After joining my first MMA gym, I quickly realized that I was going to need some sort of bag to carry all of my gear and equipment. When you think about carrying your gloves, hand wraps, water, shin guards, towels, extra clothes, etc… having a gym bag alleviates the weight off your shoulders (literally and figuratively). I actually have multiple gym duffel bags and backpacks for my MMA and BJJ training.
I don’t know what I would do without my gym bag, it has made my life so much easier. I actually have two gym bags, one for my MMA gear (shin guards/gloves), and one for my Jiu Jitsu gear (gi and rash guard). This is great because it keeps all of my gear/equipment safe and protected, it also makes it much easier to find come training time.
Why do you need a Gym Bag for MMA?
I guess you don’t necessarily need a gym bag for MMA, BJJ, or Muay Thai, however it’s much more helpful when you own one. From the moment I bought my first MMA gym bag, everyone else in the gym quickly followed suit.. Sooner than later everyone was using the same gym bag as me! This was actually quite annoying because then we all had to label our gym bags so they didn’t get mixed up with one another.
Having a gym bag specifically made for combat sports is great because they’re much more breathable than other bags offered online. Gym bags for MMA and BJJ also have special compartments meant for certain things; such as your mouthguard, hand wraps, etc. Most normal gym bags don’t provide any of these compartments, they also aren’t as breathable which means bacteria is much more likely to grow in a closed space.
Do you need a Duffel Bag or Backpack for MMA?
I personally recommend both, a duffel bag for your main training gear and equipment, and a backpack for extra clothes and towels to dry off after training. This is all personal opinion of course, a majority of the bags below are actually waterproof as well so you won’t have to worry about ruining any of your gear or electronics. I just really recommend either buying a duffel bag that will take care of your every need, or a combination of both duffel bag and backpack for MMA, BJJ and Muay Thai.
The 10 Best Gym Bags for MMA, BJJ, and Muay Thai
I know shopping online can be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know where to start. Luckily for you, I’ve sifted through every single MMA gym bag buying option and have picked out only the best of the best!
Gold BJJ Randori Duffel Bag
Pros:
– Waterproof sweaty gi compartment
– Plenty of room for all of your training gear (easily holds 2 Jiu Jitsu gis)
– Super durable, and backed by a strong guarantee from the brand
Cons:
– Since it's loaded with martial arts specific features, it's on the pricey side compared to regular gym bags
The Gold BJJ Randori Duffel Bag is my go-to training bag. It’s versatile, with plenty of room for all of my training gear. While this bag is designed by Jiu Jitsu athletes, it’s great for any martial arts training. A lot of other martial arts duffels just feel like ordinary duffels with a logo slapped on them, but you can tell this bag was designed from the ground up by people who train martial arts every day.
My favorite part of this bag is the waterproof sweaty gear compartment. My gear is always drenched and gross at the end of a training session, so it’s great to be able to separate it from the rest of my clean stuff. The waterproof pouch is big enough to fit a wet towel on top of sweaty boxing shorts or a Jiu Jitsu gi, so if I have time to shower at the gym I can stash all of my wet and sweaty gear until I get home.
This bag is available in two colors, black and grey. The accents are clean and minimalist, and you can tell this brand cares about the details. For example, there is an inner compartment designed for your BJJ belt with their FOR THE JOURNEY slogan. This is the perfect gym bag for MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai and people who are serious about their training.
Meister Breathable Gym Bag
Pros:
– Incredibly light weight
– Breathable chain mesh construct
– Zipper pockets on both sides
Cons:
– Only one design option
The Meister Breathable gym bag is one of my favorite gym bags to use for MMA training because it’s so breathable and lightweight. This bag comes in two separate sizes; both large and x-large. I actually previously included this bag as a part of my article on keeping your boxing gloves stink free. The best way to keep your MMA equipment and gear smell-free is by taking the very best care of them, this includes having a breathable gym bag.
Normal gym bags hold in the odors from your clothes and gear, which is not only unpleasant but also a way bacteria grows. The Meister Chain Mesh bag is lightweight and allows the bag to breathe, taking the odor away from your gear and equipment. This unique material is not see-through like some mesh bags, giving you and your gear some privacy. Your training partners will appreciate this as well (trust me, they truly will be grateful). I believe this MMA bag has a great value.
Venum Trainer Lite Sport Bag
Pros:
– Special compartment for shin guards
– Mesh panels for breathability
– Adjustable and padded shoulder strap
Cons:
– Zippers can get stuck at times
The Venum Trainer lite sport bag is perfect for people who want a high quality gym bag that looks great carrying their equipment. The large compartments are wide enough to store shinguards, boxing gloves, and any other gear with tons of space to spare. A special zip pocket on the side allows you to easily separate your clean and used clothes worn during your training session.
The built in bands of mesh fabric deliver better breathability in order to keep your gear fresh and far away from bad smelling microbes. The reason I love the Venum Trainer lite is because it’s easily the most stylish bag on this list, and will match your gear if you also use Venum gloves or shin guards. Venum also offers a similarly styled backpack option that has over 10 different color combinations to choose from.
OGIO Endurance Duffel Bag
Pros:
– Adjustable backpack style shoulder strap
– Crush resistant compartment for sunglasses
– Waterproof compartment
Cons:
– Expensive gym bag
The OGIO Endurance duffel bag is easily the best bag on this list, however it’s also the most expensive gym bag on this list. OGIO is known for making high quality outdoor gear and equipment and the endurance bag is no exception. This bag is made from high quality material and so many different compartments we can’t even keep track. The best part about this bag is that it includes a special crush resistant compartment that’s perfect for sunglasses, cell phones, and any other valuable items that you don’t want destroyed.
The OGIO Endurance duffel bag includes an adjustable backpack style shoulder strap with adjustable sternum strap so that you can carry your bag anyway you would like. Highly reflective 3M-Tech fabric delivers exceptional visibility in low light. The wet/dry compartment allows you to store items that won’t get wet no matter the situation. This bag is easily the most versatile gym bag on this list, great for MMA, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and any other combat sport.
Fairtex Gym Bag
Pros:
– Over five awesome color combinations
– Tons of compartments both big and small
– Huge bag for optimal efficiency
Cons:
– Only one size available
This is the type of bag you get when you have a lot to carry! The Fairtex gym bag can fit Thai pads, gloves, shin guards, and more! The best thing about this bag is it’s specially made for Muay Thai equipment, so it has tons of compartments both big and small to carry a variety of items. This bag is massive, so you won’t need any additional bags once you purchase this one. This is a great gym bag for Muay Thai in particular.
I love Fairtex gear and highly recommended Fairtex on my Ultimate Muay Thai Gear and Equipment Guide, the Fairtex gym bag is no exception. This bag is a workhouse and demands to be treated as such. It’s slightly expensive when compared to other gym bags, but it might be the most efficient bag on this list because it carries so much gear and equipment! The Fairtex gym bag is great for MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai, and any other combat sport, it also comes in 5 awesome color combinations to choose from.
Cobra Grips Sport Bag
Pros:
– Tons of room for all your gear
– Ventilated wet and dry compartments
– Two bags in one
Cons:
– Only one size available
When it comes to the Cobra Grips Gym Bag, it’s all about style, convenience and quality. This sport bag has wet/dry storage, and is perfect for anyone who exercises. Whether you’re a newbie or a hardcore MMA fighter, this bag is built for you. Made of 600-Denier Polyester with PVC coating, the Cobra Grips Gym Bag has heavy-duty hand-grip handles (with re-enforced stitching) on both ends for easy handling when loaded down with weight.
This bag is known for being a “weightlifting” bag, however it’s actually great for both MMA and BJJ training. Another great thing about this bag is that it can be great for travel as well. Whether you’re packing clothing, towels, or travel items for a flight, you’ll find this bag spacious with room to stay organized. The Cobra Grips Gym Bag has a large main compartment in addition to front, right and left zip compartments. You’ll easily have plenty of space to fit all of your necessary items when on the go.
UNK Martial Arts Bag
Pros:
– Double zipped cover
– Additional mesh fabric
– Side shoe compartment
Cons:
– Only one style available
The UNK new martial arts bag with double zippered cover is a new bag with great value. Additional mesh fabric on top can help ventilate entire interior. This sports bag is durable and has roomy interior/exterior which is perfect for carrying all sparring gear needs. Features padded shoulder strap and several zippered pockets on the exterior which can be used to hold different items.
Large zippered area in front is cleverly made to hold a chest/guard. Two smaller pockets on one end with mesh fabric can be used to hold shoes or wet items for ventilation. Other exterior zippered pockets are available and can be used to hold smaller items and large items. Martial Arts in Chinese printed on one side. I love this bag because it’s simplistic with tons of value to it, the martial arts engraving is a nice touch as well. This is a true martial arts gym bag.
Gold BJJ Backpack
Pros:
– Water and sweat proof
– Belt protector pouch
– Reinforced stitching for durability
Cons:
– Not much storage room
Finally a training backpack that is actually made for jiu jitsu. The Gold BJJ Backpack is designed with many jiu jitsu specific features that will make it the last training bag you’ll ever try. I highly recommend this bag if you’re purely looking for a bag for Jiu Jitsu because it has everything you need. The Gold BJJ bag has an extra large waterproof gi compartment to store your dirty kimono in.
The waterproof compartments helps keep the rest of your gear dry and stank free! Your belt is a sacred part of your jiu jitsu journey, keep it protected and respected with the pack’s belt pouch. The bag looks great, reinforced stitching, top of the line zippers, and high grade nylon ensure that this pack will last you a lifetime of training. This is the best gym bag for BJJ available today.
Hayabusa Ryoko Mesh Bag
Pros:
– Tear resistant lining
– Dual water bottle pockets
– Fully ventilated mesh design
Cons:
– Only one design option
Elite Sports Mesh Duffel
Pros:
– Ventilated mesh compartment
– Three color designs to choose from
– Multiple compartments for all gear
Cons:
– Small bag
The Elite Sports mesh duffel is a smaller version of the Elite Sports Warrior Duffel we talked about up above. I believe this is a great cheaper alternative, however, it’s important to note that this bag is smaller than the warrior duffel. This is a great alternative if you don’t have as much training equipment to carry on a daily basis.
I would recommend buying this bag if you only carry the basics (such as gloves/shin guards). This won’t fit Thai pads and extra gear like some of the bags above. The great thing about this bag is that there are 3 different colors to choose from and they all look great. This bag is super portable and compact, can fit many things even though it’s much smaller than the upgraded version.
Final Thoughts
I realize finding the best gym bag for MMA can be difficult, but with this guide I hope you feel much more confident while shopping online. It’s my belief that every single gym bag included on this list can be the perfect gym bag depending on your training type and requirements. I always size up if possible when buying gym bags, you never know how much equipment you’re going to want to bring to the gym. If you found your perfect gym bag for MMA, BJJ, or Muay Thai, please drop a comment below and let me know which one you decided to buy!