These Fanny Packs Let You Carry Your Necessities in Style

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Fanny packs are back in style. Long gone are the days when the carry-all was associated with tourists and ‘90s theme parties. Even the name has been upgraded, with brands using titles like belt bag, waist pack, sling bag, and crossbody bag. That last one refers to the more commonly preferred method of wearing the fanny pack, slung over one shoulder and under the opposite arm, away from the fanny all together. No matter what you call them or how you wear them, the best fanny packs for men are both stylish and convenient.

While there are many varieties available and a wide range of sizes and specialized uses, all the best fanny packs for men are essentially a pouch with two or more pockets attached to a belt. They provide a good amount of cargo space in a compact design, which makes them super functional. A fanny pack is more secure than a tote bag, and less bulky than a backpack. That makes fanny packs ideal for everyday carry, travel, working out, and outdoor adventures.

Today there is more variety than ever—from designers like Kenzo to classic bag companies like JanSport. You’ve got minimalist packs, sportswear-inspired bags with elaborate pockets and textures, and plenty of goes-with-everything black bags. So to help you unburden your pockets, we tested out all our favorite bag brands to find the best fanny packs for men available right now.

Everywhere Belt Bag Large 2L

Simple, sleek, and available in over a dozen colors, Lululemon makes a perfect fanny pack for all your EDC needs. The main 2L pouch has a double two-way zipper that opens 3/4 of the way to easily get things in and out. Gusseted flaps prevent items from falling out when you unzip all the way. A mesh inner sleeve provides extra organization. There is a discreet smaller pocket tucked into the back with a single zipper. That makes is ideal for hiding cash, cards, and other small valuables.

The 100% nylon exterior is water resistant, in case you get stuck out in the rain. Wear it equally well around your waist or across your body. While it only comes in solid colors, you can either go with a subtle taupe, black, or navy; or you can get bold with violet, orange, or powder blue. Whatever color choice best matches your personality is the way to go.

Our editors love this bag for its overall versatility. The Everywhere Belt Bag is compact and lightweight enough to wear under a jacket, but has plenty of cargo room for all your stuff. It works well as an every-day bag or as a travel bag, which is small enough to be a second carry-on bag when you fly.

Mountain Hip Pack

Everything we love about fanny packs can be found right here with the Moutain Hip Pack from Topo Designs. To begin with, it maximizes carrying capacity beyond its illusively compact compartment. it opens up with a zipper that wraps 3/4 of the way around for easy loading and unloading. An additional slim pocket is tucked in behind the main one with a top zipper, which is ideal for valuables like a wallet and phone.

But wait, there's more! You can latch items like water bottles, flashlights, or even a dog leash to two D-rings on the outside of the bag. Last but not least, an elastic drawstring is secured with four nylon loops to hold items like a hat or folded up jacket. An ergonomic design and adjustable strap fit comfortably on your waist or over your shoulder.

Of the six colors available, all black is probably the most convenient. However, the other five options are multi-colored in bold block designs that are way more fun. Topo Designs stands behind all its products with a lifetime warranty, which means you can ship it back to the brand for free repairs if anything breaks.

Venture Ready Sling 2.5L

Any time you travel, you need quite a few things to be easily accessible. That's why you need a reliable fanny pack like this one from Bellroy. The Venture Ready has a sleek design that matches just about any outfit, and can be wrapped securely under your arm. It also contains two easy access pouches. A larger pouch is big enough for travel necessities like a wallet, passport, and a portable charger, while the smaller pouch is designed to hold a phone, with a padded interior.

This sturdy little bag is made from a water resistant nylon, with coated zippers to keep moisture out. The strap is removable for easy storage in a suitcase or backpack. A self compressing gusset creates a slim profile that wears discretely under clothing to keep your valuables secure. We love that it also won't add any bulk during long distance flights.

Of course, you don't have to reserve this great fanny pack for travel. We found that all the features which make it ideal for travel also make it convenient as an every-day bag. The black color option looks like a far pricer designer bag, which is always a plus.

Read more: Best Travel Bags

Fifth Avenue Waistpack

JanSport has built a legendary reputation, dating back to the '60s, for making backpacks that are equally affordable and reliable. As it turns out, those simple designs and sturdy materials also make for great fanny packs. Take the Fifth Avenue, JanSports's marquee waist bag. We love that the rounded off two-pocket design similar to the brand's most popular backpack.

A larger pocket has top access with a two way double zipper, which can hold all of your EDC essentials. We particularly like the smaller pocket, which has a single zipper, that's ideal for smaller items like your phone or credit cards. The strap is attached with an angled design that allows it to sit naturally on the hip or across the body.

The solid color with a simple black strap and that famous JanSport logo patch provides a timelessly cool look. Our editors rock this one as an easy alternative to a tote or messenger bag.

Logo-Print Leather-Trimmed Shell Belt Bag

Luxury brands got in on the fanny pack trend years ago and helped turn the the bag's reputation from silly to stylish. Now, there are plenty of options out there that cost as much as fancy luggage set. However, you don't have to drop more than $200 to get the luxury look. A.P.C. checks all those boxes for a relatively affordable price. You've got cushy material, big shiny zippers, a wide strap, and—most importantly—an all matte black color scheme. Faux leather trim on the front pocket and the strap attachments is icing on the cake.

This is the type of fanny pack that you wear as a statement accessory. It is as much a part of your outfit as it is a bag for your stuff. You could go traditional by wearing it on your waist, but we really do recommend wearing this one across your body.

This fanny pack isn't all looks, as the main pocket provides plenty of space, along with an additional inner mesh pocket. The smaller front pocket is great for a wallet or phone. Larger zippers make the pockets very easy to open and close. Our editors like this one as a dressier option, because it is about as formal as a fanny pack can get.

Crest Appliquéd Logo-Embroidered Canvas Belt Bag

For a luxury brand, this Kenzo fanny pack is actually very utilitarian. There is an element of workwear to the fanny pack trend, so wearing one that looks like a work bag is on point. You've got two large pockets, with a small card holder inside the larger packet. The larger pocket has a 3/4 top opening zipper to easily get your stuff in and out. Wide angled attachments connect to a very wide belt to maximize weight distribution and comfort.

Kenzo didn't skimp on the materials for this bag. A heavy duty canvas will provide years of durability. We love the water resistant material that will keep your stuff safe and dry if you get caught in the rain. Padding on the back makes for a nice comfortable wear.

If you've got money to spend on a nice every day bag, this fanny pack is a great choice. Our editors love it for the combination of functionality, durability, and a very stylish look. The all black color scheme just goes with everything.

The Park Pack

The label Fanny pack doesn't really do this one justice. It's more of a sports utility pack. Every detail of this bad boy is built to keep your stuff safe, so you can stay ready for any outdoor adventure.

Uncharted Supply Co. is based in Park City, UT, and all of its gear is purpose built for surviving off the grid. The Park Pack is made out of 600D nylon tarpaulin, which is ultra lightweight, very durable, and pretty much waterproof. To help seal out moisture, the zippers have a water-tight seam. Two water bottle holders come with sports bottles to keep you hydrated. The wide strap is designed to minimize bounce on the move. A large grip handle allows you to carry the pack by hand to give your waist a break.

While most fanny packs are designed for EDC, this one is very specialized. It isn't really designed to be worn across your body. While it works great for exercising, you wouldn't want to wear it socially or on your way to work.

What to Look For in Fanny Packs

Carrying Capacity: Most fanny packs provide an interior capacity in liters, usually running somewhere between 1 and 5 liters. For every day carry and travel, you should stick to the 2 to 3 liter range. That middle sweet spot will give you plenty of room without getting bulky.

Number and Size of Pockets: The standard arrangement you'll find is one large pocket and one small pocket. You want to make sure that the smaller pocket is a good size for your phone, because that will be the easiest way to access it quickly. If you want a bag for travel, look for one with a hidden pocket, usually located on the back.

Zippers: The two important zipper features that you want are easy access and water resistance. Make sure the zipper opens somewhere between half a 3/4 of the way on the main pocket. Some fanny packs come with sealed zippers that will keep moisture out, which is great for any time you get stuck out in the rain.

Color: Most fanny packs these days come in all black, especially with high end designers. This is a good option for versatility, but that doesn't mean you should avoid color. If you want something a little more fun for every day carry, pick a color that will match the jackets you tend to wear the most. If you are buying for travel, then black is best because it is the most discreet.

How to Style Fanny Packs

There are two schools of thought when it comes to styling fanny packs. The more traditional approach is to treat it like any other bag. You wear your favorite backpack or tote over pretty much any outfit because it is a utilitarian accessory, just there to carry your stuff from point A to point B. If that is your purpose for wearing a fanny pack, then invest in a versatile color like black, blue, or gray. It won’t clash with anything, and adds a little extra twist to your look while you’re on the go.

The more contemporary use of a fanny pack is as an outfit accessory, like a belt or hat. In this case, you will be wearing it most of the day, and it will be a fully integrated part of your outfit. This is the intention of most luxury brands that are making fanny packs, which is why you’re seeing sleeker designs and expensive materials like leather and suede. Wearing your fanny pack across your body is the preferred look in this case. As with any accessory, you want to blend colors and patterns. That's why black is overwhelmingly the most popular color for desginer fanny packs, because black goes with everything.

How We Selected

Brad Lanphear has over a decade of experience testing bags, including fanny packs. For this story, he consulted with Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan on the best ones to shop now. Together, they tested over 25 fanny packs in the past year, evaluating them based on their utility, materials, and just how great they looked. We also considered top-recommended items from Reddit threads like r/MannyBaggers.

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