The Best Fanny Packs For Men, Tested and Reviewed
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They can’t speak, but we’d like to imagine that fanny packs themselves don’t love that name. Despite its fitting nature — the bag does sit right above your fanny — waist bags (a more sensible and mature rebrand) are tremendously helpful in an outdoor setting. Regardless of their name, the bags have a critical place in helping hikers, runners, and those who prefer hands-free mode tote around their must-have items.
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Fanny packs are great for transporting critical nutrition during a long run or hike to keep the mileage up, stuffing a rain jacket once the clouds clear, or transporting water so your hands get a break. Convenience is built into the design, but that doesn’t mean the style needs to solely reflect practicality.
Regardless of specific need, those looking to snag a fanny pack should look no further, as we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up — and testing — a handful of our favorites.
How Did We Test Fanny Packs?
When testing these fanny packs, I tried to see how much stuff I could fit into them before heading out on a long walk to put them through their paces. I observed how they felt on my waist in terms of comfort, as some bags overloaded with gear can get pretty uncomfortable after a while. I also paid attention to any other special design features that stood out.
BEST OVERALL
Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack 5L
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Design: Patagonia’s Black Hole series are among some of the best storage options around, whether it’s a duffel bag or this 5-liter waist pack. When lying flat, the bag can squish down nicely, but when you need to stuff it full of items for a trip, well, there’s more than enough room for it. Made from recycled fabric, the exterior has a ripstop-like construction and feel, which means it’s nice and durable.
Comfort: The entire back portion is lined with extra cushiony padding to sit and wrap around your waist area. During testing, it sat well on my hips and didn’t feel uncomfortable even with two water bottles loaded into the sides. The 38-millimeter waistbelt has plenty of fabric real estate so it didn’t dig into my side or cause discomfort.
Storage: The amount of storage is extremely generous given its size, with plenty of organization throughout the bag itself and interior mesh holder for quick access. It also includes a key clip and water bottle holders on either side. The fact that it’s made for rock climbers and outdoorsmen really helps its practicality in urban environments as well. You can fit a whole Gatorade bottle inside the pack and still have room for other items, so it’ll tackle all of your urban hiking needs with ease.
BEST VALUE
Your Personal Best Iconic Bag
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Design: Abercrombie’s Your Personal Best (or YPB for short) Iconic bag is more of a cross-body bag than a waist pack, but it can be styled in a few different ways thanks to a generous belt length. The bag we tested includes an exterior netting pouch for quick access (think earbuds or a fuel gel), while the interior includes a zipper coin-pouch-like pocket and larger storage.
Comfort: While not padded, the Iconic bag still won’t weigh its wearer down, mostly because there’s not enough space in the bag itself to stuff a lot of things inside of it. This is a bag well-suited for quick jaunts around town or even as a fitness-driven bag to have during a run or a lifting session.
Storage: More suited for daily essentials than being a fully ready trail-ready pack. However, there’s a lot of room for bags of trail mix, a cell phone, and smaller snacks if worn on the trail. As mentioned, this one is really great for workouts and comes at a great value at $35.
BEST UPGRADE
Mystery Ranch Full Moon Bag
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Design: At first glance, the Full Moon bag from Mystery Ranch almost looks like a dopp kit, especially once it comes right out of the packaging. That design works in its favor, as the entire bag is pretty minimalist in appearance without skipping on features. The adjustable side straps fit water bottles with ease, allowing them to be lashed down through the cinching straps, while the interior pocket has plenty of space for day-hike essentials.
Comfort: It sits easily and comfortably on the waist with the help of perforated mesh on the back of the bag which also makes it very breathable. The width of the belt is really nice as well, it fits snug without feeling like it will fall off and doesn’t dig into the hips either.
Storage: The square shape of the Full Moon bag allows for quite a bit of storage, matching if not exceeding that of Patagonia’s Black Hole bag. The interior can fit multiple 12-ounce water bottles (just a frame of reference). I could roll up a spare set of athletic wear (i.e., a super lightweight jacket, a shirt, and some pants) and stuff it into the bag just fine with room for a protein bar or two.
BEST MINIMALIST
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L
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Design: Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag has a minimalist that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. Despite its modest appearance, there’s a surprising amount of storage space within the bag and it’s lightweight on its own so you’re able to pack it with plenty of items. The water-repellent fabric is a nice touch for rainy climates as well.
Comfort: It’s very comfortable to wear styled as a belt bag or a waist bag as it sits nicely either way. There’s a generous width on the belt, too, without it being too large.
Storage: It’s well-suited for essentials as well as heavier items. It’s smaller than other options but it can still fit smaller, half-sized water bottles and a few snacks, making it a great option for a long walk or easier hike. Plus, there’s a super secure zipper pocket to keep cash, cards, and an ID close by.
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