I'm in the market for a new gym bag. It needs to be big enough to hold EVERYTHING! Okay, maybe I'm just referring to my hairdryer. I really don't care for the one's they have at my gym. I also want separate compartments to keep my wet gym clothes separate from everything else. Anyway, I just thought some of you may have a bag that you really love and would like to suggest. Thanks!

L.

I love my gym bag. It has a front small compartment for my lock, gym card, exercise gloves, and carmex (lips get chapped at gym). It has two roomy side parts, one I keep my knee brace, toiletry bag and water bottle in. The other I keep my shower shoes in and also stuff the dirty stuff in when I'm done. It also has a big center compartment for my workout clothes, shoes and whatever else I need to stash (a hairdryer would fit here). I got it from Target and it was a generic bag.

Tiki

L.
I checked the bag and it's not generic, it's a Champion.

Tiki

Hey Thanks Tiki! I'm headed there sometime today so I will take a look at them. DH purchased his there too and told me that I was not allowed to "borrow" his. Not even for "just this once" Truly he is not being selfish. I tend to just keep everything of his that I borrow. The list is long.

I have a Land's End bag that I've had for years, but some features I like are:
separate sections on either end (I use one for my shoes, the other for water bottle and like stuff),
a small front section that works great for comb/brush, workout papers and keys (even has a key strap)
it has a detachable shoulder strap

I've used this as a travel bag for overnight too. It's very tough and the zippers are large and sturdy. I bought my DH a new bag for Christmas, and he likes that it has a place for wet clothes separate from the rest, as well as a water bottle net section on the front. I end up keep my shower slippers in a plastic grocery bag on the bottom of the inside of mine (but I usually go straight home and shower there, so they don't get used a lot), and keep another bag for the sweaty clothes.

Hi Pat. Lands End would be nice too. I'll have to take a look at what they have to offer. I need durable... While transporting my sons with me in the mornings, my things kind of get tossed around and abused just a bit. Thanks for the suggestion.

Like I said Lydia, I've had this bag for 4? 5? years. It's held up very well, no ripping out by the zippers, only some abrasion caused by the delicate handling of the airline baggage folks.

My absolute favorite was an "Everest" brand bag that I bought at the Arnold Expo about 4 years ago. I just retired it a few weeks ago. Too bad you didn't post this two weeks ago! I'm not sure they are sold in stores.

I bought a shocking pink Ativa bag from Sports Authority. It has all the requisite pockets, but has plastic zippers and hardware and I'm sure it won't last as long.

Mel

Lydia - mine is actually a wide-mouth sports duffel from L.L. Bean, but I just looked and I see they don't carry it anymore

I actually own it in 2 different sizes, and there are tons of pockets for anything you could think of. Maybe Lands End or Eddie Bauer would have something similar - for durability, I would definitely check them out.
Cindy

I just got an Eddie Bauer bag from Target. It's a nice size, with lots of pockets and looks well made. Target had a nice selection.

Thanks everyone. Lots of choices. I haven't gotten to Target to look yet. Something I need to do soon because the headphones for my iPod just went out yesterday!

Mel: I did find several sites that carry the Everest brand! It looks like a cool bag too. I especially like the one that has a hidden bottom for my shoes! Thanks for the tips everyone.