Best BJJ Bags [2023] – Bought & Used

While training equipment like gis, rashguards, and shorts get most of the attention, carrying them to the gym doesn't

Yes, you can use a regular travel bag to go to the gym, but dedicated BJJ bags come with features that will make your life easier and more pleasant, not to mention you will look cooler carrying your stuff in a fancy-fighting brand bag.

The last part is not as important, but things like having many pockets, wet compartments, and breathable details are features that do make a difference, and they are missing from most regular travel bags.

To make your choice easier, we have tested many of the most popular BJJ bags and ranked them in an easy-to-use list.

Best BJJ Backpack

Revgear Travel Locker XL “The Beast” Backpack

This BJJ bag is the best and biggest backpack I own, and they don't lie when they call it "The Beast." It has three main compartments:

• Back compartment for laptops, books, tablets, etc.
• Middle compartment for all your fight gear.
• Front compartment for pens, keys, and anything else.

The middle compartment is the largest and holds 3 gis and a lot of other stuff. I doubt anyone will need to carry three gis, but it's an excellent presentation of how much space there is inside, especially when you consider this is a backpack.

Most importantly, the straps and back are heavily padded, so it won't dig into your shoulders even if you fill it to the brim.

Two additional features are a side pocket for your drink bottle and a small waterproof top compartment for your phone with a headphone socket.

The bag's material is thick and sturdy. I've had cheap bags that felt like thin raincoat material that ripped easily, and the Revgear Travel Locker XL Bag stands out in comparison.

Furthermore, the zips are thick and high quality, so they will not break with heavy use.

Revgear also offers a slightly smaller version of the bag called "The Mini-Beast," which meets most airline hand luggage regulations requirements.

You can see how much stuff you can put into this backpack from the official Revgear video, and when we add the quality of the materials, it's easy to see why I find this model the best on the market.

Best BJJ Convertible Duffel Bag

Revgear Transformer Duffel Bag

Duffle bags are usually bigger than backpacks, which is why people choose them. But a backpack is more comfortable, and you pick one or the other.

The good news is there are convertible duffle bags that can be used as a backpack, and the Revgear Transformer is one of the best on the market.

The thickness of the heavy-duty zip is the first thing you'll notice. This is great because thin zips on large bags like this easily break. It also has breathable mesh pockets on the sides for sweaty BJJ equipment.

The bag is made of heavy-duty nylon, and it feels sturdy. There is a single over-the-shoulder strap to carry it like a duffel bag outside the backpack straps.

You can detach it if you want to use it as a backpack. Conversely, when you don't need the backpack straps, they are easily stored in a special pocket.

There is plenty of space for everything, from a couple of gis and a change of clothes to room for gloves, shin guards, and other protective gear if you are not only grappling.

Best Budget BJJ Backpack

XMartial Expandable Backpack

If you are looking for a budget convertible option, the XMartial Expandable backpack is a solid choice.

The premium polyester material coated in heavy-duty PVS is what I like best about the XMartial Backpack/Duffel Bag.

The materials give me the impression it's going to be long-lasting. Combine this with high-quality zips and breathable mesh fabric to keep your clothes from starting to smell bad, and you have a great budget BJJ bag.

There are two side pockets for loose items and a top compartment for your wallet and keys. The shoulder straps are detachable and can be zipped away when using the duffel option or left out when using the backpack option.

While smaller than others, it's perfect for BJJ practice and easily fits a gi, rash guard, water bottle, another set of clothes, basically everything you need for jiu-jitsu.

Best Budget BJJ Duffel Bag

Elite Sports Warrior Series BJJ Duffel Bag

This combination of high-quality manufacturing and low price cannot be found in another budget duffel bag. Although smaller than the Revgear Transformer Duffel Bag, the Elite Sports Duffel Bag will be enough for most BJJ practitioners.

It's made of heavy-duty polyester and has high-quality zips and stitching. If you need everything in one bag, you can fit your BJJ gear and most of your MMA or striking gear here.

 For your sweaty clothes, it has a separate breathable dirty gear compartment and an additional one for shoes.

This model is also convertible into a backpack, but the previous Elite bag is mainly intended to be a backpack, while the Warrior bag is more of a duffle bag.

There are several pockets on the sides for extra bits and pieces. Because of these features, size, and affordable price, the Elite Sports Warrior bag is the best budget BJJ duffel bag.

Runner Up Best Budget BJJ Duffel Bag

Elite Sports Expandable Backpack

If you're looking for a training bag that is even lighter on the wallet, Elite Sports has you covered. The simple but durable duffle bag is compact on the outside but holds much more gear than you might expect.

If you don't need to put in striking equipment, it will be enough for your gi, rash guards, and everything else you might need for BJJ.

The material is canvas, and the zippers are good quality. The canvas is lower quality than the materials used in most other bags on the list, but if you are on a tight budget, this bag will serve you well.

Other BJJ Bags Worth Mentioning

Gold BJJ Randori Duffel Bag

Gold BJJ is a mainstay in jiu-jitsu equipment, and its bags are very popular in the community.

The cleverly named Randori duffel bag is smaller than the other duffel bags on the list, but the product is aimed solely at jiu-jitsu practitioners, and the size is enough for them as it fits two gis and all of your training gear inside.

It's made of high-quality waterproof polyester that feels sturdy in your hands. The zips and stitching are strong, so this bag will last. Because the shoulder strap is adjustable, you can make it longer or shorter to suit your needs.

You also get a sweaty gear compartment to store away everything, large front pockets, and mesh pocket organizers. All in all, if you need a jiu-jitsu-specific bag, the Gold BJJ duffel bag is an excellent choice.

Gold BJJ Backpack

The Gold BJJ backpack is another product solely designed for jiu-jitsu, and you can tell by its features. It's smaller than the Revgear and Elite backpacks, which also try to cater to MMA practitioners.

The Gold BJJ backpack has a waterproof gi compartment, just like the duffel bag. It also has zippered side pockets and a velvet-lined compartment for sensitive items like your phone and glasses. The unique feature here is the belt pouch.

The only downside is that it comes at 34 liters, but for many, this is enough. If you don't lug around too much stuff, the compact size and lightweight will be perfect.

Sanabul Lab Series Mesh Duffel Gym Bag

Another excellent budget option for a duffel bag comes from Sanabul. The big selling point of this bag is that a large portion of it is made from breathable mesh, meaning your sweaty gear will ventilate even on your way home from training.

Sanabul has placed many zippered pockets, so all your stuff, like a mouthguard, keys, and other personal items, have separate pockets. There is also a separate compartment for wet gear or shoes.

The Sanabul mesh bag comes in two sizes. For jiu-jitsu, the standard size will be perfect, and if you also carry boxing gloves, MMA gloves, and shin guards, you may want to get the oversized version. At the price, this bag is a real bargain.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best BJJ Bag

Size

The size of a BJJ bag is the most prominent feature. If you're carrying your Gi, a change of clothes, and shower necessities, size becomes especially important if you go straight from work or school and have your BJJ gear and work in the same bag.

The bags on this list are large enough to hold all your training equipment and anything else you might need that day.

Furthermore, if you are into jiu-jitsu but do some striking arts, you will require a lot more space to store your gloves, shin guards, and other equipment, which is why size is the most important feature of a bag.

Duffel Bag vs. Backpack

In general, backpacks are more comfortable because you have your hands free and can be worn while riding a bike or running, while duffle bags are larger and have more space, and people often also use them for non-training related trips.

Depending on how much you carry, the choice between a duffel bag and a backpack is also down to size. Some backpacks, like the Revgear Beast, have more space than most duffel bags, so this is not always true.

Other products like the Revgear transformer and a few others can be used as a duffle bag and a backpack, but the feel is inferior to that of a dedicated backpack.

Materials And Zippers

Gym bags take a lot of beating and are used daily, so material quality is crucial for longevity.

Especially when you overfill the bag, zipper strength is very important, because if the zippers break the whole bag becomes useless. More expensive bags are usually made from better materials and are more durable.

Wet Gear Compartment

Some bags come with separate compartments for sweaty gear. This is an important feature for some who use public transport or walk to go home.

There are ways around it, like using cheap separate bags, but it's nicer if the gym bag comes with the feature.

Frequently Asked BJJ Bag Questions

What Should Be In A BJJ Gym Bag?

The training essentials in a BJJ gym bag are your gi and belt, rash guard and shorts (depending on the class type), mouthguard, towel, and water bottle.

Other optional stuff can include finger tape and protective gear like ear guards and knee braces. If you're showering or changing at your gym, a towel and a change of clothes will be needed.

How To Clean My BJJ Bag?

Sweaty clothes with which you've rolled with a dozen people are bound to carry a lot of germs.

Even if you take them out immediately when you go home (which you always should), a BJJ bag still needs regular cleaning.

You should follow the factory washing instructions for washing. Still, other practical things you can do besides washing are using antibacterial wipes and leaving the bag to air out in the open as often as possible.

Summary

We’ve researched and tested popular BJJ bags and concluded that if you need to take half of your household goods to training, the best way to do it is by using the Revgear Travel locker XXL.

The Revgear Transformer is the best option for a large duffle bag while Elite Sports, Xmartial, and Sanabul have great budget bags. Gold BJJ may be your best bet if you need slightly less space and want something specifically designed for jiu-jitsu.