The 11 Best Fanny Packs
Once considered the hallmark of a tourist abroad, fanny packs have returned as a trendy and practical way to securely store your essential belongings while on the go. Whether you call them fanny packs or belt bags, they have one thing in common: Hands-free carrying convenience, which provides you easy access to your phone, wallet, keys, and other belongings without bogging you down like a backpack.
To narrow down a list of the best fanny packs, we poured over hundreds of the highest-rated options on the market, looking at a range of designs and prices while taking durability, comfort, organizational elements, water resistance, and security features into account. We also consulted Emma Wooley, a Brooklyn-based stylist and consultant, on her favorite ways to wear a fanny pack.
“For long walks in my neighborhood, I always bring a fanny pack with just my wallet and keys,” says Wooley, who praises “lightweight” options as ideal replacements for something more “cumbersome, like a tote or shoulder bag.” She suggests using them to stash “a small wallet or card holder and keys,” whether you’re sightseeing or heading to a concert.
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It’s lightweight, water-resistant, and made with recycled materials.
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We wish this bag had a longer belt length that could accommodate a looser fit and more waist sizes.
Dagne Dover’s soft and sleek belt bag stands out from the crowd thanks to the brand’s signature neoprene material, which is lightweight, made from recycled plastic bottles, and water-resistant. The moisture-wicking material is designed to make sure sweat doesn’t stick to you while sightseeing or running errands. We love the retro, minimalist look of this fanny pack—and so will anyone who likes to stay organized, as there are four separate pockets to help keep track of your belongings.
We’re big fans of the exterior back pocket, which is perfectly sized for a credit card or public transit card that you need to keep handy—just be mindful, as there’s no zipper. The front pocket, on the other hand, features a zippered closure for added protection for your essentials. The primary compartment is large enough for a phone, sunglasses, and small things like lip balm. It’s available in eight bold colors, from neon pink to olive green. Notably, the seatbelt-like buckle is adjustable from 15 to 47 inches (including the width of the bag), which is a wider range than many of the other options on the market but may not accommodate all waist sizes or those desiring a looser fit.
Material: Neoprene | Dimensions: 9.25 x 5.5 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Capacity: 1 liter
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This sleek bag is convertible and can also be worn as a crossbody bag.
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The lightweight bag can sag if it’s filled to capacity.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a wallet-friendly fanny pack with a simple design, consider the Tlmody Belt Bag. It’s waterproof and convertible, so you can opt to wear it around your waist or across your body.
We like its minimalist aesthetic, which looks streamlined from the front but offers a discrete anti-theft zippered pocket on the back. Inside, you’ll find a divided mesh compartment where you can store your keys, lip balms, and other items, while your phone can fit inside the main section of the pouch. Note that if you fill it to capacity it can sag a bit under the weight of the items.
Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 8 x 2 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 4.2 ounces | Capacity: Not listed
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