The Best-Designed Hip Bags for Travel & Everyday Outdoor Adventures

Once widely ridiculed (and, depending where you are, still sorta ridiculed), the waist pack, aka bum bag aka fanny pack aka lumbar bag aka belt bag, is an under-appreciated piece of essential outdoor gear. With a small footprint yet voluminous design capable of being worn a number of ways, it's an ideal travel bag for day hikes, mountain and city biking, fly fishing, and pretty much any other activity where an extra layer and snack may come in handy. Sure, the stigma still lends itself to 'dad on vacation,' but with undeniable functionality and many forward-thinking brands making smart and stylish iterations, from retro to modern, fanny packs are having a bit of a moment in the spotlight. And there's plenty to choose from these days.

No two fanny packs were created equally; each is carefully designed for specific use in mind, whether that be durability or general use. When choosing a fanny pack, just like any other piece of outdoor gear, it's best to keep in mind your intended activity—mountain biking, day hiking, fly fishing—and what features suit that activity best—waterproof, pockets, roll tops, you name it.

Looking for a trusty belt bag to hold just the essential phone, wallet/credit cards, and keys? Or for a replacement backpack like a mini black hole duffel—equipped with everything under the sun and enough room to haul a Nalgene? The following are our top unisex picks, individually vetted (no “best amazon rated” bullsh*t here) with specific adventure aligned suggestions, so you can choose the best fit for you. All aboard the bum bag bandwagon!

15 Best Hip Packs for Travel & Everyday Outdoor Adventures

Best Fanny Pack for General Outdoors: Klättermusen Eldner 2L Waist Pack

Easily the most technical on the list, the maximalist Eldner from Swedish outdoor outfitter Klättermusen is an instant favorite. With mesh pocks, a bungee tie-down, and a quick-release buckle, it’s Scandinavian in all the right ways. Extra style points are awarded for the patterned waist strap that easily adjusts to transition from hip to crossbody wear. If you’re traveling with a larger pack, a set of toggles allows the Eldner to hitch a ride and stow the strap when it’s not needed.
Price: $88
Capacity: 2L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Day Hiking: Osprey Daylite 2L Waist Pack

Pack specialists Osprey distilled all their know-how into the perfect two-liter hip pack for any chill outing on the trail. The zippered main pocket holds larger items like lunch and sunscreen, while a smaller front pocket keeps items like lip balm and bars within quick reach. Pop it on and seize the day hike.
Price: $30
Capacity: 2L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Distance Hiking:Montbell Trail 4L Lumbar Pack

Our low-key favorite outdoor brand, Japan’s Montbell, never disappoints with highly practical, kinda nerdy, and always considered designs. The Trail Lumbar Pack hits the nail on the head and features adjustable lash-on points for extra storage of a rain layer, trail towel, etc. Compression straps help secure cargo from wobbling about, a valuable feature you’ll undoubtedly appreciate as you approach more technical trails.
Price: $51
Capacity: 4L SHOP NOW

Best Rolltop Fanny Pack: Hilltop Packs Roll Top Fanny Pack

Rolltop bags are one of our favorite styles; simple, weatherproof, and expandable. This Pennsylvania-made rolltop uses a recycled ultralight Ecopak EPX200 to make a 3.1 oz bag weight and provide robust abrasion resistance. The pack can be used alone as an accessory bag or lashed to a larger backpack, or take on an extra 1.3 oz to snap on the removable hip belt. In its normal, rolled state, the bag carries 2-3 liters or up to 4 when the top is unrolled and secured only by a single snap closure.
Price: $60
Capacity: 4L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Fly Fishing: Orvis Waterproof Hip Pack

The jack-of-all-trades pack; there is nothing this hefty waterproof option can't tackle (pun intended). Orvis’ hip pack is designed to provide anglers with loads of hands-free convenience during multiple hours of wading in creeks and rivers. Roomy enough for any accessories or extra layers you might need in addition to your fly fishing gear, plus the gear station on the front keeps necessities like your zinger, nipper, and forceps within easy reach. The brand’s Tippet Bar ($7) clips right onto a set of loops and holds up to seven spools. If you feel like switching from hip wear to crossbody, a detachable strap lets you do just that. Waterproof flexseal zippers and TPU-coated 500D nylon fabric ensures there's no water getting into this puppy.
Price: $229
Capacity: 7L SHOP NOW

Most Minimal Lumbar Pack: Camelbak Stash Belt

Hydration specialists Camelbak designed this belt “pack” for mountain bikers who just need to carry a few necessities (phone, credit cards, keys) on their person. When worn as intended, under a shirt or jersey, the rider avoids any perceived stigma of pedaling around with a bum bag. But, the minimalist style functions well for any type of adventurer looking for a little extra storage than what fits in their back pocket. It could even serve as secure, anti-theft storage for the most careful travelers. Even if you own every kind of bag imaginable, there’s still probably room for this one on your wishlist.
Price: $35 $21
Capacity: 2L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Trail Running: Janji Multipass Sling Bag

Running apparel brand Janji designed their Multipass bag for stability during trail runs, whether worn around the waist or crossbody as a sling bag. In crossbody mode, a stabilizer strap keeps the bag from sliding around and stores when not needed. One main compartment uses an adjustable shock cord to stabilize bulkier loads and a zippered back pocket accessed from the flexible honeycomb foam air-mesh back panel stores small, flat items like phones and credit cards.
Price: $52
Capacity: 2L SHOP NOW

Most Utilitarian Hip Pack: 1733 Side Pack

Chicago bag makers 1733 have created the Cadillac of hip packs, speaking in terms of both size and features. This high-volume pack uses technical VX fabric that’s highly water-resistant to protect items carried in its main compartment that features a series of organization pockets. On its exterior, extra oversized and quick-access items can be attached by way of an adjustable shock cord, cinching webbing straps, and MOLLE daisy chains.
Price: $180
Capacity: 7L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Mountain Biking: Nittany Mountain Works Deluxe Hip Sack

This highly-customizable sporty design is made-to-order in Pennsylvania under the roof of a 100% solar-powered production facility. Made by mountain bikers, they’ve included smart detailing like a webbing daisy chain for attaching extras like a clip-on taillight and a mesh back panel to keep the air flowing. A roomy main compartment holds bigger items and a front zippered compartment holds small items like snacks and a phone. Hook and loop material on the waist straps prevents the bag from slipping down your back while you shred your favorite trail in addition to just keeping the excess slack out of the way.
Price: $56
Capacity: 4L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Designers and Artists: Topo Designs Quick Pack

One of the larger packs on the list, the Topo Designs Quick Pack features plenty of zippered pockets, loops, and clips to keep your things organized. An excellent choice for carrying a small watercolor set or a journal to your favorite mountain vista or essentials for everyday carry; charger, keys; check! Wide two-inch waist straps stow behind a back panel when you want to carry it by the top handle or tote it around via a removable strap for shoulder or crossbody wear. As always, Topo never fails to offer some super fun colorways.
Price: $69
Capacity: 7.3L SHOP NOW

Best Fanny Pack for Photographers: Porta Brace Lens Case Hip Pack

One of the more pricey on the list, but for good reason. This water-resistant 1000-Denier Cordura constructed camera bag is multifunctional and will keep up to 3-4 lenses (or a couple point and shoots) protected. Like any great camera bag, there are adjustable dividers to play around with in the main compartment. Made in the USA, this bag also has an adjustable strap and quick-release buckle for easy on and off while you're on set or capturing the moment of a New York street scene. Once it’s fully loaded, you might actually prefer to wear it as a shoulder bag or cross body bag.
Price: $151
Capacity: NA SHOP NOW

Most Packable Fanny Pack: Matador Hip Pack

Matador started with the invention of a simple item: a packable pocket blanket and a waterproof surface to sit on that fit in your pocket. The Colorado brand has been delivering consistently high-quality, ultralight gear ever since. This minimalist hip bag packs down to the size of a small lemon, so you can have it ready whenever you need it. Toss it in your carry-on, and you’ve got a travel fanny pack ready for whatever adventure lies ahead.
Price: $60
Capacity: 2.5L SHOP NOW

Most Reliable Fanny Pack: Mystery Ranch Full Moon Hip Bag

Introducing the most well-rounded bag on this list: The Mystery Ranch Full Moon Waist Bag. Large enough to hold your essentials, plus maybe even a small book and your 32oz water bottle, this pack is our top pick for its balance of form & functionality with a price tag under $40! As one raving reviewer puts it: "[this bag is] something truly beautiful and useful in this age of excess!"
Price: $45
Capacity: 6L SHOP NOW

Most Customizable Fanny Pack: Buck Products Rumpshaker

One of our longtime favorite indie bag brands, the Rumpshaker is made by hand in southwest Montana and designed to be worn however the hell you want to wear it.
Price: $60
Capacity: 2.7L SHOP NOW

Best Ultralight Fanny Pack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa

Weighing in at approximately 0.18 lbs, this pack is constructed of waterproof Dyneema Composite designed to fit whatever you want to put in it, from maps to canned beverages, to camera equipment.
Price: $70
Capacity: 2.25L SHOP NOW

Most Unique Fanny Pack: Cotopaxi Bataan Hip Pack

As part of their Re(Purpose) Collection, this line of fanny packs is made from fabric left over from other companies’ larger production runs, making for a unique item, where no two packs are alike.
Price: $35
Capacity: 3L SHOP NOW