You head into your Box feeling absolutely pumped for your workout today.
You throw open the doors, throw double finger guns to all your pals…and all of your stuff falls out of your grasp. In an instant, you’ve gone from awesome athlete to one of those helpless schmucks in an infomercial. Your friends laugh at you, your life falls apart— but wait, there’s more!
No, of course it’s not like that, but there’s something to be said for having a functional, durable CrossFit gym bag.
For many athletes, it’s been a pain since day one to pack your CrossFit shoes, towel, water bottle, and personal jump rope in one bag for the gym. Add in the meal prepping, extra supplements, and other gym swag you amass over time, and you’ll need something more than a basic gym bag.
Luckily, what you have here is the ultimate guide to help you find the best CrossFit bag to hold all your gym essentials.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- What’s the difference between a regular ole’ gym bag and a bag made for a CrossFit athlete?
- Important considerations before buying your stylish gym bag.
- The differences between a gym backpack and a duffel.
- And our top seven favorite bags for toting workout gear to the Box.
Here are our top picks for the best CrossFit gym bags.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Multi-Purpose Gym Bag
| Rogue Tote Bag
| View on Rogue Fitness |
Best Value
| Under Armour Adult Undeniable Duffle 4.0 Gym Bag
| View on Amazon |
Best Backpack Gym Bag
| King Kong Backpack II Large
| View on Amazon |
Most Stylish
| Vooray Burner Gym Duffel
| View on Amazon |
Best Duffle Bag
| Bear KompleX Gym Bag
| View on Amazon |
Best Design Functionality
| Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0
| View on Amazon |
Best Minimalist Option
| Legendary Drawstring Gym Bag
| View on Amazon |
What’s In This Guide?
Top 7 Best CrossFit Gym Bags In 2021
Why Do We Need Bags Specifically For CrossFit?
What Should You Consider Before Buying Your CrossFit Gym Bag?
Best CrossFit Gym Bags Reviewed
Our Final Thoughts On The Best CrossFit Bag
Top 7 Best CrossFit Gym Bags In 2021
We’ve compiled a list of seven bags – with three variations – so you get to choose which gym bag is best equipped for your style and workouts.
For those who just want to skip to the bags, here they are:
- Rogue Tote Bag
- Under Armour Adult Undeniable Duffle 4.0 Gym Bag
- King Kong Backpack II Large
- Vooray Burner Gym Duffel
- Bear KompleX Gym Bag
- Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0
- Legendary Drawstring Gym Bag
For those who want to get into the nitty-gritty, read on.
Why Do We Need Bags Specifically For CrossFit?
One word: Versatility.
Instead of bringing a simple duffle bag or your old high school backpack (really?), you should have a bag that can handle whatever CrossFit can throw at you.
CrossFit bags fit everything you need for a workout one day, can store all of your equipment for a rock climb the day after, and then use it as a carry-on for your next CrossFit competition around the country.
It has a ton of uses:
- The perfect weekly pack for WODs (shoes, towel, water, supplements, wraps, belt, extra clothes and flip-flops for after).
- Quick travel: Three days’ worth of gym clothes, your CrossFit trainers, carry-on liquids, and more can fit into these amazing packs for a long weekend.
- Competition: Of course, you can easily put anything you need for a CrossFit competition into these compact, multiple-slot bags.
Whether you’re a serious competitive CrossFitter or a casual WOD enthusiast, these bags are functional enough to use in and outside the gym.
However, if you are serious – and we’d like to think you are if you’re reading this – then it is most definitely worth the investment.
They’re built to last a long time, sturdy, rugged and heavy duty, plus they have numerous compartments to keep your sweaty gym clothes, knee sleeves, and other workout gear away from your water bottle and gadgets (GoPros, phone, etc.).
What Should You Consider Before Buying Your CrossFit Gym Bag?
Now don’t go and buy the first CrossFit duffle bag you see in Amazon’s search results. You need to make your decision based on what you’d use the bag for the most.
Also, there are specific details you might covet more in a CrossFit bag than others.
Size of the bag
What are you toting into the Box? How much are you bringing to the gym day in and day out? This determines how big you want your CrossFit gym bag.
Some big questions here can help you figure this out:
Will you use it for longer than 3 hours?
What I mean by that is if you want your CrossFit gym bag to handle your daily WOD stuff, you can get away with a smaller satchel. However, if you want the ability to pack for bigger events and travel, it’s best to go big with your bag.
Do you prefer duffel or backpack style?
By design, a CrossFit duffel bag is bigger in size than packs that go on your back. This is a preference question, but it dictates how much room you have to fit your workout gear. It’s also important to consider the ergonomics of how you carry your gym essentials: is a padded shoulder strap enough to carry your heavy bag, or do you need better weight distribution?
What types of things are you bringing to your workouts?
You pack extra clothes, your lifters, a water bottle, but you also bring your laptop or your camera for Box photo ops.
Depending on the CrossFit gear you bring, you might want different compartments to keep dirty, sweaty things away from clean, high-tech things. This means more space is required, and you might require a separate shoe compartment or wet pocket.
We advise you to find a bag large enough to fit in all the CrossFit gear you need for at least two visits to the box. This means you will never be short in case you forget something. A high quality bag will become your roving gym locker, keeping you prepared wherever the day takes you.
Durability of the bag
This is a testament to how hard you use your CrossFit bag.
If you’re putting a ton of equipment in your bag, having a durable CrossFit duffel or backpack is necessary.
Plus, if you travel with it or bring it out and about, you’ll want a bag that can withstand the ruggedness of the outdoors.
Rule of thumb: Durable is always the way to go, no matter how into the gym you are. The sturdier the material, the better. Nylon, polyester, canvas, reinforced grips, padded shoulder straps, and high-quality zippers are specs to look for in your CrossFit bag. Durability can also apply to how water resistant a bag is.
Breathability of the bag
An important quality for any gym bag is breathability, or keeping your bag – and everything in it – as fresh as possible.
You need a bag that’s well ventilated, to avoid dealing with microbes and other bacteria.
With that in mind, you want materials that breathe better than most:
- Mesh panels or windows inside the bag
- Natural materials like cotton and hemp for the outside layers
- Antimicrobial material: If it says this, it’s a highly breathable bag
If anything, this keeps your bag from reeking of old sweat and God knows what else.
Keeping things clean and non-smelly is important for your health, and your CrossFit bag should embody this sentiment.
Style – Backpacks vs. Duffle Bags
When it comes to choosing the best CrossFit bag to hit the gym with style is an important choice you have to make. The two main styles you have to choose from are backpacks and duffle bags. Backpacks have seen a jump in popularity in recent years with their side pockets being perfect to stow away belongings and ensure they’re kept safe. Modern backpacks also come with padded should strap options, ideal for when your wet clothes are weighing your bag down.
In comparison, a duffle bag will tend to have a larger main compartment and many will also come with an additional side pocket as well. The main compartment is perfect for packing your gym clothes alongside a pair of shoes meaning CrossFit athletes won’t have to worry about a lack of space. These bags also tend to have a separate CrossFit shoe compartment or innovative shoe tunnel.
Material
The material of your CrossFit gym bag goes hand-in-hand with durability. Ideally, you’ll look for a bag that uses ballistic nylon, often listed as 1000d nylon in product specs. It’s important to note that these heavier materials often have limited breathability. If that’s the case, you should look for a separate mesh pocket or wet bag to let your gym clothes and shoes breathe.
Brand
The brand isn’t everything when choosing the best CrossFit gym bags, but it’s a worthy consideration. Brands like Under Armor and Rogue, which are known and respected, come with the social proof of quality and value. That being said, brands like King Kong aren’t CrossFit-centric, but they’re well regarded in other communities.
Best CrossFit Gym Bags Reviewed
Rogue Tote Bag
- Multi-purpose bag
- Versatile handle options
- Moisture & Scuff Resistant
It was only a matter of time before Rogue branched out from creating stellar CrossFit and gym equipment to creating a bag that helps you carry your gym essentials. This compact, durable bag is a perfect minimalist option for those who operate with limited gym equipment, making it a valuable alternative to some of Rogue’s other gym bags.
The Rogue tote is 23″ wide at the top and 16″ tall. The base is 15″ wide and 9″ deep. Boasting a strong 1000D Cordura construction with nylon webbing straps, this bag was made in the USA. The side pockets are constructed from the same material Rogue uses to build medicine balls. With a zippered pocket, velcro mesh pocket, and a key clip, this bag is beautiful in its simplicity.
The downside? This tote bag has no zipper at the top. While the open-air concept is a nice balance to the non-breathable material, it only takes one wrong move to spill your belongings.
Under Armour Undeniable Duffle 4.0 Gym Bag
- Detachable padded shoulder strap
- Large vented wet pocket
- Highly water resistant
Under Armor is a well-known and respected brand for creating high-quality gym gear. This simple duffle bag offers all the basics at reasonable price. What it lacks in flashiness, it makes up for with functionality. Measuring at 11.8″W x 24.4″H x 13″L, with a volume of 3,539.4 cubic inches, this bag is compact but roomy.
One downside of this bag is that it’s made with a polyester blend, making it less durable than many of the other options on this list. There have also been numerous complaints on the 4.0 and previous iterations that the shoe tunnel is too small for larger CrossFit shoe sizes.
With all that in mind, the Under Armor Undeniable Duffle 4.0 is a great value option for CrossFit newbies.
King Kong Backpack II
- Roomy shoe compartment
- Ballistic nylon construction
- Numerous compartments and pockets
The King Kong Backpack II is incredible for those who want a daily workout companion.
While it isn’t as big as a duffel bag or some fancy name brand Nike or Adidas bag, if you’re in the market for a CrossFit backpack then size isn’t a major factor for you.
Made of military-spec 1000D nylon and high-density EVA foam padding lining the top pocket, you can rest assured your valuables are safe in this durable and water resistant backpack.
You can pack it by laying it flat, almost like a duffel, and it has separate compartments for your wallet, accessories, phone ( with headphone outlet), and even your shoes!
The shoe spot is located on the outside of the pack, to avoid odors inside the main pack.
It’s the priciest bag on our list. But what you get with that is long-term use, heightened durability, superior organization, and a sleek design.
So if that’s how you want to roll into your Box, choose the King Kong Backpack II.
Vooray Burner Gym Duffel
- Unique printed designs
- Side shoe compartment
- Magnetic leather handles
The Vooray Burner Gym Bag is by far the most unique option on this list. This compact CrossFit duffel bag was designed for female athletes whose gym bag doubles as their purse. This duffel/tote crossover bag has all the functionality you need to carry around your gym gear, while keeping everything you need for a busy day in one place.
The side shoe compartment keeps any CrossFit shoe odors away from your interior belongings, and the inside offers numerous storage compartments and pockets. This bag is quite compact, measuring at 16″ L x 9″ W x 9″ H when full. The minimalist design and floral motif won’t appeal to all athletes, but it’s a nice alternative to the typical CrossFit gym bag design.
Bear KompleX Gym Bag
- Ideal for outdoor use
- Military-inspired design
- Numerous pockets
Bear is known for making the best CrossFit hand grips in the world, making them the official sponsor of the Games for their high-quality equipment. Their success led them to branch out and create this world-class CrossFit gym bag to give athletes everything they need to kill their WOD.
With more than one zippered compartment, an adjustable shoulder strap and interchangeable handles, and 1000D Nylon construction, this 20″ x 12″ x 12″ duffel is a must have for any serious CrossFitter.
The name says it all. The Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0 offers all the basic needs of any athlete, CrossFitters included. Everywhere you look, you’ll find a zipper leading to another storage compartment, making this bag a lot bigger than it looks. The 2.0 is based around feedback from the first iteration, and features reinforced stitching and a water resistant bottom.
This bag comes in a variety of color options, and while the FocusGear brand isn’t as notable as some of the others on this list, it has great reviews.
Legendary Drawstring Gym Bag
- Accessory pocket with zipper
- Mesh shoe compartments
- Versatile
Believe it or not, there are people who love drawstring gym bags. These minimalists prefer a string over a zipper, and don’t need the fanfare of numerous pockets and tactical construction. The Legendary Drawstring Gym Bag is for them.
This drawstring bag is an elevated version of the basic drawstring bags you get as competition swag. It boasts comfortable shoulder straps, durable material, and functional storage options. It’s only 19 x 16 inches, but is a great option for cross-training athletes who keep a larger gym bag with all their gear in the trunk, and need something simple to swap from CrossFit to hiking to cycling and so on.
Our Final Thoughts On The Best CrossFit Bag
Your bag says a lot about you when you walk into the Box.
Are you someone who brings loose items cradled in your arms?
Or are you a serious CrossFit athlete with swagger and a duffel hanging by your side? I hope it’s the latter.
Find a CrossFit bag that works best for you.
Decide on your style – backpack or duffel – and then arrange your daily CrossFit gear in a pile to see what specifications and designs you want for your pack.
Do you need a bunch of space? Do you carry a lot of heavy-duty things and want durable material? Do you want to keep your bag fresh and stink-free? Or are you worried about the contents getting damaged meaning being water resistant is key?
Once you have your needs figured out, check back with the list to see which one is right for you.
Get a CrossFit bag that upgrades your workout. And get pumped for that workout!
