Milk and Cookies
with Linda and Kristen
Milk and Cookies is a savory web venue for cool products, useful tips, and idea-sharing, prepared especially for busy moms like you. From the must-haves to avoid-at-all-costs, we're dishing out tools for a delicious life balance.
Visit Linda's fitness site at Bodies in Motivation and check out Kristen's blog at Swistle.blogspot.com
I recently received a request to cover gym bags as a topic, which made me happy because O, how I love looking at bags. Diaper, laptop, purse, it doesn’t matter — bags are one of my favorite things to web-window-shop.
I actually could use a new gym bag, since I’ve just been carrying my purse when I go to work out. It’s a tote shape so it works decently for carrying the things I need (iPod, towel, water bottle, keys) but I do notice I’m the only person mincing around the weight room with a, you know, purse. I have a largish duffle bag I could use, but that seems like overkill — I don’t change at the gym, so I don’t need to bring along clothes, shoes, and toiletries.
Don’t you think I need a new bag? COME ON TELL ME I NEED TO SHOP FOR A NEW BAG.
Ahem. Anyway, here are some bags (big and small) I’ve been looking at:
Sherpani Meta Sports Gym Bag. Interior mesh pockets, removable inner bag for cosmetics etc, zippered pockets, big straps for carrying the back over your shoulder — plus, super-cute color combinations.
Crescent Moon Convertible Yoga Tote. A tote bag with an adjustable wrap to hold your yoga mat! Cool idea, and I love the black/pink style.
REI Balance Gym Bag. The REI Balance bag’s got a purselike shape with long straps, can hold a yoga mat, has several pockets, provides a large zippered opening so you don’t have to root endlessly looking for items, and is even made from recycled materials. What’s not to like here?
PUMA Phantom Mini Grip. This bag is fairly small (11″ w X 4.25″ deep x 7.5″ h) so you couldn’t easily carry a full change of clothes or extra shoes, but if you’re only needing to tote along some water, your personal items, and maybe a small towel, it would work great. SUCH a cute design — like a hip little bowling bag.
Overland Equipment Luna. I like the cross-body design of this funky bag, which looks just big enough for the essentials.
Kalya Town Square. I can imagine a thousand uses for this style — it looks like it could serve nicely not only as a gym accessory, but as a diaper bag, carryon travel tote, or laptop bag. It’s got a bottle holder on the side, tons and tons of storage areas, straps for a yoga mat, and comes in eighty spiffy colors. Probably too much for what I need, but I’m kind of lusting over it anyway.
Do you have the Perfect Gym Bag? Tell us about it!
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In the days I used to go to a gym (ahem) I would just take my Timbuk2 bag. Those are cool because you can design your own and you can use them for anything really.
Ashley | June 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Nice selection - I actually have that last one - and it’s great - super roomy and holds so, so much! Unfortunately, it holds too much and I end up shlepping more than I need. It’s also a little on the heavy side when empty. And in an effort to get out of the all-black, all-the-time cycle, I ordered it in lime green, and promptly spilled diet coke on it. It STAINED!
Di | June 20th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
When I went to the gym, I used a back pack (not glamourous). Now that I work out at home and outdoors I don’t really need one.
Still, I thought I’d pass along that Lululemon makes a few cute bags.
Lesley | June 20th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I found a great gym bag at Target, for only $20. The brand is RBK. It’s got compartments on each end large enough for a hair dryer or clothes, and a smaller one on the front that’s good for toiletries.
SoftwareMom | June 21st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Those are cute! I don’t go to the gym or have a need for a diaper bag, but I totally need to come up with a reason to get that last one. It would be nice to buy a bag instead of making it for a change.
Karen | June 21st, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Hi there, this is Lara who wrote to Linda about gym bags. I think I’ve decided on the last bag, and for those of you who are also loving it, I see it’s on sale (!) and if you check this link
Kalya they have a set on sale too - for about another $10 you can get the little purse on a string thing, great for traveling and also solves another problem - I load up my gym bag to take to work, throwing my wallet and junk in the bag, but I don’t want to haul the whole bag around when I run out to get a coffee or lunch. So this is perfect!
Now to decide on colour…
Thanks again Linda!
Lara | June 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 am
I got another style from Sherpani - a messeger style:
http://www.amazon.com/Sherpani-Flora-Major-Messenger-Style/dp/B000GSH04K/ref=pd_sbs_a_2
It holds a lot - has a wet zipper pocket built in and three outside little zipper spots (for phone, keys, gym card etc.) - there are also straps on the bottom for carrying a yoga mat, but you can cinch them up if you don’t use one.
I’ve even used it as an overnight bag…and it holds a laptop w/it’s sort of padded sides.
Liv | June 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hi, I just came across your story and thought I’d tell you about the greatest gym and everyday bag I’ve ever used: The Sling from WaterField Designs.
http://www.sfbags.com/products/slingbag/sling.htm
I actually do work for the company, but I swear to you it is the best bag I have every had! Here’s the link so you can look for yourself. I get compliments on it frequently. I’m not sure the pics do the material justice, but it’s kind of a metalic-y material and it is washable (which suits my lifestyle well). When I don’t have much in it, it looks small and when I stuff it full, it just keeps swallowing up my gear. Hope you like it.
Heidi | June 24th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I recently bought Gaiams Everything Fits bag.
http://www.gaiam.com/product/gift-guide/gift-shops/for-the-yogi/everything+fits+gym+bag.do
It fulfills my need for bowler-style bags, it was a good price (cheaper on Amazon) and it’s make of recycled materials, so my inner hippie is happy. Downside is that the wet/shoes part can be a pain if there’s already stuff in the bag.
rai | June 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
http://www.thegreenaura.com has some large size bags, quality is excellent and price reasonable. Shipping is free too!!
funtush | June 25th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
The Lug Puddle Jumper Bag….I just love it, it fits everything and has different compartments to hold everything, so the dirty stuff doesn’t have to be mixed with the clean stuff
Katie | February 6th, 2009 at 6:49 pm