The Best Fanny Packs for Men, Tested by Style Editors

We tested a bunch of fanny packs, but the Everywhere Belt Bag from Lululemon impressed us most with its great combination of size, strength and style. For starters, the main 2L pouch has a double two-way zipper that opens 3/4 of the way to easily get things in and out. Gusseted flaps prevent items from falling out when you unzip all the way. A mesh inner sleeve provides extra organization. There is a discreet smaller pocket tucked into the back with a single zipper. We found that it makes it ideal for hiding cash, cards, and other small valuables.

The 100% nylon exterior is water resistant, so it’ll stay dry in case you get caught in the rain. Wear it equally well around your waist or across your body. While it comes in mostly neutral tones like taupe and black—green eucalyptus will make you stand out from the crowd.

Our editors love this pack for its overall versatility. The Everywhere Belt Bag is compact and lightweight enough to wear under a jacket, but has plenty of cargo room for all your stuff. It works well as an everyday bag or as a travel bag, which is small enough to be a second carry-on bag when you fly.

Read More: Best Backpacks for Men

Any time you travel, you need quite a few things to be easily accessible. That’s why we recommend a reliable fanny pack like this one from Bellroy. The Venture Ready has a simple design that feels light as you’re navigating through airports and exploring new cities. To keep things in order, it’s got two pockets. The larger one is big enough for travel necessities like a wallet, passport, and a portable charger, while the smaller pocket is designed with a padded phone sleeve to protect the screen.

We found that it won’t add any bulk during long distance flights. A self compressing gusset creates a slim profile that wears discreetly under clothing to keep your valuables secure. The strap is removable for storage in a suitcase or backpack. Of course, you don’t have to reserve this great fanny pack for travel. All the features, which make it ideal for travel, also make it convenient as an everyday bag.

Read more: Best Travel Bags

One of the key functions of a fanny pack is to keep your stuff neatly sorted. Cotopaxi’s version makes it easy to stay organized with various compartments and pockets. The butterfly-style opening in the center, which has easy access, can impressively fit a ton of stuff inside. In addition to your wallet, we were able to fit everything like our phone, portable charger, workout headphones, —you name it. If that’s not enough, the main large compartment—sealed by a two-way zipper—can store even more belongings like sunglasses, so they won’t get smashed.

We found it’s super convenient to use as you’re traveling through the airport or running your daily errands. It saves you the hassle of having to dig in your pockets for your ID or debit card. Plus, the brand’s signature colorblock aesthetic adds a nice touch to its streamlined design.

Pros

• Main compartment can fit water bottles for optimal hydration
• Durable construction
• Padded back panel feels snug
• External bungee can hold windbreaker
• Most affordable choice

Trail enthusiasts will really appreciate the Terra Lumbar—3L hip pack. Every detail of this bad boy is built to keep your stuff safe, so you can stay ready for any outdoor adventure. For one, The North Face designed it to hold water bottles, so you can stay hydrated and take sips as you’re on the move.

In terms of construction, its weather-resistant fabric is durable enough to handle the rough and tumble of hiking trails and various weather conditions. Not to mention, there’s ample storage to keep a first aid kit, a map and snacks on deck. Our testers found that the cushy, padded back panel rests comfortably on your lower back, reducing strain during longer treks.

We were even able to squeeze a lightweight windbreaker inside, thanks to the external bungee and bottom compression that lets you cinch down the model and bulky items.

From rain jackets to fanny packs, Denmark-based brand, Rains has you covered with a ton of waterproof designs for your wardrobe. Take the Bum Bag for example. Made with polyurethane (PU), which is water-resistant, this option can easily keep moisture from seeping in. On top of that, the material weighs in at 520gsm (grams per square meter), meaning that it’s robust and thick enough to withstand a heavy downpour.

We personally love the coated zip closure because it glides. Plus, it has more water resistance than a regular zipper to really seal out moisture. Beyond protection from drizzles, the style is very sleek, and the interior is super spacious for whatever you need to carry for the day. Sure, the size leans more on the larger side, but we’ve worn the strap like a backpack and it didn’t feel like we were carrying the world on our shoulders.

If you want to carry only the bare minimum, go with the Ulvö Hip Pack Medium from Fjallraven. This bold-colored version is impressively light yet sturdy, making it a great option for city dwellers, frequent flyers and nature lovers alike. Also, it’s waterproof and super durable, thanks to the brand’s patented Bergshell fabric—a perfectly balanced weave that makes it strong in every direction.

We wore this fanny pack all day at a music festival and didn’t even feel it, which says a lot about its weight. The small nature of this 2L pack prevents you from logging around a heavy load, so don’t expect to fit a book or kindle inside. However, you will have security pockets on the back to fit your cards, earbuds and passport.

Alo’s Explorer Fanny Pack keeps up with daily hustle, combining functionality and street-ready style. It’s got that cool edge with gunmetal hardware and sheen nylon material, making it perfect to sport as you’re attending a baseball game or shopping at an outdoor market. Unlike other fabrics like polyester, nylon feels more comfortable on the body and is a breeze to clean since it doesn’t absorb droplets or stains.

In total, there’s three pockets for your EDC needs. Two are positioned up front for easy access and one snug against your body for extra security. The size is perfect for loading in smaller essentials, though not so much for bulky items.

Of the three colors available, all black is probably the most convenient to match with your wardrobe. Our fashion editors found it pairs seamlessly with your workout clothes as well as a white t-shirt and jeans. You can wear it around the waist, but we found it looks cooler worn diagonally across the chest for a modern, casual look.

Patagonia’s fanny pack from its uber-popular Black Hole collection has a whooping 5 liters of room—the largest we’ve tested among the group. In other words, you can stash all your basics and then some. As for its durability, the shell is produced from 300-denier ripstop polyester, which means the material is stronger and thicker than other fanny packs we’ve tested. But it doesn’t have a bulky build. The outer layer is finished with a weather-resistant TPU-film laminate—a thin thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film—that can take on rain, wind and so on.

Design-wise, it features a single compartment for your gear, a front pouch for your phone and a pair of stretchy water bottle pockets for optimal hydration. We found that the compression straps are great for tightening it up, in the event that it starts to slip while you’re on the move. Plus, the adjustable waist belt feels like a soft, comfortable hug.

While most fanny packs are designed for EDC, this one is very specialized. It isn’t really designed to be worn across your body. While it works great for biking and hiking, you wouldn’t want to wear it socially or on your way to work.

The Arc’teryx Arro Waist Pack is a city essential, offering a streamlined design that looks cool whether you’re grabbing a cold brew or exploring in a new spot around town. It has the capacity to carry your daily must-haves, but don’t try shoving your whole life inside; it’s rather compact. Speaking of which, your belongings will be safe in the event of sudden downpour. That’s because the zippers are engineered with a tight seal and special coating to keep rain and moisture from sneaking in.

Unlike some bulkier or more cumbersome options, this one is more versatile to be used for a variety of activities. We found that this option looks great worn across the chest and comes in handy during light hikes. Also, the mesh back panels offer a sufficient amount of airflow with every step.

How to Style Fanny Packs

There are two schools of thought when it comes to styling fanny packs. The more traditional approach is to treat it like any other bag. You wear your favorite backpack or tote over pretty much any outfit because it is a utilitarian accessory, just there to carry your stuff from point A to point B. If that is your purpose for wearing a fanny pack, then invest in a versatile color like black, blue, or gray. It won’t clash with anything, and adds a little extra twist to your look while you’re on the go.

The more contemporary use of a fanny pack is as an outfit accessory, like a belt or hat. In this case, you will be wearing it most of the day, and it will be a fully integrated part of your outfit. This is the intention of most luxury brands that are making fanny packs, which is why you’re seeing sleeker designs and expensive materials like leather and suede. Wearing your fanny pack across your body is the preferred look in this case. As with any accessory, you want to blend colors and patterns. That’s why black is overwhelmingly the most popular color for desginer fanny packs, because black goes with everything.