Built for Athletes Backpack Review

Not so long ago I had to retire my trusty Timberland backpack of 21 years. It could go on no longer. I wanted to find a bag that could do it all. Could it hold my gym gear, work stuff, laptop, food and more. I did try a couple of other bags and initially purchased six pack fitness holdall . I found it uncomfortable for walking longer journeys. So I decided to look for a backpack but the backpacks from six pack fitness did not have the volume or compartments to meet my needs.

After searching for the right bag I opted for a backpack by Built for Athletes called the Hero Backpack; so to the specifics of this bag – Built for Athletes state that this bag is built to take a beating and it is made with robust high density 600D polyester which is waterproof. It has 45 litre capacity with multiple compartments. You can easily fit 2 pairs of footwear, meal prep, gym clothes and towel. It has a dedicated padded media compartment for a laptop up to 17″. It has front and side webbing for more attachments and the backpack opens flat for maximum access. All compartments have two way zippers, storm flaps and pull tabs for easy opening. There’s Velcro strapping at the top of the bag to add badges/patches and it suitable for hand luggage for most carriers.

So that is how Built for Athletes describe their backpack but does it live up what they say. It definitely meets the expectations of the product description. I often carry gym wear including my lifting shoes, my laptop is safe in the padded sleeve, I have all my day to day stuff (wallet, keys, etc) in the bottom front compartment and in the top front compartment I usually stash snacks in there. The middle compartment I can comfortably fit all my sleeves, straps and towel along with my training log. In the large rear compartment I can fit my shoes, clothes, toiletries and meals. I utilise the external straps and hang my weightlifting belt and drinks bottle. But what impresses me most with this bag is the comfort. I take this all over with me and often exploring cities when I visit gyms and this bag, regardless of the weight, is so comfortable. I love this bag, well as much as you can love an inanimate object. I can carry everything I need for the day in one place.

The sticking price for some, the price. It retails at £64.99. I have seen similar backpacks with the same design but I am not sure of the material they are constructed with, it could be identical but it does not state that. That being said I am more than happy paying what I did for a backpack that does everything I need it to do and I know it has a long life.

First block of images taken from the Built for Athletes website the others are my own