Fanny packs, waist packs, hip packs — whatever you call them, the ubiquitous 1990s accessory is back. While fashion designers may be incorporating them into their runway shows, the real place the hip pack shines is in motion.
Whether on the trails or on the road, a waist pack is an easy, lightweight alternative to a hefty backpack or a hydration pack while riding. The fanny packs of years past filled with pens, snacks and an autograph book (let’s be honest, I never wore mine anywhere besides Disneyland), have been updated with pockets and longer-lasting fabric.
While you can sport one of these pretty much anywhere, the two places where you’ll get the most use out of them is on day hikes and mountain bike rides. When you’re hiking up a mountain, there’s absolutely no need for you to carry a huge pack. All you need is a water bottle, snacks and an extra layer — all of which can fit in a hip pack.
For ripping up trails on an MTB, a hip pack is an easy way to ditch cumbersome backpacks. Any core repair items and snacks can go in the pack along with pressure gauges, tools and CO2 canisters. Some hip packs for cycling now come with hydration options inside, so you can fit water in there as well. It’s an easy way to take a load off your back.
Hiking Hip Packs
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
- Capacity: 1.0 liter
- Pockets: 2
- Colorways: 7
You know that Black Hole duffel you love lugging around on your most epic adventures? Yeah, this is just like that — but bite-size. Made with the same tough recycled nylon fabric as the rest of the Black Hole line, Patagonia's hip pack is made for tough trails and easy treks alike, and can withstand both sunny and inclement weather.
Topo Designs Mountain Waist Pack
- Capacity: 2.0 liters
- Pockets: 2
- Colorways: 6
Over-packers — this hip pack may not be your perfect fit. I love it because it is an exercise in restraint: I can only pack the essentials, which keeps the load light on hikes. The Mountain Waist Pack can fit a smartphone, keys and some lip balm, and that's about it. (It has a two-liter capacity compared to Patagonia's one-liter hip pack, but still feels more shallow.) If you're going on a shorter hike and don't mind carrying your water bottle in your hand, great! You'll be well served by the heavy-duty YKK zippers, lightweight but strong recycled nylon and seatbelt webbing strap.
Osprey Talon 6
- Capacity: 6.0 liters
- Pockets: 4, plus 2 water bottle holders
- Colorways: 3
In complete contrast to Topo Designs' Mountain Waist Pack, the Talon 6 is for the hiker who wants to bring everything in their hip pack. It's bulky, and can really only be worn as a fanny pack — no slinging it across your chest. The dual pockets on the Talon 6 are ideal for water bottles, and the extra pockets along your hips hold all the tiny essentials like keys or a pocketknife. This thing is less looks, more utility, and we're cool with that. If you want something smaller than a hiking pack but more ample than some of the more trend-driven hip packs, this baby is where it's at.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Vice Versa
- Capacity: 1.3 liters
- Pockets: 1
- Colorways: 2
HMG is known for using Dyneema — an ultra-strong, thin and lightweight ripstop fabric — in all of its packs and tents, and the Vice Versa gets the treatment as well. The younger sibling to the brand's Versa hip pack, the Vice Versa is a teeny tiny hip pack meant for the minimalists among us. Designed to be worn with a pack or alone, this is the perfect little package to stuff your phone, keys or snacks — but one at a time, please. It's 100-percent waterproof, less than three ounces and ready for adventure.
Biking Hip Packs
Rapha Trail Hip Pack
- Capacity: 3.0 liters
- Pockets: 4 (including water bottle pouches)
- Colorways: 3
Whether you're riding smooth trails or rutted out backroads, this waist pack stays nice and snug — no excessive bouncing. For anyone looking for a midsized hip pack that's both easy on the eyes and the wallet, it's hard to go wrong with this sleek option from Rapha. Sure, the pockets can be a little tricky to access on the go, but that's sort of par for the course with smaller packs in general. The bottle pockets are snug and secure, and while the internal organization/ drawcord combo allow you to fit more than you'd think, the pack does feel smaller than its three liter billing.
Mission Workshop The Axis
- Capacity: 2.5 liters
- Pockets: 3
- Colorways: 11
We tested The Axis on the Kingdom Trails in Northeastern Vermont, and it continuously impressed each tester who gave it a try. The minimalist design combined with rugged materials makes for a pack that’s easy to wear and comfortable all day long.
Dakine Hot Laps 2L Waist Pack
- Capacity: 2.0 liters
- Pockets: 3 (including water bottle holders)
- Colorways: 11
The Hot Laps pack is perfect for singletrack laps. Dakine cracked the code on the ideal hip pack: abrasion-resistant fabric, a fleece lined pocket and loads of internal pockets. Pop out the bonus side pocket and throw in an extra water bottle if needed.
Travel Hip Packs
Roark Compadre Bag
- Capacity: 3.0 liters
- Pockets: 5
- Colorways: 2
If you're the type that likes to make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips (and let's get real, maybe a little extra) while you're traveling, Roark's do-it-all hip pack should be your go-to. It's the most structured of all the hip packs we've tried, but it's cushioned enough where it's still comfortable to wear as a sling or on your hips — although we prefer the former. It's got compartments inside so that you can stash your point-and-shoot, phone, passport and a snack or two... along with your earbuds, sunglasses, lip balm and whatever else you feel like putting in there. The bulkiness of the structured design can take some getting used to, but once you get used to having everything you want and your hands free, it's going to be hard to go back.
Cotopaxi Del Dia Kapai 3L Hip Pack
- Capacity: 3.0 liters
- Pockets: 2
- Colorways: Assorted
Cotopaxi is known for its bright and bold colorways — each Del Dia pack is made with hand-picked, repurposed scrap materials, making each bag one-of-a-kind. The Kapai Hip Pack continues that tradition. Along with its unique colorway, it also includes some useful features like a top handle for easy grabbing, a fleece-lined sleeve for your phone, a zippered front accessory pocket and a wide belt that doesn't pinch or dig in.
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
- Capacity: 1.0 liter
- Pockets: 4
- Colorways: 10
Lululemon knew what it was doing when it named this hip pack: they're literally everywhere. Everyone from your favorite fitness influencer to your mom and dad are wearing one, and we love ours for its sleek look, thoughtful pocketing and luxe feel. If you're traveling and want a hip pack that can be worn under or over a coat, around your waist or as a sling, there's probably no more widely available or comfortable pack we can think of.
Eagle Creek Ranger XE Waist Pack 3L
- Capacity: 3.0 liters
- Pockets: 3
- Colorways: 3
If you're looking for a wallet-friendly fix for your hip pack needs, look no further. With an adjustable belt that can accommodate a wide variety of waists, to the 100-percent recycled fabrics, this is a hard-working belt bag than can hang with the best of them. It's not flashy, and three liters can be a lot while traveling, but if you want something of quality that's under fifty bucks, you can't go wrong with Eagle Creek's entry into the hip pack game.
