The 10 Best Fanny Packs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Oct 29, 2024

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These fanny packs are ideal for hands-free travel.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure/Anna Popp

Fanny packs were once the surefire way to spot a tourist in a crowd, but in recent years, the iconic fanny pack underwent a revolutionary rebranding to become a travel staple for even the most stylish adventurers.

Since we love a versatile travel accessory at Travel + Leisure, we got our hands on 36 fanny packs to test out for activities like traveling, hiking, jogging, sightseeing, running errands, and more. We styled the bags in various ways, such as the popular crossbody style or as shoulder and waist bags, too. Apart from style and functionality, we evaluated the fanny packs based on capacity, quality, and fit to find the best options on the market.

Dagne Dover

The neoprene material provides protection and cushioning to the items packed inside.

The strap could be longer to be more inclusive.

The perfect wear-everywhere for any occasion belt bag, the Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack is the ultimate travel accessory. Made out of thick neoprene material — a signature of Dagne Dover bags — this fanny pack proved to be protective and durable during testing, while still feeling lightweight and comfortable to wear. After we accidentally spilled coffee on the bag and wore it in a surprise rain storm, there wasn’t a drop of water that seeped into the bag, and most of the liquid rolled right off without leaving a trace.

While neoprene material has a somewhat sporty look to it, this bag looks just as stylish as it is functional. We love the just-right size for storing essentials like a phone, passport, wallet, and headphones, but it’s small enough to wear as a crossbody bag comfortably. There are several discrete interior and exterior pockets for organizing and the stap is easy to adjust. And the bag comes in seven color options in neoprene and air mesh material.

The Details: 9.25 x 5.5 x 2.75 inches | 11.2 ounces | Neoprene | 1 liter | Adjustable, 36-inch strap

Nordstrom

The large capacity allows us to fit all of our small travel essentials.

The puffy design adds a bit of bulkiness.

Calpak’s Luka Belt Bag can pretty much fit all of your travel essentials that are smaller than a laptop. Passports, wallets, phones, earbuds, snacks, and even a compact travel umbrella can easily fit in the interior of this spacious sling bag. Whether dashing through a busy airport security line or paying for a meal, the fanny pack has a smooth zipper and wide opening so you can easily reach in and grab a wallet, passport, or keys without having to dig around. Although spacious bags can sometimes swallow smaller items, this one has various pockets for organization so you’ll never have to worry about things getting lost in the void. We love the puffer material of this bag, but the puffiness does add some extra bulk to the already large bag. It also comes in a whopping 19 color options and makes an excellent gift for travelers.

The Details: 11 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches | 8 ounces | Polyester | Adjustable, 55-inch strap

Amazon

The 600D ripstop polyester material is built to last.

Capacity is somewhat limited and the bag will only fit small essentials.

Jansport is an industry leader in making bags designed to last basically forever, so we aren’t surprised that it earned top testing scores for durability. This belt bag is made with recycled 600D ripstop polyester, which basically means the fabric is reinforced to withstand extreme conditions and prevent a tear from escalating if one does occur. We also love the inclusive size of the strap that can extend to 50 inches long so you can wear the bag across the body or on the waist comfortably, and we found that it doesn’t move around while out and about. Plus, the 2.5-liter capacity is big enough to fit the essentials without feeling cumbersome to carry. One thing to note is that the Jansport website has more color options to choose from compared to other retailers.

The Details: ‎6 x 12.5 x 4 inches | 4.9 ounces | Recycled polyester | Adjustable, 50-inch strap

Lululemon

It has a sporty and stylish design that makes it versatile for traveling, outdoor activities, festivals, and more.

The capacity is on the smaller end.

If you pay attention while walking down any busy street, you’re bound to see at least one Lululemon belt bag. Travelers especially can’t get enough of this bag, so we had to get our hands on it, which was no small feat since it’s often sold out due to popularity. Once we tested it out during a hike, multiple walks, and for running errands, we understood the hype around the versatile bag. You can use it for a variety of scenarios, and the combination of the sporty and stylish design means that it can go with any outfit. The 1-liter capacity is too small for bulky items like a larger wallet, but the lightweight fabric and small size renders the bag nearly weightless when we wore it around the waist or across the chest. If you can get your hands on one of these iconic belt bags, it’s worth every penny.

The Details: 7.5 x 5 x 2 inches | 5.6 ounces | Polyester, nylon | 1 liter | Adjustable, 41.7-inch strap

It has a built-in water bottle holder and comes with a lightweight bottle.

The pack can’t fit more than a phone or keys.

This Nathan Peak fanny pack is designed to keep runners, hikers, or walkers hydrated while on the go. It comes with an ultra-lightweight plastic water bottle that securely fastens to its designated pocket so you can always have up to 18 ounces of water on you at all times. The polyester pack has a small zippered pocket to store the bare essentials like a phone or keys, but it can’t fit much more than that. It also features an adjustable strap to fit the bag snug to the waist so it doesn’t jostle around when you’re running. During testing, it never felt heavy for long runs, and we found that it’s most comfortable to wear with the pack resting on the lower back.

The Details: 6 ounces | Polyester, nylon | Adjustable, 44-inch strap | Insulated bottle holder

No Reception Club

It has tons of thoughtful features for parents, like the convenient wipe pocket in the back.

Some parents may need a bigger diaper bag for longer excursions.

Parents, rejoice: we’ve found the best fanny pack to keep your hands free when you’re out and about with little ones. This spacious fanny pack is designed for traveling with kids, and it’s equipped with thoughtful features like a removable changing pad, a main compartment that can fit diaper sizes 4 x 6 inches, and a diaper wipe pocket (our personal favorite pocket). The bag can fit all the grab-and-go essentials like diapers, wipes, rash cream, a onesie, and smaller items like sunscreen or hand sanitizer. Traveling parent-approved, this fanny pack proved to be particularly useful for day trips with a baby or toddler during testing, but if you’re planning an overnight trip or a longer day trip, it might not be big enough to accommodate more items like toys or clothing.

The Details: 11 x 6 x 2.75 inches | 8 ounces | Recycled nylon | 3 liters | Adjustable, 41-inch strap | Water-resistant

Patagonia

It’s packable and can fold into a fraction of the already compact size.

We found it most comfortable to wear as a crossbody bag.

The ability to pack a bag within a larger bag can be a game-changer for traveling, so we love that this Patagonia belt bag is packable. While the 1-liter bag is already quite small, it folds into a small carrying case and can fit in a bigger personal item or carry-on without taking up any space. Packable bags can sometimes be flimsy, but this one offers just the right amount of structure and flexibility thanks to the soft recycled nylon fabric and padded back panel for support. It can fit everyday essentials like a small wallet, phone, or keys, or travel items like a passport and boarding pass. You can wear the compact pouch as either a waist or a crossbody bag. We thought it was more comfortable to wear across the body, but the versatility in styling the bag is helpful.

The Details: 8 x 4.75 x 2 inches | 3.5 ounces | Recycled nylon | 1 liter | Adjustable, 36-inch strap | Water-resistant

Senreve

This premium leather bag can be worn as a fanny pack, crossbody, or shoulder bag.

It’s better for more leisurely activities.

This Senreve belt bag offers peak quiet luxury thanks to the sleek leather material and elegant gold hardware. And the best part is that it has a convertible design, so although the belt bag comes at a premium price, you can wear it three different ways — meaning you’re essentially getting multiple stunning styles in one. The leather strap can be adjusted like a traditional belt for a shorter or longer fit to accommodate all of the different ways you can wear it. The bag has two loops to accommodate a separate chain strap and, while it doesn’t come with one, we bought one from Amazon and it worked perfectly. It also features multiple pockets to store credit cards, sunglasses, keys, passports, or a small e-reader since the capacity is larger. We tested the cream color and the leather held up perfectly with lots of use on a trip, and there are no signs of scratches or damage, so we’re confident it’s worth the investment for a durable and stylish fanny pack.

The Details: 8 x 5 inches | 14.2 ounces | Leather | Adjustable, 59.5-inch strap | Water-resistant

Alo Yoga

The main compartment features RFID-blocking fabric.

Color options are limited.

Travelers, gym-goers, and errand runners will appreciate the versatile design of this larger fanny pack. Better known as an athleisure brand, Alo nailed it with this minimalist bag that can easily be worn around the waist or across the body to fit a range of style preferences. The main compartment is made with RFID-blocking nylon material to offer travelers peace of mind while traveling with chipped documents like a passport and credit cards — a valuable feature when it comes to travel products. And if you’re not traveling, the 3-liter bag can fit a multitude of essentials like a phone, keys, and earbuds in multiple compartments. While the bag only comes in black, there are two limited edition colors (fog and brown) that you might be able to snag if stock is available.

The Details: 10.75 x 4.75 x 4.5 inches | Nylon | 3 liters

Amazon

It stays in place and doesn’t move around while running.

It was difficult to snake wired headphones through the hole.

While the slimmer profile of running belts is designed with runners in mind, hikers and travelers will also find the thoughtful features of this belt helpful for a multitude of activities. Of course, the belt is designed to aid runners in storing belongings on a jog, but the discrete and lightweight design of the bag makes it an excellent accessory for travelers since it can double as a money belt. Our favorite part of the belt is that it doesn’t ride up onto the stomach or fall below the waist while running, and it stays in place without feeling cumbersome to carry around. We were able to fit a phone, lip balm, cash, and keys inside the pouch and it still felt feather-light, and the bottle strap securely fastened water to the pack. The bag is made with water- and sweat-resistant fabric that is very comfortable against the skin, and the adjustable strap provides a custom fit for all types of activities.

The Details: 7.9 x 4 inches | 3.17 ounces | Adjustable 44-inch strap | Water- and sweat-resistant

Although these fanny packs didn’t make it onto our main list, they still scored well during testing and would make great options for some travelers.

Eddie Bauer Skylar Waist Pack: This fanny pack comes in gorgeous neutral colors and has excellent organizational features. It’s geared toward outdoor enthusiasts, so we think it’s best for hiking or biking.

Athleta All About Belt Bag: A Lululemon dupe, this similar bag has enough room for the essentials, but the wide nylon strap wasn’t as comfortable to wear and didn’t secure the bag to the waist when it was packed full.

Quince All-Day Neoprene Belt Bag: Similar to our overall pick, this neoprene bag is durable and protective, but it’s fairly small and doesn’t offer as good pockets and organizational features.

There are tons of fanny packs on the market, so we thoroughly researched popular and trusted options to try out in day-to-day life. From the constantly sold-out Lululemon belt bag to Dagne Dover’s iconic neoprene bag, we tested 36 fanny packs designed to fit the needs of travelers, parents, outdoor enthusiasts, and more.

For two weeks, T+L editors and other members of our product testing team wore the fanny packs for activities ranging from air travel, jogging, going out to dinner, hiking, shopping, and more scenarios in which a belt bag could be helpful. We concentrated on the capacity, fit, and quality of the pack to ensure we only gave top scores to durable, comfortable, and functional fanny packs.

A fanny pack is an accessory first and foremost, so you’ll want to get the right bag for the activity it will be used for most. Anyone spending time outdoors will want to invest in a lightweight fanny pack made with durable, water-resistant material like ripstop nylon and polyester to protect your belongings from Mother Nature. For more leisurely activities, there are tons of fanny packs offering a balance of sporty and stylish that you can use for various activities as opposed to a sleek leather belt bag that might be best for going out to dinner or sightseeing. And, if you're attending a stadium event, your fanny pack or any other style of bag must abide by specific venue rules, so choose a clear stadium-approved option to be on the safe side.

The size of a fanny pack can be deceptive, as even smaller ones can offer much more space than what meets the eye. To gauge the size of a belt bag, we recommend looking at the specifications section on the website to find out the dimensions of the bag, length of the strap, and the capacity in liters. Most belt bags are around one to three liters in capacity with 1-liter bags offering enough storage for a phone, small wallet, keys, and other small items. Larger bags with two or three liters of room can fit bigger items like an e-reader, headphones, or a larger wallet.

Travel + Leisure / Kimberly Souza

The beauty of a fanny pack is that it can usually be worn in several different ways. Of course, the bags are designed to be worn around the waist and sit right on the hip, which is the original use of the classic fanny pack. However, in recent years, it’s become wildly popular to wear a fanny pack as a crossbody bag with the pouch in the front of the body or as a shoulder bag. Thanks to the adjustable strap on fanny packs, you can wear them in whatever way is most comfortable and stylish to you.

The two different names mean the same thing. Both refer to a bag designed to be worn around the waist with a pouch that can rest in the front or back of the body.

A fanny pack can certainly count as a personal item if it’s being worn while traveling by air. Since every airline has different luggage restrictions, we always recommend checking with your carrier before arriving at the airport to ensure that your luggage meets requirements.

While fanny packs first became popular in the 1980s, they've made a significant comeback in recent years and are considered stylish today. Many brands have updated designs that add modern materials and trendy aesthetics, making fanny packs a popular accessory for a variety of outfits. While they are typically worn with casual looks, some fanny packs are chic enough to be incorporated into fancier outfits.

If you need a new fanny pack for walking or sightseeing, don't forget to grab these other essentials.

Nike Motiva Walking Shoes: We voted these the most comfortable walking shoes after testing them, and for good reason — the curved sole that propels the wearer forward made us feel like we could walk forever in them.

Raen Keera Sunglasses: These stylish sunglasses don't pinch after being worn for long periods of time, and they offer 100 percent UVA/UVB protection.

Girlfriend Collective Naomi Workout Dress: This wrinkle-repellent mini workout dress has built-in compression shorts for a smoothing effect (and flashing prevention). We love wearing it on walks, hikes, and more.

T+L commerce writer, Anna Popp, writes nearly all of the team’s Travel + Leisure Tested articles and participates in product testing from luggage and shoes to outdoor gear and apparel. Anna participated in this test and used her fanny pack to travel and run errands around the city. She sifted through testing notes of all 36 products tested to summarize the reasoning behind our recommendations for the best fanny packs.

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