Gear Picks
Gym Bags to Help You Get After It This Spring
Six packs that will ensure your excuse for not going to the gym isn’t that you don’t have your gear
Featured
$110.00
from Amazon
With a sealed, water-resistant shoe compartment, a separate pocket for a phone and notebook, and another for keys and a wallet, the Jnr Kong appeals to the most organization-obsessed among us. It has 32 liters of storage space in the main compartment and is made from tough 1,000-denier nylon and burly YKK zippers.
$197.00
from Amazon
The Beast is designed for gym rats who obsess about their carb intake as much as their squat max. It has an insulated compartment designed to keep six meals organized and cold, with the help of the included gel ice packs. And even with all that grub and Tupperware, there’s still room for your workout gear in the main compartment and interior pockets.
$70.00
If you prefer to hit the gym after work, this is your backpack. It has all of the necessary touches, like a separate shoe compartment, water-bottle pockets, and a big interior space, plus a padded laptop sleeve. And its simple black aesthetic means it won’t look out of place at the office.
$35.00
from Amazon
Don’t worry about quarantining your stinky yoga clothes after your lunch session. Stuff all of them and a bottle of water in the large main compartment of the All Day, and slide your mat through the exterior sleeve. There are also two zipper pockets to keep your phone and accessories organized (and yes, away from the smelly gear).
$49.00
from REI
A cross between a duffel and a grocery bag, the Black Hole Gear tote is made from a light nylon ripstop with a DWR finish, all but promising it can handle years of abuse. You get 28 liters of storage space and an interior zipper pocket for your wallet, phone, and keys. Best of all, the bag stuffs into its own pocket when you’re not loading it full of gear.
$30.00
from REI
It’s amazing how many things you need to carry for a quick session at your local climbing gym: shoes, chalk, harness, and snacks. You can haul them all in this simple messenger-style bag from Metolius. The main compartment has 28 liters of space, and a front zipper pocket keeps your phone and keys safe.
All Gear
$190
$66
from Backcountry
65% off
The Thorpe is one of our favorite vests for high-output days in the mountains. “Just substantial enough to maintain a comfortable core without sending my body temperature into overshoot,” said one Buyer’s Guide tester.
$270
$202
from Moosejaw
25% off
We gave the Switcher MIPS a Gear of the Year award. “After more than a dozen testers placed the Switcher on their noggins, all agreed that it was the most comfortable helmet they’d worn,” we wrote. The helmet ticked all the boxes we wanted (like a MIPS construction and a magnetic closure on the strap).
$319
$207
from Moosejaw
35% off
The Masao is one of our favorite waterproof jackets because it's both lightweight and packed with features. The pockets in the front are compatible with a harness and your helmet will fit snug under the hood. Plus, there are zippers built into the armpits of this jacket—ideal for dumping heat.
$119
$83
from REI
30% off
We crowned this romper the MVP of summer. Former editor Axie Navas wrote, “Over the course of the past year, I’ve worn this one-piece for work, gardening, pub crawling, traveling, and hiking.” The recycled polyester-spandex fabric is comfortable and non-restricting. Plus, the stylish cut keeps your look polished without getting too fancy.
Sponsor Content
ATG by Wrangler™ Mixed Material Shirt (Women’s)
$40
from ATG by Wrangler™
Bring comfort and style with you on your next outdoor adventure. The Women’s Mixed Material Shirt made with 85 percent recycled materials is quick drying with UPF 50 to keep you cool and protected from the sun. The comfortable stretch and zipper pockets add the functionality you need to play (or work) hard outside.
$89
$62
from REI
30% off
Senior gear editor Ariella Gintzler praised these tights for their extreme comfort and durability. “After more than four months of weekly use in the gym and on the gritty sandstone boulders near my home in Santa Fe, these bottoms hardly look worn,” she wrote.
$13
$10
from Backcountry
23% off
Ultramarathoner, coach, and mom Meghan Laws swears by five-toe socks from Injinji. “Without them, I get blisters between my toes,” Laws says. Injinji has a patent on its popular five-toe design, and the lightweight mini crews are made with synthetic, breathable Coolmax and nylon.
$180
$117
from Backcountry
35% off
The Altus MIPS won a Gear of the Year award in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide: “Testers wore the Altus for multiple self-powered laps up southern Oregon’s Mount Ashland on a 50-degree afternoon, never wanted to take it off, and came away with dry hair,” we wrote.
$15
$11
from Huckberry
27% off
This polyester microfiber neck gaiter is printed with a map of Grand Teton National Park. There are a dozen ways to wear sweat-wicking neck tubes like this one—we think it’s handy as a headband, too.
$56
$39
from Huckberry
30% off
The timeless Crazy Creek is still one of the best camp chairs on the market. “My Crazy Creek is an essential part of my adventure kit that has literally saved my butt more times than I can count,” wrote podcast producer Maren Larsen. “Its classic design isn’t going anywhere—except on every outdoor excursion I take.”
$24
$18
from REI
25% off
If you’re a skier who wants less cushioning, these are the socks for you. “Icebreaker’s take on the superthin ski sock features moisture-wicking merino wool, nylon, and Lycra,” wrote associate editor Abigail Barronian. “It has little cushioning to speak of, but it still feels substantial, striking a good balance between weight, warmth, and breathability.”
Gear Picks is a curated selection of products we’ve tested and heartily recommend. We stand by this gear—and the brands that sell it—and many of our editors and writers use this stuff weekly. Whenever possible, we provide a link to a past review so you can make sure it’s something that suits your lifestyle—ideally at a steeply discounted price. Happy shopping—and gear-picking.