The 9 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2023

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

We tried hiking fanny packs in a range of materials, sizes, and durability—the Zigzag Hip Pack from Columbia is our top pick.

From scenic walks on a towpath to intense treks on high-incline trails, taking the proper gear with you will keep you prepared for unexpectedly long days, temperature changes, and inclement weather. Hiking fanny packs are versatile little bags for carrying small essential items like snacks, sunscreen, keys, cell phones, and even water.

They’re less bulky than backpacks, but can still offer ample storage, long-term durability, and various options for distributing the weight on your body. For day hikes, traveling, and weekend jaunts to the park, these waist bags and fanny packs—several of which we’ve tried ourselves—are handy, ergonomic places to keep all your stuff close by.

Whether you’re a novice hiker or more experienced, there are a few key aspects to look for when finding a hip bag that fits your waist and holds enough items to be useful.

Capacity is one of the most important specs to consider. Hiking fanny packs come in a range of sizes, from one liter to five. (Day packs, for comparison, typically run around 18 to 24 liters.) Our best overall pick from Columbia is compact and hugs tight to your body, but still has a full liter of space to store several important items, making it convenient to wear on and off the trail.

Hiking fanny packs with more capacity are better suited for longer day trips because you can bring along other items like headlamps or a bagged lunch.

Hit with an unexpected downpour? Hiking fanny packs made with fabrics like polyester and nylon are water-resistant or water-repellent to protect your values against water damage. Canvas is more durable and can withstand abrasion, dirt, and mud.

Keep an eye out for fanny packs that have a polyurethane coating, a final layer that helps water bead up and roll off (rather than pool) on the surface of your bag.

Hiking fanny packs might start off lightweight, but they get heavier quickly once you load them up with all of your essentials, especially if you’re tucking items like a water bottle and a cell phone into the main compartment.

Think about the difficulty level and terrain of your hikes, and consider how much gear you’ll need to bring with you. If you’ll need a lot of extra water, multiple meals, or any camping gear, consider upgrading to a day pack—a too-stuffed fanny pack will sag and become uncomfortable after a few hours.

Daisy chains, water bottle holders, key hooks, and extra pockets are helpful additions that not every hiking fanny pack includes. Check for these features if you plan on using your waist bag as your only bag for a longer hike.

We tried out several hiking fanny packs in a range of capacities, materials, and designs to see how comfortable they were to wear, how much they could carry, and what features we found most helpful. We considered different settings and uses, including hiking fanny packs with high capacity for more difficult hikes, and casual hip bags for everyday use. We’ve curated the following list of the best hiking fanny packs to accompany you on your favorite trails this summer.

This fanny pack is small but mighty: even though it's more compact, I was genuinely surprised by how much I could fit inside. For a couple of hours walking trails, I was able to bring along a big protein bar, 16-ounce water bottle, chapstick, my keys, phone, and wallet (with some wiggle room to spare.)

The polyester fabric is covered in a polyurethane coating and can withstand elements like wind and water, and is less likely to wear or fade with time. There is an outer pocket and an inner pocket as well as a daisy chain to hook carabiners. The belt is fully adjustable, so you can wear it across your chest or around your waist, too.

For committed and seasoned hikers, this hiking fanny pack will get you through hours of trekking on the trails. It has a very high capacity so you can basically cram as much as you want into the main compartment—snacks, ponchos, headphones, tissues, you name it.

The interior zippered pocket also has a separate mesh pocket which comes in handy for organization. The front pocket allows you to keep the most important items readily accessible. My favorite feature is the two water bottle side pockets—I’d rather be dehydrated than get stuck carrying around a water bottle that’s dripping in condensation.

As you spend extended time under the sun enjoying local trails, your body is going to sweat to try to help cool you down, which can lead to dehydration. Having water on hand is a necessity, and distributing the weight across your body helps a lot on long days.

This hiking fanny pack comes equipped with two 600-milliliter bottles, each with their own insulated carrying pockets. There are two zippered pockets, and a large main compartment with a mesh storage section to keep items organized.

The backing of the fanny pack is air-padded mesh, like a hiking pack, so it’s more breathable and less likely to trap excess heat than a solid pack.

The Mountain Waist Pack from Topo Designs is great for carrying bare-bones essentials for a day of hiking and a quick lunch afterwards. I stuck my cards and ID in the small front pocket, and tossed my phone, keys and a granola bar in the inner pocket. The zippers aren’t flimsy, and the colorway adds a cool, retro touch.

The pack is made with recycled nylon, so it has a high abrasion resistance and is sure to last you awhile, even if you drop it or throw it on the ground mid-hike. The adjustable belt has a longer lead so you can loosen or tighten to your heart’s content.

Heading on a camping trip and you’re not sure if the weather will permit a hike? No big deal. This hiking fanny pack is ultra portable, and fits inside of an attached stuff sack the size of the palm of your hand. Just toss it in your duffel bag and go.

It’s made with water-resistant nylon, and the durable YKK zippers with waterproof tape help keep precipitation and moisture out of the main pocket. There is an external zipper pocket, as well as a key clip for convenience.

A hiking fanny pack frees up your hands but still keeps important items close and secure. This bag has an interior mesh organizer for stashing necessities that you really don’t want to lose, like your car keys or credit cards.

There is a large main pocket and an external zipper pocket for optimal storage, and the pack can be worn multiple ways. The outer shell is made from sustainable polyester fabric and feels very sturdy and durable, so you can look good and feel good on your next trip to the local state park.

For a heavy-duty hiking fanny pack, Carhartt has you covered. The thick, polyester canvas is durable, designed for the outdoors, and is also water-repellent, so liquids will bead up and roll right off, making this a great belt bag for wearing in the field.

In addition to a main interior pocket and an outer pocket, there is also a key fob and two exterior loops for carrying other important gear. If you walk around a lot for work and need somewhere to keep your phone, pencil, and keys, this is a great pick that’ll hold up over time.

A simple and straightforward hiking fanny pack can even be thrown into your everyday rotation for moments on and off the trail. The X-Pac from Snow Peak is super lightweight, yet still very durable. I didn’t feel bogged down by bulky straps and excess fabric when wearing it, and I liked that it was versatile enough to wear across my chest, too.

The buckle is an innovative design (albeit slightly difficult to open), since you press a singular top button to release it rather than pressing both sides like on a rectangular clasp. The belt itself is thinner than others and feels less clunky to wear. There is a main pocket, an internal mesh pocket, and an external slot pocket for storing all of your essentials.

Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.

The 8 Best Range Finders for Hunters and Golfers

The 10 Best Cheap Mountain Bikes

6 Best Ladder Stands

20 Best REI Outlet Deals to Shop Right Now

Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shears, Reviewed

10 Best Water Skis

The Best Camping Blankets for Cozy Adventures

The Best Summer Hiking Socks for Cool, Dry Feet

REI Summer Sale: Up to 70% Off Tents and Shelters

23 Best Travel Accessories for Every Kind of Trip

The Best Post-Prime Day Samsonite Luggage Deals

Prime Day Hiking Boots Deals: Top Boots Under $100