17 Waist Bags That Don’t (Always) Have to Go Around Your Waist

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For far too long, waist bags—also called belt bags, hip pouches, bum bags, and, most controversially, fanny packs—have had a bad rep. The style reached its peak in the early '90s and then, for some reason or other, lost favor in fashion circles quite suddenly. But we here at Esquire stuck with them. And we're so glad we did.

In 2017, Louis Vuitton and Supreme released a collection that featured red leather waist bags slung across chests. The collab was a smash hit, and hype beasts started emulating the style. Everyone else followed suit. Most may not wear it under their gut, but the waist bag, in name if not practice, is back. So if you shunned waist bags simply because everyone else told you to, now's the time to give them a try. To narrow down your search, we rounded up 17 of the best below.

National Waist Bag

Running requires wearing pieces that are extremely light. Which is why Adidas's Kapitar 2.0 sneakers come highly recommended. Also receiving rave reviews is the brand's fanny pack, which is made of polyester and will fit securely to your waist or chest (the sleekness of the strap, complete with a graphic logo, just needs to be shown off) without weighing you down as you burn those calories.

Mountain Hydro Hip Pack

Topo Designs is dedicated to bringing simplicity and lightheartedness back to gear pouches, the kinds of accessories you'd find in a 1970s mountaineering magazine. The brand's pieces are often sizable, built to carry all that is needed on prolonged hikes. Unlike other styles in the same category, however, Topo's waist bags are far less cluttered and comparatively minimal—but they're hard-wearing nonetheless.

Fifteen Waist Bag

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Herschel's bags, particularly its duffels and backpacks, are as streamlined as they are heavy-duty. The brand's waist bag follows suit. It's made of polyester and features Herschel's signature striped fabric liner. Beat it up if you must, because the materials are built to last. What's more, the style is available in six colors and patterns, letting you pick the one that best suits your personal style.

Arcane Waist

This waist bag by Osprey is pretty much an open book: The exterior, as with so many of the brand's products, is made of 100 percent recycled polyester; it's water repellant; there are two roomy compartments to hold all the basics; and it's really good to look at.

ReNew Transit Bag

Everlane is always conscious of how its products impact the environment, and its ReNew waist bag, as the name suggests, is made of 100 percent recycled polyester. It comes in a very underrated taupe and features two external zip pockets. So while you're in transit—hopping from your Uber to your flight—you can feel slightly less guilty about the carbon emissions you're racking up with this bag slung across your chest or waist. Hey, every little bit helps.

Explore Hip Fanny Pack

The North Face is steeped in streamlined wares for the wilderness. It definitely knows a thing or two about classic, outdoorsy design. This waist bag, for instance, is made from recycled polyester with a water-repellent finish, which means it'll hold your trail mix, phone, insect repellent, and whatever else you have—and keep it all dry, too. But its compact design—devoid of unnecessary details beyond a zip pocket—will work just as well walking down a city street as trekking up a mountain path.

Canvas Waist Pack

Suffice it to say, Ralph Lauren carries it all. Whatever you need—from a tee or tuxedo to a dog leash or dinnerware—you'll probably see an option with the brand's Pony logo in the corner. This includes, of course, a spiffy waist bag made of canvas and lined with taffeta. It comes in four colors, but if you really want to keep to RL's classic codes, go with royal blue.

Everywhere Belt Bag

When Lululemon started expanding its collections beyond stuff worn at yoga studios, it stuck to styles that were minimal and elevated, the kinds of pieces that featured clean lines. Just take a look at this sleek waist bag, with a water-repellent nylon exterior and a number of roomy pockets. It'll take you and your essentials from a morning sweat session to a juice bar to, yes, even the office, all with absolutely no fuss.

ACG Aysén Day Pack

It should come as no surprise that Nike ACG, a brand beloved by mountaineers and techwear folks, offers waist bags. The style is as ergonomic as it gets. Plus, it has a durable adjustable strap, which is reinforced with strong, lightweight Dyneema fibers that'll withstand any hurdles that come your way.

Lorimer Fanny Pack

If you're looking for something pure and minimal, State Bags is the name to know. The Brooklyn-based company offers an assortment of accessories that stick to uncluttered silhouettes, focusing on quality materials that can hold up in less-than-stellar environments—including this durable leather fanny pack with a water-resistant lining. It's really that good. And speaking of doing good, the company allocates 5 percent of its revenue to community outreach efforts.

Heat Waist Bag

Porter's world-class bags are consistently really, really well-made. They're designed to last a lifetime. And this bag—with its roomy main pocket, back stash pocket, and the brand's signature black polyester exterior—is no exception.

Alpha Bravo Classified Waist Pack

Ah, Tumi: a name known to all who frequent airport terminals. From suitcases to briefcases, the brand offers travel accessories that'll hold everything you need safely and securely. And some of the toughest pieces in Tumi's arsenal are part of the Alpha Bravo collection, which includes a super-durable waist bag made of ballistic nylon. It's stacked with a number of exterior and interior pockets, designed to store passports, headphones, lip balms, and other necessities for before, during, and after a flight.

U Bum Bag

Matthew Williams, though relatively new to Givenchy, has already stamped his signature on the French label. His collections are sharp, filled with the kind of tailored pieces that are expected of the brand, but he has also consistently added a streetwise edge and a goth vibe to his designs—especially by using silver locks as details. That includes the brand's waist bag, a flat, ultralight carryall that's really more about form than function. Sure, it can hold a wallet and phone if needed, but when slung across the chest, it's really about enhancing your overall fit.

Ophidia GG Belt Bag

Gucci, in its current iteration, is quirky. Fanny packs, by and large, are quirky, too. Combine the two and the result is something not to be missed. The brand has made it a point to color outside the lines while also celebrating its rich history. It doesn't shy away from celebratory logos or juxtaposing patterns and textures. The company has danced to the beat of its own drum and accrued a devoted fan base. And if you're looking to join the club, this timeless bag is a great entryway.

Check Jacquard Belt Bag

Burberry's check pattern is one of the most instantly recognizable motifs in fashion. If you want something a little more covert but equally impactful, check out this waist bag. The supple calf-leather exterior is embossed with the brand's signature design, adding a bit of texture to the smooth surface. It's as fancy as a fanny pack will ever get.

Charter Belt Bag

This waist bag by Coach will make every trip, commute, and errand feel like a first-class experience. It's made with the brand's signature hardware and polished leather and has plenty of space for all of your essentials.

Venture Hip Pack

You know what they say, good things come in small packages, and this hip pack by Bellory is the perfect example. Tiny but mighty, it's packed with convenient features like internal dividers, water-resistant zippers, a phone sleeve with a soft lining, and a mesh sunglasses pocket.

Why You Should Trust Us

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to waist bags, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tried, tried, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these waist bags are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of trying different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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