

The Patagonia Mini Fanny Pack is just big enough for your essentials, with three zippered pockets for organization and water-resistant, ripstop nylon construction for longevity. Lastly, the colors are so bright and expressive, they let you make a statement and make for a popping accessory in photos. I also love that it has two outside pockets on the front, two internal mesh pockets for compartmentalized stashing, and a secret zippered pocket on the back big enough to fit a map on a hike or even postcards if you're walking around town.

The wide strap is comfortable across your shoulders or around your hips, too. The outside is treated with durable water repellent (DWR) coating, so everything inside stays dry during a light shower. The pack even comes with a lifetime warranty for extra assurance. I've had mine for three years and put it through many situations where weaker construction would've started to fail. This fanny pack is made from double-stitched Cordura nylon with strong YKK zippers, so it's super durable. Yet it's also not too bulky or big if you just need a bag to stash your phone and wallet some days. The Baboon to the Moon bag, which works as either a women's or men's fanny pack, has a 3-liter capacity - the perfect size to fit, say, three beer cans or short seltzers (yes, tested and verified), one long sleeve layer, or even your dog's leash if you're headed out for an off-leash hike. Pros: Roomy without being too big, fun colors, durable exterior, water repellent, multiple pockets If you're only going to purchase one bag to go with you everywhere, the Baboon to the Moon Fannypack is the most durable, most versatile, and comes in really cute photo-popping colorways. I favor fanny packs that are the right size and material to head into the store just as easily as onto the trail.īaboon to the Moon, Rachael Schultz/Insider Versatility: What makes fanny packs so great is that once you have one, you can use it in lieu of a day backpack on the trail, a purse or handbag at the grocery store, your back pocket at the airport.The physics of opening a fanny pack while it's strapped to your body and not have all the items tumble out is, well, a huge deciding factor in whether you'll love or hate the bag. Ease of access: If you've ever unzipped your fanny pack only to have all your essentials spill out, you know how important this one is.Options that are easy to spot clean or, better yet, able to just throw in the washer are a top choice. Ease of cleaning: Like all outdoor gear, your adventure fanny pack will get dirty.Durability of material: This covers not only how well the outside holds up against scrapes on a hike or rain during foul weather, but also how well the exterior fares against dirt and grime from camping and traveling.I rarely carry a backpack, so these fanny packs accompany me on hikes from 1 to 7 miles, long mountain bike rides, river trips, road trips, air travel, and just everyday life of running errands. I've tested nearly all the fanny packs on this list, as well as others that didn't make the cut, over the last three years while living in Colorado and traveling to New York, New Zealand, California, and more. Since then, I've tested a ridiculous number of fanny packs, which run the spectrum of pure fashion to overly functional. Trust me: I was an early adopter of the trend years back, having recently moved from New York to Colorado when all my friends back east started embracing the uber-functional style piece. When it comes to the best fanny pack for adventures, you want to pick one that's the right size for your activities and has technical features like waterproofing and rip-stop material. If you're skiing, well, many of the fanny packs for women or men are the perfect size for three standard beer cans - and they keep the vibes strong. If you're mountain biking, the design of hydration lumbar packs is surprisingly comfortable and a much easier way to grab a sip of water without wrestling with your water bottle cage. All these items are then way easier to access than in, say, a backpack. If you're headed out for a hike, the best fanny pack is ideal for stashing dog waste bags, a small tube of sunscreen, keys, and your phone. Whether you prefer to wear a fanny pack cross-body or embrace the dork and wear it around your hips, one area the function is truly indisputable is the outdoors.
HIKING FANNY PACK FREE
Turns out, there's a bigger reason they always wanted to wear one: Fanny packs are big enough to store essentials while keeping your hands free yet small enough to comfortably fit in the nook of your back and waist. Fanny packs caused a serious stir when they resurfaced several years ago - for everyone old enough to have been embarrassed by their parents sporting one in the 80s and 90s, at least.
