Aer Gym Tote 2 Review

Aer has built a reputation for creating bags that nail the intersection of urban style, durability, and functionality, and the Aer Gym Tote 2 is no different. This 22-liter all-black tote is designed to transition seamlessly between the gym, the office, and even short weekend trips. It’s not your standard duffle or flimsy shoulder bag. Instead, it’s a structured, ballistic nylon-laden carry solution that looks as sharp in an office lobby as it does slung over a locker room bench.

We’ve been testing the Gym Tote 2 for several weeks, carrying it on commutes, stashing it in gym lockers, and even using it as a secondary travel bag. On paper, it looks like Aer has checked every box: durable materials, a wide-opening main compartment, a shoe compartment, and even a laptop sleeve (because why not work from the gym, too, right?). But as with any hybrid bag that tries to cover multiple roles, there are tradeoffs. Some of its clever design features shine in practice, while others left us adjusting, shifting, and rethinking how we pack.

So, does the Gym Tote 2 truly live up to its multipurpose promise? Let’s dive into the details.

External Components

Right out of the box, the Gym Tote 2 feels like a piece of premium gear, showcasing the brand’s knack for solid build quality. Aer is sticking with its signature 1680D CORDURA® ballistic nylon, the same material used across its Travel Pack and Day Pack lines. This fabric is known for being abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, and basically overkill for everyday use—but in a way that makes you feel confident it can handle anything. A ripstop nylon lining adds reinforcement inside, while all hardware comes from reliable names: YKK zippers, Duraflex buckles, and Hypalon zipper pulls that are grippy even when your hands are sweaty from all the gym selfies you’re taking.

The bag’s silhouette is minimalist and modern. There are no dangling straps, loud logos, or bulging compartments. It’s a rectangular tote with clean lines, making it equally at home in a gym, on a subway, or under an office desk. Branding is limited to a small Hypalon Aer patch near the bottom for an understated aesthetic.

That said, the Gym Tote 2 is far from being barebones, as there are still a few details that stick out for functionality. One of our favorite subtle touches is the attachment loops on each side of the bag. At first glance, they look decorative, but they’re surprisingly handy for clipping on a lock or carabiner. They don’t add bulk, yet they provide flexibility for the add-ons gym-goers often carry.

The tote has a full-length zipper closure. We appreciate this because it keeps contents secure—especially on commutes—while also giving the bag a more polished look. The zipper sits slightly recessed, so it doesn’t steal interior space, and it ran smoothly with no snagging during our testing.

Attached to the top are two structured shoulder straps, which double as grab handles. They’re made from thick nylon webbing and are wide enough to distribute weight across your shoulder somewhat evenly. A small buckle at the top allows you to clip them together if you want them to stay aligned, but we found this slowed down access. The straps do the job for short commutes or quick trips to the gym. But since there’s no padding, they can dig in once the tote is fully loaded. If you’re carrying a laptop, extra shoes, and clothing, you’ll quickly feel the two-pound empty weight plus contents. For light daily loads, they’re fine; for longer hauls, you’ll notice their limits.

Overall, the exterior checks all the right boxes: clean design, practical pockets, durable materials, and structured straps that look sharp, even if they aren’t the most forgiving for long-term comfort.

Fit Notes

The Gym Tote 2 carries like you’d expect from a structured tote—low-profile and polished, but not the most forgiving when heavily packed. Its rectangular shape keeps it flat against your body, making it less awkward than a barrel-shaped duffle, and it looks understated in offices and airports alike. For short trips across the city, hopping on public transport, or moving between car and gym, it’s perfectly manageable.

Where it stumbles is in all-day scenarios. At two pounds empty, it’s heavy for its size, and paired with unpadded straps, that weight piles on quickly. We also found it slightly too tall for most standard gym lockers. You can angle it in or stuff it vertically, but it feels clumsy. Aer anticipated this with a top hanging loop, which works decently on a locker hook but isn’t as seamless as sliding the tote flat into place.

Inside The Tote

On the front, you’ll find a gusseted quick-access pocket. This one has depth, which makes it more useful for bulkier daily essentials—think keys, wireless earbuds, or a power bank. On the back, a slimmer zippered compartment works well for travel documents or a phone. The back also houses a luggage pass-through, great for sliding the tote onto roller luggage handles when traveling.

The Gym Tote 2’s interior is where Aer’s thoughtful design choices become more obvious. Unlike some totes that are essentially big open buckets, this one offers a balance of open space and targeted organization. The main compartment opens wide and, as importantly, the tote stands upright on its own. That structure is a lifesaver when you’re dead tired from working out, and re-packing your gym gear should be the least of your worries. You can toss it onto a bench, unzip, and immediately see what you’re working with—no fuss, no worries.

The dedicated shoe compartment is the standout feature here. It’s vented with small grommets to reduce odor buildup and can fit up to a men’s size 12 shoe. We tested with smaller sneakers, and they slid in easily, staying separated from clothing and toiletries. When not used, the compartment can collapse flat into the lining, freeing up more room in the main cavity. The only downside is that wedging shoes back in can require some wrestling when the bag is packed full.

Next up is the padded laptop sleeve, which is elevated off the bottom of the bag, so your device won’t slam against the floor when you set the tote down—a small but important detail. The sleeve fits laptops up to 16 inches and includes a hook-and-loop strap to secure them. In front of the laptop sleeve, there’s an additional slip pocket, which works well for a tablet, notebook, or slim book. All of that said, this level of organization dedicated to tech for a gym-focused bag is noteworthy, especially for those with a delicate work-life balance.

Additional organization comes from a zippered mesh pocket and stretchy internal side pockets. The mesh pocket is perfect for small accessories like cables or toiletries, while the side pockets are designed to handle items like flip-flops, shaker bottles, or other awkwardly shaped gear. We found they added flexibility without overcomplicating the layout.

Capacity-wise, the Gym Tote 2 is roomy enough for gym clothing, toiletries, a water bottle, and work essentials. Where it struggles is when you add bulkier items like food containers. A medium-sized meal prep box took up more space than we expected, making the interior feel cramped when paired with shoes and a laptop. This could be limiting for those who bring both gym gear and meals daily.

Additionally, while there’s enough room for gym clothing, your mileage with everyday clothing may vary. Thick and puffy clothing, such as sweaters and even thin jackets, struggle to fit alongside everything else, and access starts to get tricky when you force everything inside.