January is a great time to make a change. New Year’s day always feels like a symbolic push of the reset button, presenting us all with a renewed sense of hope and productivity. How does this feeling manifest itself? New Year’s resolutions, of course. We simply love setting ourselves lofty – and often highly unrealistic – goals. Humans have made New Year’s resolutions for centuries, though where in the past it may have been something along the lines of ‘be more kind to others’, most New Year’s resolutions in the modern day revolve around staying fit.
We were given two pieces of excellent advice on how to keep up a New Year’s resolution recently:
- Instead of setting one general goal for the end of the year, break it into weekly increments like visiting the gym three times per week.
- Give yourself an incentive: buy new gym clothes, for example. This makes everything feel more exciting.
We can’t help you with the first piece of advice, that’s all down to you. The second, however, is well within our skillset. Here are the best gym bags for men to get you through your New Year’s resolutions this year.
Mismo - M/S A-Bag
If a brand were to conduct a survey in major cities around the world, asking the population what would make the perfect city bag, the final product would probably look almost identical to Mismo's A-Bag. Crafted from heavy-duty, ballistic nylon, this men's weekend bag is waterproof and super durable. A 30mm gun-metal buckle on each side of the bag allows you to adjust the vegetable-tanned, full-grain bridle leather handles.
Mismo - M/S Supply Bag
A good sports holdall should be a fuss-free accessory that works around your life. The water-repellent Italian cotton & nylon blend of the Mismo Supply Bag makes it a dreamy companion for all events. An elongated full-grain strap accompanies two shorter handles to offer you an over-the-shoulder or by-hand carry option. A spacious interior makes this bag a front-runner in the race for best gym bag this year.
Property Of... - Karl 48hr Backpack
Amsterdam-based brand Property Of... makes a bag with the user in mind throughout the design process. Each aspect of the simple, vintage-inspired men’s bags has been considered long and hard to ensure the smoothest user experience. When it comes to the Karl 48hr Backpack, you get the advantages of a suitcase without any of the hassle. The oversized backpack offers enough room for a weekend away but can fold down to ideal work-and-gym size. A range of pockets give space for a computer and important documents as well as a large interior space for gym gear. Carry using the padded shoulder straps to keep your hands free or use the side handle to carry it like a briefcase.
Steele & Borough - The Valley Duffel
Steele & Borough approaches the world of bags for men with an eye for classics. Don’t expect any frills, just understated, sustainable and utilitarian design. This sports duffel bag comes with a drawstring bag that can be used for wet towels or the like, a unique touch for this small gym bag. Vegan leather handles work in tandem with a nylon shoulder strap for maximum portability while the uncluttered interior has enough space for gym gear or even a quick weekend away.
Steele & Borough - Biker Freedom Weekender
A slightly bigger design than The Valley Duffel, this men’s weekender is intended for travel but doubles up as an essential gym bag. Constructed from nylon and vegan leather, it includes a drawstring bag like The Valley Duffel while offering a more structured and slightly larger storage space. We love the all-black design as it leaves all styling doors open – you can take this weekender to work without a worry.
Ucon Acrobatics - Colin Backpack
Ucon Acrobatics’ Colin Backpack embodies the label’s futuristic design values, presenting a super streamlined option for work and the gym. A TPE coating to the interior makes the fabric completely waterproof and much more durable while a high-quality neoprene pocket makes the ideal laptop space so you needn’t mix gym gear with business. A roll-top construction allows you to adjust the size of the bag depending on your day. Just going to the gym? Roll it right down for a lightweight carry.
Ucon Acrobatics - Original Arvid Backpack
We can’t get enough of Ucon Acrobatics’ Arvid Backpack because of its versatility. Not only can the Arvid Backpack be carried as a backpack, the shoulder strap is waiting to be used on the days when you’re bearing a heavier load. It’s not just portability that we’re loving, though. The bag is given a dirt and water-repellant, eco-friendly silicone finish as well as a waterproof PVC interior coating, water-resistant zippers and compression straps so that you can minimise the backpack’s size. Multiple compartments make this such a formidable accessory. You only need to look as far as the bottom compartment for laundry and shoes to know that Arvid is made for trips to the gym.
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Gym bag sorted, still looking for something else? It turns out that there's a Mismo bag for every occasion.
