Apera Bags Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

This Giveaway has closed.  Check our most recent posts for other great giveaways.

We each got the chance to try out our own Apera bag.  Apera Bags have six styles to choose from, and we both found the perfect one to suit our individual needs.

DisneyGroom on the Duffel Pack

I have spent the last month using the Duffel Pack.  This bag is perfect for all my running needs.  It conveniently fits like a backpack and has all the versatility of a duffel bag - as it lays flat and you zip it open.  This thing has tons of space (35L).  This is a great bag to take on a weekend runcation.  The side pockets for shoes easily fit my size 13 running shoes.  The shoe pockets have external access, but are hidden and separate from the main compartment of the bag, keeping any mud or odors from getting on my nice clean clothes.   Check out this video that shows many of the features and pockets of this bag.

Speaking of odors, each Apera bag comes with a washable insert.  They show it with swimming gear, but I used mine to separate my sweaty gym clothes from the rest of my clean clothes.  I often run at lunch and then meet DisneyBride for a post-work run.  In the past, I would end up making my clean clothes dirty by having them in the same bag.  This is a problem no more. 

The Duffel Pack has plenty of internal and external pockets to hold all your running gear.  The water resistant front panel protects your gear  as you place your bag on the ground (or floor of the gym locker room).  The antimicrobial protection helps keep the bag free from all the nasty things that seem to take up residence in my gym bag.  This bag kept my clothes smelling fresh and that is a true feat. 

The bag is functionally large, yet fit easily behind the door of my office.  No longer was a grungy gym bag taking up space on the chairs in my office.  I use my bag for workout clothes during the work week and on weekends to bring a clean change of clothes to a race. 

It would also make an excellent day pack for a hike. Here I have two 32oz water bottles.  Yep - the water bottle pockets will easily carry a gallon (64oz) of water, your daily allotment.   The bag even has a chest strap to help keep things steady if you head out for a nice long trek. 

Let me also take a minute to mention the other bag I gave serious consideration to getting: the Active Pack.

If I traveled by public transit and/or regularly carried a laptop, I would have chosen this bag in a heartbeat.  I actually saw this bag in person, and it would make a great daily use bag for a professional that needs their electronics and workout clothes.  Further, the Active Pack has a sleeve to secure the bag onto your suitcase.  Very convenient when you fly.

DisneyBride on the Performance Duffel

All the Apera bags feature the following:

• Anti-microbial fabric
• wipeable linings
• vented compartments
• washable insert (zip pouch for wet items)

Why are all of these important?  Well, just having one or two of these would be nice, but having all of these features = a healthier bag.  Your gear stays cleaner, more hygienic.

I've been enjoying my Performance Duffel for a few weeks now.  And I find that I use it nearly everyday.  Here is Apera's video that goes over the features of my bag.

I may not have the love affair with pockets that DG has, but I do appreciate all the separate compartments to keep everything organized, especially the smaller padded pockets for sunglasses and mobile devices. 

The shoe pockets are ventilated (mesh).  There are two shoe pockets - one on each side of the bag.  Each shoe pocket will hold either two pairs of my dress shoes or one pair of running shoes.

I'm also trying to remember to drink more water every day, so I really appreciate having not just one, but two mesh water bottle pockets.

Here each pocket is holding a 1 liter bottle of water. 

This bag is incredibly spacious, with a internal volume of 35L.  I can easily carry gym clothes with me for the day and have plenty of room to spare.  My Apera bag has also turned into my 'weekend bag'.  And it will travel beautifully with easy access to the many zipped pockets. 

Like DG, I too debated which bag to get.  I almost got the Sling Tote.  A slimmer profile, but still very roomy, I could see that easily turning into my everyday office tote.

But overall, I'm glad I got the Performance Duffel, as it is nice having plenty of space to carry my gear.  I'm very happy with this bag, and the lovely shade of fuschia always makes me smile.   So much prettier than my previous boring old gym bag.

THE GIVEAWAY

There are two opportunities to win. 

The first:  Apera Bags will be giving away free bags every month throughout 2014.  You can find more info  here: http://aperabags.com/win

Second:  Our friends at Apera have allowed us to giveaway this adorable Sprint Pack.

So much better than a run-of-the-mill cinch sack. The Sprint Pack has the Anti-microbial fabric, wipeable linings, and vented (mesh) compartments seen in the other Apera bags.  Plus there are three separate areas for your gear.

Another cool thing about the Sprint Pack, these are the same bags donated to the Special Olympics by Apera. For every three bags sold, one bag is donated. Awesome, right?

Terms of the Giveaway

1) No Purchase Necessary.

2) Giveaway begins Friday April 4, 2014 and ends Thursday April 10, 2014 at midnight. Winner will be announced on the Facebook page and this blog post.  He or she will be notified Friday, April 11, 2014.

3) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident. 

4) One (1) winner will be selected. the winner will receive one (1) Apera Bags Sprint Pack.  Retail value: $20

5) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. Your contact info will ONLY be used to contact you if you win.

6) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries
 

7) The winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

8) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided within a one week period, another winner will be selected at random.

9) Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. We each received one bag from Apera Bags in exchange for this review and promotional giveaway. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated on this blog are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”