Just when I thought I had seen some awesome bags, Apera blew me away.
A few weeks ago I made a comment to my husband that we needed to replace the backpack he took to the gym every day. It was old and needed to be washed, but I wasn’t quite sure I could even do that.
When the opportunity came along for us to try out a bag from Apera I jumped at the chance! An added bonus was that I would finally get him to get rid of that old nasty bag he’d been using.
Wes selected the Tech Pack and I selected the Performance Duffle to try out.
We spend time at the gym every day and since we live on the other side of town a lot of times we won’t go back home until late in the evening. This means we want a bag that can hold a lot.
As I mentioned, I chose to try out the Performance Duffle.
Aside from the awesome pink color (it also comes in black, blue/black, and white) the first thing that caught my eye was that the bag was much bigger than I expected.
Here are a few features of the Performance Duffle:
- Antimicrobial protection inside and outside
- Ventilated compartments
- Water resistant base and wipeable lining
There are so many different compartments on the Performance Duffle that it took me several times using it to really discover them all.
One of my favorite compartments on the bag is the side shoe pocket. According to Apera, this pocket can hold a pair of shoes up to a men’s size 11.5. I also used this compartment to carry my water bottles. I typically have two with me when I go to the gym: water bottle and a protein shake bottle so it worked perfectly.
There is a large side zipper pocket that I used to store my computer chord and planner.
A small side zipper pocket is located on the other side. This was perfect for headphones, cell phone and my Garmin.
On the top were two small zipper compartments. I haven’t quite found a use for this yet, but I know they will come in handy in the future!
The great thing to me about this bag is that it can be used for anything. It works perfectly for a gym back but I can’t wait to use it on a weekend trip. It carries so much that I wouldn’t need to take multiple small bags with me when traveling anymore.
Wes opted to go with the Tech Pack.
A few features of the Tech Pack:
- Antimicrobial protection inside and out
- Inside padded compartment that holds and protects your computer
- Two separate ventilated pockets on the outside for shoes that can hold up to a men’s size 16 shoe.
The first and most important thing Wes looked for when selecting a bag was the antimicrobial protection. He throws a lot of sweaty and dirty clothes in his bag after working out. This was the biggest problem with the previous bag he carried around.
As you know Wes is a stickler about his supplements. He carries his vitamins with him when he goes to the gym to make sure to take them at the same time every day.
He loved the small compartment on the top that made it easy to keep them from getting lost in all his other things.
Wes (like myself) has to carry his laptop around with him a lot. He often will be coming right from a rotation to the gym so having a separate laptop sleeve within the backpack was nice. It keeps it away and protected from everything else in the bag.
The straps are easy to adjust and sits very comfortably on your back. He made a point to say to me how much more comfortable the Tech Pack was to carry around than his previous one.
**Please note: Wes had mentioned to me that the strap on his Tech Pack seemed to be coming loose very easily. Shortly after, Apera contacted me to say that they had received a defective shipment of their bag and had to put a freeze on their inventory. While it didn’t matter much to Wes because he loved the bag so much, I wanted to make note so that you will realize why you can no longer find the Tech Pack on their website. It will be coming back in the near future once they get in a new shipment.
We were both so amazed by the quality and practicality of our Apera bags.
Apera has been nice enough to offer one of their Sprint Pack to one of my readers plus a 25% off coupon if you wish to purchase another bag on their site.
Simply enter below. The giveaway will run until Tuesday, March 18th at 11:59 PM EST.
Good luck!
[Tweet “@AperaBags Review and GIVEAWAY via @LovingOnTheRun #running #run #apera”]
I like this gym bag for its handy compartments. There’s a pocket for everything!
Definitely tons of pockets, comfortable to carry, and of course, a cute color! Love the hot pink!
I need a bag that is comfy to carry since I walk to my gym when the weather is nice.
Thanks for all of these great opportunities to score good stuff! These products look great!
This Gym bag looks amazing !! so many pockets 🙂 i love it!
I look for lots of side pockets, and enough room to fit everything I need without being too bulky.
It has to be functional and durable!
I really need a new gym bag. The zipper on mine has broken. I need a gym bag with separate compartments!
I would love a new gym bag. My current one, Vera Bradley, doesn’t seem fitting for dirty clothing.
My bag is really old and this one looks great!
All I can think of for this is Wes’ bag must have smelled like a hockey bag and those are pretty bad! I like how that pink color just pops and also makes me feel that spring is finally here.
I want my bag to be compact (not take up the whole backseat of my car) yet roomy enough to fit all my gear.
These bags looks so nice!
I look for lots of compartments, a comfortable strap to carry it and not too crazy big (gotta fit into the gym locker). Thanks for doing a give away 🙂
I like bags that are nice and roomy, so that I can fit all my junk…but that also have lots of pockets and compartments, so that I can find everything easily.
Finding a good bag can be hard. I like a bag that is not too large as I commute on the train. I need it big enough to hold everything, but not so big it takes up to much space if I have to stand.
I just got the yoga tote from them and ADORE it!
emma
Apera bags are all over the blogworld! Glad you got some! I look for pockets 🙂
Different compartments and cute colors
Awesome bags!
I definitely look for a lot of pockets! Having a shoe pocket would be awesome! I run outside a lot and then go to Body Pump at the gym so this would be perfect to put my dirty shoes in without getting everything else in my bag dirty! My gym would appreciate it too 🙂
lots of pockets! I also love when they have water bottle holders.
I love that performance duffle. I’m long overdue for a new bag (still using mine from high school… oops.) so that may be the way to go!
I look for something big enough for all of my stuff! And it’s an added bonus when they have a compartment to put sweaty sneakers separate from the rest of your clothing and gear.
I’m way way overdue for a gym bag. I almost bit it and bought one from Lululemon a few weeks back, but I’ll hold off 🙂
Something durable and sturdy that does not fall apart after a few months!
Those look like awesome bags!
Holds a lot without being too bulky!
This bags looks perfect to hold just about everything! Great giveaway!
compartments would be great. also, breathable and sturdy 🙂
WAter bottle holders !
Compartments for organization!!
I look for something that will last in a fun color! Love the brightness of your pink bag.
I look for something that can multitask for the office & the gym. And breathable (less smelly) is a great perk!
Spacious! But compartments for all the small stuff
the color does it for me!
Stylish & spacious! I want one 🙂
I look for something cute, durable and that has compartments for organizing my belongings.
I usually love compartments that are not too small!! Having the bag be antibacterial is fantastic!
Wow I would love to have this bag. Mine is really old and fall apart. The color is really nice too!
Needs to have at least two compartments so that i can organize and not have to dig through my back for 10 minutes when I need something! Thanks for offering the giveaway =]
would love this bag, mine doesn’t zip 🙁
I like a bag that has lots of pockets and compartments to keep me organized or I will lose everything for sure.
I like a bag that’s sturdy and big, but not too big!
These bags look awesome! I can’t find my old gym bag and my husband was just complaining about the one he uses to take to the gym. Winning this would be great!!
I look for one that is not too bulky but that can fit everything I need.
Love these bags. All the compartments are amazing.
Looks awesome! I love the color of the pink bag and all of the ventilation.
Thanks!
I like a bag to have enough pockets & not be too bulky or heavy
i like it to have lots of pockets and be comfortable to carry! this duffel looks like a winner!!
Organization and a separate pocket for my shoes are a must in a gym bag!!
Breathable and Durable!!
I would have to agree, I need a bag to carry my runner, workout clothes, snacks and fuel belt, garmin all the items I need to have without going home so I can go for a run! And it needs to be really cute and pink is just an added bonus.
These are so pretty! I would LOVE one of these. I love a bag that’s big enough to fit my boots into after work.
I think these bags are awesome. I need a bag that’s large, but not too bulky.
Handy compartments and easy to clean
I just need something that will hold up, especially the zipper!
Loving that pink colour and all the pockets in that bag! I love lots of pockets to keep all my items where they belong 🙂
Lots of pockets and of course a pink color