Like many trends we thought we’d lost to the ’90s, fanny packs are back, and for travelers, that’s a great thing. The best fanny packs offer a practical way to tote your essentials around—phone, hotel key, sunnies, wallet, passport—for quick, hands-free access. And thanks to the resurgence in popularity over the last few years, there are now designs made specifically for everything from the trail to the city. Whether you want to elevate your summer outfits with an upscale leather piece or are looking for a tough, minimal belt bag for your next hike, there are styles here for you. On this list, you’ll find a mix of vibrant and light colors that will brighten your look as well as classic black options that we’re sure will become old reliables. Read on for 22 of the best fanny packs for travel—but first, a few frequently asked questions to consider.
Jump to:
FAQ:
How do I choose a good fanny pack?
The best fanny packs for travel are versatile, durable, and stylish. With these qualities in mind, we looked for various high-quality options that varied in material, size, adjustability, and price. We found fanny packs that can be worn for multiple occasions, are comfortable on your waist, and offer plenty of space for carrying your must-haves; we made sure they look good, too.
What is the difference between a sling bag and a fanny pack?
They’re very similar—a fanny pack is usually worn around the waist like a belt while a sling bag lays higher across the shoulder and chest. Both offer hands-free comfort, just at different sizes. Fanny packs are often smaller, and have one main compartment pocket, while sling bags can have the bandwidth to hold as much as a backpack or purse.
Are fanny packs ideal for travel?
The short answer—yes. Fanny packs have gone in and out of style but the bag’s practical nature has always made it a popular accessory among travelers. Fanny packs are ideal for occasions where you want to be hands-free, and find more comfort carrying a bag around your waist rather than your shoulder, chest, or back. A large purse or bulky backpack can be burdensome on long travel days.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Kristi Kellogg and Megan Spurrell.
Top fanny packs for travelers
Béis The Belt Bag
The Béis Belt Bag is slim and sleek, but still has plenty of space. The main compartment can fit your lip balm, hand sanitizer, and lotion, while the slot on the back can be used to hold your passport or phone. It’s quite versatile and can be worn around the waist, across the shoulders, or even attached to a suitcase strap.
Dimensions: 5.5″H x 2″W x 7.5″D
Material: Nylon
Rag & Bone Commuter Denim Belt Bag
This hands-free belt bag is both casual and chic thanks to a denim base and leather trim. The neutral colors will pair well with an array of pieces in your closet, making it a sensible statement piece. Inside, the design is simple—just one large main compartment with a slim pocket that can hold cards and a security slot for a passport in the back.
Dimensions: 17″W x 6.5″H x 3″D
Material: Denim
Lululemon 1L Everywhere Belt Bag
Leave it to Lululemon to create a versatile waist pack that’s designed for an active lifestyle. The water-repellent fabric and lightweight material makes it a comfortable bag to carry around all day, no matter what the weather throws at you. In addition to the zippered compartment, there’s an easy-access exterior pocket that can fit cards, cash, or sunglasses (if you slip them in without a case). Senior commerce editor Madison Flager has had this one for years and wears it often; she recommends it for running, cruises, and city trips.
Read a full review here.
Dimensions: 7.5″H x 2″W x 5″D
Material: Polyester, nylon
Dagne Dover Ace fanny pack
Sleek, soft, and durable, neoprene is one of our favorite fabrics, whether it’s a zip-up jacket or a fanny pack, like this one from Dagne Dover. The half-pound, eco-friendly bag is a favorite of travel bookings editor Jamie Spain; it’s lined with Repreve (a fabric made of recycled plastic bottles) and has color-plated hardware. The strap is adjustable and the interior features a handy slot for credit cards. Shop the bag in more than a dozen colors, including heather gray, onyx, navy, and dune, shown above.
Dimensions: 9.25H” x 5.5W” x 2.75D”
Weight: 8 ouches
Material: Neoprene with recycled repreve lining
MZ Wallace Metro belt bag
This quilted nylon belt bag, worn often by associate commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, is among the most versatile on this list—it works as well in the city as it does on a day hike. And if it suddenly becomes your go-to bag for weekends at home, we don’t blame you. Shop the bag in black, navy blue, or pearl white.
Dimensions: 4.5″H x 1.1″W x 7.2″D
Weight: 7 ouches
Material: Leather
Jansport fanny pack
For people who aren’t looking to spend a lot, but still want to get in on the trend, this is a reliable starter bag. The recycled polyester is easy to clean and the large pocket is a simple design while; the compact size means there won’t be much rummaging on your part. Stash keys or a lip balm in the exterior zippered pocket and you’re prepared for anything from a simple stroll to a day out at the beach.
Dimensions: 6″H x 10″W x 4″D
Material: 100 percent recycled denier polyester
Longchamp Energy belt bag
This bag’s adjustable strap is made to be worn around the waist but is long enough to be worn along the shoulders, too—making it perfect for those who are curious about fanny packs but still want versatility. Longchamp’s totes and crossbody bags have long been a Traveler team favorite, so it’s not surprising to see the lightweight canvas belt bag on the list.
Dimensions: 10″H x 6″W x 2″D
Material: Canvas, nylon, cowhide
Fila fanny pack
Logo lettering over a solid background makes for a fresh, sporty option that’s a perennial bestseller on Amazon. The competitively-priced bag has two zip pockets and an adjustable strap. It’s available in several colors, including red, navy, and white.
Dimensions: 5″H x 12″W x 3″D
Material: 100 percent woven nylon
Paravel fold-up belt bag
The ultimate packable fanny pack—this one from Paravel folds up into a small pouch and can be quickly expanded. It can be worn multiple ways, is so lightweight, and has multiple compartments to keep everything organized. Bonus: This one can be personalized with custom embroidery.
Dimensions: 5″H x 2″W x 8″D
Weight: 4.96 ouches
Material: Negative nylon made from plastic bottles
Away sling bag
Organization is a cinch with this multi-compartment sling bag. There’s a quick-access back pocket, and the zippered front compartment reveals two additional pockets within. The bag (which is big enough to hold a standard water bottle) is made of water-resistant nylon and features leather trim.
Dimensions: 11″H x 2.6″W x 6.5″D
Weight: 11.2 ouches
Luka Belt Bag
This belt bag is on the larger side, so it’s best for day trips when you might need to carry some extras like snacks, a water bottle, or even a bathing suit. It is made of scratch-resistant nylon and has an adjustable strap that lets you wear it as a crossbody if you prefer.
Dimensions: 11″H x 5.5″W x 3.5″D
Weight: 8 ouches
Material: Polyester
Best fanny packs for hiking and camping
Athleta Excursion belt bag
If you’re planning to go on a hike and don’t need a backpack, check out the Excursion belt bag. While it’s quite large, it’s still very lightweight. It has compression straps that’ll keep your items nice and secure, limiting any movement inside the bag while you’re running, jogging, or climbing. It’s one of the more versatile fanny packs on our list, too—with adjustable and detachable straps, you can create a more personalized look and fit.
Dimensions: 7″H x 4″W x 16″D
Material: Recycled nylon and polyester
Carharrt waist pack
For those days when you need to carry a few extra items, the Carharrt waist pack is a reliable option. It’s slightly larger, offering enough room to keep a few snacks with you for a long day of hiking. There’s a large main compartment, a front zippered compartment to store smaller items, and two exterior loops that allow you to attach additional gear.
Dimensions: 11.5″H x 6″W x 4.5″D
Material: 600 denier polyester with rain defender durable water repellent
Herschel Fifteen fanny pack
This top-rated Amazon find from Herschel features a clip-fastened adjustable strap, zipper closure, and fully-lined interior. It’s available in more than 10 colors and patterns, including rose (pictured), light gray, navy, and goes-with-everything black.
Dimensions: 7.75″H x 6.25″W x 2′”D
Material: Canvas
Adidas fanny pack
This sporty fanny pack is perfect for active travelers—it’s lightweight, compact, and features the Adidas logo on the front. There’s a main compartment for your phone, wallet, keys, and a smaller front zippered compartment for items like lip balm or Airpods.
Dimensions: 29″H x 8″W x 10″D
Weight: 4.8 ouches
Material: Polyester
Best designer fanny packs
Campomaggi Brato belt bag
Campomaggi bags are handmade by Italian craftsman using world class leather. The result? A timeless piece you’ll wear everywhere. The Brato belt bag boast an impressive 15.5 inches of space inside the main compartment, and is made of a leather that gets softer over time, making it more comfortable with each wear without changing the integrity of the bag. It’s a belt bag you’ll pay a pretty penny for, but you won’t need to buy another for years to come.
Dimensions: 15.5″W x 8″H x 4″D
Material: Leather
Moncler Felicie belt bag
Moncler has intricately crafted a belt bag for those who are looking for an ultra-casual yet chic alternative to the common fanny pack. Made from nylon, the belt bag has been quilted with diamond-shaped padding with a pin that features Moncler’s recognizable logo.
Dimensions: 6″H x 9″W x 3″D
Material: Nylon, leather, and polyester
Prada logo belt bag
For a belt bag that is as fabulous as the pied-à-terre you’re renting in Paris (IRL or in your dreams), look to Prada. Made of a decadent calfskin, the bag loops through a gorgeous leather belt. It zips open along the top and feels like a purse more than a fanny pack—yet its belt means you can cinch it around a flowing dress or loop it through structured pants for a day of hitting the museums in style.
Dimensions: 4.3″H x 18.5″W x 2.4″D
Material: Calf leather body with recycled nylon lining
YSL monogram belt bag
If you’re looking to splurge on a more elevated bag that’s still casual enough to wear during the day, this leather YSL belt bag is a great pick. The gold detail and iconic YSL logo will never go out of style, and give the bag a chic, polished look that means you can confidently pair it with fancier outfits at night, too.
Dimensions: 9.8″H x 5.5″W x 1.3″D
Material: Calfskin leather
Best waterproof and water-resistant fanny packs
Lux and Nyx Origami belt bag
A unique pleated design makes this fanny pack a statement piece. It’s a personal favorite of mine—in addition to the main compartment, one of the folds in the front hides a smaller zippered pocket that can house keys or your phone. It also has built-in credit card slots, an adjustable belt strap with a magnetic clasp, and is made from water-resistant materials that make it easy to clean.
Dimensions: 5″H x 8″W x 2″D
Material: Satin with upcycled leather trimming
Fjällräven Kånken water resistant belt bag
Swedish brand Fjällräven unsurprisingly nailed an effortlessly chic pack. The super-light bag—it weighs less than five ounces—is great for hikes, and has three zippered compartments that can fit small items like sunscreen and power bars. Seen here in pink, it’s also available in corn yellow, black, royal purple, and arctic green.
Dimensions: 4.7″H x 7″W x 3.5″D
Weight: 4.7 ouches
Material: Vinyl
Baboon to the Moon fanny pack
It’s no secret that we’re fans of cult luggage brand Baboon. From their duffels to the totes, everything they make comes in bright, eye-popping colors and unisex shapes that are easy to wear. Their three-liter fanny pack is no exception. The water-repellent nylon is durable without looking too sporty, and the mix of colors to choose from is anything but boring. Even better, this medium-sized bag has plenty of compartments, including a backside zipper for keeping valuables safe, and an interior clip to grab hold of your keys or wallet. Because of the size, it’s also super versatile, and can hold its own whether you’re hitting the streets of Seoul or hiking in Oregon.
Dimensions: 5″H x 10″W x 2.5″D
Weight: 6.8 ouches
Material: Nylon, polyester
