Whether you like them or not, fanny packs are one of the easiest traveling bags to wear. Not only are these convenient bags wide enough to accommodate vital travel items such as your camera, passport, and wallet, but they also encourage you to do so hands-free which means you can do more crucial stuff like take the perfect selfie or enjoy that ice cream. And have we mentioned just how versatile they are? You can carry it on your waist, loop it around your back as a shoulder bag or take the more fashionable, fashion-forward method, and carry it as a crossbody bag.
Whatever you call them — waist packs, crossbody bags, lumbar packs, hip pouches, or bum bags — fanny packs have quickly evolved from a father’s joke into a must-have commodity for thousands of travelers. They are the perfect sets for lightweight travelers, urban explorers, weekend travelers, frequent fliers, and everything in between. A fanny pack is large but is not bulky. With many separate compartments, you can conveniently hold your keys, pocket, phone, and other little things with you with full comfort.
In a Hurry? The test winners after 14 hrs of research
Travelon Anti-Theft Waist Pack – Best Value
Why is it better?
- The belt clip is a custom-designed thermoplastic clip, but has a switch to lock it
- Stowable mesh bottle holder
- You have two main compartments and zippered inside compartments
- The safety features are very good
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack – Premium Pick
Why is it better?
- It is solid, sturdy, and strong
- You can use it for a belt type pack, sling it over your shoulder, or carry it by the handles
- It also has an assortment of pockets, straps, water bottle pockets (2), and zippers
- You could store almost anything in here (as long as it fits
Best Fanny Packs for Travel – Overview
A fanny pack allows your hands-free to concentrate on the most important items in life. You can slide it around your waist or over your shoulder. There’s a fanny pack style that everybody can carry. The trend itself is unisex, which ensures that whatever you choose, the whole family can wear one. There are also thousands of designs to choose from, available in several colors and sizes. These styles of bags are lightweight and sturdy and can help hold be more comfortable than a tote bag or shoulder bag. This is why fanny packs are great for outdoor trips, sports, and other experiences when you don’t want to be dragged down by your bag.
Fanny Packs for Travel Reviews
1. Tinyat Travel Fanny Bag
This Tinyat Travel Fanny Bag is made of waterproof nylon. A lightweight fanny pack is best. Sightseeing often involves walking for hours every day, and having all the extra weight can slow a person down. Opt for TINYAT T201 fanny pack made with lightweight material and fill it up only with the necessities. There is a zipper pocket that can keep your valuables safe, such as your ID, cash, credit card, driver license, etc.
This bag features a wide strap that wraps and buckles around the waist and small pouch that sits just below the belly. This type of pack allows the traveler to move freely and easy access to necessities, unlike shoulder bags, which can impede the movement of the arms, or backpacks that need to be removed in order to access the compartment. It is widely adjustable for people with different waist size (24”-50”), and is suitable for both men and women.
Key Features:
- Zippered front accessory pocket
- Discreet back pocket
- Lightweight and fashionable
- Durable waist belt
Specifications:
- Brand: Tinyat
- Dimensions: 12.2″ H x 4.7″ W x 4.7″ D
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- The zippers are of good quality
- Has sturdy handles so they don’t just easily break
- It has foam padding inside the main zipper
- Has a big front zipper with an inner zippered compartment for credit cards and money
- Not the biggest fanny pack
2. WATERFLY Fanny Pack for Travel
Colorful, young and energetic, used on various occasions, this WATERFLY Fanny Pack for Travel is perfect for anyone, such as cyclists, runner, trainer, camper, hiker, climber, and any other enthusiast. This waist pack is made of top quality materials. The nylon material, canvas webbing belt make this waist packs is much more durable and has soft hand feeling. This slim waist packs can keep away breathable and circulates air between your waist or back and the pack.
The larger pocket is big enough for your phone while two smaller pockets front is perfect for storing keys, credit cards, money, gels, tissues. An adjustable poly web waist belt can be adjusted to waist sizes up to 50 inches. Our handy guide to the best fanny packs for men features more great products like this.
Key Features:
- Flexible adjustable waist belt
- Hidden zipper pocket
- Water-resistant
- Accessories extended band straps
Specifications:
- Brand: WATERFLY
- Dimensions: 4.7″ H x 1.6″ W x 11.8″ D
- Weight: 0.22 lbs
- The clip for keys or wallet inside the main pocket is useful
- Good size compartment for items
- The clip seem to be good, easy to put on and take it off
- The strap is easy to adjust for different size waist and torso (if wear across chest)
- The water resistant lining is only in the main pocket
3. Osprey Talon 6 Men’s Lumbar Pack
Heading out for a day hike where all you need is water to quench your thirst and room for a few essentials? Say hello to Osprey Talon 6 Men’s Lumbar Pack. Seen at not just the start, but more importantly the finishes of 50k trail races, mountain bikers, and on bird-watching trekkers alike, it’s the perfect solution for keeping your urban or wild journey simple so that your focus remains on the important things.
The experience itself. Body-hugging BioStretch hipbelt keeps the load stable two included 570 ml BPA-free PackBottles ensure that the last thing you’ll be is thirsty on the trail. Carry an extra layer with the external StraightJacket compression straps, fill your bottles, and hit the trail, path, and beyond.
Key Features:
- Padded bottle sleeves with two included 570 ml BPA-free PackBottles
- Small front zippered compartment
- Large, dual-zippered pocket panel
- Easily adjustable and flexible hip belt
- Breathable and soft die-cut slotted foam
Specifications:
- Brand: Osprey
- Dimensions: 8″ H x 8″ W x 12″ D
- Weight: 0.73 lbs
- The lumbar does a nice job of allowing some air to flow
- Tons of room inside this pack
- Water bottles are pretty easily accessible and have nice straps that hold them in
- Feels very comfortable
- Weird water bottle angle
4. FREETOO Waist Pack for Travel
The FREETOO Waist Pack for Travel is a great way to go hands-free. This nylon hip bag is perfect for biking around town, festivals, fairs, concerts, and farmers’ markets. Created with a simple design that blends with any style closed with a sturdy zipper. The bag can carry a phone, cash, cards plus a few other essentials and can be worn on your hip, over the shoulder, or tight under your arm. Made of strong 1000D Polyester and exquisite overall craftsmanship with cleanly finished seams, this waist bag is sturdy and built to last yet soft and pliable.
The flexible strap, with a strong and reliable buckle, ranges from 23.6-45.3 inches (including the bag) and can be adjusted to accommodate a fluffy personality or a skinny mini. Easily and quickly adjusts to whatever length you need and will remain at your chosen length without loosening; Allows for different wearing styles: can be worn on your hip, over the shoulder, or tight under your arm.
Key Features:
- 5 multiple zipped pockets
- Durable plug buckle
- Durable and water-resistant
- High-abrasive material
Specifications:
- Brand: FREETOO
- Dimensions: 5.11″ H x 3.94″ W x 7.87″ D
- Weight: 0.43 lbs
- The zippers are secure and quite stylish as well
- All the pockets are easily accessible
- Waist strap allows for many different sizes or wearing styles
- The pack is very well made from tough nylon
- The clasp can be difficult to release
5. Badiya Women’s Mini Fanny Pack
Whenever you’re going out, you need a small and large-capacity waist pack, which is portable and reduce the number of bags, it frees your hands while still looking trendy, Badiya Women’s Mini Fanny Pack is tailor-made for you! Made of high-quality crocodile grain leather material that is both fashionable and luxurious.
Two pockets are perfect for holding your mobile phones and your credit card, passport, cash, keys, or other small gadgets. Adjustable waist strap for easy and comfortable carrying, the strap is up to 100cm. Perfect for commuting or traveling. Love backpacks? Check out our review of the best hiking fanny packs for our top picks.
Key Features:
- Adjustable belt
- High-quality crocodile leather
- 2 internal pockets
- Hidden zippers
Specifications:
- Brand: Badiya
- Dimensions: 4.7″ H x 2″ W x 7.2″ D
- Weight: 0.55 lbs
- Great quality leather
- The belt is comfortable to wear in the loop of your pants
- Very strong and almost automatic magnetic closure
- Very cute and stylish
- Because of the size and magnetic closure you cant fit much in
6. SoJourner Black Rose Fanny Pack
Function & fashion are all-in-ones with SoJourner Black Rose Fanny Pack collection. Designed to keep you stylish for any hands-free occasion. SoJourner is the premier fanny pack, bum bag, waist bag, hip pack, hip belt, and hydration pack provider for the festival lover, rave fan, EDM obsessed, or person just wants some shimmer in their life! We make sure that keep your essentials comfortably close and let the rest of the crowd know you came to party!
Designed with your comfort in mind, this bag fits any size up to 48 inches, includes a convenient belt strap (which most bum bags lack), and should work for men, women, and children (small, medium, or large). These fanny packs have 3 pockets for your convenience and fit any size phone, passport, a standard bottle of water, and all your other essentials. They are well stitched, made of either a strong vinyl or 900d high-end poly, and have a strong liner.
Key Features:
- Durable zipper pulls
- Belt loop included
- Double stitching
- 3 pockets
Specifications:
- Brand: SoJourner Bags
- Dimensions: 6″ H x 2″ W x 12″ D
- Weight: 0.33 lbs
- The material seems to be made of an outdoor fabric
- The sewing seems well done and sturdy
- There’s 3 main pockets, the larger middle pocket, a surprisingly large front pocket, and a very discreet small pocket in the back
- Available in several designs
- You need two hands to adjust the waistband. which is also sort of a pro because it doesn’t slip loose like some fanny packs do
7. Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack – Premium Pick
With a broad swath of versatile uses, this pack tends to become a cherished possession in every outdoor enthusiast’s gear closet. However, it does not stay there long as it gets used daily as a hiking pack, disc golf bag, messenger bag, office briefcase, carry on travel solution, diaper bag, and whatever you can think of. Built with ultra-durable CORDURA fabric, the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack will become your outdoor security blanket as it logs hundreds of thousands of miles adventuring with you around the world.
Features now include a tuck-away waist belt for messenger-style carry, removable shoulder strap, traditional front panel bungee, Strapette compatibility (sold separately), interior tablet sleeve, smartphone-compatible waist belt pocket, ridged EVA back panel padding with stash pocket, side water bottle holders, hanging inner sanctum pocket, zippered front panel pocket with key clip, bottom compression straps, and a headphone port. We have heard this product used for just about anything. Where will this fanny pack take you? Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best travel daypacks.
Key Features:
- Tuck-away waist belt with forward pull adjustment webbing
- Interior foam padded sleeve for tablet carry
- Smartphone compatible waistbelt pockets
- Free Flow ridged EVA back panel padding
- Back panel stash pocket
Specifications:
- Brand: Mountainsmith
- Dimensions: 10″ H x 5″ W x 11.5″ D
- Weight: 1 lbs
- It is solid, sturdy, and strong
- You can use it for a belt type pack, sling it over your shoulder, or carry it by the handles
- It also has an assortment of pockets, straps, water bottle pockets (2), and zippers
- You could store almost anything in here (as long as it fits
- Straps are not removable
8. Travelon Anti-Theft Waist Pack – Best Value
Make sure your vacation stays stress-free by traveling with this secure, yet spacious waist pack. Designed with chain-link construction, it has an adjustable, cut-proof strap and locking zippers that keep your belongings close–and safe from theft. This Travelon Anti-Theft Waist Pack protects your belongings from pickpockets and thieves. Travelon has been making “Travel Easier” for nearly 30 years with fashionable, functional products that are designed and built to last.
Locking Straps allow you to lock your bag to a stationary object like a chair. This protects against grab-n-go thieves. All body panels (front, sides, bottom, and back) have a stainless-steel mesh that lies under the outer fabric and between the lining. This protects you against slash-n-grab thieves commonly found in crowds and transportation stations. Within the straps are stainless steel cables that run the full length of the strap and protect against slash-n-grab thieves commonly found in parking or isolated areas. Make sure you also check our selection of the best anti-theft travel bags.
Key Features:
- Locking compartments, slash-resistant body construction and adjustable waist strap
- RFID blocking organizer compartment
- Accommodates a waist to size 50 inches
- Pull out water
Specifications:
- Brand: Travelon
- Dimensions: 7″ H x 3″ W x 11″ D
- Weight: 0.73 lbs
- The belt clip is a custom-designed thermoplastic clip, but has a switch to lock it
- Stowable mesh bottle holder
- You have two main compartments and zippered inside compartments
- The safety features are very good
- The flap that hides the belt clip release switch should sleeve over the clip entirely but does not
9. JanSport Fifth Ave Fanny Pack
Make a statement with fun colors & prints, & keep everything you need on hand with a JanSport Fifth Ave Fanny Pack. Whether you wear this fanny pack on your waist or across your chest, the two zipper pockets keep you organized. JanSport fanny packs, pouches, and bags are popular for a reason. With colors & style that reflect your personality, room for tablets, phone, wallet & other items, your JanSport goes from school to fun as quickly as you do.
JanSport fanny packs are made with durable fabric, zippers, and straps, in colors and designs to reflect your style. They stand by their packs for a lifetime, so carry your JanSport on your adventures, knowing they’ll repair any breaks. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best JanSport backpacks.
Key Features:
- Main compartment with zip closure
- Front pocket with zip closure
- Adjustable waist belt with buckle closure
- JanSport® logo patch
Specifications:
- Brand: JanSport
- Dimensions: 5.9″ H x 3.9″ W x 12.2″ D
- Weight: 0.22 lbs
- The pack itself is a medium size and doesn’t stick out too far
- Adjustable fit
- Simple deisgn but stylish
- Durable for the price
- The straps are scratchy, thin and loosen easily on their own
10. AmazonBasics RFID Travel Waist Belt Fanny Pack
Keep your cash, receipts, and important documents neatly organized and safely hidden away in this AmazonBasics RFID Travel Waist Belt Fanny Pack. When planning for a trip, you want to make sure you have all your essentials securely stored, yet close at hand. The money belt’s soft, elastic strap wraps around the waist comfortably, whether positioned directly on skin or in between layers of clothing. Adjust the length of the strap as needed to ensure the perfect fit–not to loose, not too tight, but just right for you.
The AmazonBasics RFID travel money belt provides two zippered compartments, each with inner pockets to help further organize and separate important items. The belt’s reliable zippers ensure smooth opening and secure closing. Quickly access your money, train ticket, passport, or another item, then swiftly close the zipper and tuck the money belt back under your clothing and out of sight.
Key Features:
- RFID blocking material protects against unwanted scans
- 2 zippered compartments with inner pockets to organize items
- Comfortable waist strap can be adjusted in length for a perfect fit
- Made of durable nylon ripstop in front and breathable mesh panel in back
Specifications:
- Brand: AmazonBasics
- Dimensions: 4.8″ H x 0.3″ W x 11.6″ D
- Weight: 0.11 lbs
- Fully elastic strap makes it very comfortable
- Highly customizable
- Lightweight
- Very low bulk
- Adjusting clasps slips sometimes
Buying Guide
Organization
Not all fanny packs are equal as some have more features than others. A simple pack can provide space for carrying your items, while bigger bags may have a number of slots or zippered compartments, and could also provide a mesh cover for your water bottle. They are ideal for longer journeys and outdoor excursions.
Belt Length
Fanny packs do not come in one of everything. Most will have longer belt loops than most, so based on the circumference of your body, you’ll need to figure out how it suits before you buy. Additionally, whether you are going to carry it around your body or across your shoulder, it would need to be flexible for proper hanging.
Security
Luckily, most travel bags provide protection against theft, and material and belts that are slash-proof. Just because your fanny pack is tiny, it’s no less prone to offenders who are willing to reach your belongings. RFID lining helps secure the details stored on your credit cards and slash-proof material keeps pickpockets from grabbing your products with flick knives.
Materials
Fanny packs typically do not use a hard structure which implies that when it comes to high-end fanny packs, the most popular fabrics used when producing such bags are nylon, polyester, or leather. Most of these materials are highly sturdy and strong, with the potential to keep your stuff safely and avoid it from being misplaced.
Internal Key Clip
A sturdy clip within a fanny pack is a handy option to tie a keyring through. These can also be used to secure watches, mini flashlights, emergency whistles, and many other tiny clip-on objects.
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best fanny packs for travel as well as our guide on features to look for in a fanny pack for travel. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.