In Defense of My Relationship with the Lululemon Duffel Bag (2026)

As we find out Outdoors, the WIRED Reviews gear team is writing about our favorite bags and EDCs. Today, review Boutayna Chokrane she enjoys her love for her Lululemon gym bag. You can also search for more Bag Check issue to THE WIRE writers share everything they love.

I have a long time he had a soft spot for messenger bags. There’s a retro Silicon Valley vibe to the crossbody that I respect: It means you travel fast, travel light, and save your world. The unfortunate reality of most messenger bags, however, is neck and shoulder pain. With all the weight resting on one belt, one shoulder is left to carry all the weight. After a few blocks decorated with a messenger, you will feel that your choice has turned into a perfect punishment. After years of testing various incarnations of the messenger bag—including small slings and cavernous sacs—I made peace with this exchange. Beauty is pain, after all.

Then I came across the Lululemon 3-in-1 Duffle that’s inspiring, durable, and cohesive—yet cavernous.

True to its name, it’s a multi-use travel system that’s easy to change when I’m on the go for another carry-on. You can grab it with the top handles, throw it over your body when you need your hands, or loosen the shoulder strap and wrap it around your yoga pants to use as a stand-alone carrier. No matter how you use it to carry your stuff, rest assured that the bag promises practicality and comfort: The strap is flexible enough to keep your shoulder, strong enough to carry your gym equipment, and classic enough to double as a stretchy belt. Every duffel unit has a reason for being there, and some have two.

I’ve been exercising four days a week since January 2025, which is as real-world as it gets. Chicago has endured a lot: snow, sleet, and thunderstorms. Water-resistant nylon removes all substances without attraction. The bag dries quickly, resists pilling, and—most impressive to me—doesn’t hold odors. Trust me, I’ve crossed that line a few times in sweaty clothes after a hot Pilates session and I’ve found a ziplock bag that keeps everything covered.

It’s well-maintained: After a trip to the beach, a short shake removed all memories of the sand. This duffel requires little maintenance, aside from the occasional clean, making it an easy way to refresh for travelers who don’t want another task on their to-do list.

The design is deceptively compact. From the outside, it looks like a small and compact bag. But look inside, and you’ll immediately notice that this duffel, with a capacity of 30 liters, is Poppins-esque. There is a dedicated shoe compartment on the side that fits a men’s size 14, although I like to use the bottom part of the shoe to make the opening more flexible. There is a 24-ounce water bottle compartment, interior pockets for keys, AirPodsand other small things that go missing in bags, and there is still room for a change of clothes. and Theragunand a dip kit. Nothing about this bag feels over-engineered, but nothing is lacking, either.