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I’ve worn out many gym bags and liked them because they provided what I needed. I’ve been lifting in the gym since 2005, and at times, I’ve only needed a bag to carry my water bottle and a towel. Other times, I may need a roller, work clothes, supplements, and, if needed, my lunch for the day.
Often my go-to has been a classic duffle, but for the past two weeks, I’ve been using the KNKG Plus. I’ve been putting it through rough tests, overloading it, tossing it around, and generally mistreating it, only to find that my love for this gym backpack is growing. This was gifted to us by KNKG.
I am going to give you my real-life feedback. I’ve tested only one other pack from KNKG, and it was not for me. Let’s see if this one is not only for me but maybe for you as well.
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So what is the KNKG Plus Backpack?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- The opening is surprisingly unique.
- The materials are quite tough.
- I appreciate the shoe compartment.
- The water bottle compartment is awesome!
- You better have small feet because the size of the shoe compartment is a bit small too.
- I am not a fan of the smaller footprint at the base of the bag
The KNKG Plus is a 26L or 6.9-gallon gym backpack designed to be versatile. It’s for the gym and everyday use as well. It weighs 1.6 kg or 3.5 lbs.
It comes in three different colors; Black, Charcoal, and Redwood. It has 4 external and 5 internal pockets, plus dual water bottle pockets. The heavy-duty material is made of 1000D Nylon with ripstop lining and carries YKK zippers (a must for any bag).
It has a padded sleeve for any laptop up to 16″. It comes with an external shoe compartment, and the main bag has a clamshell opening for flatpacking (Paid Link). The bag has a magnetic Fidlock slider and Hypalon trims for added durability and waterproof qualities. Usually, this is the “rubber” coating on handles and straps or seems.
What do I like about the KNKG Plus?
1. The opening is surprisingly unique.
The front/top opening on this bag makes me hate all other bags (only a little dramatic). The front opening to the main compartment opens in a very controlled and unique way.
It doesn’t just fall or fold out of the way it keeps every compartment accessible while open (Paid Link). When it is laid open, it has two smaller compartments, one on the front and another on the back. It opens very smoothly. I used this compartment more than any other, which made a big difference.
2. The materials are quite tough.
KNKG did not mess around when they used 1000D Nylon and Ripstop lining. I do not like getting new gear and then having to get even newer gear to replace it because the material tore.
I am not easy on gear. A backpack should withstand rough treatment and keep going. While testing the KNKG Plus, I couldn’t help but notice the tough materials that also have a nice texture and look. The shoulder straps are a little wider than other backpacks, giving a sturdy feel.
By the way? If you need an even tougher bag, I also tested out this brand’s Edge backpack, which you can read here.
3. I appreciate the shoe compartment.
This may come from my days of owning a gym and spending 5k on a new treadmill only to arrive in the morning to find someone running on it and spraying a trail of mud ten feet behind it leaving a mess for all gym goers to appreciate.
My day would then be filled with pulling the machine out of service to clean it. And all because someone wanted to wear their farm boots to the gym instead of clean gym shoes! All that to say, I love the external shoe compartment that allows me a second set of shoes.
It also allows me to keep my shoes separate from the rest of my clothes in the main compartment. Gym workers everywhere will love this feature also!
4. The water bottle compartment is awesome!
They use an elastic band that is reinforced with the Hypalon trim. It opened in a comfortable way and held whatever water bottle I had securely. I’ve seen and used many different types of external water bottle pockets, and I think the opening style, paired with the depth of the pocket, made using them a great experience. I never wondered if the bottle would fall out or fall over.
So, what do I NOT like about the KNKG Plus?
1. You better have small feet because the size of the shoe compartment is a bit small too.
I don’t like how small the shoe compartment is. I have a size 10.5 shoe (US), and I found myself struggling to get any bulky shoes in the compartment. I think it has much to do with the less elastic external material. I don’t know what someone with a bigger shoe size would do and worry that a bigger shoe may just fall out. All that said, I’ve not tested it with size 12 shoes, so you may find that this is or is not a problem for you.
2. I am not a fan of the smaller footprint at the base of the bag
This is what I found: if I had shoes in the compartment, I could set the bag down, and it would stand on its own. The shoes gave it a bit more of a base weight and a slightly larger footprint to hold the bag up, which was nice because I could get into the compartments without fighting to hold the bag upright.
However, if the shoes were removed, they would not stay up on their own. I will say that I had the top compartments loaded with essentials, which made them slightly top-heavy. Still, I would like to see a slightly bigger footprint if that would make it stand up more securely.
Should you buy this bag?
Let’s talk about who I think the KNKG Plus (Paid Link) is for and who it is not for. The KNKG Plus is for anyone who wants to carry shoes with them! If you have gym shoes you step into when you arrive at the gym, then this is a great choice for you.
You are going to love the Fidlock clasp that holds your shoes in place. You’re going to love the exterior compartment that keeps your shoes away from your other clothes and gear. You may find that bulky or really large shoes may not fit perfectly, but if you are willing to deal with that, then this is for you.
This bag is for anyone looking to simply carry basic gear. Anyone who just wants a durable gym backpack and who is not looking to carry half their fridge or a week’s worth of clothes for travel. This is a midsize bag that will carry the basics, and if that’s all you are looking for, you can stop looking because I really believe you are going to be more than happy using the KNKG Plus.
This bag is not for anyone who wants to carry a lot of gear and clothing. You are going to be limited in what you can pack. The Plus has a very well-organized and thought-out design for the open and zippered compartment, but there is not a lot of overall space. For me, that is a great thing because I simply want a bag to carry basics. This may not be a good fit for anyone needing ample space. If you need a gym bag with more space, make sure you check out the review we did of the KNKG Edge –all the space you’ll ever need there–.
The last thing I’ll say is that this bag is not for people who want a softer-looking, more polished exterior. The Plus has an incredible and tough look to it, but if you want something a little more sleek and smooth, you may want to look elsewhere.
That said, if this bag isn’t for you! You might also want to take a closer look at our all-time favorites over here!
Where should you buy the KNKG Plus Backpack?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- The opening is surprisingly unique.
- The materials are quite tough.
- I appreciate the shoe compartment.
- The water bottle compartment is awesome!
- You better have small feet because the size of the shoe compartment is a bit small too.
- I am not a fan of the smaller footprint at the base of the bag
