Best Gym Backpack

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

91 Expert Reviews Considered
1,314 Consumer Reviews Considered
7.5 Hours Researching
38 Products Evaluated

Best Gym Backpack 3 Features That Make Gym Backpacks Special

1. Shoe Compartment

A shoe compartment is the most important feature of an effective gym backpack. This useful component stores bulky footwear and keeps clean gear separate from dirty gear.

When gym shoes are placed in a backpack’s main compartment, they take up too much space and therefore make it difficult for other things to fit in the bag. Shoe compartments free up space in the rest of the backpack while making it easy to transport the footwear you need for a great workout.

Shoe compartments are also critical to helping the wearer maintain good hygiene. Not only can these compartments be used for carrying gym shoes, but they can also be used for storing sweaty workout clothes. Because shoe compartments are typically located at the bottom of the best gym backpacks, they prevent unpleasant odors from leaking into the main compartment, where your clean clothes might be located.

A shoe compartment is a must-have gym backpack feature.

2. Water Bottle Pocket

It’s important to stay hydrated while you’re doing your thing at the gym. Whether you’re working up a sweat while doing cardio, building muscle by lifting weights on your own, or focusing on mindful breathing during a yoga session, you should always have a water bottle on hand.

Let’s face it: water bottles are bulky. They have an awkward shape, so putting them in the main compartment of your backpack makes it difficult to also fit other things in there. Water bottles have also been known to leak.

A side water bottle pocket solves both of these problems. First, this pocket is shaped perfectly to fit most water bottles, without adding bulk to the backpack. Second, water bottle pockets are external, so even if the bottle leaks, chances are that the water will stay away from the bag’s main compartment.

Water bottle pockets are also useful for holding other things like umbrellas.

3. Spacious Capacity

The best gym backpacks must be able to hold many things. Think about all of the gear that you need to bring to the gym with you: sneakers, workout clothes, a water bottle, your phone and earbuds if you want to listen to your own music, sports equipment, toiletries for the shower, and maybe even towels if your gym or fitness studio doesn’t provide them. And if you like to go to the gym before or after work, you may also need a backpack that can fit your laptop, work clothes, professional shoes, and a lunch or snacks.

Large capacity is a crucial feature of an ideal gym backpack. Our top-rated backpacks can fit more than 21 L of gear, and one of them can even hold 40 L worth of equipment! Additionally, all of these backpacks have strategically designed compartments that help keep your gear organized while maximizing volume.

Best Gym Backpack Top 5: Best Gym Backpacks

Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

If you’re looking for the best gym backpack, the Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is a great place to start. Odds are, you won’t have to look any further. 

This backpack has a spacious, gusseted shoe compartment at its base, which is perfect for storing smelly shoes and laundry. Its generous 30 L capacity lets users fit everything they need for the gym. This backpack has a nice extra that makes it great for gym-to-office goers: a padded laptop sleeve

This backpack’s performance can keep up with even the most active of athletes.

  • Large shoe compartment at bottom of bag
  • Adjustable shoulder straps provide extra comfort
  • Highly water-resistant finish thanks to UA Storm technology
  • A padded laptop sleeve makes this a great bag for those who go to the gym before or after work
  • Some reviewers wanted sternum straps

Nike Sport Golf Backpack

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Runner Up
Product rating

The Nike Sport Golf Backpack is a gem for gym goers. This sleek backpack has a top-loading design, which makes it easy for you to access gear and cram in as much as possible if its 24 L capacity isn’t enough. 

The water-resistant shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag lets you transport stinky sneakers and laundry without letting the smell seep into the rest of the bag. The Nike Sport Golf Backpack also has a handy side water bottle pocket to help you stay hydrated during your workout.

  • Many compartments for convenient storage
  • Water-resistant shoe compartment
  • Top loading pouch design makes items easily accessible and expands capacity
  • Sleek design
  • Convenient water bottle pocket
  • Not fully waterproof

G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack Gym Bag

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3rd Place
Product rating

If you’re looking for versatility and spaciousness in your gym backpack, you’ll find it with the G4Free 3-Way Duffle Backpack Gym Bag. 

This backpack doubles as a top-carrying duffel bag and has a shoulder strap for crossbody carrying. Its convenient shoe compartment stores up to size 12 shoes and is ventilated to keep your sneakers as fresh as possible. At 40 L capacity, this backpack can fit more than any other bag on our list. 

If your motivation wanes and you need to put your bag away, this gym backpack comes with a carrying pouch for easy storage. This backpack’s tear-resistant nylon also makes it a crowd pleaser.

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

Nike Vapor Power Training Backpack

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4th Place
Product rating

The Nike Vapor Power Backpack will serve you whether you’re hitting up the gym, the court, or your yoga mat. This bag’s spacious main compartment can store all of your fitness essentials. This gym backpack’s durable design and water-resistant bottom coating ensure that this bag will last a long time. Plus, with not one, but two water bottle pockets in this bag, you’ll stay hydrated all day long. The laptop sleeve is an added bonus that you’ll love if you go to the gym during the work day.

  • 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
  • Padded laptop sleeve is a great bonus
  • Not waterproof
  • Limited style options

Nike Brasilia Backpack

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5th Place
Product rating

The Nike Brasilia Backpack offers comfort and versatility alongside the design of a classic school backpack. This bag is ideal for packing everything you need for a successful gym session, including pockets for two water bottles. Its adjustable shoulder straps guarantee a comfortable carrying experience. Gym-to-office goers will love this backpack’s padded laptop sleeve.

  • Padded laptop sleeve and additional pockets for organised, small-item storage
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Front-side coated zip pocket for shoe storage
  • A super-soft zip pocket on the front for small electronics 
  • Padded back and adjustable shoulder straps
  • Not waterproof
  • Some reviewers reported problems with zippers breaking

Best Gym Backpack Conclusion: The Best Gym Backpacks

Whether you workout at a gym, on a court, or at a studio, you need a gym backpack that can keep up with your active lifestyle and hold all of your gear. The Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack tops our list for the best gym backpacks. Users praise its spacious shoe compartment, water-resistance, and ergonomic design for providing the performance they need.

While the Under Armour Team Hustle 3.0 Backpack is our number recommendation for best gym backpack based on consumer feedback, it’s in great company with the other picks on our list. All of these backpacks have the design components and capacity of a great gym bag. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options when selecting the best gym backpack for you.