Last Updated on August 29, 2026 by Tyler Morgan
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Wet swim gear needs room to breathe, but a traditional backpack can trap moisture and make it harder for goggles, towels, fins, and training equipment to dry. The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack takes the opposite approach with a ventilated 40-liter design built for swim and workout gear. Its large main compartment, lightweight construction, barrel-lock opening, and several smaller storage areas make it practical for pool days, although the open mesh design gives you very little protection for items that must stay dry. This review explains where the TYR LBMMB3 works well, where it falls short, and who gets the most value from it.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10, Recommended with caveats
Best For: Swimmers, pool users, beach trips, and athletes who regularly carry damp gear.
Bottom Line: The 40L capacity and highly ventilated mesh construction make this an efficient bag for carrying and airing out wet equipment. Its main tradeoff is the same mesh design, which is not intended to keep electronics, clothing, or other moisture-sensitive items protected from water.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | TYR |
| Model | LBMMB3 Big Mesh Mummy Backpack |
| Product type | Ventilated swim and workout gear backpack |
| Capacity | 40 liters |
| Dimensions | 25.25 inches high × 19 inches wide |
| Listed weight | 6.6 ounces |
| Material | Polyester mesh |
| Main closure | Barrel-lock top closure |
| Organization | Main compartment, small zip compartment, side zipper pocket, and mesh bottle pocket |
| Carry system | Adjustable over-the-shoulder straps |
| Design update | 20% larger design than the previous version |
| Best use | Swim, pool, beach, and workout gear that benefits from ventilation and drainage |
What Is the TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack?
The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack LBMMB3 is a 40-liter athletic gear bag designed primarily for swimmers and people carrying equipment that may still be wet after use. Unlike a conventional fabric backpack with enclosed panels, much of its construction is mesh. That design allows air to circulate through the contents and lets water drain rather than remain trapped inside the main compartment.
TYR lists the current design at 25.25 inches high by 19 inches wide and describes it as 20% larger than its previous design. The main storage area is supported by a smaller zip compartment, a side zipper pocket, and a built-in mesh bottle pocket. A barrel-lock opening provides fast top access instead of requiring you to unzip a large main compartment.
This makes the backpack more specialized than a normal school or travel pack. Its strength is handling bulky swim and workout equipment with plenty of airflow. It is less suitable when your priority is weather protection, privacy, structure, or extensive internal organization.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Swimmers carrying towels, goggles, caps, fins, kickboards, or other pool equipment.
- Beach and pool users who want wet items to drain and receive airflow after use.
- Athletes who prefer a lightweight 40L gear carrier instead of a structured backpack.
Skip If
- You need a weather-protected bag for electronics, paperwork, or dry clothing.
- You want many divided internal pockets for organizing small items.
- You prefer a structured backpack with substantial padding and enclosed panels.
Before You Buy: The ventilation that makes this bag useful for wet swim gear also means it should not be treated like a waterproof backpack. Put moisture-sensitive items in a separate protective pouch or choose an enclosed bag if keeping contents dry is your priority.
Detailed Features
40L Capacity and Main Compartment
The 40-liter main compartment is the core reason to choose this bag. It gives you substantially more room than a small drawstring sack, which matters when your kit includes a towel, swimwear, training aids, sandals, a water bottle, and a change of clothing.
The large opening also reduces the need to arrange every item precisely. You can load bulky gear quickly before or after practice. The tradeoff is that a large undivided compartment can become cluttered, especially if you carry many small accessories.
Mesh Ventilation and Drainage
The mesh construction is the backpack’s defining feature. Wet swim gear can continue releasing moisture after you place it inside, while water has a route to drain instead of collecting at the bottom of a sealed bag. This is particularly useful when you leave the pool with a damp towel, swimsuit, fins, or other equipment.
Ventilation does not mean your equipment will instantly dry, and damp gear should still be removed and allowed to dry properly when you get home. The main advantage is that the bag itself does not surround wet gear with the same enclosed barrier as a conventional backpack.
Pockets and Organization
TYR includes more organization than a basic single-compartment mesh sack. You get a small zip compartment, a side zipper pocket, and a built-in mesh water bottle pocket in addition to the main storage area.
Those smaller spaces give you logical places for items such as goggles, a swim cap, earplugs, or other compact accessories. Even so, this remains a relatively simple gear bag. Buyers who want separate sections for shoes, clothing, electronics, toiletries, and accessories may find the layout too basic.
Barrel-Lock Closure and Access
A barrel-lock closure controls the main top opening. This design favors speed. You can loosen the closure, open the top, and reach into the main compartment without working around a full-length zipper.
That simplicity suits pool environments where you may open and close your bag several times during a session. It also means you should tighten the closure properly before carrying the bag so loose equipment stays contained.
Carry Comfort and Portability
The backpack uses adjustable over-the-shoulder straps, allowing you to change the fit rather than carry it like a hand-held mesh sack. Its listed 6.6-ounce weight also keeps the empty bag light compared with many structured backpacks.
The straps are practical for walking between your vehicle, locker room, pool, and gym. However, this is not a heavily padded hiking pack. The more weight you add, the more important careful packing becomes because hard or awkward equipment may press against your back through the flexible bag.
Pro Tip: Put bulky, smooth items in the main compartment first and keep small essentials in the zippered areas. If you carry a phone, keys, wallet, or dry clothing alongside wet equipment, use a separate water-resistant pouch instead of relying on the mesh backpack for moisture protection.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Regular Swim Practice
This is where the design makes the most sense. A 40L compartment can handle a larger swimming kit than a basic drawstring bag, while the mesh body allows damp equipment to breathe. The smaller pockets also prevent goggles and similar accessories from disappearing at the bottom of the main compartment.
For Beach and Recreational Pool Days
The backpack can also work well for towels, swimwear, sandals, and pool accessories. Sand and water are easier to manage with an open mesh construction than with a fully enclosed fabric compartment, although small particles can still get caught in gear and seams.
For this use, remember that sunscreen, phones, wallets, and dry clothing deserve separate protection. The bag’s purpose is ventilation, not isolation from water.
For Gym and Workout Gear
You can use the TYR backpack beyond the pool. Its large capacity can carry workout clothing, shoes, a bottle, and other gym essentials. Ventilation can also be useful when you are transporting clothing that is damp after exercise.
It is less convincing as a general office-to-gym backpack because it lacks the structured protection and dedicated laptop storage common in commuter packs. If you need one bag for both electronics and wet gym equipment, a more divided design may be easier to live with.
For Travel and Storage
Its lightweight construction makes the backpack easy to pack as a secondary activity bag for a trip. You can use your main luggage for clothing and electronics, then use the TYR bag for the pool, beach, or fitness center after arriving.
As primary travel luggage, however, the exposed mesh and simple organization are significant limitations. The design is better suited to carrying equipment during an activity than protecting belongings through an entire journey.
Packing Tips for Better Results
- Separate wet and dry items: Use an internal protective pouch for anything that must remain dry.
- Use the zippered areas for small gear: Goggles, caps, and compact accessories are easier to find outside the large main compartment.
- Keep your bottle in the dedicated pocket: This leaves more main-compartment space for larger equipment.
- Avoid sharp exposed edges: Mesh is well suited to ventilation, but sharp equipment can place unnecessary stress on it.
- Empty damp equipment after use: The mesh improves airflow, but your swimsuit, towel, and training gear should still be removed and dried properly.
- Adjust the straps after loading: A comfortable setting with an empty bag may feel different once the 40L compartment is filled.
Materials and Care
The bag is made from polyester mesh, a lightweight construction that supports the ventilation and drainage-focused design. The material makes sense for pool equipment because the bag is not intended to form a sealed barrier around wet contents.
Do not assume that the backpack is machine-wash safe unless the care label supplied with your specific bag says so. Follow TYR’s product labeling for cleaning and allow the bag to dry thoroughly after exposure to water. This also gives you an opportunity to remove sand, chlorine residue, or other debris from the bag and equipment.
TYR’s current U.S. product page also displays a California Proposition 65 warning. Review the manufacturer’s current product information and any labels supplied with your bag if that warning is relevant to your buying decision.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large 40L capacity for swim and workout equipment.
- Mesh construction supports airflow and drainage around wet gear.
- Lightweight 6.6-ounce listed weight keeps the bag itself from adding much load.
- Side zipper pocket, small zip compartment, and bottle pocket improve organization.
- Adjustable shoulder straps and barrel-lock opening keep everyday use simple.
Cons
- Open mesh does not provide the protection of an enclosed weather-resistant backpack.
- Organization is limited compared with multi-compartment training or travel backpacks.
- Flexible construction and simple straps are less suitable for carrying heavy, rigid loads over long distances.
Is It Worth the Price?
The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack offers strong value for the price when ventilation and capacity matter more to you than structure or elaborate organization. Its design is focused on a clear job: carrying a substantial amount of swim or workout equipment without enclosing damp gear inside a solid backpack.
You get the most value if you regularly use the 40L space and take advantage of the mesh construction. A swimmer transporting fins, towels, goggles, caps, and training equipment has a stronger reason to buy it than someone who only carries a water bottle and change of clothes.
It is not the best fit if you need an all-purpose backpack for commuting, laptops, hiking, or weather-sensitive belongings. In those cases, paying for better padding, enclosed panels, and more structured organization may make more sense.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Within TYR’s current lineup, the Elite Team 40L Mesh Backpack is worth comparing if you want the same 40L capacity but prefer features such as padded shoulder straps, a secondary compartment, and external gear loops. The Big Mesh Mummy Backpack keeps the concept simpler, with a barrel-lock top and a lightweight mesh-focused design.
If 40 liters is not enough, TYR also offers a 75L Mesh Equipment Bag aimed at buyers who need substantially more equipment space. The Big Mesh Mummy Backpack makes the most sense when you want a backpack-style 40L carrier rather than an oversized team-equipment bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack only for swimming?
No. TYR positions it for swim and workout gear, so it can also carry gym clothing and other athletic equipment. Its mesh ventilation makes it especially useful when your gear may be damp after use.
Is it suitable for hiking?
It can carry basic outdoor gear, but hiking is not its main purpose. The mesh body, simple organization, and lack of a structured hiking suspension system make it a weaker choice for long hikes or loads that need weather protection.
Will the backpack keep my belongings dry?
Do not buy this model for waterproof storage. Its mesh construction is intentionally designed for ventilation and drainage, so moisture-sensitive items should be placed in a separate protective pouch.
How much does the TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack hold?
The listed capacity is 40 liters, and TYR gives the dimensions as 25.25 inches high by 19 inches wide. That size is intended to accommodate swim and workout equipment rather than just a few small personal items.
Does it have separate pockets for goggles and accessories?
Yes. In addition to the main compartment, the design includes a small zip compartment, a side zipper pocket, and a built-in mesh water bottle pocket. It still has less compartmentalization than a structured multi-pocket backpack.
Can the TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack be machine washed?
Do not assume it is machine-wash safe without checking the care label supplied with your bag. Follow TYR’s current care instructions for your specific version and allow the bag to dry thoroughly after cleaning or pool use.
What warranty does TYR provide for this backpack?
The current TYR product page does not state a product-specific one-year warranty for this backpack. Check TYR’s current policies and the retailer’s terms before purchase rather than relying on an unverified warranty period.
Who should skip the TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack?
Skip it if you need a laptop compartment, weather protection, extensive internal organization, or substantial padding for heavy loads. It is a specialized ventilated gear carrier rather than an all-purpose travel or commuter backpack.
The Bottom Line
The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Backpack is easy to recommend for swimmers and active buyers who need a lightweight 40L bag that lets damp equipment drain and breathe. Its spacious main compartment, simple access, and useful external storage make it practical for regular pool and workout use, but the exposed mesh and limited organization make it a poor replacement for a weather-protected commuter, hiking, or travel backpack. If ventilation is your priority and you understand that tradeoff, its 8.5/10 editorial rating is well deserved.
