Karkoa Gym Bag Review

A few weeks ago I was sent a gym bag to review from the luggage specialists Karkoa.

I was sent the Plume bag in rose grey (you can watch a YouTube video HERE that shoew it in action).

My usual days for running are Tuesday and Thursday and I do that straight after work as I can avoid the traffic this way by delaying my leaving time. So having a good gym bag to take to work is important to me. I don’t take a huge amount as I always shower at home but I need a bag I can fit in my running gear and any extra bits and bobs.

What I really like about it is that it has numerous compartments for all your different items. The most important thing for me in a gym bag is a separate storage area for my trainers to where I’ll put my clothes because I don’t want my trainers stinking them out (I’m not that stinky, but you know what I mean ).

 Also, in winter my trainers can get a bit muddy or wet so having a separate area is really handy.

The storage area is a zipped compartment on the side and is a structured section underneath the main compartment. I’ve previously had a gym bag that had a separate trainer bit but it ate into the main storage area and really annoyed me as it limited the space. At the other end of the bag you have another similar storage compartment that you can put things like a cosmetics bag or what have you.

There’s also an insulated zipped pocket to put a water bottle. I love this! Again, it doesn’t take space away from the main compartment but nor does it feel bulky or huge. There are two side pockets: one that’s more of a deep pocket and the other which has mini compartments (one zipped) for things like money and phone. And inside the bigger main compartment it has more storage pockets too

When I went to London on Saturday I decided to fully test this bad boy out by taking it with me. I needed to take a change two sets of clothes for after parkrun and the blogging event, a towel, a spare set of shoes, water, cosmetics bag, and all the stuff I’d normally put in a handbag. It worked perfectly. I had it slung over my shoulder all day and it was fine. It fitted in everything I needed perfectly.

It also handily comes with a waterproof bag for dirty clothes so you can keep things nice and fresh in the bag itself. And it comes with a waterproof toiletry bag.

I can’t sing this bag enough praises. Most importantly it passed the “Anna Is An Idiot” test too (a key test in my life) when I dropped smoothie over it at the blogging event on Saturday. The material is very easy to wipe clean (thankfully!). I fully recommend it. Yes it’s not the cheapest bag on the market at £60 but it is definitely worth it if you use a gym bag frequently.

Do you use a gym bag?

What’s important to you in a good bag?

Do you run from home or elsewhere?

**Full Disclosure: I was sent this bag for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own honest ones.**