website showcases destinations, resorts, cruises, and recommendations by the Islands' staff. Victor has a focus on the Caribbean, Mexico, and cruises. As a solo traveler, he's always looking for the best luggage and bags to make the trip easier. He's also serious about keeping up with fitness away from home, so there's no gadget he isn't willing to try.