REVIEW: Apera Bags

What's that smell? Oh no ... that would be me. Ick!

<<Runs to take quick shower>>

Hmmm ... the smell is still there.

What could it be?

<<Looks to the floor>>

Ooohh it's my gym bag.

<<Hides in embarrassment>>

Ew!

Anyone with me on this?

Well after complaining about it the best way I know how - on social media - a company came to my rescue.

Apera Bags

Have you heard of them? Met them at a Race Expo or two?

If you haven't, I'm here to share the love.

I received the Performance Duffel to review (value $124), but as always all thoughts and opinions are my own. Ain't nobody got time for lying! Am I right?

Do you like that I picked the bright fuschia? I used to shy away from color, but now I think the brighter the better.

Of the seven styles of bags Apera offers, I believe the duffel is the roomiest. I figured it would be PERFECT to lug my triathlon gear around. Three sports in one bag.

Like every Apera bag, it includes antimicrobial product protection inside and outside. Ventilated compartments, a water resistant base and wipeable linings keep your bag clean, dry and healthy.

I love having a separate compartment for my sneakers or bike shoes. Don't you hate when dirt from your shoes gets all over the inside of your gym bag?

There is a pocket on both ends of the bag and each can hold a pair of shoes up to men's 11.5. So now I can keep my bike shoes on one side and my sneakers on the other when heading to a BRICK workout or triathlon.

The Duffel is loaded with pockets, which allows for quick and easy access to any of my little accessories that tend to get lost in the bottom of the bag.

How many Sparkly Soul headbands have you found when finally cleaning out your bag? I think my max was 5 or 6. Ha!

I used the large pocket on the backside to keep my wet bathing suit away from my dry running gear. Such a simple joy.

I started using the pockets on the top to hide my Garmin. I get paranoid that it will turn on while in transit to a race or it will fall out of one of the front pockets while tossing the bag around.

Or goggles and sunglasses.

Plus the shoulder strap is wide and padded making travel less painful on the old shoulder.

You may be wondering if I could use this bag for anything other than the gym. Absolutely.

We took a quick weekend trip to Maine a few weeks back and it was perfect to separate my fun relaxing clothes with my running gear. I mean you know I had to bring sneakers with me. :P

But I think what really puts Apera ahead of their competition would be the antimicrobial product protection.

The material Inside and outside of every Apera bag* is treated with antimicrobial product protection which works continuously, 24/7, to help prevent the growth of bacterial odors on the bag. And because the antimicrobial aspect is built-in during manufacturing, it will last for the useful lifetime of the bag.**

Finally my bag isn't the smelly one in the house. That honor can be returned to my wife's hockey bag. :P

So would I recommend Apera bags to a friend? Absolutely.

Apera is more than a great product they are a great company as well.

Apera’s cause is simple – to inspire all athletes. Apera has created a unique business model that reinforces the social and benevolent components of the Social-Athlete market.

Apera will donate one bag to a Special Olympics athlete for every three bags we sell.

How cool is that?

If you are ready to get your Apera bag act now. They are having a 20% off anniversary sale through July 31: Enter SUMMER2014 at checkout. Check out their website for additional sales.

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When do you use your Apera bag?