PUMA Contender Gym Bag - Review 2023

If you’re looking to ditch your old gym bag and invest in a new one, the PUMA Evercat Contender might just be what you need. It’s considered a classic in the world of workout gear for its simple design and high level of functionality.

No reason it remains a popular workout duffel, still being used and still be bought in large numbers even after first released in 2017.

In other words, it’s a go-to gym bag for a lot of people–both men and women, from fitness experts to beginner gym goers. Whether you’re in the market for a regular gym bag or you need a small duffel bag, PUMA’s Evercat Contender checks off both.

It’s low price tag means there are compromises though. Read the review to learn more about this gym bag.

Referred to as large and roomy, we were curious to see whether the Contender Gym Bag would live up to the universal hype. Is it just as sturdy as the Kuston Sports Gym Bag? Can you fit as many things in it as you can in the Everest Gym Bag? We decided to put it to the test and find the answers to these and other questions to share with you.

First and foremost, it is NOT as roomy as you might expect. That’s typical though for most gym bags intended to have a pair of shoes, towel, change of clothes and some small accessories. Look at a proper duffel bag for more space.

We encountered several pros throughout the rigorous testing that keep this sports duffel among the gym bags people still reach out to for years after its release. We’ve also observed some of the flaws you should be mindful of before hitting that add-to-cart button and buying in on the spot. While some might be an inconvenience for you, none should be deal-breakers. You can also compromise on a few characteristics if you take into account the bag’s affordable price tag.

Although there are some complaints about the Evercat Contender being smaller in real life, we didn’t find that to be an issue. The dimensions the manufacturer fully discloses give you a good idea of how large the bag is, which should clearly indicate what to expect. A bonus point goes to the several color options you can choose from to match your gym outfits.

Construction and Design

We don’t have too many complaints about the build of the PUMA Evercat Contender Gym Bag. It’s made from 100% Polyester that’s breathable and water-resistant so that you can bring it with you when it’s drizzling outside and not worry about your sweaty activewear getting soaked even more.

If anything, the material is durable enough to protect your belongings from random mishaps. It’s fairly abrasion resistant, but this is clearly not an area to expect too much from. Hovering just above $21, it’s not a technical duffel bag.

You’ll find plenty of interior and exterior pockets designed to help you organize your stuff neatly in the bag. We appreciated having a big main compartment for having your change of clothes, a toiletry bag, a water bottle, and some snacks located all in one place. A separate zippered compartment for your shoes that also happens to have ventilating properties also helps with keeping your shoes away from your clothes.

If you tend to get particularly sweaty during your workouts and end up having sweaty gear that needs some airing out, there’s a mesh pocket on the outside to help you with that. This can include anything from a headband to a towel and perhaps even a pair of leggings you worked out in.

You also get two webbing handles and a shoulder strap that’s fully adjustable and removable. This makes carrying the bag from A to B quick and easy. Wear PUMA Evercat Contender as a duffel or a cross-body bag, and feel free to switch between the two carrying options when you get tired from one or another. No matter how you decide to carry it, you have a U-shaped opening that gives you access to the main compartment for you to grab your water bottle at any time.

The other detail we couldn’t omit is the padded bottom panel. There’s a good chance that the gym bag wouldn’t have lasted nearly as long without it. It also comes in handy when you have to place your PUMA Evercat Contender on the floor in public settings or in wet conditions. All you’ll have to do when you get home is wipe it down with a damp towel, and your duffel will look brand new again.

Performance

It’s safe to say that PUMA Evercat Contender Gym Bag has the potential to be your next successful gym duffel purchase. It survived our month of testing and proved itself as a worthy contender (pun intended) for an everyday gym bag that does its job well.

Sure, it might not be the highest-quality gym bag on the market, but it’ll last you a good amount of time if you take good care of it. This includes not overpacking, being careful with the zippers, and washing it manually when the fabric gets particularly dirty. Unlike some of the other gym bags, you should steer clear of throwing the PUMA Evercat Contender in the washing machine to avoid wear and tear.