Best Backpack For Gym and Work

Looking for the best backpack for gym and work? Sticking to a regular workout routine can be challenging. Many people find success in this endeavor by going to the gym before or after work.

In order to make a seamless transition from the gym to the office, you need to bring everything you’ll need for both work and working out with you when you leave your home in the morning.

While some gym rats opt for duffel bags, others seek out backpacks for gym and work because of the ergonomics, specialized compartments, and professional look they provide. These backpacks need to be spacious enough to fit a laptop and gym gear, and durable enough to last the wear and tear of a commute.

If you’re looking for a backpack that can take you from the conference room to the weight room, look no further. We’ve rounded up the best backpacks for gym and work to help you spend less time scouring reviews, and more time reaching your work and fitness goals.

How We Researched the Best Backpack For Gym and Work

28 Expert Reviews Considered
1,092 Consumer Reviews Considered
7 Hours Researching
58 Products Evaluated

Best Backpack For Gym and Work 3 Features to Look for in Backpacks for Gym and Work Special

1. Laptop Compartment

All of the best backpacks for gym and work have a laptop compartment. Internal laptop pockets are essential for transporting tech gear safely and comfortably from your home, to the gym, and to the office.

When your laptop is secured snuggly in a padded laptop sleeve that’s built into your backpack, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it won’t move around and get damaged by other objects in your bag.

Strategically-placed laptop compartments are also critical to the comfort of the wearer in this kind of backpack. Well-designed laptop pockets are placed closest to the back of the bag in order to ensure proper weight distribution for a pleasant carrying experience. Because laptops are often the heaviest item in a professional’s backpack, the ergonomics of the laptop sleeve should not be overlooked.

A pocket for your laptop charger is a great bonus feature of the best backpacks for gym and work.

2. Shoe Compartment

A dedicated shoe compartment is an important component of a good gym-to-office backpack. This handy feature provides a simple solution for storing bulky footwear and helps keep clean gear separate from dirty gear.

When shoes are placed in the main compartment of a backpack, they take up a lot of space and make it difficult for other things to be placed into the bag. Shoe compartments make it possible to transport footwear while freeing up space in the rest of your backpack.

These storage components are also great for maintaining good hygiene. Not only can shoe compartments be used for transporting sneakers, but they can also be used for storing sweaty gym clothes. Because shoe compartments are typically located at the bottom of the best backpacks for gym and work, they prevent unpleasant odors from spilling into the main compartment, where you might be storing your clean clothes or lunch.

3. Spacious Capacity

The best backpacks for gym and work need to be able to hold a lot of things. If you’re a busy professional, chances are that your backpack will accompany you beyond the office and the gym. You’ll take it with you on your commute and maybe also to a post-work event like happy hour, professional networking, or dinner with friends.

It is crucial for your gym-to-work backpack to be spacious so that it can fit everything you need for one day. Ideally this bag will be able to hold gym clothes and sneakers, work clothes and shoes, a laptop, a packed lunch, and maybe even a change of clothes for after-work activities.

High capacity is a crucial feature of an effective backpack for gym and work. Our top-rated backpacks can fit more than 20 L of gear and include strategically designed compartments that maximize volume. Does your current backpack do that?

Best Backpack For Gym and Work Top 5: Best Backpacks For Gym and Work

Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

If you’re looking for the best backpack for gym and work, the stellar Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is a great place to start, and odds are that you won’t have to look further. This backpack has many compartments, including the all-important laptop compartment, whose padding ensures that your laptop will stay safe while you’re at the gym. There’s also a spacious, gusseted pocket at the bottom of the bag for shoes or laundry, which will help you go seamlessly from the gym to the office. This backpack is an all-round winner and our top pick.

  • Padded laptop sleeve holds laptops up to 15”
  • Spacious pocket at bottom of bag for shoes or laundry
  • Adjustable shoulder straps provide extra comfort
  • Subtle branding for a professional look
  • Highly water-resistant finish thanks to UA Storm technology
  • Some reviewers wanted sternum straps

Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack

Product place
Runner Up
Product rating

The Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack is a top contender for best backpack for gym and work thanks to its clever compartments and ergonomic features. This backpack has a spacious laptop compartment, two water bottle pockets, and a ventilated shoe compartment to fill your work and play needs. Current users love the removable laundry bag. Another useful feature is the top hook that lets you hang your backpack up like a toiletries kit, which is useful for your post-gym shower. The Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack is a great option for those who work hard and train hard.

  • Ventilated shoe compartment
  • Removable laundry bag
  • Laptop compartment that fits laptops up to 15.6”
  • Hook at top that lets you hang the bag up easily while getting ready at the gym
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Few style options

Thule Crossover 25L Laptop Backpack

Product place
3rd Place
Product rating

If you’re looking for the best backpack for gym and work, Thule’s Crossover 25L Laptop Backpack is a great option for you. It comes with not one, but two sleeves for electronics; you can safely transport both a laptop and a tablet. This backpack was designed with comfort in mind and comes with a sternum strap, cushioned back panel, and padded top handle. Thule’s signature crush-proof SafeZone compartment protects breakable valuables like your phone and glasses and keeps them safe at the gym, at your office, and during your commute. Bonus: two water bottle pockets help you stay hydrated all day long.

  • Stores multiple electronics with a laptop sleeve and a separate tablet sleeve
  • Thule’s SafeZone compartment protects breakable objects like phone and glasses
  • Ergonomic design for maximum comfort
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Limited style options
  • Not professional looking

Nike Vapor Power Training Backpack

Product place
4th Place
Product rating

The Nike Vapor Power Backpack will serve you whether you’re hitting the gym or closing a deal. Its durable design and water-resistant bottom coating ensure that this bag will last for the long haul. This backpack has a spacious main compartment, plus a separate shoe compartment for keeping your clean gear separate from your dirty gear. And it has the all-important padded laptop sleeve too!

  • Padded laptop sleeve for safe storage at the gym and the office
  • Shoe compartment lets you separate your clean and dirty gear
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Maximum back and shoulder strap comfort thanks to Nike’s Pro Adapt system
  • Durable exterior with a water-resistant coating on the bottom
  • Not waterproof
  • Limited style options
  • Doesn’t look professional

Adidas Women's VFA Backpack

Product place
5th Place
Product rating

If you’re looking for a backpack for gym and work that is both stylish and functional, look no further than Adidas’ Women’s VFA Backpack. This beauty comes in several color options, so you can stand out from the crowd in barre class and in the conference room. This Adidas backpack comes with a padded laptop sleeve that protects your tech gear safe, no matter where you are. Its ergonomic design will help you stay comfortable whether you’re carrying a lot or a little.

  • Protective laptop sleeve
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Ergonomic design for maximum comfort
  • Lots of styles to choose from
  • Small capacity
  • Fewer compartments than some other options
  • Some reviews mentioned poor stitching quality

Best Backpack For Gym and Work Conclusion: The Best Backpack for Gym and Work

The ideal gym-to-office backpack keeps up with your busy lifestyle, can fit both your work and workout gear, and look professional. Based on this criteria and other bonuses, we recommend the Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack as the best backpack for gym and work. Fans praise its spacious shoe compartment, water-resistant design, and padded laptop sleeve for providing the performance they need. 

While this Under Armour backpack was the winner based on our research, you really can’t go wrong with any of the picks in our top five list. All of these backpacks are proven to take you from the gym to the office in comfort and style.