Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment

Frequent gym-goers need a gym bag that can keep up with their active lifestyle and carry all of their gear. While some gym rats choose a handheld bag like a duffel, others prefer the comfortable carrying experience of a gym backpack. While portability is the name of the game when it comes to backpacks for the gym, a shoe compartment enhances the utility of the bag. This compartment helps the wearer keep less-than-pleasant smelling footwear separate from clean gear in the bag’s main compartment. 

Your search for the best gym backpack with shoe compartment ends today. These are the top five backpacks for the gym that feature a handy shoe compartment.

How We Researched the Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment

87 Expert Reviews Considered
921 Consumer Reviews Considered
5.5 Hours Researching
39 Products Evaluated

Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment 3 Features That Make Gym Backpacks with Shoe Compartments Special

1. Shoe Compartment

A gym backpack’s shoe compartment must be able to store the user’s shoes. Ideally, a gym backpack with shoe compartment will be large enough to fit the needs of even large-footed wearers.

The versatile shoe compartment isn’t just for transporting shoes to and from the gym. It often doubles as a storage space for items with unpleasant odors, like dirty laundry, and therefore must be able to efficiently keep the odors of its contents away from the bag’s other compartments.

2. Water Bottle Pocket

Hydration is key while you’re sweating at the gym. The perfect gym backpack must have a water bottle pocket to make it easy for the wearer to always have a water bottle on hand.

Water bottles are bulky and can leak, so putting them in the main compartment of your backpack isn’t ideal. A side water bottle pocket resolves both of these issues. First, this pocket is external, so even if the bottle leaks, the water will stay away from the bag’s main compartment. Second, a water bottle pocket is shaped perfectly to fit most bottles, so you can store them easily without adding bulk to the backpack.

3. Ventilation

With proper ventilation, smelly sneakers, wet bathing suits, dirty clothes, and whatever else you carry in your shoe compartment, can air out. The best gym backpacks with shoe compartments have features that promote ventilation, like breathable fabrics.

Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment Top 5: Best Gym Backpacks with Shoe Compartment

Nike Sport Golf Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

The Nike Sport Golf Backpack comes out on top as the best gym backpack with a shoe compartment. This bag’s water-resistant shoe compartment is located below the main compartment, making it easy for wearers to store stinky footwear and laundry without the smell escaping into the rest of the bag.  

Consumers love this backpack for its top-loading design, which makes gear easy to access at the gym. Fitness enthusiasts enjoy the all-important side water bottle pocket for on-the-go hydration

  • Water-resistant shoe compartment
  • Top loading pouch design makes items easy to access and increases capacity
  • Side water bottle pocket
  • Sleek design
  • Many compartments for convenient storage
  • Not waterproof

G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack Gym Bag

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Runner Up
Product rating

If you need a gym backpack with shoe compartment that is both roomy and multifunctional, the G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack is for you. This bag’s shoe compartment can fit up to size 12 footwear. It’s also ventilated to keep sneakers as fresh as possible.

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack. It can be worn as a backpack, a shoulder bag, or a duffle bag thanks to convertible straps. With 40 L capacity, this backpack can hold more gym gear than any other backpack on our list.

  • Ventilated shoe compartment fits up to size 12 shoes
  • Convertible straps allow for three carrying options
  • Large capacity of 40 L
  • Comes with a carrying pouch for easy storage
  • Built from tear-resistant nylon
  • Not waterproof
  • Some reviewers complained about zipper quality

Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack

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3rd Place
Product rating

The Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack incarnates the agility of an athlete in backpack form. Its spacious, gusseted bottom shoe compartment makes carrying sneakers or laundry a piece of cake. Under Armour’s Storm technology makes this bag highly water-resistant so that it can keep your gym gear as clean as possible.

Those of you who like hitting up the gym before or after work will enjoy this bag’s laptop compartment, whose padding ensures that your laptop will stay safe while you’re at the gym.

  • Spacious pocket at bottom of bag for shoes or laundry
  • Padded laptop compartments holds laptops up to 15”
  • Highly water-resistant finish thanks to UA Storm technology
  • Adjustable shoulder straps provide extra comfort
  • Some reviewers wanted sternum straps
  • Some customers wanted zipper pulls to make the compartments easier to open

Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack

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4th Place
Product rating

The Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack is a top choice for the best gym backpack with shoe compartment thanks to its versatile compartments and ergonomic features. Unlike most other bags on our list, this backpack’s shoe pocket is located in a front compartment, rather than a bottom compartment, which makes footwear easier to access. The shoe compartment is ventilated and lined to ensure that sneakers air out without stinking up the rest of the bag. 

Another useful feature is the top hook that lets you hang your backpack up like a toiletries kit, which is handy for your post-gym shower. Customers also rave about this backpack’s removable laundry bag.

  • Ventilated and lined shoe compartment
  • Removable laundry bag
  • Hook at top that lets you hang the bag up easily while getting ready at the gym
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Few style options
  • Bulky

King Kong Backpack

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5th Place
Product rating

The King Kong Backpack has expandable external pockets that function as a shoe compartment. Because sneakers are stored externally, they can ventilate better than they would if enclosed inside the bag.

Fitness enthusiasts love that this backpack has not one, but two water bottle pockets. They also applaud the bag’s water-resistant nylon material, which helps keep gear fresh. 

  • External shoe pocket
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Made of water-resistant nylon
  • Flat pack open
  • Not a true shoe compartment, rather external pockets that fit shoes
  • Pricy

Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment Conclusion: The Best Gym Backpack with Shoe Compartment

What’s better than a standard gym backpack? A gym backpack with a shoe compartment. Beyond storing footwear, shoe compartments are ideal for transporting dirty gym clothes and  even wet bathing suits.

In our search for the best gym backpack with shoe compartment, Nike’s Sport Golf Backpack came out on top. This bag’s shoe compartment won fans over for its spaciousness and water resistance. Features like a side water bottle pocket, large main compartment, and handy organizational pockets make it a perfect fit for the gym, court, or studio. 

That being said, you really can’t go wrong with any of the options we put forth. All of these gym backpacks with shoe compartments will transport your things comfortably and withstand the duress of the locker room.