Let me start off by saying I graciously received a complimentary Performance Duffel Bag from Apera recently, but was under no obligation to review it in this space in exchange.

With that out of the way, I feel this bag is on a level all its own and warranted my recommendation – if you’re willing to fork over the $124 retail to buy it. For someone who frequents the gym as much as I do – and brings everything but the kitchen sink with me (wrist wraps, weight belt, training logbook, towel etc.) – this bag is a major step up on anything I’ve used before.

The material inside and outside is treated with antimicrobial product protection which works continuously to help prevent the growth of bacterial odors on the bag. The bottom is water resistant too. That’s big. You want to be able to put this down and not have to worry about snow or dirt clinging to it forever.

The Apera website claims you can pack a pair of shoes (up to a men’s 11 1/2 size) in each of the two side shoe compartments, but I actually got my size 12’s in each (and it zips up), so they’re underplaying their capacity!

And, lastly, and probably most importantly, it’s the first gym bag that easily fits into the lockers at my gym. Double win.

It does the job intended and looks good doing it, but you have to ask yourself if $124 is something you’re willing to spend on a gym bag. With that said, for every three bags they sell, they donate one to a Special Olympics athlete.

Price: 3/5 ($124 Retail is on the upper limit of what I’m willing to pay)
Look: 5/5
Usability: 5/5

(Excuse the boring image layout – my website formatting restricts images to the left-hand side!)