Searching for a gym bag/purse
December 22, 2010 8:31 AM Subscribe
After years of fruitless searching for the ideal bag that doubles as gym bag and handbag/purse...
I go to the gym regularly before work, and despite years of searching, have not yet found the perfect bag that will accommodate my gym clothes plus the other things that I need to carry, all in a convenient format for subway commuting.
My dream bag would be a NON-backpack and have some sort of vertical division, so that via a bottom access, I could store my gym clothes out of the way of the main compartment where I would keep the rest of the items that I need for the day (lunch, magazine, wallet, etc). I have tried (and have currently fallen back on) the 2-bag tactic, with a separate gym bag and purse, but it drives me crazy to be juggling all that on the subway/bus, especially when also juggling my D&D coffee and a magazine.
I came across this bag from Lug and it is almost perfect... just too big and quilted for my tastes. I am in love with the shoe compartment (in the middle photo). Are there any other similarly featured bags out there?
I go to the gym regularly before work, and despite years of searching, have not yet found the perfect bag that will accommodate my gym clothes plus the other things that I need to carry, all in a convenient format for subway commuting.
My dream bag would be a NON-backpack and have some sort of vertical division, so that via a bottom access, I could store my gym clothes out of the way of the main compartment where I would keep the rest of the items that I need for the day (lunch, magazine, wallet, etc). I have tried (and have currently fallen back on) the 2-bag tactic, with a separate gym bag and purse, but it drives me crazy to be juggling all that on the subway/bus, especially when also juggling my D&D coffee and a magazine.
I came across this bag from Lug and it is almost perfect... just too big and quilted for my tastes. I am in love with the shoe compartment (in the middle photo). Are there any other similarly featured bags out there?
I can't really recommend anything else, BUT I have to say that I LOVE the Lug bag. I've had one for over a year and a half, and it's just fantastic. Bonus is that there's an exterior pocket for magazine-type things, and the small pockets fit keys and/or gym locks. It's big, but I find I use all the space when I include my gym clothes and my toiletries. I also use it for weekend trips.
posted by metarkest at 8:52 AM on December 22, 2010
posted by metarkest at 8:52 AM on December 22, 2010
You could post your question on Etsy Alchemy and see what happens...
I always get great responses for my more custom desires.
posted by Kronur at 9:03 AM on December 22, 2010
I always get great responses for my more custom desires.
posted by Kronur at 9:03 AM on December 22, 2010
I've currently got this bag in dark grey, and I loooooove it. It doesn't exactly meet your vertical separation requirements, but the pockets around the perimeter might do the trick. You can store your purse-ly items in these pockets, and your gym goods in the main center section.
posted by scarykarrey at 9:24 AM on December 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by scarykarrey at 9:24 AM on December 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
My current tactic is to use this big, semi-professional looking tote-bag sized bag, then put gym stuff in one of those nice reusable grocery bags inside the tote bag. It's not perfect, but it sort of solves the problem. (I reduce the total amount schlepped by wearing the same sneakers in the gym as I do to walk to and from work, keeping my "nice" shoes in the office.)
posted by yarly at 9:48 AM on December 22, 2010
posted by yarly at 9:48 AM on December 22, 2010
Look into messenger bags: Timbuk2, Seagull and the like. They can put in the sewn in compartment in the middle generally, and that gives you your nice dividers.
Otherwise, I think you should look into brands like Keen, Overland Equipment and the like, or look specifically for bags marketed as yoga bags, which are often more stylish, but have the compartments inside for clothes and such.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 9:54 AM on December 22, 2010
Otherwise, I think you should look into brands like Keen, Overland Equipment and the like, or look specifically for bags marketed as yoga bags, which are often more stylish, but have the compartments inside for clothes and such.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 9:54 AM on December 22, 2010
Would this bag work? It has a separate "stinky" compartment for shoes and clothes, and inside it has an elastic pocket for further separation. I've seen bags like you're interested in with the bottom pocket at luggage stores. But my searching is failing me now.
posted by bluefly at 11:28 AM on December 22, 2010
posted by bluefly at 11:28 AM on December 22, 2010
Lululemon has a Bon Voyage Duffel claims to have an interior mesh shoe pocket.
posted by zix at 11:39 AM on December 22, 2010
posted by zix at 11:39 AM on December 22, 2010
If you can get over the quiliting, there's a Mini Puddle Jumper that's a tad smaller (13.5" x 11" x 6" vs 15.5" x 14.5" x 7").
posted by bubonicpeg at 7:43 AM on December 23, 2010
posted by bubonicpeg at 7:43 AM on December 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by julthumbscrew at 8:52 AM on December 22, 2010