Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2023

JUMP TO: MOUNTAINSMITH TOUR LUMBAR PACK | THRUPACK SUMMIT BUM CLASSIC | HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR VERSA | PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE MINI | OSPREY TALON/TEMPEST | NATHAN PEAK HYDRATION WAIST PACK | REI CO-OP TRAIL 2 | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Mar 27, 2023
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Fanny packs perfectly illustrate the cyclical nature of fashion trends. Once all the rage, then universally despised, fanny packs (also called hip packs, waist packs, or lumbar bags) are now in the middle of an impressive redemption arc. 

For hikers, they fill a niche that no other pack or storage solution satisfies: they are super minimal, low profile, and offer better access to gear and storage than a traditional hiking daypack. For summer hikes or exploring the city, there is not a more comfortable or functional alternative.

If you’re considering trading out a sweaty back for a fanny pack, you may be surprised by the abundance of hiking-oriented options now available. Many big-name outdoor brands (Osprey and Patagonia) are in on the fanny pack action, as are ultralight stalwarts (Hyperlite Mountain Gear) and countless other specialty manufacturers. 

There are now fanny packs for day hiking, trail running, traveling, backpacking, and beyond. Some are ultralight and minimalist, while others are built to carry water and anything else you need for a full day of exploring. We’ve rounded up the packs best for hiking, with our favorite options for every point across this broad spectrum.

If you love reading this review of the best hiking fanny packs, then you'll likely love reading some of our other hiking and backpacking content:

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

If it’s been a while since you last bought a fanny pack, if you ever have at all, you’re definitely not alone. Don’t miss our buying advice at the end of the article for more tips on finding the best pack for you.

 

CAPACITY: 9 L

WEIGHT: 25 oz / 708 g

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: zippered main compartment, external zippered face pocket, external pouch, two water bottle pockets

PROS: Daypack-worthy hauling capacity, durable design

CONS: Not cheap, can get uncomfortable when fully loaded.

PRICE: $$$

The Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack has been around for nearly 40 years and was largely responsible for igniting the original fanny pack craze in the 80s. Its latest iteration carries on Mountainsmith’s reputation as the leader in hiking-oriented fanny packs.

With 9 liters of total capacity, the Tour rivals the volume of slimmer daypacks. It has a large compartment big enough for extra layers, snacks, a camera, and all of your 10 hiking essentials. Two side bottle pockets both fit a 32 oz (1 liter) bottle. Built for the outdoors first and foremost, the Tour is also full of features that make it a great travel pack, including a removable shoulder strap, a back panel for passports/boarding passes, and an internal padded sleeve designed to fit a small tablet. 

The Tour is undoubtedly large for a fanny pack, and although it is heavily padded and well-designed with load adjustment options, it can become uncomfortable when fully loaded with gear and water. It is overkill for most short and casual jaunts in the woods and is purpose-built for proper hiking: you can head out for an entire day with everything you need in this thing. 

Bigger fanny packs like this are not as versatile as other smaller options, but the Tour is time tested, with great build quality and durable materials: it is the best option for combining the performance of a daypack with the freedom and accessibility of a waist pack.

Best Ultralight: THRUPACK SUMMIT BUM CLASSIC

CAPACITY: 2.5 L

WEIGHT: 3.5 oz / 99 g

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: 1 zippered main compartment with internal organizational sleeves, external pouch

PROS: Super customizable, lightweight, great complement to ultralight thru-hiking packs.

CONS: Very little padding on the included strap

PRICE: $$

Weighing only a few ounces and with 2.5 liters of storage capacity, the Thrupack Summit Bum Classic is a customizable ultralight fanny pack built specifically with thru-hikers in mind.

The Summit Bum Classic can be worn around the waist or over a shoulder. Alternatively, you can remove its strap and secure it to the hipbelt or shoulder straps of your backpack, or anywhere else that makes sense for you.

The large internal zippered pocket has two sleeves and a key clip, and there is an easy-access mesh pouch on the pack’s exterior. It is a perfect storage solution for snacks, phones, maps, sunscreen, or anything you want accessible while on the move.

The standard strap included with the Summit Bum is unfortunately not very comfortable. If you intend to wear it as a waist pack rather than securing it to your backpack, it is worth upgrading to a comfort strap, which provides significantly more padding. 

Made from durable and weather-resistant Dyneema, Thrupack designed the Summit Bum to be up to the rigors of months-long thru-hikes. And with over a dozen vibrant color options and belt designs, it is a perfect way to add some flair and function to your ultralight kit.

Best for Backpacking: HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR VERSA

CAPACITY: 2.5 L

WEIGHT: 4.27 oz / 121.1 g

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: Zippered main compartment, zippered face pocket, external pouch 

PROS: Weather-resistant, lightweight, seamless integration with backpack straps

CONS: Expensive, somewhat bulky when worn as a fanny pack

PRICE: $$$

In recent years, many backpackers have embraced the fanny pack renaissance as a comfortable and versatile way to distribute their pack weight and add some storage capacity. The best all-around fanny pack for backpacking is The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa.

Like the Summit Bum, the Versa works well as a waist pack, but can also be integrated right onto your backpack. It also has one large zippered main compartment and an external mesh pocket but includes an additional zippered face pocket that is great for your smartphone. 

The Summit Bum is lighter with slightly more capacity, but the Versa is more weather resistant, thanks to its reinforced seams and burly 50-denier DCF design—the same fabric used in HMG’s bombproof Southwest line of ultralight packs. This durability and weather resistance, in addition to the Versa’s seamless integration into backpack hip and sternum straps, make it our favorite fanny pack for backpacking.

Best for Versatility: PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE MINI

CAPACITY: 1 L

WEIGHT: 3.5 oz / 100 g

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: Zippered main compartment, zippered face pocket

PROS: Stylish, durable, low-profile, great for both hiking and travel

CONS: Only 1 L of capacity

PRICE: $$

The Patagonia Black Hole Mini was cool in the 80s, and it is even cooler now. Low profile and available in half a dozen slick different colorways, we love this fanny pack for just about everything, from walks in the woods to traveling the world. 

With only 1 liter of storage capacity, the Black Hole Mini is quite a bit smaller than most hiking fanny packs, but it is called the Black Hole for a reason. Its main compartment eats up a surprising amount of gear, making it perfect for half-day hikes without giving up any of its style and versatility.

A small face zipper adds extra functionality to the main compartment. The Black Hole is also ultralight and super packable: it stuffs compactly into its own pocket, making it a no-brainer to bring along for short hikes, exploring a new city, or morning walks with the dog.

Best for Hydration: OSPREY TALON / TEMPEST

CAPACITY: 6 L

WEIGHT: 14 oz / 396.8 g

UNISEX: Gender-specific options

POCKETS: Zippered main compartments, two zippered hipbelt pockets, two water bottle pockets

PROS: Great for hiking and mountain biking, highly adjustable, can hold up to 2 liters of water

CONS: Bulky for a fanny pack

PRICE: $$$

For many day hikes in warmer weather or the pursuit of more committing objectives, your hydration requirements will exceed the capacity of most fanny packs. One notable exception is the Osprey Talon (and women’s-specific Tempest). Like Osprey’s line of daypacks carrying the same name, the Talon is expertly designed and packed with all the features needed to keep you on the trail for longer.

This starts with the two padded bottle sleeves. Each can hold a 500-1000 ml water bottle, with bungee retention straps to keep them locked down. Two buckle compression straps allow you to adjust the pocket sizes as needed, depending on your bottle size. 

The ability to carry 2 liters of water while ditching a traditional backpack makes the Talon waist pack a favorite among minimalist hikers and mountain bikers. A large main compartment and two hip belt compartments create 6 liters of internal capacity—plenty of room for more water, a midlayer, and your other backcountry must-haves.

Since its high volume remains concentrated on the hips, the Talon does get uncomfortable when loaded to its limits. But, like all Osprey backpacks, this waist pack is comfortable and well-padded, with an industry-leading design resulting in a breathable back panel and an even weight distribution throughout the harness, hipbelt, and lumbar. It is our favorite hydration-oriented fanny pack for both its exceptional water access and overall hauling capacity.

Best for Trail Running: NATHAN PEAK HYDRATION WAIST PACK

CAPACITY: 0.25 L

WEIGHT: 6 oz / 171 g (including 18 fl oz flask)

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: Zippered stretch pocket, angled bottle pocket

PROS: Secure fit ideal for running, insulated bottle pocket

CONS: Limited capacity in single zippered pocket

PRICE: $$

Running with a waist belt used to be a miserable affair full of bouncing, chafing, and bottles ejected on the trail, unbeknownst to you until miles later. Fortunately, that is no longer the case, thanks to the vast improvements in waist belt design on full display in the Nathan Peak Hydration Waist Pack.

With wide and stretchy side panels and extended lumbar coverage, the Peak Hydration Waist Pack effectively distributes the weight of the included 18 oz (530 ml) flask. This, along with the angled and secure bottle holder, results in the elimination of almost all bouncing and chafing. The bottle holder is also insulated to keep your water cool on sweltering summer days and unfrozen in the depths of winter. 

The lack of storage is the limiting factor with this waist pack. The small zippered pocket will fit a smartphone, a set of keys, and perhaps a couple of gels or bars. That’s not enough for big adventure runs, but we love this waist pack for city runs or shorter trail outings when we would rather not be constrained by a running vest or backpack.

Best on a Budget: REI CO-OP TRAIL 2 WAIST PACK

CAPACITY: 2 L 

WEIGHT: 4.3 oz / 122 g

UNISEX: Yes

POCKETS: Zippered main compartment, zippered face pocket, hidden zippered stash pocket

PROS: Versatile, budget-friendly, lots of storage options

CONS: Thin, uncomfortable waist strap

PRICE: $

The REI Co-op Trail 2 Waist Pack is perfect if you’re seeking a versatile and high-value foray into the fanny pack world. With three separate zippered pockets and the ability to wear it at your hips or bandolier-style over your shoulder, it carries a solid balance of features that will serve you well for short hikes, traveling, or lazy days on the beach.

The lop-loading main compartment makes loading and organizing the pack easy. Although the Trail 2’s thin and unpadded waist strap doesn’t offer much support, it is hard to overload it as you can with larger fanny packs. 

We think a 2 liter capacity hits the sweet spot between volume and versatility. Adding on its solid nylon build a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, and multiple pattern options—from classic outdoorsy to unabashedly exuberant—makes the Trail 2 an all-around reliable and fun fanny pack at a great price.

BUYING ADVICE FOR HIKING FANNY PACKS

Most fanny packs share the same defining characteristics, but there is still considerable variety between models. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to find the best one for you.

CAPACITY: Fanny packs are a great alternative to daypacks for longer hikes if they have enough capacity to carry a water bottle, an extra layer, and any hiking essentials you need to stay safe. As a hiking daypack replacement, fanny packs with at least 3-4 liters are best. As an add-on to your pack for backpacking or thru-hiking pack or for everyday use, you may want a smaller, more streamlined fanny pack with a capacity of 1 to 2.5 liters.

PRICE: Basic fanny packs are often budget-friendly. Smaller, high-quality packs like the REI Co-op Trail 2 and the Patagonia Black Hole Mini can be had for less than $40. Larger packs, like the Mountainsmith Tour, and technical ultralight packs like the Hyperlite Versa, can cost more than $80, but in return they offer more features and the weather resistance needed for backcountry travel.

WEIGHT: Most fanny packs are compact and lightweight, which is especially important for backpacking trips. Our top picks for backpacking-friendly fanny packs, including the Thrupack Summit Bum Classic and the Hyperlite Versa weigh only 3 or 4 oz. For day hikes and travel, weight is not as much of a factor as comfort and storage options, so you may prefer a larger, heavier fanny pack with more padding, pockets, and capacity.

COMFORT: The weight of your fully loaded fanny pack, combined with its belt and lumbar padding, determines the comfort of your pack. Specialized fanny packs made to replace a daypack will include wider and well-padded hip belts, along with padding on the pack itself. Minimal options, Like the Thrupack Summit Bum Classic and the Patagonia Black Hole Mini, have almost no padding and thin nylon straps. They are less constraining than larger packs but less comfortable if overloaded.

DURABILITY & WEATHER RESISTANCE: Like daypacks, most fanny packs are made from ripstop nylon, which is durable and somewhat weather resistant. Some, like the Hyperlite Versa, are made with Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). DCF is extremely durable, lightweight, and waterproof, but is significantly more expensive than nylon. As a result, the Versa is one of the most expensive packs on this list despite its smaller volume and minimal design. 

Waterproof materials can be worth it, but are not necessary for short hikes or traveling. You can always line your fanny pack with a large Ziploc bag to keep your gear dry if the weather turns.

COMMON QUESTIONS

When is a hiking fanny pack better than a backpack? Hiking fanny packs are comfortable and provide constant access to water and gear without ever having to take off a backpack. We prefer them over backpacks for short hikes, exploring a new city, or as a handy carry-on while traveling. 

What should I look for when choosing a hiking fanny pack? When choosing a hiking fanny pack, consider what kind of hikes you want to use it for. For longer hikes, look for water bottle pockets, a large zippered compartment, and padded hipbelts. For shorter hikes, backpacking, or traveling, look for more streamlined, versatile designs with one main pocket and one zippered pocket.

How much should I expect to spend on a hiking fanny pack? The price of a hiking fanny pack can vary widely depending on its size, features, and build quality. You can get well-made basic fanny packs for around $25-30. Cheaper options are available, but they begin to sacrifice comfort, quality, and durability. High-end, fully-featured fanny packs can cost close to $100.

Is it better to get a waterproof hiking fanny pack? A waterproof fanny pack can be beneficial, especially if you'll be hiking or backpacking in inclement weather. They can be worth it as part of a backpacking kit, but fully waterproof fanny packs are significantly more expensive and are not required for more casual hiking and traveling.

How much storage space should I look for in a hiking fanny pack? For short walks, traveling, or as a complement to your pack on thru-hikes or multi-day trips, around 1-2.5 liters of capacity is best. For longer day hikes, look at models with 4+ liters capacity, which will give you adequate space to carry water, extra layers, snacks, and any essentials you need to stay safe on more remote trails.

MORE INFORMATION

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