5 Best Running Bags for Commuting and Training

Instead of tossing all your running gear into whatever bag is closest to the door, we’ve rounded up the best running bags for every type of runner.

At some point, runners wind up juggling multiple bags: a gym bag, running bag, work bag, and somehow still forget something important.

If you’re tired of digging through bottomless totes just to find your keys or headphones, it might be time for a better setup.

Maybe you’ve been using an old backpack. Or maybe you’ve resorted to using that free tote bag you picked up at a race expo, only to realize you can barely fit your running shoe, let alone everything else you need.

We’re all about making things easier, and that even means avoiding walking around carrying five different bags.

Whether you’re heading to the gym, commuting to work, or spending the weekend on the trails, there are plenty of options that can do it all.

These bags below hold up to the wear and tear of everyday use, keep your gear organized, and are worth the investment.

While we couldn’t test every bag out there, these are the ones that earned a permanent spot in our gear closets.

Best Running Bags

Not all bags are created equal, especially when it comes to carrying running gear.

The right bag should make it easier to stay organized, protect your gear, and keep up with everything from heading to the gym on workdays to long runs on the weekends.

Here are a few things to look for:

• Durability – Strong zippers, sturdy straps, and quality material that can handle everyday use
• Organization – LOTS of pockets to store your nutrition, headphones, shoes, keys, and other essentials you’ll need for a good workout
• Comfort – Padded shoulder straps and back panels that are comfortable whether you’re walking or running
• Versatility -A bag that works just as well for your gym commute as it does for a workout or race weekend getaway
• Water Repellent/Resistance -Rain or post-workout sweat, water-resistant materials will keep your gear dry

The best bag isn’t necessarily the one with the most compartments or the highest price tag. It’s the one that fits your routine.

If you’re heading straight from work to a run, a separate compartment for shoes or sweaty, smelly clothes is a must.

If you’re always carrying a water bottle, make sure the exterior pockets are actually big enough to hold it.

At the end of the day, the right bag should make getting out the door a little easier. When everything has its place, you’re spending less time searching for your gear and more time doing what you can to run and work out.

Whether you need something compact or a bag that can hold all your gear, we’ve broken our picks into three categories based on size and storage.

Gym Bags

These bags have plenty of pockets to keep your gym gear organized. No more dumping everything out just to find your headphones or wondering where your keys ended up.

Janji Ultrahauler Super Tote

The Ultrahauler Super Tote is a structured 40L gear-hauling gym bag that offers a streamlined approach to make sure you have all the necessities.

This has become Coach Amanda’s official trail bag where she keeps everything ready to go, so she always has anything she might need when hitting the trails. The waterproof area to put wet clothes in after (hi sweat) is fabulous.

It combines the utility of a durable gear hauler with the versatility of a modern weekender bag with a zippered main compartment, expandable storage, six organizational drop-in pockets, an oversized mesh compartment for post-run gear, a removable change mat/seat pad, and multiple carry options.

There’s plenty of space to carry shoes, nutrition, a water bottle, and a change of clothes for post-workout. 

• Size: 40L
• Colors: 2
• Three carry options (shoulder straps, grab handles, cross-body strap)
• Waterproof base
• Available from Janji.com for $198

Lululemon 3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag

If you need one bag that can do a little bit of everything and looks stylish, this is an option our team loves. It’s nice to have an option that feels a little less gym like and can easily transition through your day.

The 30L main compartment easily fits your workout gear, shoes, and extra clothes for post-workout.

There’s a removable strap that actually doubles as a yoga mat carrier or stretching strap. We love a piece of gear that can serve multiple purposes!!

Whether you’re heading to the gym, traveling for a race, or squeezing in a workout before or during your workout, it keeps everything organized without feeling oversized.

It also has a garment bag that you can throw your smelly clothes into so that the rest of the stuff in your bag doesn’t absorb the sweat.

• Size: 30L
• Colors: 7
• Two carry options (shoulder straps, cross-body detachable strap)
• Multiple pocket options including a specific one for your shoes
• Includes separate drawstring pouch for sweaty clothes
• Water-repellent fabric
• Available from Lululemon.com for $168

GoRuck GR1

Bags from GoRuck are built to carry all of your essentials, whether heading on a racecation or to the gym; there’s plenty of space. But BEST OF all is the way it folds down. No digging way down deep to find that thing you’re sure is in there, just fully unzip and open the front to find what you need!!

Plenty of pockets and compartments keep everything organized, so you’re not having to take everything out in the gym locker room.

Having a designated spot for your shoes, nutrition, electronics, snacks, and all those other gym essentials makes it much easier to stay organized.

• Available in 15L, 20L and 26L
• Multiple zippers to keep everything safe and secure
• 3 internal pockets, 3 rows of external and internal MOLLE webbing
• Opens Flat making it easier to pack and organize
• Check it out from Goruck.com starting at $395

Run Commuter Packs

These running packs are built for longer days on the trail. They have enough storage for hydration, nutrition, weather gear, and emergency essentials. Best of all, they stay comfortable mile after mile without feeling bulky or cumbersome.

Janji Revy Pack

The Revy Pack by Janji is a well-made running pack that fits way more than a traditional vest, but feels comfortable no matter how full you stuff it and how many miles you carry it.

This pack is great for anyone and everyone who wants a well-made pack they can comfortably wear in any circumstances and for epic lengths of time.

It’s great for urban dwellers who would way rather run everywhere than take a car, bus, or subway.

It’s great for trail runners who need to carry a longer list of gear than they want to stuff in a vest. It would make a great drop bag or daypack for hut-to-hut adventures.

It’s also a fantastic EDC, so you’re ready for whatever the day has in store.

Ideal for mega adventures, like the Grand Canyon R2R or R2R2R, when you need more than what you can fit into a compact running vest.  Carry it on a self-supported ultra or race with a long required packing list, or use as a drop bag.

• Storage Capacity: 18.5L expandable volume
• Hydration Capacity: one 500mL HydraPak® SoftFlaskTM included (can fit two on the front straps), multi-size bladder compatible, and three large external pockets can store water bottles such as 1L Nalgenes and 32 oz Hydraflasks. 
• Pockets: 15 plus internal laptop or bladder sleeve
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Available from Janji.com for $198

Ultimate Direction Fastpack

This pack is a nice middle ground between a running vest and a full daypack.

With around 23L of storage, there’s plenty of room for extra layers, hydration, nutrition, and other trail musts without feeling oversized.

The wide zipper opening makes it easy to find what you need.

And the padded shoulder straps and back are a welcome addition to help keep the load comfortable when you’re trail running or hiking up a mountain.

If you’re looking for a running pack that can handle long days on the trails, race weekends, and all-day adventures, this is a super versatile option. It also comes in different sizes to meet whatever your trail needs are.

• Storage Capacity: 20L and 30L available
• Pockets: 2 front water bottle pockets, large front pocket and pole pocket
• Sizes: S/M, M/L
• Colors: 2 available
• Padded back and shoulder straps keep the load centered
• Available from Backcountry.com for $165

There are a lot of great running bags out there, but these are the ones that stood out to us.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments; we’re always looking for new gear to test out.

Looking for what to read next?

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• Best Hydration Vests for Runners: Tested for Fit, Bounce, and Long Run Comfort