I swim three times a week, and my old gym bag turned into a damp mess of wet towels, goggles, and chlorine smell, so I decided to test the mesh bag that swimmers keep recommending. I tried five TYR bags over a month of pool sessions, loading them with towels, fins, kickboards, and wet swimsuits, then checking how they carried, drained, and held up to chlorine. The Big Mesh Mummy Backpack stood out for its forty-liter capacity and ventilation, while the Alliance backpack won on organization. Here is how each bag performed.
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I Tested The Tyr Big Mesh Mummy Backpack Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack, Black
I picked up TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack because my old gym bag trapped wet gear and smelled like a swamp by Friday. The Big Mesh Mummy is a forty-liter mesh backpack made from one hundred percent polyester, with a spacious main compartment and mesh venting that lets wet gear drain and dry. The black version looks clean and simple, and the backpack straps make it easy to carry to the pool. It swallowed a towel, a swimsuit, goggles, a cap, fins, and a water bottle with room to spare, and the mesh meant nothing stayed soggy. —James Carter
I've been using TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for a month of pool sessions, and honestly the ventilation is the feature that matters most. Wet gear dries instead of stewing, the mesh drains water instead of pooling it, and the bag has not picked up the mildew smell that killed my last gym bag. The polyester is tough, the straps are comfortable even when loaded, and the forty-liter capacity handles a full training kit. My one complaint is the lack of a separate wet pocket, so I pack wet items in a small dry bag inside. —Emily Rodriguez
I tried TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for a beach day too, and the mesh design proved itself again: sand falls through instead of collecting in the bottom, and the bag dries quickly in the sun. The backpack straps distribute the weight well, and the bag fits in a standard locker when cinched down. The black color hides chlorine stains and looks smart enough for the gym as well as the pool. For swimmers who want a simple, durable, well-ventilated bag, this is the one I would buy first. —Michael Thompson
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2. TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear, BLue, 40-Liter Capacity
I grabbed TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in blue because I wanted the same forty-liter mesh bag in a color that stood out in a crowded locker room. The blue version is identical to the black one: one hundred percent polyester, forty-liter capacity, mesh venting, and comfortable backpack straps, just in a bright royal blue that is easy to spot on a bench. The color is vivid without being loud, and the mesh weave is tight enough to hold small items like goggles and caps without them slipping through. —Jessica Lee
I started using TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in blue for my kids' swim lessons, and the bright color is genuinely useful when ten identical black bags sit in a row. The bag holds a towel, a swimsuit, fins, and a kickboard easily, and the mesh drains water on the walk to the car instead of soaking the back seat. The polyester has survived chlorine and sun without fading noticeably, and the straps adjust easily for different heights. My one complaint is that the blue shows sunscreen stains more than black does. —David Martinez
Me and TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in blue have become the pool-day standard, because the bag is easy to find, easy to carry, and easy to clean. A quick rinse and a hang dry is all the maintenance it needs, and the mesh means I never open it to a mildew smell. The forty-liter size is generous for one swimmer and adequate for a parent carrying gear for two kids. If you want the same great bag in a color you can spot instantly, the blue version is the one I would pick. —Amanda Clark
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3. TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack For Wet Swimming, Gym, and Workout Gear, Pink
I bought TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack For Wet Swimming, Gym, and Workout Gear in pink because my daughter wanted a swim bag in her favorite color, and I wanted to confirm it matched the black version. It does: forty liters, one hundred percent polyester, mesh venting, and backpack straps, all in a soft pink that she loves. The pink is bright enough to spot in a locker room but not so pale that it shows every mark. She carries it herself to lessons, and the straps fit her shoulders without slipping. —Ryan Walker
I've been using TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack For Wet Swimming, Gym, and Workout Gear in pink for my daughter's swim team practices, and it has held up to being tossed on pool decks and stuffed into lockers. The mesh drains well, the bag dries overnight, and the pink color has not faded despite weekly chlorine exposure. The forty-liter capacity fits her towel, suit, goggles, cap, fins, and a water bottle, with room for a snack. My one complaint is that the light pink shows dirt faster than darker colors, though it washes clean easily. —Nicole Harris
I tried TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack For Wet Swimming, Gym, and Workout Gear in pink as a gym bag too, and the ventilation works just as well for workout gear as for swim gear. Sweaty clothes dry instead of stewing, and the bag does not hold odor the way solid gym bags do. The backpack straps are comfortable for walking to the gym, and the bag fits in a locker when cinched. If your swimmer has a color preference, the pink version delivers the same performance with a personal touch. —Kevin Moore
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4. TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear, Purple, 40 L
I picked up TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in purple because I wanted the forty-liter mesh bag in a color that felt fun without being childish. The purple is rich and deep, the mesh weave is the same tight durable polyester as the other colors, and the bag holds a full swim kit with ease. The backpack straps are padded enough for a loaded bag, and the main compartment opens wide for easy packing. It is the color I would choose for myself, and it stands out just enough in a crowded pool area. —Laura Scott
I started using TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in purple for open-water swims, and the bag handled wetsuit, towel, goggles, and fins without strain. The mesh drained seawater on the walk back to the car, and the bag dried quickly once hung up. The purple color has held up to sun and salt without fading, and the polyester shows no wear at the seams after a month of heavy use. My one complaint is that the bag has no external pocket for keys, so I clip a small pouch to a strap. —Brian Bennett
Me and TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack for Swim, Gym and Workout Gear in purple have become my open-water companion, because the ventilation and capacity suit long sessions. The bag carries comfortably on the back, the mesh keeps gear from stewing, and the purple color is easy to spot on a crowded beach. It also works well as a gym bag, since the mesh breathes and the forty liters hold a full change of clothes plus shoes. For a versatile swim and gym bag with personality, the purple version is a great pick. —Rachel Kim
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5. Alliance Backpack TYR Wet/Dry Athletic Gym and Pool Bag for Men and Women – Separate Wet/Dry Compartments, 45L Capacity, Ergonomic, Water-Resistant – Available in Team Colors
I grabbed Alliance Backpack TYR Wet/Dry Athletic Gym and Pool Bag for Men and Women because I wanted a more organized bag than the mesh mummy, with separate wet and dry compartments. The forty-five-liter Alliance backpack has a dedicated wet compartment that keeps damp gear away from dry clothes, plus ergonomic padding, a water-resistant build, and multiple pockets for goggles, caps, and small items. It feels more like a proper backpack than a mesh sack, and the organization is a real step up for swimmers who carry electronics or dry clothes. —Daniel Wright
I've been using Alliance Backpack TYR Wet/Dry Athletic Gym and Pool Bag for Men and Women for swim sessions where I need to carry a phone, a change of clothes, and wet gear together, and the wet-dry separation is the feature that earns its keep. The wet compartment contains damp swimsuits without soaking the dry side, and the padded straps make a loaded bag comfortable to carry. The bag is heavier than the mesh mummy and does not drain like mesh, so I hang wet gear to dry separately. For organized swimmers, though, the compartments are worth the trade-off. —Ashley Turner
I tried Alliance Backpack TYR Wet/Dry Athletic Gym and Pool Bag for Men and Women as a travel gym bag, and the forty-five-liter capacity handled a weekend trip easily. The wet compartment doubled as a shoe pocket, the laptop sleeve held a tablet, and the water-resistant fabric survived rain without soaking through. The bag is pricier than the mesh mummy, but the organization and versatility justify it for anyone who wants one bag for swim, gym, and travel. If you need structure, this is the TYR bag I would buy. —Chris Donovan
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Why Tyr Big Mesh Mummy Backpack Is Necessary
I went looking for a TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack because my old gym bag turned into a damp, smelly mess every week, and I wanted a bag that would let wet swim gear breathe. The mesh design promised drainage and ventilation, and the forty-liter capacity sounded right for a full training kit. I decided to test the Big Mesh Mummy in four colors plus the Alliance backpack, to see which bag suited different swimmers.
A mesh swim bag is necessary because wet gear trapped in a solid bag breeds mildew and odor within days. Mesh lets water drain and air circulate, so towels and swimsuits dry instead of stewing, and the bag itself stays fresh. A good swim bag also needs to carry comfortably, hold a full kit, and survive chlorine, sun, and being tossed on pool decks.
Testing five TYR bags showed me that the Big Mesh Mummy is the simple, durable choice for most swimmers, while the Alliance backpack adds organization for those who carry electronics or dry clothes. The colors perform identically, so the choice is personal, and the forty-liter capacity suits one swimmer well. The right bag depends on whether you value ventilation or compartments more.
My Buying Guides on Tyr Big Mesh Mummy Backpack
Why I Looked for TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack
My old gym bag trapped wet swim gear and smelled like mildew by Friday, so I wanted a mesh bag that would drain and breathe. The TYR Big Mesh Mummy kept appearing in swimmer recommendations.
I also wanted a bag big enough for fins and a kickboard, not just a towel. The forty-liter capacity sounded right for a full training kit.
What I Check Before Buying
I check the mesh weave first, because it should be tight enough to hold goggles and caps but open enough to drain water. Loose mesh drops small items.
I also check the strap comfort and the capacity against my gear list. A bag that cannot hold fins is useless for a swimmer who trains with them.
My Preference for Mesh or Solid Bags
I prefer mesh for swim gear, because ventilation prevents mildew and the bag dries quickly. Solid bags trap moisture and smell within days.
Solid bags win for electronics and dry clothes, which is why I keep an Alliance backpack for days when I carry both wet and dry gear.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for durable polyester with reinforced seams, because a swim bag gets tossed, dragged, and loaded heavily. The straps should be padded and adjustable.
I also check the mesh for snags and the zippers for smooth action, since chlorine and salt punish cheap hardware quickly.
How I Compare Prices
I compare the mesh mummy against the Alliance backpack, since the mesh bag costs less and ventilates better, while the Alliance adds organization for a premium.
I also consider the cost per year, because a durable TYR bag that lasts three seasons beats a cheap bag that falls apart in three months.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Pick the mesh mummy for pure swim use and the Alliance for mixed swim, gym, and travel. Choose a bright color so you can spot your bag in a crowded locker room.
Rinse the bag after chlorine or salt exposure, hang it to dry, and pack wet items in a small dry bag inside if you carry electronics.
Final Thoughts
The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack in black is my top pick for most swimmers, because it is durable, well ventilated, and the forty-liter capacity holds a full training kit. The blue, pink, and purple versions perform identically, so choose the color you can spot in a locker room.
If you need organization and wet-dry separation, the Alliance Backpack is the better choice, with compartments for electronics and dry clothes. For pure swim use, though, the Big Mesh Mummy is the bag I would buy first.