My gym buddy and I meet most evenings at the gym: I arrive in my gym gear with nothing more than a bottle of water and a towel whereas my friend comes straight from work, although you could be forgiven for thinking she just jumped off a long-haul flight by the number of bags she brings. The issue she faces is that she needs carry both her work stuff and gym gear without either coming into contact on the way home. Neither sweaty gym shoes nor laptop should ever know the other exists!

The Sling Bag 2 from Aer could be the very thing she needs: this lightweight gym bag has been designed to carry both your workout essentials and your tablet or laptop in separate compartments, business in the front, party in the back…well, sweating and red face in the back. The Sling Bag 2 is available in Gray, Navy or Black and is worn across one shoulder like a traditional gym bag, however it looks smart enough to take to the office, has a compact profile with dimensions of 18”(L) x 11”(W) x 6”(D), has a volume of 17.2L and weighs just 1.2lb. The Sling Bag 2 has a water resistant 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior (originally developed for military body armour) for protection against the elements on the commute and has both Ykk Japanese zips and Duraflex plastic hardware for durability, whether it’s being stuffed in a locker, pushed under the work desk, or taking a battering on the underground.

There are plenty of pockets to keep all your things organised: the front load, quick access pocket is well suited for small items you might need in a hurry like your keys, wallet or phone, however the zip is clearly visible so perhaps it isn’t the most discrete or high security pocket for your valuables. The padded laptop pocket will fit up to a 13” laptop and the multiple internal pockets help keep things like cables, USB sticks and pens secure & organised. It also has a large pocket for clothes, but the best bit is the ventilated shoe compartment (suitable for up to men’s size 13), accessible through the bottom of the bag, which keeps stinky creps from coming into contact with the rest of your kit. The shoulder strap is adjustable and can be worn on either the right or left shoulder. Sadly, it offers no padding and looks a little cheap when compared to the rest of the bag. It could also benefit from a removable waist strap, just to give you the option of a stable hold if you ride a bike to work or the gym.

The Sling Bag 2 is a good choice for those who hit the gym during their lunch break and after work. It isn’t the most comfortable thing to wear for long periods of time, so it would best suit shorter commutes. RRP $80.00

4.1 out of 5

Current Cheapest Price

Pros

Stylish design

Water resistant 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior

Ventilated shoe compartment (fits up to men's size 13 shoes)

Padded laptop pocket (fits up to 13” laptop)

Multiple internal pockets for accessories

Adjustable shoulder strap for left or right shoulder use

Cons

Cheap strap

Uncomfortable after extended wear

Front-load compartment looks vulnerable