In this article, we break down which is the best gym bag with shoe compartment option and why, exactly, you might want a gym bag with a shoe compartment.
Did you know that there is feces and E.Coli on the bottom your shoes? Yep. Along with a whole host of other yucky germs and bacteria.
No wonder it’s a good idea to keep your shoes separate from your gym clothes and other important gear. Who wants E.Coli spreading to their underwear or sports bra?
Let’s dig in!
Quick Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Gym Bags with Shoe Compartments
Below we list the best gym bags with compartments for different situations and how to choose which bag will work best for you. Full reviews are later in this article.
Our Top Picks for the Best Gym Bags with Shoe Compartments
Below are our top picks for the best gym bag with shoe compartments that across every skill level and price range. Our reviews are unbiased (we don’t publish sponsored content!) and a portion of any purchase made will help us keep the lights on around Fit Healthy Best.
Under Armour Undeniable 3.0 Duffel
We chose the Under Armour Undeniable 3.0 Duffel as the best overall bag since you can really size up or down based on your personal preference with this bag. Of course, Under Armour always delivers a top-notch product, so this duffel bag with shoe compartment will serve you well for the long-haul.
Pros
- 5 sizes: x-small, small, medium, large, xtra-large
- Polyester, water-resistant finish
- HeatGear shoulder strap for comfort
- Vented, nylon shoe compartment
- Water-resistant finish
- The x-small size may be preferable for women
- The large sizes may be preferable for carrying lots of gear or travel — great for one bag fits all use!
- Nice color options
Cons
- Not as many pockets/compartments
- Earrings or other small items may get caught in the mesh pocket
The Luxx Gym Bag
We chose The Luxx Gym Bag as the best upgrade bag AND best work to workout bag due to its convenient laptop compartment. This bag is gender-neutral and is perfect for men or women. If you are looking for a polished, well-made bag that will last you a lifetime or for a great gift for a fitness lover, this is it.
It’s made from ballistic nylon and will last you forever, even with daily wear and tear. It boasts a whopping 13 compartments which is just unheard of, including a shoe and laptop compartment. The below list from the manufacturer’s website includes more information about the 13 compartments:
- Shoes and sweaty clothes compartment.
- Padded laptop compartment.
- Water bottle compartment.
- Shampoo/Conditioner or other liquids compartment.
- Large clothes or other items (the main) compartment.
- Small fleece-lined zip pocket (for watch, jewelry or other valuables)
- Wallet compartment.
- Phone Compartment
- 2 extra small zip pockets.
- Removable yoga mat strap.
- Key compartment with a key lanyard.
- Another big compartment towards the outer side.
- Second water bottle compartment.
On top of that, it’s a great looking bag, so you’ll look clean and sophisticated carrying this into the office each morning. This bag is one of the only bags available with both a shoe compartment and dedicated Yoga straps. It serves all of your fitness needs!
Pros
- Made from ballistic nylon — will last forever
- 13 compartments! Including shoe, laptop, water bottle, wet pockets, and more!
- Straps with metal hardware reinforcements
- 2 great colors: black and blue
- Durable shoe compartment
- Dedicated Yoga straps
- Lightweight yet strong and durable
- Fleece-lined pocket for watches, jewelry or other delicate items
- Virtually no bad reviews of this product — a customer favorite
Cons
- Other than the high price point, this bag is basically perfect!
This helpful video shows you exactly how much of your gym gear you can fit inside The Luxx Gym Bag.
Runetz Gym Bag
We chose Runetz Gym Bag as the best budget-friendly choice because of personal long-term use, excellent price point, great compartment options, durability, breathability, sturdy straps, washability, and
This is just a really solid choice for a great gym bag with shoe compartment option that we found that checked all the boxes for a great price.
I personally have owned and used a Runetz gym bag for nearly a decade and have loved it! It has withstood all my gym wear and tear and I love the shoe compartment and multiple compartments for additional items. I love that it collapses easily and this gym bag with shoe compartment is budget-friendly and good-looking!
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Very low-price point
- Breathable shoe compartment
- Multiple pockets: side, shoe, inside zip, front zip, and front mesh
- Padded shoulder strap
- Double handles
- Long-lasting, well-made material
- Nice color options
Cons
- Earrings and jewelry can get tangled in the mesh in the front pocket
- If you have very large feet, your shoes may take up too much room within the bag
Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack
We chose the Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack as the best backpack because it has everything! It contains a shoe compartment and laptop sleeve, as well as other pockets and compartments. This is a well-made, water-resistant and durable backpack.
Pros
- 100% polyester, water-resistant finish
- Holds up to a 15 inch laptop in the padded sleeve
- HeatGear padded shoulder straps for comfort
- Multiple compartments: laptop, shoe, side mesh pockets, front pocket, middle pocket, main compartment
- Shoe compartment on the bottom to keep your shoes completely separate
- Nice color options
Cons
- Doesn’t “stand up” well — can fall over when on a bench
- No sternum strap to prevent shoulder slippage
- No small security pocket on the inside
Everest Gym Bag
We chose the Everest Gym Bag as the best inexpensive option. This bag simply gets the job done at a very low price point. If you’re just looking for something to throw your shoes and clothes in without much thought, this is your bag.
Pros
- Shoe compartment and water bottle compartment
- Clamshell opening for the main compartment
- 2 side zippered compartments
- Metal anchor points on straps
- 100% polyester for moisture-resistance and durability
Cons
- Metal parts may break
- Some users said this bag is not very durable or long-lasting
King Kong Junior Gym Bag
We chose the King Kong Junior as the best heavy-duty and long-lasting. In addition to The Luxx Gym Bag, this bag will truly last a lifetime. This is your more heavy-duty, less-polished looking upgrade option.
You can throw this bag around the gym, your car, the office, and home each and every day and it will still last. This will be an investment piece that won’t disappoint you. Multiple compartments will keep your gear organized and clean.
Pros
- Military-grade nylon
- Heavy duty steel buckles (meant to last!)
- Virtually impossible to rip, according to the manufacturer
- Shoe compartment/wet compartment
- Nearly zero bad reviews — a fan favorite, especially among CrossFitters
- Described as the ‘best bag ever’ by some reviews
- Multiple color options
- Strong zippers
- Great customer service with King Kong
- Ventilation holes in main and shoe compartments
- Zippered and velcro side pockets
- Extreme sturdiness will hold heavy fitness gear like chains and ankle weights
Cons
- Out of almost 300 reviews, we found only one sub-par reviewer that stated he noticed some threading around a pocket was somewhat loose
Bromo Barcelona Mario Tech Gym Bag
We chose the Bromo Barcelona Mario Tech Gym Bag as the best laptop backpack.
This is a great option in addition to The Luxx Gym Bag and the Under Armour Hustle bags. It’s very durable and has a more professional look than the Under Armour backpack option. The padded laptop sleeve and shoe compartment are top-notch!
Pros
- 5 sizes: x-small, small, medium, large, xtra-large
- Polyester, water-resistant finish
- HeatGear shoulder strap for comfort
- Vented, nylon shoe compartment
- Water-resistant finish
- The x-small size may be preferable for women
- The large sizes may be preferable for carrying lots of gear or travel — great for one bag fits all use!
- Nice color options
Cons
- Not as many pockets/compartments
- Earrings may get caught in the mesh pocket
SEEU 32L Sling Backpack
We chose the SEEU 32L Sling Backpack as the best sling backpack option with a shoe compartment. If you’re looking for a one-strap bag that will keep your hands free and keep your shoes separate this is it.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Water-resistant nylon
- 10 storage pockets
- Air vent in shoe compartment
- Larger volume than most sling backpacks
- 14-inch laptop will fit main compartment
- Wide chest strap for comfort
Cons
- Some users have said this bag is not as durable as they would like but customer service replaced their bag
Youlerbu Drawstring Gym Bag
We chose the Youlerbu Drawstring Gym Bag as the best lightweight drawstring backpack option. If you prefer the expandable fit depending on what workout you’re doing, this bag may be for you. You won’t need to work about strap clips breaking or running out of space. This bag is also nice if you prefer to switch between backpack style and duffle bag style.
Pros
- Made from high-quality, water-proof oxford cloth
- 2 47 inch straps
- Very lightweight
- Special wet compartment in addition to shoe compartment
- Ideal for those that want their shoes separate, but don’t want a bulky gym bag
Cons
- Straps may be harder to adjust
- May not last for a lifetime like some other bags
Fancy Out (CYSILI) Gym Bag with Wet Pocket
We chose the Fancy Out Sports Gym Bag as the best option for swimmers or travelers. This bag has the largest wet pocket we’ve seen in addition to the shoe compartment. The large mesh pocket is nice for tablets or laptops that need to breathe. Even better, this bag folds up into a small pouch when not in use — great for travelers!
Pros
- Large wet compartment in main compartment
- Shoe compartment with vents
- Large mesh zippered pocket within main compartment (rare)
- Folds up into a small pouch when not in use (great for packing)
- Multiple compartments — both zippered and mesh
- The wet pocket is accessible from outside the bag
Cons
- Some users said this bag won’t last, while others had a different experience
- Some users said this bag needs more structure
What is a gym bag with shoe compartments?
A gym bag with a separate shoe compartment allow you to store your shoes in your gym bag, while keeping them separate from the rest of the items in your bag.
Typically the shoe compartment is made of nylon or other non-porous material. In addition, there are generally air holes or air filters that allow your shoes to ‘breathe’ to cut down on odors and moisture.
Additionally, you can store other items in the shoe compartment that may need extra ventilation, such as wet towels, swimsuits, dirty socks, or anything else that needs to be separated before it can be washed.
Why would you want a separate shoe compartment?
Other than keeping your gear organized and tidy, keeping your shoes separate can benefit your health.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want E.Coli getting on my clothes, earphones, hair ties, makeup, or toiletries when I go to the gym. Bacteria like E.Coli and feces can cause illness and stomach bugs — things you definitely want to avoid.
If that doesn’t sell you on a separate shoe compartment, it’s important to note that shoes are just dirty.
Shoes carry all sorts of crumbs, hair, and yuck from the gym floor and anywhere else you’ve been walking. Again, who wants crumbs and dirt all over their gym gear?
Therefore, because you probably don’t wash your shoes after each workout, as you do with your clothes, it’s nice to keep them in a dedicated space in your gym bag.
Picking the Best Gym Bag with Shoe Compartment
Depending on your budget, you’ll want a gym bag that is durable and will fit all your gear. The below specs are important to consider when choosing your ideal bag:
- Cost
- Durability
- Carrying Straps
- Flexibility
- Breathability
- Compartments
- Wet/Dry Areas
- Material
- Storage
Our ratings were based on the above criteria, with more focus given to durability and cost. Most gym bags work just fine, but we wanted to provide a comprehensive list of the best of the best in each category.
You’ll want to reference our comparison table at the top of this post or the full reviews below to determine the best gym bag with shoe compartment for your particular needs for whatever type of workouts you prefer to do.
Also, please note that every bag that is reviewed in this post does include a shoe compartment, as that is the focus of this article.
What about additional compartments for other products?
It’s really nice to keep your shoes separate from the rest of your things. But it’s also nice to keep your other things organized and in their own place.
Women tend to carry small things like hair ties and pins and jewelry, which can easily get lost. It’s nice to have small mesh or zippered compartments for these things.
In addition, if you’re traveling or going from work to the gym (or vice versa), you might want a place to stash your tech.
This bag is the perfect option for going straight to the gym since it has a dedicated padded space for your laptop and a shoe compartment for your shoes.
Conversely, another reason that someone might want separate compartments would be for swimming or wet (sweaty) gear.
Backpack or Duffle Gym Bag?
This is purely personal preference, but some people prefer to keep their gear on their back and keep both hands free. This may be better for laptops since your laptop won’t be banging against your body as you walk.
Where do you like to carry your bags? Do you like to throw them over your shoulder or do you like to have them securely on your back?
Furthermore, if you have any injuries or limitations in the below areas, that may influence your decision on whether you’d like a backpack or a duffle bag for your gym bag:
- shoulders
- core
- back
- arms
- legs
- any other physical limitations
If you carry a large
Finally, parents may prefer a backpack option so they can have their hands free for their kiddos!
What should I carry in my gym bag?
Depending on your workout, you’ll need these basic items in your gym bag:
- Shoes
- Clothing (top/bottom/undergarments)
- Sports bra
- Socks
- Hair Ties
- Water bottle
From there, you’ll need to add these items, depending on if you’d like to shower at the gym or do a quick clean up:
- Towel
- Shampoo/conditioner/body wash/face wash
- Shower shoes
- After gym wipes
- Dry shampoo
- Deodorant
- Makeup
- Hair dryer
- Body spray
Finally, you’ll need to determine if you need to bring any gear to the gym, depending on what gear your gym carries:
- Long resistance bands
- Short resistance bands
- Hand weights
- Ankle weights
- Yoga mat
- Yoga block
- Workout journal/app on your phone
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Wrapping Up
In conclusion, a good gym bag may seem like a minimal purchase, but it can make or break your ease of going to the gym.
Keeping our workout habits up is hard enough, so make it easier by investing in a great workout bag that will keep your gear organized and clean!
These gym bags are all great bets to keep you organized at the gym so you can focus on putting in the work where it matters.
Here’s to finding the best gym bag with shoe compartment for you!
Happy gym-going!