Work bags for gym, laptop etc

[LambChopsMcGee]

Hi all,
So I spend WAY too much time thinking about the logistics of bags for work.
I know there are beautiful things out there like Knomo bags and things, but I am beyond help in that way I think, I just carry too much, so I am after some advice to look a little less like I am going on a two week trip every time I go to the office.

I currently carry a small cambridge satchel as my handbag with wallet, keys, lipbalm, phone etc. And I carry a backpack (which I like, but it's not a stylish one practical with multiple compartments -- happy to keep using it) with my laptop, lunch, cables, sunglasses etc etc.

That works well, but I am really wanting to get back into the gym (nearly two years post DD...). I can just about fit my shoes, towel and clothes in the bakcpack along with the laptop, but it is very full. I wear a size 8 so my shoes take up a bit of room...

Problem is I then have nowhere to carry lunch (and breakfast). I do want to take lunch most days as I am trying to save money.

I tried putting on the backpack and using a bigger handbag (Radley Smith St bag) but I felt like I looked like an overloaded traveller in an airport...

What do others do? Any advice appreciated. This is getting in the way of my grand gym plans and really stressing me out!

Do you drive to and from work and will you drive to the gym?

Ah sorry, should have said: No, I get the bus and the tube. The gym is on the way to work, where I change from the bus to get on the tube.

Cars are wonderful for keeping stuff in eh!

It sounds like you would need a fairly large suitcase for that lot!

On a more serious notes perhaps something like this for gym stuff/backpack stuff/lunch etc and just a small cross body bag for the essentials like phone, travel card/wallet/keys.

www.amazon.co.uk/COLOURS-Canvas-Travel-Holdalls-Overnight/dp/B06VVDG14C/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=large+overnight+bag+ladies&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1529761636&sr=8-7

Or this

www.amazon.co.uk/Signare-holdall-weekend-luggage-Morning/dp/B00C02NK4Y/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=large+overnight+bag+ladies&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1529761885&sr=8-9

Use lightweight travel organisers inside the big bag to separate stuff you need in the office from stuff you need in the gym. Then you can just pull out the bag/s you need at each venue.

It's true...I carry too much!
Thanks for the links -- those bags are nice. I feel I should just go with a full on Adidas sports bag if i'm going that style, but those are nicer..

What do people think of leaving shoes/sandals at work and commuting in running shoes??

Leaving shoes at work would be a good idea if you are sure they will be safe and not in the way. My DD works in the city and sent me a photo of the area under her desk recently. It looked like a branch of Russell and Bromley. Luckily she works with mostly men and has tiny feet so there is very little chance of anyone ‘borrowing’ them.

www.sixpackbags.com/gear/bags/womens-purses-and-totes

Would something like this work OP? The Renée for example is a handbag, lunch bag and laptop bag all in one

Try six pack bags they hold everything proper meal compartment room for gym stuff and laptop

Wtf 'meal management tote' heard it all now.
They look good though!
Basically what you need is a large structured leather bag with lots of pockets. Me too, let me know if you find one under £75!

Wtf 'meal management tote'heard it all now

They're very popular!

A meal management bag is the best thing if, like me, you take up to 3 meals with you to work as well as laptop, phones, etc. The alternative is walking around with a picnic cooler and a separate handbag and laptop bag.

That's a lot of stuff.

Can you upgrade your gym membership to include towels so you don't have to cart yours backward and forward?

Can you alternate days in the gym? So on alternate days you take in 2x food, keep it in a fridge at work to have the next day? Or take in packets of food that can be kept in a drawer so you don't need to carry so much each day? Or just go swimming on some days (so only need a costume)?

I would definitely be tempted to wear trainers into work and keep a smart pair to wear when you arrive.

I've reduced my handbag down to 2-3 pouches - make up/meds, plus chargers/ear plugs, plus purse. I can easily put them in a rucksack (I bought mine from Mia Tui) and still feel organised.

Thanks all -- good ideas all round.
I like the look of the six pack bags but fear it would weight a ton and not be great for my back. My backpack currently isn't all that light.

We do have lockers at work, so I'll try leaving shoes there and swapping. I never go out after work so unlikely I'd need to be in smart shoes after.

Good ideas @Itscurtainsforyou. I was thinking of swimming to avoid the shoe stress this week, and very wise about taking a few meals in at once.

No towels at gym. It's a council one (nice though). I miss the days of fancy private gym with towels!

I might try getting handbag contents into the backpack. I feel like I'm off to catch a flight every time I leave the house!

I do also know that obsessing over this is partly a way to avoid anxiety about getting back into exercise with my ravaged post-baby body. That's a whole other thread, I fear!!

Thank you all.

If you do need to take a towel, could you look at getting a microfibre one? Sorry, I know your question was about bags, but it could save loads of space. Mine is about the same size as a bath towel and rolls up to almost fit inside my (size 4) trainers

I've got some microfibre towels, yes. Definitely a wise move!! Thanks!

Microfibre towels are essential.

Work shoes kept at work along with a make up/hair bag, travel in trainers.
Then just need shampoo/shower gel/deodrant in travel size bottles in gym bag and do a final polish in the office.

If you have a fridge at work, take in some lunch stuff like salad leaves, box of tomatoes, box of cooked lentils, cheese etc on Monday (maybe a non gym day) and then prepare lunches from those in the office on other days? Then you aren't carting lunch in every day. Could also keep things in tins easily (like soup) to heat up if you have facilities at work for that.

Likewise, keeping a bag of oats in Tupperware in the office is very popular with us for making breakfast!
We have to empty fridges in Friday but can keep whatever during the week.

Do you need to cart laptop cables everywhere? Can you not have a cable at home and one in the office?

Zipped travel bags then allow you to keep things organised in bag (and lock in the smell of gym kit).

Can you keep a smart handbag at work and then cart the stuff currently
In your handbag in your rusksack and decant it when you need to go to meetings or something? Perhaps have a keysafe at home with spare keys and an emergency £10 in your gym bag.

I think it’s normal to leave shoes under desks/in lockers in London - loads of people commute in trainers - you’ll probably start noticing them when you do it!

Agree re a cable in the office and a cable at home, I did that just to avoid forgetting to take a cable with me. Same with any phone chargers, mice etc.

For anyone else who wants to reduce towel space but hates the feel of microfibre towels, hammam towels are great. I have two of the Ottomania hand towels - one for hair and one for body and they take up hardly any space.

Also a dry bag is good for compressing used/wet gym stuff and towels.