Best Stylish Gym Backpacks for Work and Gym

by Albert Varkki updated 06-02-2023

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best gym backpacks

There are many gym backpacks on the market that work well as everyday bags for when you’re not heading for a workout.

The best gym backpacks tend to be easy to carry and offer a great deal of comfort.

You’re particularly likely to get a great deal of use from a backpack if you regularly go to the gym and take several items with you when you do.

But if you're taking it to work, then you need a backpack that also looks professional.

Our top picks:

1Prime Men's Leather Backpack

Best for a professional laptop backpack.

Prime Men's Leather Backpack

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210X Laptop Travel Bag

Best for a smart convertible laptop backpack.

10X Laptop Travel Bag

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3Liberty Men's Leather Backpack

Best for a small, professional leather work backpack.

Liberty Men's Leather Backpack

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4Weekender

Best for a smart duffle style weekender.

Weekender

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Best Gym Backpacks 2023

Prime Leather Backpack

Prime Backpack

Best for the stylish professional who needs to carry a laptop and documents to business meetings - the Prime Leather Backpack.

Prime Men's Leather Backpack Product Highlights:

ProductPrime Men's Leather Backpack
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsAdjustable Straps
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width40 cm (16 in)
Height27 cm (11 in)
Depth12 cm (5 in)
Weight1.2 kg (0.5 lbs)
Personalization?Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the Prime product video below:

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Our review:

"Are you looking for a unisex bag for work? If so, this solution may well fit the bill. This bag comes with an array of marvellous features like the YKK zipper and tough lining. The bag is designed to serve you well throughout your work endeavours for many years before it needs to be replaced. This popular bag offers you a sleeve for a laptop up to 14" in width and features a large zipped pocket on the front. The main compartment provides you with three separate compartments. The bag can be carried with the top handle or the adjustable shoulder straps. It is made from elegant premium Italian full-grain leather."
Pros Cons
Made of full grain leather Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment
Durable and long-lasting Weight adds to its overall quality and strength
Spacious and versatile Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity
Designed for men
Multiple compartments for organized storage
Stylish design
Comfortable to wear as a backpack

10X Leather Laptop Travel Bag

10X Laptop Travel Bag

Best for stylishly carrying your laptop and work essentials on business trips or daily commutes with the 10X Leather Laptop Travel Bag.

10X Laptop Travel Bag Product Highlights:

Product10X Laptop Travel Bag
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Sizeup to 15.6 inch
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsBackpack Straps and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width31 cm (12 in)
Height42 cm (17 in)
Depth17 cm (7 in)
Weight2 kg (0.9 lbs)
Personalization?Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the 10X product video below:

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Our review:

"This magnificent item could be perfect for your needs if you require a reliable unisex bag for work. The bag is made from premium Italian full-grain leather and can be used as a travel bag, a backpack and a messenger bag. This high-selling all-in-one solution boasts a tough cotton lining and has a dependable YKK zipper. You'll also gain access to a sleeve for a 15.6 inch laptop or a 16 inch MacBook Pro. This adaptable bag also has a front-loading design that makes it easy to source your work essentials, whilst the canvas-lined internal compartments will simplify organisation remarkably."
Pros Cons
Made of full grain leather Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment
Durable and long-lasting Weight adds to its overall quality and strength
Spacious and versatile Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity
Suitable for both professional and casual use
Fits most laptops up to 16 inches
Designed for easy travel and convenience
Multiple compartments for organized storage

Liberty Leather Backpack

Liberty Backpack

Best for stylishly carrying work essentials and laptop on daily commute or business trips, Liberty leather backpack is a versatile unisex option.

Liberty Men's Leather Backpack Product Highlights:

ProductLiberty Men's Leather Backpack
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsAdjustable Straps
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width40 cm (16 in)
Height33 cm (13 in)
Depth12 cm (5 in)
Weight1.4 kg (0.6 lbs)
Personalization?Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the Liberty product video below:

Browse more images of the Liberty:

Our review:

"This magnificent unisex bag for work appeals to men and women alike. It is designed to support you in the office and elsewhere for several years to come and comes with a sleeve for a laptop up to 14 inches in width. Other features that have made this bag one of the leading players in its field include the tough cotton lining, the strong YKK zipper and the convenient zipped front pockets for smaller items like phones and notebooks. You can alternate between carrying the bag with the reliable top handle or the adjustable shoulder straps. The bag is made from premium grade Italian full-grain leather."
Pros Cons
Made of full grain leather Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment
Durable and long-lasting Weight adds to its overall quality and strength
Spacious and versatile Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity
Designed for men
Multiple compartments for organized storage
Stylish design
Comfortable to wear as a backpack

Weekender Leather Weekend Bag

Weekender

Best for stylish weekend getaways with ample space for clothes and essentials - the perfect companion for any adventure.

Weekender Product Highlights:

MaterialCertified Italian vegetable-tanned leather
DesignSpacious design perfect for gym and travel with a dedicated sleeve for up to a 16" laptop
InteriorDurable cotton lining with compartments for organization
ZipperJapanese YKK zipper for reliable access
ComplianceMeets airline size standards for carry-on luggage
CraftsmanshipHandcrafted in Florence, Italy by experienced craftsmen
Additional FeaturesAdjustable and removable leather shoulder strap, studs on the base for protection, solid brass hardware
PersonalizedOption for custom laser engraving
Use CasesTravel, gym, sports, weekend getaways
SustainabilitySupports local communities and eco-friendly practices

Watch the Weekender product video below:

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Our review:

"Are you looking for a great-looking and dependable unisex work bag made from outstanding materials? If so, this option will serve you well for years to come. Perfect for the office and the daily commute, this bag is manufactured by expert craftsmen in Florence. The bag comes complete with a sleeve to accommodate laptops up to 16" and enables you to transport a wealth of devices and accessories in style. The bag comes complete with a YKK zipper and robust cotton lining. Carrying this big-selling bag is a breeze due to the leather handles and the adjustable leather shoulder strap."
Pros Cons
Made of full grain leather May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials
Stylish and sophisticated design Not completely waterproof
Ample storage space for essentials Not ideal for extremely heavy items
Comfortable to carry and handle
Durable and long-lasting construction
Develops a unique patina over time
Easy to clean and maintain
Multiple compartments for organized packing
Suitable for weekend trips and overnight stays

Room for Gym Essentials

A gym backpack might be used to transport items like drinks, gloves, shoes, a change of clothes and various other kinds of training supplies. They can be worth their weight in gold if you go to the gym before or after work – or even if your gym is your workplace.

Placing a gym backpack in a locker and retrieving it should be a simple process. Some backpacks even have separate compartments for shoes. You can use most of these products as normal backpacks if you wish to do so, and some people use them to transport their laptops and accessories to coffee shops, for when they want to work away from their homes or at the office.

There is no need to use most of these backpacks exclusively for the gym, but they can make your trips to the gymnasium easier.

Gym Backpack vs Gym Duffle Bag

The main difference between gym backpacks and gym duffels is that they are carried differently and have different kinds of storage compartments. Most people agree that gym backpacks are the more comfortable to carry. You can add a liberal number of items to your backpack before distributing the weight across your shoulders.

Backpacks tend to have a large number of small zippered pockets. They also usually have outer pockets where you can store water and protein shakes. You can also expect to see one or two main compartments for other items. However, duffels only normally have a single large internal compartment and a few smaller pockets. Backpacks and duffel bags can both be great for the gym, but if you need a bag that will serve you well in various other situations too, it may be best to opt for a gym backpack.

Should I purchase a leather gym bag?

Leather gym bags are rather popular due to the way they are very durable.

They can withstand a substantial amount of wear and tear.

Their elegant appearance is another reason so many people opt for leather gym bags.

They are great for people who regularly go straight to the gym from the office.

How can I remove unpleasant odors from a gym backpack?

Once your gym clothes have been in your backpack for a day or two, you might spot an unpleasant aroma. An effective way to prevent these kinds of aromas is to take sweaty gym gear out of your backpack as soon as you have finished with it. Some people keep deodorizing balls, sprays and dryer sheets inside their backpacks so odors can be absorbed or masked.

If you want to remove odors from your backpack without washing the item, you can sprinkle baking soda into the bottom of it. Leave it wide open and allow it to sit overnight. It’s possible to wash some backpacks in a washing machine or by hand. If you do want to do this, read the care instructions on the label first. Don’t use harsh soaps or detergents as these could damage your backpack

Related:

What’s the best way to keep a gym backpack clean?

Gym backpacks can get dirty not just because they are used to store sweaty gear but because they are often left on dirty gym floors too. It’s wise to follow your manufacturer’s care instructions and to wash the backpack at least once each month. The internal part of your backpack can be cleaned on a weekly basis. Remove your worn gym clothes as soon as you can after each visit to the gymnasium.

How large does my gym backpack need to be?

There are many shapes and sizes to choose from when it comes to gym backpacks. The size that you should opt for will depend on how much you wish to store inside your backpack. The vast majority of people are satisfied with a medium-sized gym backpack. Medium-sized backpacks tend to offer around 30-40 liters of space. There should be enough space to carry a change of clothes, sneakers, a water bottle, a small number of toiletries and accessories including wristbands and gloves.

What should I avoid wearing at the gym?

It’s best to avoid wearing clothes made from 100% cotton at the gym. This is because cotton dries very slowly and absorbs moisture. The excess moisture can cause you many problems including chafing, skin breakouts and chills. The best kind of clothes to opt for include quick-drying synthetics as well as moisture-wicking fabrics. These tend to draw water away from the skin and speed up evaporation times.

Related:

Final Thoughts

That's the end of our best gym backpacks post! We hope you found it useful. If you ever need any help with anything to do with bags or fashion, feel free to contact the Von Baer team, at info@vonbaer.com.

Browse all of our Work posts here, and our Style posts here.

Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

We always aim to have the highest editorial standards, and only publish accurate information on our website.

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