Today, I have a quick review of my favorite gym and work bags. I am not a big fashion girl but I do love my bags.
My current go to bag for going straight to the gym after work is this Oakley Skinny Tote. My lap top fits perfectly on the side in a separate sleeve. It comes with two smaller pockets inside for smaller things like my lip gloss, keys, and business cards. There is a special elastic band too that holds in place your yoga mat. It of course will stick out of the top but still a nice little feature. It fits a ton and is comfortable to carry on your shoulder. It doesn’t down your arm slip at all. It’s now available in purple too for those of you who need a bright bag! If you want it in black and pink, it’s on sale for $50 at OakleyVault.com too!
My old go to was this Lululemon bag that I got as part of the G Series Fit campaign I did with Women’s Health Magazine, hence the large Gatorade logo. It is great for fitting my laptop but when the G was embroidered, the long should strap was removed before I got it. As a result, I always had to carry it on my shoulder and it was constantly slipping off due to the shiny fabric and round handles. I finally thought to use the strap from my OGorgeous yoga bag the other day to make it easier to use. Lululemon has great gym bags for style and function. After two years however, this one looks beat up.
It is large and has two extra pockets as well on the inside. However, I find that the integrity of the inside is kind of disappointing in that it always feels like the bag is collapsing in on itself. It’s like the objects in the pockets are always too heavy despite almost being weight less. There is nothing in the laptop sleeve but doesn’t it look like there is something in it? This is more of a just gym bag given the Gatorade logo for me.
Right before Christmas, I was sent a LiveWell360 Core bag. It retails for $187 which I think is pretty expensive considering the features. The bag is handmade so the quality is amazing and hence the price. For me, it lost points not being able to fit my lap top or carry a yoga mat like their other two bag styles do. It does come with a separate compartment for dirty sneakers which is feature I did like. The Luxx can carry a yoga mat and your lap top (plus sneaker compartment) while the Accel is a smaller, cheaper option that is great for carrying a yoga mat, water bottle, towel and other accessories you might need for class. Their straps are made out of seat belt material, comfortable on the shoulder and will not fray or unravel. The zippers are smooth, an issue (and pet peeve of mine) for cheap yoga bags. If you are a yogi who practices afterwork and need your own mat, the Luxx is definitely a bag to potentially invest in. The Core is fine, but an extra $20, the Luxx is much more versatile in my opinion.
This guy gets used more than you think! While yes, it makes me look like I’m 10 years old, it’s great for bringing my laptop and full gym outfit with me to work. It had two side pockets for a water bottle and umbrella. I also like using this when I travel through airports. For some reason having a suitcase, shoulder bag and purse can be a bit much to juggle. The backpack makes like a little easier in my opinion. This is also the most affordable option on here.
These are my two go to bags for work. The Vineyard Vines is my preppy New England look and the one on the right is my serious business lady bag. I see girls at the gym bring their Louis Vuitton bags and throw them on the floor next to their treadmill with dirty Uggs inside. While I do bring this bag on occasion to Bar Method, I basically store socks, a tank and capri pants inside. I would never ever recommend this as a gym bag but it’s size is perfect for a high powered business meeting and heading off to go tuck afterwards. The Vineyard vines on the other hand can be zipped up to keep the items inside from spilling out. There is not laptop sleeve but it does have a bunch of little pockets inside. It is comfy to carry when heavy on my shoulder as well.
As you can see, my laptop is must. I don’t always need sneakers and I don’t always need a yoga mat, but I almost always need my computer if I’m bringing a bag. Often I just run to and from the gym to make my workouts more efficient. You might be thinking, “Don’t you work from home? Why do you need a work/gym bag?” I do not love working at home. I prefer to work in an office setting when I can. I rent space at a shared office in Boston. It’s great for using a printer, meeting clients and removing distractions.
What kind of gym bag do you use? Can it fit your laptop or yoga mat? Do you use the same bag for work or do you have separate ones?
Small announcement! You all know I love Lorna Jane, right? Well, they were only available for purchase through the Aussie website or in one of their California stores until today. You can now buy Lorna Jane clothing from their brand new US site. These people add new styles almost weekly. They are going to give Lulu a serious run for their money!
