Travel Fanny Packs are making a serious comeback, and for good reason. They offer a blend of convenience and security that’s hard to beat when you’re on the go. However, not all fanny packs are created equal. In our quest to find the best travel fanny pack, we’ve tested a wide array of options, and some, frankly, just didn’t make the cut. This isn’t an exhaustive list of every fanny pack we’ve ever tried, but it highlights some models that, while still available, didn’t quite hit the mark for us in terms of travel practicality.
Many bags boast bewildering strap designs, proving more frustrating than functional. The Alo Yoga Explorer Fanny Pack, for example, while stylish, was weighed down by unnecessarily heavy metal hardware, making it less ideal for lightweight travel.
The otherwise practical Girlfriend Collective Belt Bag also presented strap issues. Similarly, the vegan leather Monos Metro Sling Bag, though sleek, uncomfortably jutted out when worn, hindering movement while traveling. Even the Road Runner Bags Lil Guy Fanny Pack, designed for cycling, lacked essential organization for everyday travel needs.
The prize for impracticality in a travel fanny pack goes to the Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack Plus. Its strap was incredibly difficult to adjust, riddled with fiddly clips. Adding to its woes, its large, awkward shape and inexplicable snap-together top handles made it cumbersome for travel. Its smaller sibling, the Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack, while still stiff, was a comparatively more sensible option, though still not ideal as a travel fanny pack.
Aesthetics also played a role in our evaluations. The quilted design of the Calpak Luka Belt Bag drew comparisons to a “lunchbox” from our testers. While one tester appreciated its puffy, cooler-bag aesthetic, the overall consensus leaned towards less bulky designs for a travel fanny pack. The Everlane Renew Transit Fanny Pack was described as “banana-like” in shape and its limited color options of “boring” beige and black didn’t win any points for style-conscious travelers.
We also explored some higher-end, all-leather packs, hoping for a blend of style and function. The Clare V Grand Fanny certainly looked trés chic, bordering on purse-like elegance. However, its very flat, wide shape made it awkward to pack efficiently, and the absence of lining or internal pockets detracted from its practicality as a travel fanny pack. Another visually appealing choice, the semicircular Cuyana Double Moon Belt Bag, felt bulky against the body while surprisingly offering limited interior space – not ideal for carrying travel essentials. Minor History’s The Crosstown Sling Bag with its elegant crescent shape, similarly lacked internal organization, and despite its price point, it didn’t quite achieve the stylish luxury of other leather options in the market.
The Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag, priced around $70 for real leather, held initial appeal due to its value proposition. While initially cute, closer inspection revealed inexpensive construction details, and its small size limited its practicality for carrying essential travel items. It ultimately didn’t feel like the amazing value we had hoped for in a travel fanny pack.
The generously sized Herschel Pop Quiz Hip Pack received lukewarm feedback from our testers. Its material was notably stiff and starchy, detracting from comfort and ease of use, important factors for a travel fanny pack that you might wear for extended periods.
The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L, while seemingly ubiquitous, didn’t wow us. The large buckle, which stubbornly refused to lie flat, proved particularly annoying. The same issue plagued the larger Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag Large 2L, which surprisingly didn’t feel significantly bigger despite its increased capacity. These buckle issues impact comfort and sleekness, key considerations when choosing a travel fanny pack.
Finally, the State Lorimer Fanny Pack was decent, but its flat, rectangular shape felt too bulky to comfortably wear around the waist. Some testers also found it awkward as a crossbody bag, making it less versatile for travel situations where you might want to switch up your carrying style. It simply didn’t quite embody the classic “fanny pack” feel or offer optimal travel-friendly design.
Choosing the right travel fanny pack involves considering factors beyond just trends. Practicality, comfort, security, and style all play crucial roles. While many options are available, focusing on thoughtful design features, comfortable straps, adequate organization, and appropriate size will lead you to the best travel companion for your adventures.
