Best Crossfit Backpack in 2023

King Kong Backpack II

The first item to make it to our list of the best crossfit backpacks is the King Kong Backpack II.

As the name suggests, this is one seriously strong backpack. Made from water-resistant military spec nylon, this bag will stand up to weather as well as scrapes, and you don’t have to worry about rips or tears either.

With a 28L capacity, there’s more than enough room for everything you need for a trip to the gym. There’s a small upper pouch for valuables like your phone, and we love the external shoe department that lets you separate stinky shoes from the rest of your gear.

We’re also keen on the expandable pockets for your water bottles, and there’s an in-built laptop sleeve too for anyone that likes to hit up the gym on the way to or from work.

Although primarily a backpack, you can access the main compartment via a large zipper that runs right the way around three sides. This is actually one of the big advantages of duffel bags as it allows you to fish things out of your bag easily, so it’s a great touch on a backpack.

One minor drawback is that once you reach the main section there’s only one main compartment and a divider would have been nice. It’s also pretty pricey…but overall if you want a durable bag with good capacity and some nice extra features, then this bag could be the one for you.

Legendary Drawstring Bag

Introducing the only drawstring bag to make it onto our hit list… the Legendary Drawstring Bag.

It’s super lightweight and has a decent capacity for this style of bag – enough for a change of clothes and some shower essentials. Two external mesh pockets can fit a 32oz water bottle, so you don’t have to hold back on your protein shakes, or you can use them as breathable shoe compartments instead.

There’s also an external zip pocket for things you might want to access quickly, like your keys when you get home after a workout, and there are also two internal pockets to keep things tidy.

The waterproof polyester material will keep your gear nice and dry, is designed to last for years, and is also machine washable (yay). The strings themselves are doubled up and padded for comfort, but there have been a few reports of these ripping out of their sleeves. Don’t worry though, if you are unlucky enough to experience this, this bag comes with a lifetime free replacement warranty.

CHICMODA Duffel Backpack

Here’s one for the girls out there… the CHICMODA Duffel Backpack.

We love the cool color and simple design of this one, but that’s not the only reason we’re big fans. You might be wondering how something can be named a duffel backpack. Well, the adjustable shoulder straps and the chest strap that joins them mean you can wear this like a backpack with no problem.

But if you’d rather sling it on your shoulder like a duffel, then you can do that too thanks to the adjustable strap and padded clip.

With a 32L capacity and a spacious main compartment, you can pop your gear in here without any trouble. There are also large vented pockets for shoes or anything else you’d prefer to keep separated from the rest of your gear. And there’s a handy exterior pocket for all your essentials, but don’t worry if you get caught in any shower, the bag is made from water-resistant fabric.

One minor gripe is that the backpack straps aren’t detachable, and so they can sometimes get in the way of the zipper. Also, as with most bags at the lower end of the price spectrum, you aren’t going to get super high-quality materials and a bag that will last you decades.

Overall, this is a great bag with some nice touches at a reasonable price… and we really do like the color.

Under Armour Backpack

The water-resistant finish alongside a 15-inch lined laptop sleeve make the Under Armour Backpack a great option for any commuters out there. The bottom of the bag features an abrasion-resistant panel, so you don’t have to worry about popping it down on the floor while you fumble around for your wallet, and the bag is lined with foam padding to deal with any bumps and scrapes – the clue is in the name really isn’t it.

The main compartment is nice and spacious – it can even fit an NBA-sized basketball – and there are deep side pockets for your water and protein shake containers. The water-repellent front pocket keeps your valuables dry and accessible, and we love that there are lots of loops on the front for you to clip on any extra gear.

An additional external pocket, as well as an in-built organizational section, means you really can keep all your items in check.

The foam padding not only protects what’s inside but also makes this bag exceptionally comfortable. The shoulder straps are adjustable too, so you can make sure you get the right fit, and we love that they use HeatGear technology to stop your shoulders from getting too sweaty. Although if things do get a little sticky, you can always pop this bag in the washing machine when you get home.

The main drawback with this bag is the small opening to the main compartment of the bag – you may have to do a little rummaging – but overall this is a very reasonably priced bag that’s great for inner-city missions.

Mardingtop Daypack

If you want something high quality that won’t break the bank, then look no further than the Mardingtop Daypack.

This military-style backpack is made of durable water-resistant materials and, whether you opt for the 25L, 28L, or 35L model, you’re going to be able to carry some serious weight. To help spread the load, there are chest and waist straps linking the shoulder straps, and the back is padded too for extra comfort.

One feature we especially like is the 2.5L hydration compartment, which means you can stay hydrated on the go – perfect for when you don’t want to stop hiking or simply have your hands full. We also love the mole webbing across the back of the bag. If you’re into climbing and are used to lugging loads of clips around with you, then you’ll find this super handy!

With a zipped pocket on the front, a secondary inner compartment plus a few side pockets, you’ll have a place for everything. However, the front pocket is quite deep so you might spend a bit of time scrambling around in there before you find what you’re looking for.

Other than that, this is a great, affordable bag with some thoughtful extra features. Oh, and there’s a range of colors available too.

Cobra Grips Backpack

The Cobra Grips Backpack is a super sturdy option to store your gear in, and we love that it converts to a duffel bag too.

Whichever way you chose to rock this bag, you’ll be comfortable doing it thanks to the padding on the shoulder straps and duffel handles. They won’t let you down either as they’re designed to carry lots of weight and have reinforced stitches.

There’s vinyl on the bottom and an inside bottom board too to help the bag keep the shape and for added protection. The zippers are heavy-duty too, but unfortunately, they do stick a little sometimes.

The two-in-one bag design also means the main compartment has a large three-sided zipper, so you access your gear easily. As well as the main compartment, there are six – yes that’s right, six – outer pockets, one of which is a ventilated pocket for wet gear.

We really do like this bag, and the main drawback we can see is the design. Not that it’s the worst, but it might not be to everyone’s taste as it’s quite heavy on the branding. If you can forgive this though, there isn’t much not to love.

Bear KompleX Backpack

At the slightly higher end of the price spectrum than most of the bags we’ve looked at so far is the Bear KompleX Backpack. And in this case, we think it really is a matter of ‘you get what you pay for’.

The high-quality nylon is super durable, and it has a water-repellent coating that stands up to snow as well as rain. It also has the largest capacity of the backpacks we’ve featured. We really aren’t sure whether this bag is best suited for the gym or hiking trips…

It also features reinforced grab-and-go handles, so you don’t have to worry about them snapping off when you’re hauling your gear around.

With 11 compartments you can be sure to find a spot for everything, from your first aid kit to your snacks to your wallet. It also has water bottle holders, and one of the compartments is especially for your shoes. As well as having a ridiculous number of compartments, there’s also webbing for clipping other bits and bobs on to – great for climbing and mountaineering.

And just for fun, there’s an area for you to customize the bag with your nametape and travel patches. The main improvement we’d like to see with this bag is a waistbelt – with such a large capacity it would certainly help to spread the load.

Other than that, we love this heavy-duty bag that you can take with you on outdoor adventures or fit a whole lot of gym gear inside.

G4Free Backpack

Last, but by no means least, on our list is the G4Free Backpack. This is the perfect bag for anyone that works away a lot and likes to exercise while they’re there. The bag folds down into a super small carry bag, so you can take your usual weekend suitcase and just pop the carry bag inside without it hogging all the space.

It also has an impressive 40 L capacity, so if you want to bring back any souvenirs but you’re running out of space you can always whip it out of your main bag!

The main compartment is easily accessed by a large U-shaped zipper, so you can spot what’s in your bag right away. There’s also a ventilated compartment, for shoes or wet gear, a water bottle holder, and a front zippered pocket, so you can easily keep tabs on where everything is.

We also like that it converts to a hand-held duffel or you can use one big shoulder strap – we know that carrying your gear around can get a little tiresome, and mixing it up is a great way to avoid aches and pains (you get enough of that post-exercise anyway!).

It might not be as sturdy as some of the more expensive options, but the fabric is anti-tear and water-resistant. One slight issue is that the shoe compartment isn’t the largest we’ve seen, so you might struggle if your feet are bigger than size 12.

All things considered, this is an affordable and versatile way to get your gear from A to B, even if you’re going via airplane.