A gym duffel bag is but a piece of gear to help us have what we need to get where we need to go. It shouldn't be complicated or hard to use, and it should easily accommodate our most essential items for when we are on the road. Therefore, the ease of use is very important. If it is simple to pack your bag with all the absolute necessities regardless of size and shape and pack that bag efficiently for the ultimate use of space, then you have a good product.

While you could always just throw your items in the bag, you will most likely be happier once you arrive at your destination to have things organized so that you can find them much easier. So options that allow for this are also important. The other factor that goes along with ease of use includes the ability of the bag to be closed up whether it by zipper or button, a closure that is made well and smoothly closes makes it extremely useable and low stress.

The other nice feature that you may find which can help you use your duffel bag is the addition of compression straps. These can be either inside or outside your bag or in both areas its construction. The use of these straps helps you pack a bit more and securely strap down your items. It also helps compact all your things so that it is much easier for you to open and close your bag.

Extra features that go above and beyond for storing your most precious and needed goods will be super useful when you are trying to pack lightly for a trip only wanting to bring but one training duffel bag. Or if you are needing to bring gear along with clothing to a workout session or a competition, the extra features that a bag will offer could be very helpful in keeping your stacked and ready for your session. Advanced features like extra loops, mesh pockets, mesh dividers, internal zippered pockets, bottle holders, or clips. Additionally, some workout duffel bags will have the ability to be rolled about with wheels which make them very useable when you are packing heavy and don't want to weigh down your shoulder.

The other advanced options to consider is whether there is water resistance in the materials. This is particularly important and helpful when you are going to be outside, say hiking or camping. Some gym duffel bags could take a bit of rain without getting everything inside wet, while others can literally be submerged completely underwater and still come up with dry items inside. If the product is made of materials that are easily cleaned you have a better way to manage hygiene.

These bags that we chose for our list had to have an amount of durability that could hold up to traveling and serious exercise sessions. We were looking for solid construction with tough stitching and rugged materials such as nylon or polyester. Tough synthetic blends that are going to have better abrasion resistance and tear resistance were important to our evaluating each product on the market.

When you are purchasing a gym duffel bag you are going to want to get a good lifespan out of it. You shouldn't have to be super concerned about the wear and tear that it goes through in order to get this. We looked at models that could take a good beating and consistent use and still live up to providing solid performance through and through so you can have a bag that will offer abilities.

When you are looking for portable storage you are likely going to be on the move, and the easiest way to accomplish this is to carry your gear without any extra weight holding you down. Your weight should be in the objects and tools or clothing that you pack, not in the workout duffel bag itself that should be but an afterthought.

While wheeled products will offer an extra bit of functionality and ease of use, this extra built-in gear will add weight. This can often be as much as a whopping 6 pounds. So that is definitely something to think about. If you can do without the smooth functioning of a wheeled product, those that don't have this feature will give you a much lighter product while still having solid durability through construction and other materials.

Depending on what you are doing, whether you are simply going to the gym or working outside, or if you are heading on a plane, the weight could be an issue. If you are just engaging in a workout session, it may not be a big deal. You might like the wheels should you like to carry some heavier gear with you like a medicine ball for instance. If you are traveling on a plain, there are weight maximums to be considered.

That extra weight for the wheel function could put you over those limits. If so, you have the potential to get hit pretty hard in the wallet. Extra volume is another aspect that offers more ability to carry extra items, but that can come at a moderate weight level. So just think about what your primary purpose is when looking for the best training duffel bag and consider how much you need to carry and how much weight you are able to feasibly take on.

Outside of straps to hold in your hands or wheels that can help you glide through most any surface, there are other portability options that duffel bags offer.

Backpack Straps
When you just need to pack your bag and hit the road, a backpack strap can make for a nice companion to your bag. In general, you can expect that these backpack straps will have comfort padding built-in. If you feel like they are too bulky or you just don't need them, they will most likely have the option where you can remove them. This style is nice for use when you have to walk far distances. The set up distributes the weight of the duffel bag amongst your shoulders which can not just lighten your load and make travel much easier but also allow you to have full use of your hands.

Shoulder Straps
If you don't have to trek miles upon miles and just need to throw the bag on and get moving a shoulder strap could work.
While these aren't as comfy as a backpack strap, they are still very functional for portability. When you are using one of these straps it is best that the bag itself isn't overly heavy because they could dig into your skin and shoulder which is never a fun time. These too can be taken off the bag when necessary.

Carrying Handles
The most common portable feature is a carrying handle. they can be padded or not, they work well to simply aid in picking up your bag and transporting it from here to there. They can take a good heavy load, but we wouldn't recommend this as the only strap used if you have to walk far with them.

Grab Handles
You will find these on the ends or sides of your duffel bag they make for good help in picking up your bag. When you need to move them and change their location, like putting them up in a closet or on top of other high-piled luggage, these will be very helpful in getting a good grip.