Performance Duffel - Black

I was originally intending on returning the duffel bag because I worried it would be too cumbersome to take to work and wouldn't fit well in the locker at the gym.I'm happy I kept the bag though. It fits well in the locker and though it's a big larger than I really need, I'm able to fit both my workout clothes and clothes to change into after the gym.What I really like:-Two sections for shoes that are completely separated from the main compartment (Size 10 women's shoes fit easily in each pocket.)-Pockets! That was my big issue with my previous bag. I would have to root around at the bottom to find what I needed. Now I keep my toiletries in one pocket, my headphones in another, a book in the large front one, my gym card and first aid kit in another, snacks in one, and my weight gloves and knee brace in the last one. The pockets are definitely a selling point for me.-The padded shoulder strap makes it comfortable to carry even loaded down.-The wet bag is handy when I have a particularly sweaty workout session. I just shove my clothes into the pouch and zip it up.-The two bottle holders are nice though my blender bottle was a tight squeeze. Cans slide in easily and are secure due to the elastic top.I've not used the various handles and can't attest to its durability since it's a recent purchase, but I'm happy with my purchase thus far.

I just received this bag, and already LOVE it.I shopped, read reviews, and watched YouTube videos for a few weeks before finally clicking the buy button; I wanted to be sure a $100+ gym bag was going to be worth it. I had been switching between a big canvas boat tote and an old duffel I borrowed from my husband that didn’t fit easily into the locker at the gym – both were like a cavern inside with no organization.Things I LOVE:2 side shoe/wet storage pockets are huge. I have a size 8 foot, and easily store cycling shoes and flip-flops in one, and use the other side for either running shoes, or to carry all my wet or sweaty gear since it’s ventilated.The bag is taller than it is wide, so it slides easily in and out of the locker, and there are side handles that make it easy to pull.The opening at the top is wide so I can see and access everything inside. And there is enough room to carry workout clothes, a towel, another change of clothes for after the shower, toiletries, and there’s still room to spare.Many of the pockets are inside so I can access almost everything without having to pull the bag out of my locker – so handy when it’s crowded. The pockets are also a variety of sizes so I can store small items like hair ties and jewelry, and use bigger pockets for cosmetics bag and extra socks/undies. And some have different linings – there’s one that’s ventilated so extra socks don’t get stuffy smelling, one that has a soft lining for watch or jewelry, etc.Outside water bottle pockets are made of stretchy fabric so any size/shape bottle fits and stays put.Every handle is cushioned, so it’s comfortable to carry even when I have a distance to walk.Possible improvements – (but none that make me love the bag any less)Bring the key clip higher inside the bag so I don’t have to dig around. I have been clipping my keys and gym tag to the outside hang tab and tuck them into the second water bottle holder, but would prefer to store them inside if it was easier to find the hanging clip.Increase the size of the washable insert – it works for a swimsuit or flip-flop bag, but I’d love to use it for all of my wet stuff so I can place it inside the bag if I have the side pockets filled with shoes.Add an insulated pocket or bag inside for flat/curling iron since there’s never enough time for this to cool.A few notes:The bag I received looks just like the pictures in the listing, but is just a little different that many of the reviews on Amazon and the videos from blogger reviews. This version does not have the two small pockets at the top near the zipper for eyewear and jewelry; instead there are two cushioned handles that are very useful for lifting the bag into the car that would be awkward if I had only the long shoulder strap. There is a small pocket inside with a soft lining, so it’s an easy place to store a watch or jewelry to keep it safe and scratch free. And, the cushioned pocket on the outside is big enough for a tablet, but would protect a phone, too.I also read earlier review that the shoulder strap was a little too short – I think this has been updated, too. I am 5’4”, and can comfortably wear this as a cross body without fully extending the strap.Other bags I considered:The Lug Puddle Jumper which was a lower price, but received negative reviews for durability; and although I liked the creative storage pockets, most are on the outside which can be inconvenient to access when the gym locker room is crowded, and there’s no room to pull the bag out of your locker to get to the outer storage.My close second choice was the Goddess 3 by WorkPlay which was a little pricier, but seemed to have every single detail including a hanging cosmetic tote, packing checklist, ID holder, etc. But, the Goddess 3 shipping time was 3 week long from the UK, and I thought the Apera bag was a little more stylish but still neutral enough for a man or woman.I love it!!

I wore out two other duffel bags this year before finding this one. I use a duffel every day for work and also go to the gym daily. This dual use means I carry quite a bit and the bag is heavy. My first bag of the year was cheap and gave up quickly, but not before making me miserable with a strap that twisted and wouldn't stay on my shoulder. My second retired duffel was better with a water bottle holder and wet pocket but the material covering the wet pocket was fragile and separated after a short time. My second bag had the traditional wet pocket at the bottom of the bag and I found it difficult to put my shoes back after exercising as all of my work stuff blocked the pocket space. I would have to zip up the duffel, remove the water bottle, flip the entire duffel upside down so I could extend the wet pocket into the bag, insert my damp shoes, zip up the wet pocket flap, then flip the whole bag right-side up again. I started looking for a bag with a wet/shoe pocket design that would allow me to store my shoes without this aggravation but wasn't sure such a bag even existed until I found the Apera Performance Duffel. The Apera bag exceeded my expectations in almost every way. I didn't have two water bottle holders or two wet pockets on my list of must-have features before but now they are.Pros- Two bottle holders - hot and cold or just two cold like me to be sure you don't run out during the day- quality material that feels like cloth and not the plastic "burlap" most bage are made of- superior stitching and finishing, lining throughout- two wet pockets constucted of the same durable material as the bag that store you shoes vertically and can be accessed even when the bag is full- generous size with lots of zippered storage- upscale look and feelCould Be Improved- two flat handle design looks good and works well to carry the bag but doesn't work to hang the bag from a hook by the handle. Most duffels use a wrap of material with velcro to bind the handles together. You can hang the bag using the straps near the bottom but all you stuff piles up in the lower end of the bag and the water bottle at the top starts working loose from its elastic cover and looks like it may fall out- the fixed strap is dimpled and holds ok but does move around on my smooth all weather jacket and I've had to un-twist it a couple of times. I find the bag with an attachment ring and strap with a freely rotating clip to be a much better way to attach a strap to the bag. It makes the strap virtually twist-proof. Plus it allows you to use a replacement strap like the i-Stay strap that I have become addicted to due to it's non-slip properties.