You’re busy, and you don’t have time to fuss with all your various accessories while you’re coming and going to the gym. From gym gear to clothes to shoes to water bottles to personal items, you need storage that can stand up to your busy and active lifestyle.

Athletic backpacks are structurally designed for the active person, giving you plenty of comfortable storage space so that you can carry all your gym accessories without fretting over any items becoming lost. Carry your basketball, your shoes, your wallet, your keys, all with the added security of a backpack and the lightweight design of athletic gear. But how do you find the best athletic backpack when there are so many out there? We’ve put together this list of our favorites, the athletic backpacks that stood up to repeated use and could be utilized both indoors and outdoors.

Read on to see why our experts love these athletic backpacks!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are All Athletic Backpacks Alike?

Athletics backpacks are specialized and are purposefully designed for active lifestyles. They have roomy space to carry more items, and are durable enough to stand the normal wear and tear of sports activities. Many athletic backpacks are designed to be used indoors and outdoors, and are waterproof to protect your gear from the elements. They include additional exterior pockets for personal items and zippered pockets for extra storage.

What Features Should I Look For In Athletic Backpacks?

Even the smallest features matter with athletic backpacks, because tiny additional pockets or hanging loops can make or break the versatility of your bag. Keep an eye out for reinforced stitching, waterproof or weather-proof material, improved fit, additional zippers and fasteners, accessible pockets, additional shoulder and back padding, and storage space for accessories such as water bottle holders and cell phone holders.

Buying Guide

We’ve put together this essential Buying Guide so that you can make the best choice of athletic backpack with none of the stress. Check it out!

Features a sleek, neutral design 

This lightweight backpack is made of recycled content, making it a great sustainable and eco-friendly option. It comes with a large main compartment and two zippered front pockets for smaller items.

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Features vented side zippered pockets to store skates 

This large athletic backpack makes organizing and carrying your hockey gear a breeze. It comes with multiple exterior pockets and a large main compartment that opens and closes with a drawstring.

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Comes with a hidden back pocket to store valuables 

This drawstring backpack includes three inner pockets and one large front pocket to help you keep all your belongings organized. It is designed with large, adjustable shoulder straps. 

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Has a 40 L capacity 

This backpack comes with one huge compartment featuring two-way zippers for easy packing, as well as one ventilated compartment for keeping shoes and dirty gear separate. It features sturdy, adjustable shoulder straps.

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Perfect for carrying gym essentials 

This backpack has a large main compartment and small zipper pocket on the inside. It is made of high-density Oxford that is super durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. It has a sturdy drawstring closure that makes storing things quick and easy. 

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