You remember that scene in the 21 Jump Street movie, where Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are heading into school, debating whether they should ‘one-strap’ or ‘two-strap’ their backpacks so they’d seem cool? I’m firmly in the two-strap camp, not to be cool, but because I commute by foot, walking all over Brooklyn to my personal training clients. That means I need my backpack to be ergonomic, compact, yet able to hold my clients’ programs, a laptop and usually extra gym gear. My old backpack was literally falling apart (busted zippers, frayed seams) when Apera reached out to me and generously offered me one of their bags to try out and review. 
I chose the Apera Active Pack since I wanted something fairly compact that would still hold everything. (For a split second I nearly – crazily – opted for the Yoga Tote, purely because it’s cute, but realistically I know I need a backpack for my lifestyle). Here’s what the Active Pack looks like:
PROS
Tons of pockets. There is a place for everything in this bag. From the clever shoe pockets on either side, complete with wipe-clean lining, to the tech pocket right behind the top handle for your phone, you never have to worry about frantically searching through a jumbled mess of stuff in a single compartment bag.
Anti-microbrial fabric. Yup, that’s right, this bag can harbor the sweatiest, grossest workout gear known to man (or woman) without getting stinky. This detail seems so intuitive it kind of blows my mind nobody came up with it before.
It’s big enough to hold everything, but doesn’t look like I’m carrying a house on my back.
Padded inside pocket for your tablet or laptop.
The main compartment zips completely open for easy packing.
Super easy to clean. The lining is all wipe-clean and there are extra design touches, like having a water-resistant base.
Supports a great cause! For every three bags Apera sells, they donate a Sprint Pack to a Special Olympics athlete! How awesome is that?
CONS
There is no chest strap. While I never use the chest strap on backpacks, I know some people do, so this is a con if you like to have that extra support.
While the straps are really easy to adjust while you’re wearing the Active Pack, I found the straps were constantly loosening as I walked. Luckily, I came up with this easy solution: 
Now, here comes the fun part for you guys – as well as sending me this bag to review, Apera graciously offered a Sprint Pack free for one lucky Fine Fit Day reader! This is the same bag they give to the Special Olympics athletes as their way of giving back to the community. The Sprint Pack offers a large main compartment, separated by a panel so you can store your gym gear separately. Mesh panels on either side of the pack make it breathable and it has a zippered pocket in front for extra storage. Basically, it’s a duffel with benefits. 😉 
Okay, ready to win this Sprint Pack? Click below to enter the Rafflecoptor Giveaway! The giveaway ends this Friday, March 14, so get in quick.
(Also, head to the Apera Bags website for monthly giveaway chances! March’s giveaway is their Sling Tote – enter their giveaway here)
My current gym bag is a drawstring backpack – I definitely need more room!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted…What I’m Loving Wednesday
Great review! The fact that it has lots of compartments is fantastic; that ‘s in my opinion the best feature a back back needs to by functional. Enjoy it!
Great review! The fact that it has lots of compartments is fantastic; that ‘s in my opinion the best feature a back back needs to by functional. Enjoy it! -I posted again because I mistyped my email 🙂 –
I don’t use a gym bag because I don’t go to the gym. When I go to my team runs I use a reusable tote (so sad).
Thanks for hosting.
P.S. I am hosting a Pro Compression giveaway @ wp.me/p4fmQC-68
I love the idea of using a backpack and not a shoulder bag for the gym.
Allison recently posted…Tuesday Ramblings #8
Oh I just love these bags and have seen reviews all over from different bloggers! I’m eagerly awaiting my very own for review. I chose the big duffel one since I’m constantly schlepping back and froth from the gym. This was a great review for the backpack – thanks!!
Allie recently posted…The Rundown – Two-A-Days
I have a backpack that I use when I hit the beach for my workouts. It doesn’t hold very much at all and I really should get a larger size.
Ronalee Duncan recently posted…2014 5K series
No special Brand name for my Jim bag , just a bag !!!
I’m using a backpack with brand of (written on it )”DASO & RANO”
I carry my stuff with a normal nylon back !!
Hope I can win this amazing cause I really in need for it !
Thank you for the giveaway !!
Amazing bags by Apera , Thank you for the chance and I’m using a bag that I sew it by myself !
I’m using an old slim Jim Bag !!
fantastic review! I am a sucker for a great bag with compartments!! 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…Weekly Wednesday Workout: Donkey Kicks
Thank you for the chance , I need this bag when I go hiking !!
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