Nike Brasilia Small Duffel 9.0 - Review 2023

The Best Nike Gym Bag So Far

It’s simple, durable, and, best of all, functional. Nike is popular for many reasons, the main one being that their products hit the mark between good quality and reasonable prices. The Brasilia 9.0 is another example of this. A multipurpose gym bag ready to handle your demands beyond just your workout needs.

Its 41-liter capacity hit the right spot for sizes- not too bulky or small. So whether you need it for your lifting sessions or a weekend trip, there’s enough space for your belongings. And if you’re a fan of the brand, this Nike duffel bag will be a valuable addition to your artillery.

The Brasilia 9.0 seems to handle the wear and tear well. Reinforced nylon on the bottom is seamed in tightly to withstand friction and abuse  while keeping moisture from a wet field out. It’s also equipped with compartments and a dedicated shoe room. It’s a reasonably-priced Nike duffel bag with a cool look you can carry to haul all your needs without weighing yourself down.

Construction and Design

This Nike duffel bag comes with a simple yet sleek design. Its cube cut also optimizes the space in its compartments. You can choose from color combos such as Black/Black, Black/Black/White, Flint Grey/Black/White, and Midnight Navy/Black/White. And, of course, a massive Nike logo at the front of Brasilia 9.0.

The main compartment is accessible via a two-way zipper that opens widely, giving you a complete view of everything inside. It makes packing, organizing, and getting items in the bag easier. Nike Brasilia Small Duffel 9.0 has side pockets and a front one, with nothing going on in the back. If Nike added a small zippered rear pocket, there could’ve been another room for essential items away from kleptos, but it would still be accessible to the user.

Construction-wise, this Nike gym bag is polyester-made. Another industry favorite along with nylon. Polyester is known for its abrasion- and water-resistance, as well as its durability and overall cost-effectiveness. Its environmental credentials aren’t massively impressive, but there aren’t really any gym bags that are (unfortunately).

The seams of this Nike Brasilia duffel bag are tightly held together by clean stitches. So no need to worry if your things will just jump out without your knowledge.

Brasilia 9.0’s quality build won’t give up after a handful of uses. It sure can last for a long time under normal use. And if you tend to just toss your gym bag to the ground from time to time, this model can endure your habit.

Harness System

This Nike gym bag’s harness is typical- a long shoulder strap and a dual top haul. They do what they’re supposed to do, although they don’t provide the most comfortable carrying experience, particularly when it’s fully loaded. There’s no sliding pad to give some cushioning like in Herschel Duffel Bag.

Some users might also find the built-in shoulder strap inconvenient. If you prefer swapping between the top handles and the long strap, Adidas Defender 3 and Kuston Sports Gym Bag with a removable shoulder strap will interest you.

Storage

This duffel has a total capacity of 41 liters. Brasilia 9.0 has just enough room to accommodate your needs for a weekend trip. And if you’re a passionate light packer, you’ll manage to squeeze in your needs for a week-long escapade. And for those gym visits, you can carry everything you need to max out and break your PRs.

Main Compartment

The versatility of the Nike Brasilia Duffel Bag makes it an excellent multipurpose option. Whether you need it as a weekender, a gym bag, or a travel duffle, the unobstructed main compartment will let you slip in items effortlessly (given that the shoe compartment is empty).

Heading for your kid’s soccer training? Their shin guards, cleats, soccer ball, snacks and drinks, and extra clothes will fit with no problem. Off to basketball practice? Your uniform and the ball will still leave you plenty of room for other stuff.

Traveling for some me-time? You can insert your packing cubes since the shape of the main compartment fits the bill.

Nike Brasilia Duffel Bag also has a zippered hanging pocket inside. Anything small and vital, like your keys and wallet, can stay safe here.

Now, if you’re traveling, your items might end up in chaos during transportation since there are no additional pockets in the main compartment. You might as well look for a proper travel duffel to keep things organized.

Front Pocket

The zipped front pocket of this Nike gym bag is pretty spacious. You can sneak in small items you need in a snatch, like your phone, hand sanitizer, resistance bands, and ankle brace. If you’re out on an overnight camping trip, small bottles of essentials such as bug spray, sunscreen, and chapstick will sit well here.

However, there’s no other form of organization here, so getting a compact pouch such as the Peak Design Small Wash Pouch might be a wise idea to help with the cluttering.

Side Pockets

Nike Brasilia Small Duffel 9.0 have a couple of side pockets with different designs. The left one has an open mesh sleeve with a zipped compartment behind it. It is the ideal spot for your water bottles, umbrella, or your tub of protein powder. You’ll find the mesh sleeve convenient if you carry flip-flops for your beach visit post-gym session.

The zipped pocket behind it is another functional storage space. You can keep other extras like hand towels, granola bars, or your set of fresh clothing in here while carrying this Nike gym bag.

On the other side of Brasilia Small Duffel 9.0 is the shoe compartment with a little vent on top. It’s a staple you’ll also see in UA Undeniable 4.0 and Puma Evercat Candidate. It is a bonus if you need to squeeze in your workout routine around your work schedule. You can carry your gym shoes without worrying if any dirt will transfer to your items in the main compartment.

Keep in mind that it will eat some space out of the main compartment once you load up your shoes. And if you wear size 11 and up, your shoes might not fit in. Not sure Michael Jordan would have his iconic shoes, but there’s space for most other mortals.

All these could’ve been better if there was a dedicated wet pocket where you could store your sweaty and damp clothes like in Kuston Sports Gym Bag and INOXOTO Fitness Gym Bag.

Conclusion

The Brasilia Small Duffel 9.0 is a quality Nike gym bag sized just right. The quality is also robust enough to endure abuse from multipurpose use. We also like its low-profile yet sleek look.

The 41-liter capacity allows you to load up all essentials, plus more. There’s also a dedicated shoe compartment to keep the items in the primary storage space clean. However, it will cut down the room once you put your trainers in. The big front pocket and mesh side sleeve were also convenient for additional items you need within reach. We hope that Nike will add a wet pocket as well.

However, it’s best to avoid jam-packing this Nuke duffel bag since the integrated shoulder strap doesn’t have a pad. Skin-digging will make it uncomfortable to carry for an extended time. The stitching in this area is also not as tough as the rest of the gym bag.

But overall, whether you need the Brasilia 9.0 for your travels, workouts, or everyday use, you will be satisfied with its value. For under $40, it’s a handy option worth the investment. 

Buy this gym bag if:

• If you love anything Nike
• Searching for a quality gym bag
• Want a carrier sized just-right