10 Best Fanny Packs for 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter

Feb 21, 2025

By Zoe Vanderweide

Zoe Vanderweide is a writer focused on style and accessories. She has personally tested nearly 500 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more.

Once the (ahem) butt of many jokes, fanny packs—also known as crossbody bags, sling bags, and belt bags—are now considered an everyday-wardrobe staple. And with good reason: These compact, hands-free bags are pretty darn useful. Plus, they’re cute.

Since 2019, we’ve researched 90 bags and personally tested 46. In our latest round, we packed ’em with potatoes to compare their capacities, ran them under the tap to find out if they would keep belongings dry, and adjusted them on the bodies of 14 Wirecutter and New York Times staffers in our Long Island City, New York, headquarters.

Ultimately we chose 10 favorites that fit a range of budgets, tastes, and circumstances. Among our picks, you’ll find stylish packs ready for just about anything—from everyday errands to rugged adventures to dressed-up evenings on the town.

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This crowd-pleasing nylon fanny pack won over our testers with its old-school charm and delightful details, including a fleecy front pocket and sturdy lash tabs. But the long strap leaves lots of slack hanging on smaller bodies.

The North Face’s Berkeley Lumbar was the unexpected breakout star of our testing—this unassuming pack swept in and charmed our panelists, earning the highest overall scores and the most “would buy” votes by far. Its secret to success: fun and functional features, just-right proportions, and slightly nostalgic good looks that instantly appeal.

It has a cool throwback style. Naturally, The North Face (and fanny packs in general) makes us think of the ’90s, when the brand was ubiquitous. But the Berkeley Lumbar—with its ’70s-style logo patch, relaxed shape, and crinkly nylon fabric—also brings to mind even earlier days, especially in the attractive mustardy color that we tested.

Though it looks compact, it fits plenty. This is the rare bag that doesn’t seem huge on a petite frame yet can still accommodate a day’s worth of gear, including a small water bottle, a pack of wipes, a wallet, a phone, and keys.

It’s filled with surprising—and delightful—features. The front pocket is lined with ultrasoft fleece, offering protection for sunglasses and phones. And the diamond-shaped lash tabs on the bag’s exterior base, while not terribly useful for hitching up gear, lend some structure, like a pair of feet.

This casually cool nylon pack has a flexible crescent shape that nestles snugly against the body. A detachable handbag-style shoulder strap adds versatility, but operating the hooked waist clasp can be tricky.

With a sleek, vaguely techy vibe (think The Matrix), Béis’s The Sport Pack looks like it came right out of a Y2K mood board. Ironically, you’d have been mercilessly teased for even contemplating a fanny pack in the early aughts—but today, we’re totally here for it. What’s more, this roomy, body-hugging sling can double as a shoulder bag.

The crescent shape is comfy and flattering. The Sport Pack has a gently curved shape that allows the bag to comfortably nestle into the body. Even though this bag is long, its lack of bulk and its silky nylon material make it flexible and light; our movements never felt awkward or restricted.

It’s sleek and stylish, with a handbag-style strap for versatility. Testers were drawn to this bag’s sporty good looks. The standout feature is a detachable paracord strap, which is mainly there for visual flair, though you can also use it to sling the bag over your shoulder in a hurry. To change up your look for the evening, you can remove the waist strap entirely and leave only the braided paracord.

The interior is spacious and well organized. We comfortably fit a full-size water bottle, a wallet, keys, sunnies, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and a snack into the roomy main compartment. It’s nicely laid out, too, with a key clip, an interior zippered pocket, three card slots, and a long, flat exterior back pocket. Exceptionally smooth, two-way zippers—outfitted with springy pulls—make accessing your stuff a breeze.

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Practical and well made, this nylon pack has a cute square design and comes in over a dozen whimsical colors and patterns. It’s marvelously roomy, but the boxy shape can get a little awkward when it’s loaded with lots of stuff.

The large, boxy Baggu Fanny Pack is disarmingly straightforward. Like most of the offerings from Baggu, it has an ugly-cool aesthetic, and it’s available in an array of bold colors and personality-packed prints. For us, there’s no question: It’s hip to be square.

It holds a shocking amount of stuff. The Baggu Fanny Pack has a stacked silhouette with two expansive rectangular compartments. We had no trouble loading it up with a pack of wipes, a small water bottle, a glasses case, a slim wallet, a phone, keys, travel-size sunscreen, lip balm, and a snack. (Among our picks, only the truly enormous Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack 5L is bigger.)

It comes in more than a dozen color and pattern options. Whether you gravitate toward safer neutrals, acid neons, or cartoony collabs (think Hello Kitty, the Peanuts gang), you’ll find something that delights among Baggu’s rotating selection.

It’s seriously sturdy. This Baggu pack is made from recycled heavyweight nylon, with a ripstop nylon lining. The zippers feel especially hardy and smooth, and the thick strap stays put in its serrated slider. I’ve owned an older version of this bag since 2022, and the fabric, hardware, and stitching remain in excellent condition.

This classic, bargain-priced polyester bag—which is available in lots of different colors—is an excellent entry point into fanny pack fandom. Just note: It’s our only pick that isn’t water-resistant.

For a cute, inexpensive belt bag, look no further than the cozily familiar JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack. It’s a fab option for the fanny-pack-curious or for anyone on a limited budget. It also makes a great gift for tweens and teens (or nostalgic children of the ’80s and ’90s).

It has a classic, casual look. The old-school Fifth Avenue really announces itself as a “fanny pack,” if that’s what you’re after. But its compact, rounded shape makes it equally well suited as a crossbody bag or waist bag.

You can choose from more than a dozen solids, patterns, and fabrics. Want florals? Pastels? Camo? Done. (The selection varies by retailer.) In addition to the large array of polyester packs, the JanSport site carries a number of corduroy options, which typically cost around $8 more.

It’s roomy enough for a day on the town. Despite its petite footprint, this pack accommodates quite a bit in its deep main compartment and flat front pocket. We were able to (haphazardly) pack a small water bottle, a slim wallet, a phone, keys, travel-size sunscreen, lip balm, and a snack bar. (Warning: Stuff it too full, and it’ll resemble a codpiece.)

Just don’t expect it to keep stuff dry. The Fifth Avenue is our only pick with no water resistance. When we put it under a running faucet, the fabric soaked through almost immediately.

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Made from a unique patchwork of remnant nylon and polyester fabrics, this vibrant pack has a distinctive look and a comfy, structured build. If you purchase it online, you can’t choose the colors—the exact design of your bag will be a surprise.

If the words “deadstock fabric” make your heart swell, the cheerful and comfy Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack Del Día is likely to make it sing. Like the other offerings in the company’s Del Día collection, this bag is patched together from remnant nylon and polyester, which gives it a bright and bold color-blocked look.

You don’t get to choose your exact colors. Because each pack is one of a kind, when you order online, you won’t know precisely what you’re getting. (Our test bag had a blue-heavy blend, but we could just as easily have received a purple and orange melange.) If you prefer not to roll the dice, we recommend shopping in person.

The design is thoughtful and ergonomic. The Kapai pack has a well-padded back panel that contours to the body and feels nicely supportive, plus a wide, comfy strap, so it distributes weight well. Inside the main compartment, a fleece-lined sleeve protects your phone and other delicate flat items.

It isn’t quite as roomy as it looks. Don’t get us wrong—this bag has plenty of space for a small water bottle, a snack, sunglasses, a wallet, a phone, and keys. But the pack’s semirigid build makes it less accommodating than, say, the Baggu Fanny Pack, which is more flexible. (Supervising editor Ingela Ratledge Amundson bought the Kapai pack for a trip to Walt Disney World and quickly discovered that it couldn’t accommodate all of the various sundries required to survive 12-hour stretches.)

This roomy, rugged ripstop polyester bag is large enough to comfortably stand in for a diaper bag, tote, or compact backpack. But its generous size may overwhelm smaller frames.

For a fanny pack that’s large enough to replace a diaper bag or a small hiking pack, consider the Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack 5L. It’s so big, one tester joked that she could use it as a carrier for her Chihuahua (though we don’t advise that). Thanks to its ergonomic design, it wears comfy, even when stuffed to the brim.

It’s seriously spacious. We fit an astonishing 12 russet potatoes in this thing! In more practical terms, the main compartment comfortably accommodates a light jacket, a sunhat, a pack of wipes, a large wallet, a phone, keys, sunglasses, and several snacks—with room to spare.

It has stretchy side pockets. Two mesh pockets on either end of the pack are purpose-built for water bottles, with compression straps to keep articles firmly in place. You could also use the pockets to tote sunscreen, bug spray, or a travel-size umbrella.

Even fully loaded, it’s comfy to wear. The Black Hole is the most ergonomic of our picks, with a generously padded, well-ventilated back panel that flexes to accommodate different body shapes and movements. And the wide, sturdily built strap adjusts securely and doesn’t dig into skin.

It’s rugged enough to withstand the elements. The Black Hole pack is made from recycled ripstop polyester, with TPU-film laminate waterproofing. It’s built for outdoor conditions and can take a lot of abuse, and it’s backed by Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee.

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Made from buttery full-grain leather, this hyper-organized belt bag offers a luxurious feel without skimping on practicality. Its normcore-meets-leather look isn’t for everyone, but we think it works.

Most of the pricier leather packs we tested refused to put practicality front and center. The Leatherology Blake Belt Bag was the exception. You can find a pocket for everything in this thoughtfully designed full-grain leather bag, and honestly, we’re digging the cool-dad-visits-Europe vibes.

Its elevated-normcore aesthetic won us over. When we first saw the Leatherology Blake Belt Bag, we thought it was, well, kind of ugly. (One tester astutely observed: “It’s giving The Rock in that one photo.”) But the look grew on us. It’s a classic fanny pack silhouette crafted from buttery leather, featuring prominent utilitarian hardware. The end result is versatile and polished—casual enough for daily errands yet refined enough to dress up for dinner.

It’s hyper-organized. Thanks to the smartly laid-out pockets, you can easily grab stuff out of the Blake bag while you’re on the go. The main compartment has four card slots, plus space for a large wallet and a glasses case, while the interior zip pouch keeps smaller items separate. The top-access back pocket is ideal for stashing a phone and other flat items. And the front pocket conceals—you guessed it—another pocket.

You can customize your bag with a monogram. For no extra charge, Leatherology allows you to personalize your pack with debossed (stamped), hand-painted, or trapunto (quilted) lettering.

This bag’s rich, supple full-grain leather and beautifully curved shape drew “oohs” and “aahs” from our testers. Yes, it’s expensive, and no, it doesn’t have enough interior space for a water bottle—but it’s by far the most beautiful fanny pack we’ve ever laid eyes on.

Words like stunning and sophisticated are rarely used to describe the humble fanny pack. But they were the first to spring to mind when we saw the chic leather Maison de Sabré The Sling Bag. It’s the most expensive pick in this guide—and it’s truly worth the splurge.

It’s the loveliest fanny pack we’ve ever seen. Testers “oohed” and “aahed” over the Sling Bag’s elegant crescent shape and its supple, full-grain leather, which comes in five rich shades (including striking emerald green and pomegranate red). It’s the rare fanny pack that wouldn’t look out of place at a nice restaurant.

The crossbody design has a comfortable, body-hugging fit. This bag is meant to be worn across the chest; it has a low profile and curved form that cradles the body. “It actually feels like part of my outfit, rather than an accessory,” remarked a tester. Note that the strap doesn’t open and close, so if you opt to wear it as a waist pack, you’ll have to do some awkward shimmying to get it on and off.

It doesn’t fit as much stuff as you might think. While the Sling Bag isn’t tiny—and actually presents as a midsize pack—it isn’t terribly spacious. We were able to squeeze in a slim wallet, a phone, keys, sunglasses, lip balm, and hand sanitizer, but not a small water bottle. Still, it’s well organized, with a key clip and interior pockets for corralling smaller items, plus a functional back phone pocket.

Maison de Sabré also makes this pack in a scaled-up version, The Large Sling Bag, which does accommodate a water bottle. We tested that bag and found that its bigger proportions didn’t quite work: It felt slightly unwieldy and less comfortable, and somehow it looked less breathtaking.

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With a streetwear–meets–Pop Art aesthetic, this puffy neoprene bag makes an oversize impact. The plumped-up exterior makes the pack look roomy, but it’s actually quite small inside.

The Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack looks like a joyful cartoon drawing of a belt bag. This small-yet-mighty neoprene bag has a bulbous body and exaggerated hardware—which we happen to like. It’s fun. (I’ve personally bought three of these.)

The distinctive Pop Art aesthetic is a fashion flex. The Ace pack is formed from softly sculpted neoprene, with toothy zippers and an almost comically large buckle. Not all of our testers dug it—but it wouldn’t be much of a statement piece if everyone agreed, would it?

It reads big but lives small. This fanny pack’s commanding presence and puffy build make it appear roomier than it is. It’s actually quite compact inside, with space for just a few well-organized essentials—a slim wallet, keys, a phone, and a few odds and ends.

The wet-suit material keeps stuff cushioned and moderately dry. The Ace pack’s squishy neoprene fabric protects delicate items such as phones and glasses from bumps and falls. However, this is one of our least storm-ready picks, as under a running faucet it locked out moisture for about 30 seconds—not a dreadful result, but far below average in our testing.

Lightweight and packable, this sporty nylon pack is ideally suited for travel or quick outings. It’s sized for just the essentials—nothing more—and the strap is on the shorter side.

The cute, casual Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L is mini indeed. This teensy, lightweight bag—the petite cousin of our supersized Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack pick—is perfectly proportioned for going on quick jaunts around the neighborhood (dog walks, short errands) or for throwing into a suitcase.

It’s especially small and light. With a capacity of just 1 liter (that’s two russet potatoes, by our measure), this bag’s flexible main compartment and front zippered pocket are sized for the bare essentials. This model is also the lightest fanny pack in this guide by far, tipping the scales at a mere 2.7 ounces.

You can turn it into an even tinier parcel. The whole bag can be stuffed and stowed into its own front pocket, which makes it particularly portable. Toss it into a tote or backpack, and you’ll always have a hands-free option at the ready.

It’s well constructed. The Black Hole Mini is made from recycled ripstop nylon with a recycled-polyester lining, and Patagonia backs this bag with its Ironclad Guarantee. The bag has a cushy back panel and smooth, silky strap webbing. Bonus: Its weather-resistant coating (a combination of silicone, polyurethane, and DWR finish) keeps contents dry on rainy walks.

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I’m a senior staff writer covering style and accessories for Wirecutter. I’ve written our guides to the best laptop backpacks, backpacks for high school and college students, and tote bags, to name a few. My carry closet may be full to bursting—an occupational hazard—but I’m a minimalist at heart. A streamlined, compact fanny pack is often my bag of choice.

For the 2024 edition of this guide:

Wirecutter has been evaluating fanny packs since 2019. In 2024, we decided to revisit this guide—and breathe some fresh life into it.

We retested our five original picks to determine which ones were still worth recommending (three are still standing). And we considered the brave new world of bum bags, researching 47 additional models and selecting 24 to evaluate in person.

I personally tested every contender—wearing, packing, and adjusting them for daily life. (I am 5-foot-6, waist size 28.) I further vetted the bags by weighing each one on a postal scale and measuring their dimensions and strap lengths.

To find out how the bags would fare in wet weather, I held them under a running faucet for up to two minutes or until the fabric soaked through. And to get a direct comparison of their capacities, I, er, stuffed each pack with as many russet potatoes as would comfortably fit. (This was a strangely illuminating exercise.)

After we eliminated a handful of the packs for absurdly frustrating design flaws, the remaining 19 advanced to panel testing. A group of 14 testers—Wirecutter and New York Times staffers with varying heights, builds, and aesthetic preferences—assessed the packs at Wirecutter headquarters in Long Island City, New York. We instructed the panelists to fill the bags with practical props, wear them around in both crossbody and waist-pack modes, and then complete detailed surveys.

We evaluated the fanny packs on the following criteria:

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This is not a comprehensive list of everything we’ve tested for previous iterations of this guide, just what’s still available.

Bags with bewildering straps are a dime a dozen. Among those we struggled with were the Alo Yoga Explorer Fanny Pack, which was also adorned with unnecessarily heavy metal hardware; the otherwise-practical Girlfriend Collective Belt Bag; the vegan leather Monos Metro Sling Bag, which also projected uncomfortably from the body when worn; and the made-for-cycling (and devoid-of-organization) Road Runner Bags Lil Guy Fanny Pack.

The impracticality prize went to the Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack Plus, which had a hard-to-adjust strap complete with fiddly clips, a large, awkward shape, and inexplicable snap-together top handles. Its tiny cousin, the Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack, though stiff-feeling, was comparatively more sensible.

We gave some bags the boot on aesthetic grounds. Testers said that the quilted Calpak Luka Belt Bag “looked like a lunchbox.” (I liked its puffy, cooler-bag build but was outvoted.) The Everlane Renew Transit Fanny Pack was deemed “banana-like,” and it comes in only “boring” beige and black.

We tried several splurgy all-leather packs. The purse-like Clare V Grand Fanny looked trés chic—alas, its wide, very flat shape made it awkward to fill, and it had no lining or internal pockets. Another attractive option, the semicircular Cuyana Double Moon Belt Bag, felt bulky on the body while offering scant interior space. Minor History's The Crosstown Sling Bag had an elegant crescent shape, but it too lacked internal organization—and it wasn’t nearly as stylish or luxurious as our leather Maison de Sabré pick.

Considering its appealing price—around $70 for a real-leather pack—we wanted to love the Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag. While it was cute at first glance, it didn’t feel like an amazing value—a number of tells revealed its inexpensive construction, and it’s too small to be very practical.

The generously sized Herschel Pop Quiz Hip Pack got lukewarm marks from testers, and its material was notably stiff and starchy.

The teeny-tiny Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L may be, well, everywhere, but we weren’t wowed. We were particularly annoyed by the large buckle, which refused to lie flat. The same goes for the scaled-up Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag Large 2L, which oddly didn’t feel that much bigger.

We liked the State Lorimer Fanny Pack—it just doesn’t scream “fanny pack.” It had a flat, rectangular shape that felt too large to wear around the waist, and some testers also found it awkward as a crossbody.

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter. A previous version of this article was written by Kaitlyn Wells and Jordan McMahon.

Zoe Vanderweide

I focus on clothing, bags, shoes, and other wearables, plus gear and tips for wardrobe maintenance. The guides I’ve written include those for women’s jeans, white sneakers, cheap sunglasses, bras, and laptop backpacks.

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