This Practical Bag Is So Stylish *And* Stores All Your Items

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Arguably my biggest pet peeve is lugging around a heavy tote bag during a day out on the town. While they usually top off an outfit, they can be super impractical and, TBH, annoying. Enter fanny packs: the back-from-the-dead trend that adds a touch of convenience to everyday life and also makes your 'fit look that much cuter. Just like any bag, there's a wide selection to choose from, and you can even wear these as cute crossbody bags. But, to simplify the shopping process for you, we put a bunch of fanny packs to the test and narrowed down our list to the absolute best options.

When testing these fanny packs, we considered a variety of factors. Is it suitable for travel? Does it hold all the essentials? Does it feel heavy? Is it easy to clean? Us editors have incorporated these fanny packs into our daily lives, so we have all the answers for you. From the best crossbody bag for travel to the best leather bag, shop the five best fanny packs for women, tested by your trusted WH editors, below.

Sling

Although this bag errs on the pricer side, WH managing editor Laura McLaughlin has not been without it since it came into her life. So, you could say it's well worth the money. "I love it because it's small enough to fit inside my backpack (pictured here!) and contains everything I need: glasses, wallet, sunblock, tissues, lip balm, and more," she says.

Another reason she always keeps it by her side: "The division of space is logical and makes finding what I'm looking for a total breeze." If you've ever owned a fanny pack, you're probs familiar with how it can seemingly gobble up your belongings. This one doesn't do that!

Finally, McLaughlin notes that it fastens to your body so securely with the magnetic closures. Another rarity? The belt size adjustments actually stay in place, so you're not constantly re-tightening. "This always used to happen with my old one, and it was so frustrating," she notes.

Coso 2L Hip Pack

Looking for the SUV of fanny packs? Look no further than this one from Cotopaxi, which is loved by WH executive editor Abigail Cuffey.

According to her, this fanny is sleek yet super roomy, thanks to its multiple compartments. "One of the things I dislike about most other fanny packs is that they’re all one compartment, which makes things feel disorganized," she notes. "But, with this one, you can separate cards, phone, keys, nail polish, snacks, and whatever else you’re bringing for the day into one of the five main areas."

Cuffey adds that this fanny pack works like a regular bag. The only difference is that you can wear it around your waist (or as a cross body bag) to take the weight off of your shoulders. "It's so easy to carry," she says. "I’ve taken it hiking with my kids, running errands around town, or just out for some fresh air walks when I need a computer break." If you're in need of a fanny pack that can literally carry anything without feeling too bulky, this is your one.

Everywhere Belt Bag

WH's news and features editor Currie Engel is a big fan of the outdoors. So, when she embarks on a mountain hike, she relies on a fanny that can keep her essentials secure throughout the entire adventure. "I absolutely love my Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag—it's a must-have packing item whenever I'm going on a trip," she says. And, as a city dweller, she loves it for boppin' around town. "It's my favorite accessory for weekend errands," she adds. "I've also worn this during long bike rides through Europe and to the farmers' market in Manhattan."

However, Engel says the best part about this fanny pack is that you can actually fit so much inside of it. "I'm talking phone, keys, wallet, snacks and sunglasses," she says. "I think at one point I had two other peoples' phones in there, too!" Another pro? they come in *so* many colors. Engel went with black, but she tells me that if she had unlimited funds, she'd get one in every single color. Now that's saying something.

WH editorial assistant Olivia Evans also tested this bag. Her final verdict? She doesn't know how she ever lived without it. "It's the first bag I reach for when running errands, and I love that the size is large enough to fit everything I could possibly need without looking too bulky," she says. Another great quality: The buckle strap. "It's great to loop around my water bottle when I use it on walks, so I can be totally hands-free," she says.

Ace Neoprene Belt Bag

When you need something to go with everything, but you don't want it to look too fancy or too casual, you need something versatile enough to count on no matter the occasion. Let me introduce you to Dagne Dover's Ace Neoprene Belt Bag, which is a favorite of WH lifestyle director Lindsay Geller.

"I love this fanny pack because it's simple and sleek," she says. "Plus, the design goes with basically everything, from classic black leggings to jean shorts." Aside from how easy it is to pair with fits, she loves the signature neoprene material because it's super lightweight and easy to clean. "Plus, the front pocket and inside storage slots make carrying all my essentials so easy."

Upcycled Leather Fanny Pack

Whether you want a fanny for yourself or you want to gift it to a friend, this leather one stands out in the luxury (and style) category. WH editorial assistant Addison Aloian got it as a gift, and she told me it's one of the best ones she's ever received. "I asked for this for my birthday a few years back, and I absolutely adore it," she says.

Now, let's get into why she loves it so much. "I wanted a fanny pack that was genuine leather, but still sustainable," she notes. "This one is upcycled and holds a good amount of stuff for the days when I'm out and about."

She also loves how versatile it is. Whether you're strolling around the city or going to a late-night concert, it always fits the bill. "After wearing it over and over again to different events, it shows absolutely no signs of wear and tear either."

How our team chose the best fanny packs

For the past few months, Women’s Health commerce editor Lily Wohlner, along with other WH editors, have been researching and testing the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated fanny packs. Additionally, Wohlner evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best fanny packs for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Shop other bags for women

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