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Once an oft-mocked accessory adorned by theme-park goers, tourists and ‘80s rollerbladers, the fanny pack has made an astonishingly fashionable comeback within the past few years — and we’re quite pleased about it.
The fanny pack/belt bag/waist bag (whatever you prefer to call it) not only has multiple monikers but can be used for a wide range of activities. Walking the dog? Going for a run? A hike? Grabbing coffee? Have a plane to catch? Your wallet, keys, phone and chapstick are conveniently accessible (and safely secure) right across your chest or above your waist.
The fanny pack’s ability to haul essential items without becoming a nuisance is really the accessory’s top selling point, which makes it particularly useful for parents and active types. Still, even those of us who aren’t chasing children around playgrounds and hiking mountains on the daily are quite obsessed with our waist bags.
Waist packs are not all created equal and vary in style, size, fabric and price point. Depending on your intended use, it might behoove you to do some research — but that would entail, like, Googling things and reading multiple boring articles. Instead, you could read this not-boring article, which expertly breaks down which belt bag is right for you. From everyday pouches to hiking bags to the best sack for parents, below the best fanny packs for every conceivable hands-free situation.
- Best Overall Fanny Pack: Dagne Dover Ace Bag
- Best Everyday Fanny Pack: lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
- Best Commuter Fanny Pack: Everlane Renew Transit Fanny Pack
- Best Affordable Fanny Pack: Carhartt Waist Pack
- Best Fanny Pack for Parents: Kiboug Vegan Leather Bag
- Best Running Fanny Pack: Nathan Marathon Pak
- Most Surprisingly Spacious Fanny Pack: Baggu Fanny Pack
- Best Hiking Fanny Pack: Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack
- Best Sustainable Fanny Pack: Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack Del Día
Things to Consider When Buying a Fanny Pack:
Size: From one-liter capacity to five-, waist packs come in various sizes. Depending on your use case, you’ll want to consider how spacious your pack needs to be. A roomier bag means your belongings are more organized and fit more comfortably (no awkwardly shoving your phone in there.) However, style and fit-wise they look and feel a bit bulkier, something you might not want if you’re merely looking for a light everyday bag to carry your essentials in. At the very least, each waist pack on our list is capable of storing your phone, wallet and keys with room to spare.
Material: Since you’ll presumably be using this waist bag on the day-to-day, or in outdoor scenarios, it’s gonna get dirty. Most of our picks below are constructed from recycled polyester and nylon — two fabrics that are quite durable and super easy to wipe down. But you’ll also find packs made from neoprene (a water-resistant fabric) and faux leather. These materials lend themselves stylistically but are still manageable to clean.
Price: Rest assured, you won’t be paying over $100 for any of our top belt bag picks. We mean, you could absolutely drop over $1,000 on a Saint Laurent waist bag if you so pleased. Just about every designer brand has its own luxury take on the fanny pack. However, if you prefer function over fashion, there’s really no need to pay top dollar for a dependable waist bag (that still looks good)— in our opinion. We’ve been using a $38 pack nearly every day for years. Still holds up.
The Best Waist Bags for 2023
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