BEFORE YOU BUY: 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A GYM BAG
Let’s take a look at some things to keep in mind when buying a gym bag:
1. SIZE
Size is perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying a gym bag. Choosing the right size means knowing what items you plan to carry in your bag – gym shoes, workout clothes, shower items, water bottle, essential workout gear, etc. Also, your gym bag should be the right size so that you can store it easily – whether that’s in a gym locker or another storage unit.ac
2. YOUR ACTIVITY
The type of gym bag you choose should fit your type of exercise, whether it’s swimming, running, weightlifting, or other activities. If swimming or other water sports are your thing, you’ll probably want a bag that has a waterproof lining. You still may want a water-resistant lining if you sweat a lot and will transport wet workout clothes back home from the gym. If moisture isn’t a concern, then you won’t have to worry so much about the lining.
3. COMPARTMENTS
Many gym bags come with compartments that serve a variety of purposes, including shoe compartments that come in handy. The nice thing about compartments is that you can keep your workout gear and other items neatly organized; no one enjoys the frustration of digging through their bag to find something when getting ready to work out.
Shoes can get dirty, even during indoor exercise, so it only makes sense to keep them separate from other clothing.
4. TYPE
“Gym bag” is a catch-all phrase that may refer to a variety of things – a true gym bag, a duffel bag, even a tote – but there are differences between each type, which we’ll discuss at greater length a little later, and which one you choose depends on how you plan to use the bag. Many bags are ideal for travel (including as a carry-on), for a weekend getaway, for hiking, and more. Just know that most traditional gym bags have multiple pockets, including mesh pockets in which to store wet items.
5. MATERIAL
Gym bags consist of a variety of materials:
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most common materials used to make gym bags. Heavy-duty polyester is durable and easy to clean, while it’s also water-resistant, which is important if you’re transporting wet gym clothes or your bathing suit. A drawback of polyester is that it doesn’t breathe well, which makes it prone to bacteria and mold if you don’t clean it often.
Nylon
One of nylon’s biggest advantages is that it’s lightweight, and it’s typically less expensive than other materials. It’s also not as durable and can stain easily.
Leather
There’s a lot to love about leather: it has a luxurious look and feel, it’s durable, and it holds its shape very well. But you’ll also pay more for leather, it can stain easily, and it’s prone to holding in odors. Many gym and duffel bags come with leather handles and trim.
Canvas
Canvas has many advantages, not the least of which is that it’s lightweight (and inexpensive). In most cases, it’s machine-washable. That’s ideal for when the bag starts to smell from sweaty gym clothes and shoes. One of canvas’s cons is that it doesn’t deal with moisture very well, however. It can have odor problems from holding your wet clothes and takes a while to dry after washing.
Vinyl
Also known as synthetic leather, vinyl is also inexpensive and resists stains fairly well, especially when compared to natural leather. One of vinyl’s big drawbacks is that it scratches fairly easy and can look beat-up faster than bags made from other materials.
6. COMFORT
Lugging around a heavy gym bag – or any bag, for that matter – gets old after a while. That’s especially true if its handles or shoulder straps are uncomfortable. Don’t compromise on comfort.
1. SIZE
Size is perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying a gym bag. Choosing the right size means knowing what items you plan to carry in your bag – gym shoes, workout clothes, shower items, water bottle, essential workout gear, etc. Also, your gym bag should be the right size so that you can store it easily – whether that’s in a gym locker or another storage unit.ac
2. YOUR ACTIVITY
The type of gym bag you choose should fit your type of exercise, whether it’s swimming, running, weightlifting, or other activities. If swimming or other water sports are your thing, you’ll probably want a bag that has a waterproof lining. You still may want a water-resistant lining if you sweat a lot and will transport wet workout clothes back home from the gym. If moisture isn’t a concern, then you won’t have to worry so much about the lining.
3. COMPARTMENTS
Many gym bags come with compartments that serve a variety of purposes, including shoe compartments that come in handy. The nice thing about compartments is that you can keep your workout gear and other items neatly organized; no one enjoys the frustration of digging through their bag to find something when getting ready to work out.
Shoes can get dirty, even during indoor exercise, so it only makes sense to keep them separate from other clothing.
4. TYPE
“Gym bag” is a catch-all phrase that may refer to a variety of things – a true gym bag, a duffel bag, even a tote – but there are differences between each type, which we’ll discuss at greater length a little later, and which one you choose depends on how you plan to use the bag. Many bags are ideal for travel (including as a carry-on), for a weekend getaway, for hiking, and more. Just know that most traditional gym bags have multiple pockets, including mesh pockets in which to store wet items.
5. MATERIAL
Gym bags consist of a variety of materials:
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most common materials used to make gym bags. Heavy-duty polyester is durable and easy to clean, while it’s also water-resistant, which is important if you’re transporting wet gym clothes or your bathing suit. A drawback of polyester is that it doesn’t breathe well, which makes it prone to bacteria and mold if you don’t clean it often.
Nylon
One of nylon’s biggest advantages is that it’s lightweight, and it’s typically less expensive than other materials. It’s also not as durable and can stain easily.
Leather
There’s a lot to love about leather: it has a luxurious look and feel, it’s durable, and it holds its shape very well. But you’ll also pay more for leather, it can stain easily, and it’s prone to holding in odors. Many gym and duffel bags come with leather handles and trim.
Canvas
Canvas has many advantages, not the least of which is that it’s lightweight (and inexpensive). In most cases, it’s machine-washable. That’s ideal for when the bag starts to smell from sweaty gym clothes and shoes. One of canvas’s cons is that it doesn’t deal with moisture very well, however. It can have odor problems from holding your wet clothes and takes a while to dry after washing.
Vinyl
Also known as synthetic leather, vinyl is also inexpensive and resists stains fairly well, especially when compared to natural leather. One of vinyl’s big drawbacks is that it scratches fairly easy and can look beat-up faster than bags made from other materials.
6. COMFORT
Lugging around a heavy gym bag – or any bag, for that matter – gets old after a while. That’s especially true if its handles or shoulder straps are uncomfortable. Don’t compromise on comfort.