10 Best Fanny Packs for Hands-Free Adventures in 2024 | SELF

Oct 29, 2024

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Like so many trends of the ’90s, belt bags have officially become cool again—and given that they’re also comfortable and functional, we’re totally on board. The best fanny packs provide a Goldilocks solution between balancing your phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, and beverage in one hand and carrying a giant, constantly-slipping purse for just a few essentials. They’re a practical option when you’re heading out on a jog, dancing at a concert, running a quick errand, or really doing anything where you want to be hands-free or only need a few basic items. To help you find the cutest, most useful bags out there, we scoured online reviews and asked SELF staffers to share their favorites. We selected casual, sporty ones and sleek leather options in a bunch of colors, shapes, and sizes—there’s definitely a pack here you’ll be happy to have attached to your hip.

Lululemon

Lululemon

Best Overall: Look, there’s a reason why this bag has sold out over and over again—it’s sleek, simple, and fits everything you need. I’ve had it for a couple years, and while it’s great in any season, it’s my absolute go-to in the summer months when I don’t have jacket pockets to hold my keys and wallet for a quick errand. I’ve worn it on walks, to concerts, and even while floating down a lazy river. (FYI, it’s not waterproof, but I only needed it to hold my sunscreen.) I especially like the zippered back pocket, which keeps my phone separate from everything else—that way I don’t have to open the main pouch to quickly access it and switch songs or reply to a text.

The regular size works for me, but if you want something a little roomier, try the Everywhere Belt Bag Large, which is double the size. SELF’s associate wellness director, Cathryne Keller, is a huge fan: “I love the big one because I believe in always being prepared, and whether I’m traveling or running errands, that size allows me to comfortably fit hand sanitizer, sunglasses, tissues, bandaids, a Tide To-Go stick, etc. There’s even enough room for my reusable produce bags—a big plus since it’s my go-to bag for grocery runs.”

Fitgriff

Amazon

Best for Running: There are few things more annoying when you’re trying to PR or just out for a casual jog than a belt bag that bounces with every stride. This fanny pack will hold the essentials and won’t budge. SELF’s lifestyle writer, Jenna Ryu, recently started using it for her training: “I’m so surprised at how this stays in place, even for longer 10-mile runs,” she says. “It fits my keys and even a snack, and I love that the strap is adjustable depending on what I wear. It’s also super slim and light (even with everything inside it), so I don’t notice that I’m wearing it.”

Quince

Quince

Best Leather: If you want something that’ll pair well with dressier ’fits, this leather fanny pack, which looks like a slim purse and has an adjustable belt, is it. One Quince reviewer said that, while they don’t like the look of nylon belt bags, they still wanted in on the fanny pack trend, and this “minimalist and sleek” one fits the bill and is “the perfect size too.”

Patagonia

REI

Best for Hiking: When you’re heading into the woods for a leisurely hike, you might not need an entire backpack, which is where this small but durable hip bag comes in. It’s water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet, and its ripstop nylon fabric can handle some wear. In fact, one REI reviewer says they’ve used this on hikes five days a week for the last three years and it’s still in perfect condition. “I love this thing and would buy another one no question. Don’t need to though because I think this will last forever!” they said.

Calpak

Calpak

Best Large Bag: If you’re looking for something more spacious, this fanny pack is 11 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep, making it even roomier than the big Lululemon bag. One Calpak reviewer says it easily fits their Kindle, and another took it to Disneyland (the ultimate test for a belt bag, in our opinion) and noted how “comfy and convenient” it was, and that it fit all their essentials for the day.

Veckle

Amazon

Best for Concerts and Sporting Events: You’ll breeze past stadium security wearing this clear pack. It has a separate front-zippered pocket for your phone, cash, or anything else you may want to grab in a pinch. We like that the strap and zippers come in different colors so you can still show some personality and match the bag to your concert look or favorite team’s colors, despite the fact that it’s mostly clear. “I will keep this for every concert I ever go to!” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “I used this for the Taylor Swift Eras tour and it held EVERYTHING! I have never had a stadium purse that worked this well. It fit all my friendship bracelets and was still within stadium guidelines.”

Kibou

Nordstrom

Best Fanny Pack Diaper Bag: This cute belt bag is a genius hands-free option for caregivers with babies in tow. It’s got a waterproof pocket to hold wet wipes or a dirty onesie, a detachable changing pad that unfolds from the back, card and cash slots, and even a key or pacifier hook. One Nordstrom reviewer said that they’ve “never been happier with a baby purchase!”

Dagne Dover

Dagne Dover

Most Stylish: The monochromatic design makes Dagne Dover’s bag feel more modern than the average fanny pack, but it still has a casual, athletic look thanks to the pillowy neoprene fabric. SELF staffer Dana Leigh Smith can attest to how good it looks with any outfit: “I have gotten a ton of compliments on it over the years from my sporty friends as well as my more fashionable friends. I can’t recommend it enough!” The back cleverly includes a card slot where you can keep a train card or ID for easy access, and the inside also has an attached card case, a tiny pocket to secure lip balm, and a key ring, so all of your essentials have a home.

Everlane

Everlane

Best for Organization: This bag isn’t bulkier than any other option, but it manages to fit a couple large outer pockets (one in the back and front) to stash items you want at the ready, and it has a divider inside the main compartment for more structure. One Everlane reviewer wrote that it can hold all five of their lip balms (relatable) along with a large wallet, headphones, and keys.

Adidas

Adidas

Best for Travel: Adidas reviewers noted how lightweight and durable this sporty bag is (which can be worn as a crossbody or fanny pack) and praised the many individual and different-size compartments for travel days, errands, and carrying kids’ stuff with them.

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