The Alo Unwind Cinch Bag review that closes this 14-strong list of tested and recommended gym bags is unlike anything else on it, priced at $1,800 and constructed from calfskin leather rather than the water-resistant nylon you will find at the affordable end. The list, compiled by the editors at Popsugar after testing, reading customer reviews, and consulting expert recommendations, runs from a $19 backpack to that four-figure cinch bag, covering every practical and aesthetic need in between.
The breadth of the selection reflects a deliberate editorial choice: not every gym-goer wants the same thing. Some need a bag that survives a daily commute and a locker room in the same hour. Others want compartments for shoes, a USB port to charge a phone, or a yoga mat strap that doubles as a foam roller holder. A handful want something that looks nothing like a gym bag at all.
The Budget End: Functional, Affordable, and Tested
At the lower end of the price range, the coowoz Large Travel Backpack at $19 leads the way. Fitness coach and personal trainer Andrea of Body by Dreaa uses it as her gym bag, citing its capacity for headphones and a full tub of pre-workout, plus a removable shoe compartment that fits in most standard gym lockers. A reviewer noted using the side straps to carry a barbell pad, a detail that speaks to the bag’s practical design beyond the basics.
The Forestfish Duffel Bag Gym Tote at $20 takes a different approach, hiding a side compartment for shoes or wet items inside a design sleek enough to pass as an everyday tote. The Etronik Gym Bag, also $20, adds a USB charging interface, a separate wet bag, and water-resistant nylon, with reviewers noting it fits under an aeroplane seat. The Wisepack Gym Bag at $24 brings a trolley sleeve for travel and, according to one reviewer who had used it across hotels and gyms, no problems with zippers or material after months of use.
For those who train with a mat, the Sportsnew Yoga Mat Bag at $30 offers a built-in strap designed to carry a full-size mat or foam roller, along with space for two blocks. The Quince Packable Expandable Travel Tote at $45 compresses down to roughly the size of a laptop sleeve when not in use, then expands by 4.5 inches at the base when you need the room.
The Alo Unwind Cinch Bag and the Atelier Range
The Alo Unwind Cinch Bag sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from everything else on the list. At $1,800, it is described in the round-up as having a voluminous silhouette and a shiny leather feel that reads as a designer bag rather than a gym accessory. According to Alo Yoga, the bags in this collection are hand-constructed from responsibly-sourced calfskin leather and suede carrying a Silver Standard designation from the Leather Working Group, an industry body that audits tanneries on environmental compliance.
The Alo Unwind Cinch Bag is part of the brand’s Atelier category, a premium line that Alo launched in 2023. As reported by Business Insider, the Atelier range included a $1,400 puffer coat, $748 cashmere trousers, and a $698 fur jacket at launch, positioning the brand firmly in the luxury segment alongside its core athleisure offer.
The collection’s design language has also extended to material innovation. According to WWD, leather mesh fabrics were created for the Mini Unwind, Tranquility Tote and Voyage bag styles, with a laser-cut pattern that nods to the athletic mesh used across Alo’s athleisure apparel. The Alo Unwind Cinch Bag itself features a wide drawstring opening and measures 8.65 inches high by 15.5 inches wide, available in three colourways.
Sitting between the two extremes, the mid-range options make a reasonable case for themselves. The Béis The Sport Tote at $88 draws a reviewer endorsement for fitting a tennis racket, a 40-ounce water bottle, and still leaving room to spare. The Calpak Fit Gym Bag at $155 comes with a ventilated shoe pocket that extends into the bag rather than sitting beneath it, a design detail that one editor credited with making the bag easier to set down without tipping. The The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel at $98 (down from $140) is made from recycled polyester and includes an adjustable internal divider, with at least one reviewer using it as their sole bag for laptop, lunch, gym kit, and shoes.
Popsugar noted in its September 2026 update that the list is set to expand further, with the Ceneda 20-inch Gym Duffel and the Suwarble Small Gym Bag under consideration for the next revision.