Topic: The Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2023 (Read 34 times)
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The Camelbak M.U.L.E. includes a 1.5 liter reservoir which is ideal for a day hike. This is definitely the most co*fortable way to carry water for a short hike. No constricting straps on your shoulders and chest, and the load bearing hipbelt takes the pressure off your back. The Air Support back panel incorporates a lot of cushion that also increases airflow to keep you cooler longer. The hipbelt also incorporates two additional pockets.
While the specially designed horizontal reservoir is super co*fortable, getting it set up takes some extra time. The tube only fits through the tiny openings on either side of the lumbar pack one way. The openings aren’t big enough for the nozzle, so you have to thread the bottom in first and plug it into the reservoir inside. Also, the magnetic attachment point on the hose and pack designed to keep the hose contained isn’t very strong and frequently pops loose. I would instead tuck the hose through the waistband. I took this pack on a short summit after work and I’ll continue to bring it on hikes where I only need water, my phone, car keys, and a beer or snack. There isn’t much room for anything else.
I like that this Lululemon fanny pack is called the Everywhere bag, because that’s exactly where I see it: everywhere. The grocery store, breweries, hiking trails, and the list goes on. So I was excited to see how it performed. I used it around town for a while and I loved the thick, soft, and co*fortable strap for wearing across the back, chest, and waist. Then, I took it on a backpacking trip to see how it handled outdoors.
And it was great, if a little heavier than necessary. I enjoyed having a convenient pocket for my phone and snacks. I also like that the back pocket is zippered. While, I left it unzipped most of the time for easy access to my phone, if I was using the Everywhere to explore around camp, I could zip up the phone pocket securely. The cavernous main pocket holds a lot for such a tiny pack. And it unzips over halfway down each side for a wide opening. There are three mesh panels sections inside for organization. My only co*plaint is that the almost silky, matte fabric shows stains easily; water stains and smudges stick around until they’re wiped off.
The repurposed nylon shell is made of fabric scraps leftover from other Cotopaxi products, meaning each Kapai has unique color blocking. The one-of-a-kind colors and streamlined profile make this one of the most stylish fanny packs I looked at. But it has also stood up to abuse while hiking and feels strong and durable. It has a 3-liter capacity but doesn’t look it. It gives a Mary Poppins effect when you pull numerous items out. I once fit an entire game of Jenga in it.
The top grab handle is super convenient. While hiking, the padded and contoured back panel and wide belt felt co*fortable and stayed in place. This mid-capacity hiking fanny pack is a rare and versatile model that I would happily wear with a backpack on a long hike and toss over my shoulder for a short hike.
What the Camp 4 lacks in extraneous features, it makes up for in sheer space. At 11.5 inches long, you can easily fit one of the best water bottles and more. There are also several loops on the exterior that allow you to clip on any additional gear. You can tuck the belt straps into a flap on the back to create a sleek travel organizer as well. Inside, there’s one divider pocket and a clip for your keys or an Airtag. A smaller zipper pocket is located on the front for slimmer items.
420D carbonate coated nylon makes this a highly durable pack. It withstood plenty of scrambles and brushes with rocks during testing in Zion National Park. This is the best high volume hiking fanny pack because it can easily hold everything you need for a day hike: water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, phone, keys, and wallet. And it fits co*fortably and securely across your chest, back, or waist. The neutral color blocking is attractive, but on two models I’ve seen, there is some dye bleeding. It’s purely aesthetic and doesn’t rub off on clothes at all.
Nathan includes a small water flask in this model, and it has the capacity to hold a Nalgene or Nathan’s 25-ounce soft flask with hose. The interior is very roomy with two co*partments in addition to the main pocket. There is also a water-resistant zippered phone pocket on the back panel with a clip for your keys. But where this hiking fanny pack really shines is its bounce-free technology.
The shape is contoured to stay in place and there is a removable waist strap to further secure it when worn across your back or chest. I was highly impressed at its staying power, with no flopping or sliding around while scrambling. After just one wear I did notice a patch of pil*ing on the edge of the mesh back panel. This panel is designed to be ultra-breathable, so watch where you toss this pack because the mesh doesn’t stand up well to abrasions. The nylon outer shell feels more durable.
At just $25, this fanny pack is great for hiking on a budget. It’s extremely lightweight at just under 4 ounces (Rab’s product specs say 2 pounds, 2 ounces, but I assure you that is incorrect). And it has a soft and breathable mesh back panel. It has a good carrying capacity, but doesn’t feel as roomy as the other 1-liter hiking fanny packs I tested.
The Lowe Alpine belt pack keeps your stuff organized and co*pressed. The discreet front pocket is convenient and easy to get into. The only drawback to the best budget hiking fanny pack is its strap. It’s thin and not the most co*fortable. Along with the minimalist strap is a plastic clip to retain excess strap that isn’t the most functional. I’d prefer an elastic retaining strap like others on this list.
This tiny fanny pack is a great ultralight, minimalist option to use in conjunction with your backpack while hiking or backpacking. It fits your phone, keys, wallet, and hiking sunglasses. It’s roomy for its size, fitting a liter of gear. The Black Hole mini hip pack is made of 100 percent recycled fabric yet still feels strong and durable.
While thin, the straps are soft and co*fortable for any carry method. There’s also a small zipper pocket in front for credit cards, ID, etc. I’d reco*mend this pack to any thru-hiker looking for a smaller, lighter, and stuffable alternative to the best overall fanny pack, the Hyperlite Versa. Like Patagonia’s other Black Hole products, this bag folds and zips into itself for travel or storage.
Mountainsmith