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A waist bag, or a fanny pack, is one of the most versatile bags that you can find on the market. Long gone are the days when the only people you’d see carrying these hip packs were dorky tourists. Nowadays, these bags are uber-trendy, and all sorts of people, not just travelers, purchase and wear them to keep their belongings secure and at close reach. Fanny packs are incredibly versatile – many have a long, adjustable strap that allows you to wear the pack either around your waist or across your body. Waist bags are conveniently hands-free, so you can go about your day without worrying about dropping or losing your bag. Because fanny packs have become immensely popular, we have handpicked some of the most functional fanny packs in 2024 to help you find the perfect bag.
Comparing the Top Fanny Packs in 2024
Maxtop Fanny Pack — Best Overall
Key Features
- Bolstered with a scratch-resistant inner pocket for mobiles
- Adjustable strap to fit most waist sizes
- Spacious compartment for storing multiple items at once
- Light and durable material for better portability
This fanny pack can be used by people with a waist size ranging from 20 inches to 50 inches, thanks to its adjustable strap. You can wear it many different ways, such as across your chest, around your waist in the front or back, or even over your shoulder. This bag is quite large, so you can fit all your essentials inside, including your phone, keys, cards, wallet, and more. This waist bag is perfect to use for many different occasions, like shopping, traveling, hiking, exercising, walking, and more.
The belt of this fanny pack is equipped with a reflective loop that will glow at night or in bad weather when light intensity is low. There is also a small port on the bag so you can loop the wire of your headphones through and take calls or listen to music easily. Since the bag is made from PU leather and has a waterproof coating, it will last for a long time and will not rip or tear easily. Furthermore, there are other special features on this bag that you will certainly love—a key fob hook for storing keys safely, and a theft-proof zippered pocket for keeping your valuables secure.
SportsNew Waist Pack — Best For Security
Key Features
- Comes with a sturdy quick-release buckle for safety
- Earbud wire port for enjoying music hands-free
- Durable zippers to secure valuable items
- Theft-proof hidden pocket with a nylon liner to hide a cell phone from thieves
With this fanny pack, you won’t have to worry about your belongings’ security and safety. It comes with hidden zippered pockets and sturdy zippers that will keep everything intact and safe from thieves. It is made from nylon material that is highly durable and sturdy enough to handle the weight of your essential belongings, like a power bank, mobile phone, keys, wallet, ID, and so on. The material can also withstand wear and tear and is water resistant, so you can be sure this product will last for years to come.
This waist bag comes with two front zippered pockets and one rear compartment where you can keep all your items organized and easy to find. It is also reinforced with an adjustable strap that will fit waist sizes ranging from 16 inches to 40 inches. But if you are not comfortable wearing it around your waist, you can use it as a shoulder or crossbody bag.
Waterfly Fanny Pack — Largest Capacity
Key Features
- Made from water-resistant material
- Three large compartments for storing bottles, an umbrella, or even an iPad
- Easily accessible earphone port for listening to music and answering calls
- Lightweight bag for daily outdoor activities
This waist belt bag has a total of four compartments. You can find three pockets inside the pouch, perfect for storing phones, iPads, sunglasses, chargers, power banks, wallets, cards, and more. There is one outer zippered pocket where you can store lipsticks, a small comb, money, earbuds, or other small items. This fanny pack is great for taking to outings, parties, trips, outdoor activities, and more.
This fanny pack is reinforced with an adjustable nylon belt that will fit anyone with a waist size between 20 inches and 50 inches. You can even carry it multiple ways, including around your waist or across your chest. One of the best features of this bag is the reflective strip on the end of the strap. Therefore, you can safely run or walk in low light conditions and remain visible to any passing cars. The bag also has extra padding and an anti-sweat feature that will keep you comfortable and cool.
Yunghe Waist Pack — Best Material
Key Features
- Water resistant material to prevent contents from getting wet
- Canvas-webbing belt for improved durability and soft feel
- Can be used as a shoulder or crossbody bag
- Spacious compartments for keeping all your belongings organized
This fanny pack is made from nylon polyester fabric that makes it extremely durable and lightweight. You won’t have to worry about carrying tons of weight around your waist and dealing with aches and muscle strains. It is also water and moisture resistant, so you can carry the bag in the rain without any fear.
This fanny pack comes with an adjustable belt that can fit waists between 15.8 inches and 45.3 inches. Thus, most people can wear this bag with ease. In addition, it comes with three separate and spacious pockets where you can keep your phone, sunglasses, keys, wallets, IDs, and other belongings organized. Two of the pockets are smaller, located on the front and rear of the bag, perfect for storing small items like lip balms, perfume rollers, medicines, and so on.
BuyAgain Fanny Pack
Key Features
- Great for any kind of outdoor activity like bike riding, running, hiking, and more
- Spacious main compartment for storing larger belongings
- Durable buckles and zippers for better longevity
- Quick-release buckle for easy removal
This fanny pack is made from polyester material that is known for its high durability. Therefore, you can use this bag for a long time without fear of damaging it. There are three different zippered compartments, including one main pocket, a front pocket, and a rear pocket where you can store several items.
In addition, there is a hidden zippered pocket at the rear of the bag where you can keep your phone, cards, and money safely away from thieves. This belt bag is equipped with a quick-release buckle that will disconnect the straps at the push of a button. The belt is long enough to fit around a waist up to 43 inches, making this bag perfect for adults and teens.
Finding a Great Fanny Pack: A Buyer's Guide
Traveling, shopping, or going on an adventurous tour is fun only when you have your hands free and can enjoy the activity to the fullest extent, without having to worry about dropping your bag, phone, or keys. Fanny packs are a great option for active people who want to keep their essential belongings close by, but don’t want to have their hands full with a purse or bag.
Instead of carrying purses or large bags, you can simply count on a waist belt bag to safely store all your belongings. But choosing the right fanny pack among a myriad of options can be overwhelming and intimidating. Thus, we have crafted a detailed buying guide containing some key factors that will help you make the right decision when purchasing a waist bag.
How Is a Fanny Pack Different From Other Carry Bags?
- A fanny pack is a versatile bag that you can wear around the waist, over the shoulder, across the chest, and more. Fanny packs are carried close to the body and are typically not easy for thieves to grab and steal.
- Waist belt bags are perfect for storing small items such as your phone, keys, and some cards and/or cash. Totes or shoulder bags, on the other hand, can fit larger things like your laptop, camera, books, and so on.
- A fanny pack can be carried effortlessly wherever you go, which is not possible with any other type of carrying bag.
What Factors Should You Consider When Looking for the Best Fanny Pack?
Number of compartments
When selecting the best fanny pack, it is important to keep in mind the number of compartments the product has. Usually, there are three to four compartments maximum. But their purpose and arrangement differ from bag to bag. For example, some fanny packs have three larger pockets and one small front pocket. Other fanny packs have one single main pocket and two front and rear zippered compartments. If you have a lot of belongings, it will be best to choose a bag with more compartments, because it allows you to keep your items sorted.
Storage size
If you do not pay close attention to the storage capacity of the fanny pack compartments, you will most certainly end up purchasing the wrong product. It’s important to consider where and how you will use the fanny pack before making a purchase. For example, if you plan to use the bag while traveling, you should be sure to purchase a bag with enough space for your phone, passport, money, medicine, and sunglasses. If, however, you only plan on using the fanny pack when you are exercising or hiking, a smaller bag that fits just your phone, keys, and headphones should suffice.
Adjustable strap length
Before purchasing a fanny pack, check the product description to ensure that the strap will fit around your waist. Usually, most bags come with straps that can be adjusted to fit a waist size of anywhere from 20 to 50 inches. You can also find some bags with straps that can be reduced to 15 inches.
Material
You also have to check the material from which the fanny pack is made. Nylon is the most commonly used material because it is durable and lightweight. Also, it is somewhat water-repellant. PU leather is also used in some belt bags because it is highly durable and long-lasting. So, before you make a purchase, check whether the material with which your fanny pack is constructed will live up to your expectations or not.
How Much Do Fanny Packs Typically Cost?
No matter your budget, you are sure to find a fanny pack that will suit your needs. Typically, they cost anywhere between $8 and $35; however, some designer brands offer fanny packs at a much higher price. The price of a fanny pack will depend on certain factors like the material with which the product is manufactured, the number of compartments, colors, the size of the bag, and so on.
How Can a Fanny Pack Be Styled?
Fanny packs are very versatile bags and can be dressed up or down. These bags come in a huge range of styles and materials. Nylon bags in bright colors are perfect for working out, hiking, or wearing to concerts and music festivals. Leather bags in neutral colors are excellent for wearing to more formal occasions at which you need to keep your hands free.
