What do you look for in a gym bag?
Storage space? Definitely. Portability? Everyone would want that. Compactness? Especially if you travel a lot, this is a huge plus.
What if I told you that you could have all of these in one backpack? In my opinion, this could very well be the most efficient one on the market today. And we have to thank for that.
Now, let me be upfront: unlike the Venum Challenger shin guards, I don’t have any firsthand experience with this product. Geographic restrictions have hindered me in purchasing any of Revgear’s merchandise.
But given those traits that I previously mentioned, this can easily be an instant favorite.
Don’t you worry, dear reader. I will still give you my honest assessment of this fine piece of equipment. Along with similar personal experiences, I will provide a fresh take that should help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
With regards to gym bags in general, here are the questions that people ask me all the time.
What Is the Ideal Gym Bag Size?
My go-to answer would be something along the lines of, ‘As long as it in your car trunk or on a plane’s overhead bin, you’re good.’
Let’s face it. You’d want your gym bag to serve multiple purposes other than storing your sweat-laden workout clothes and equipment. It’ll come in handy if, say, you’re going on a beach trip with the family.
What’s nice about the is that it isn’t too bulky for the car or the plane. With its 19” x 18” frame, it’s a shoo-in for the standard 22” x 14” carry-on requirements of each airline.
But what I personally like about it this product is the storage. With 13.5 inches of depth, it offers a hell lot.
And just look how flexible that space is. Just to give you an idea, a pair of XL shin guards come in at 14.5 inches. A pair of 14-ounce boxing gloves, the heaviest size that people use for sparring on average, is 11 inches. A pair of MMA gloves come in at eight inches.
But see how all of that fits in there nicely. It’s unreal. I don’t think I’ve seen a bag so compact yet so efficient in terms of storage.
Here’s the gym bag/travel bag I use. It’s a local, unknown brand that does get the job done. It’s a backpack/duffel bag that’s been with me for the last three years and it has zero signs of wear and tear.
Its dimensions are 19” x 14” and barely take up space in the car or plane. But if let’s say I’d be doing some gi jiu-jitsu, I’ll need another bag for my clean clothes and toiletries.
Otherwise, I’d be dealing with this headache.
That perfectly segues into another FAQ that’s thrown at me.
How Much Storage Space Do You Need in a Gym Bag?
Shortest answer: as many as possible. I already mentioned how a gym bag is essentially a stink receptacle for used shirts, shorts, underwear, hand wraps, and groin cups.
If I’m going with my trusty bag, I’d need to find a way to separate these pieces of clothes and equipment soaked in bodily fluid. That would then mean taking up more storage space.
Even if I manage to stuff everything in there, I’d be looking like a downtrodden Ninja Turtle when I’m done. But with the Revgear Mini-Beast and the amount of storage space it offers, you’d be able to comfortably carry your entire locker room on your back.
It even has a place to store your laptop. But with the high likelihood of this bag getting thrown around, smashed, or sat on, I would highly advise against this.
Don’t even get me started with the side compartments. Use it to store your hand wraps, a clean pair of socks, a fan knife, a hand grenade, or a set of brass knuckles. The options are limitless.
And did I mention that it has a built-in headphone socket? Talk about keeping up with the techie times.
Should I Go Backpack or Duffel Bag?
If we’re thinking about practicality, you’d go with a duffel bag. It does have a wider frame and it’s easier to find more storage opportunities. And if you want to take it up a notch, there are leather duffel bags out there for you.
But have you tried walking around with a fully-packed duffel bag an entire day? I have. I seriously feared for my right arm and that it would literally just fall off from carrying all that weight.
With a backpack, all the weight is evenly distributed. Save your arm and shoulder the insane amount of punishment they shouldn’t be carrying, to begin with.
But Revgear took it up a notch by adding a padded back area and straps. That’s a huge plus in my book.
How Much Should I Spend on a Gym Bag?
Personally, I wouldn’t mind spending $100 on a gym bag, as long as it serves its purpose well. And thankfully, the Revgear Mini-Beast costs way less than that. At $70, you get to enjoy the conveniences it offers.
Now, I understand that it could be a little steep for some of you out there. Times are hard. And since many gyms have yet to open their doors because of the current crisis we’re all in, this could be an impractical purchase to make right now.
I hear you. Loud and clear. But once the world opens back up, you’ll have a highly efficient gym back at your disposal. Especially if you live an active lifestyle of working out or traveling, you’d be able to make the most out of this bag.
Convenience always comes with a price. But frankly, the one attached to the Revgear Mini-Beast isn’t so bad.
Disclaimer: I may earn a percentage in commissions for every purchase you make through the affiliate links I’ve provided above. Doing so would be a huge financial help for me to continue providing you with content that would hopefully add value to your lives. Help a brother out!
