Say goodbye to your mother’s fanny pack. These days, belt bags keep everything you need easily accessible without sacrificing style. Think new chic designs that switch into a crossbody when so desired or styles with water-resistant materials for easy travel. Whether you’re headed to an amusement park, concert or hike, we found the perfect fanny packs and belt bags that’ll help keep you hands-free while your essentials stay close.
1
Best Overall
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag (Extended Strap)
Material: Recycled nylon body with polyester liner and mesh | Closure: Zipper | Strap length: 41.7 inches
Considered a favorite among GH Textiles Lab pros, this fanny pack from Lululemon is the quintessential bag for long walks or other outdoor adventures. It has an adjustable strap that helps this pick fit a variety of body types and lets you wear it in different ways. One tester says she wore this pick while playing with her kid, and it made her a “belt bag convert” as it’s much more convenient than her other purses without sacrificing style. Product Analyst Grace Wu added: “I bought this bag a few years ago, but it still looks just as good.”
2
Best Value
JanSport Fifth Avenue
Material: Polyester | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 50 inches
For $20, this no-frills fanny pack is an excellent budget-friendly find. In our Lab tests, JanSport fabrics have proved to be abrasion-resistant. Thousands of online reviewers echo that sentiment, raving that this minimalist fanny pack is sleek while still able to hold the essentials. Online reviewers said the brand’s “customer service is world-class,” too.
3
Most Stylish
Fawn Design The Fawny Pack
Material: Pebbled faux leather | Closure: Belt | Strap length: 44 inches
Famous for its best-selling diaper bag, Fawn Design’s fanny pack impressed GH Textiles Lab pros. Made with premium faux leather and gold metal hardware, you can customize this pick with a different strap for a chic look. Our pros love that it has a roomy interior without looking massive for a versatile piece that can easily be worn out at night or on your daily walk.
4
MOST DURABLE
Athleta All About Belt Bag
Material: 69% polyester and 31% recycled polyester | Closure: Belt | Strap length: 50 inches
With a bit more structure than others on this list, the Athleta belt bag adopts a rectangular silhouette that seamlessly stashes wallets and phones. It’s also easier to peek inside and spot belongings without any falling out. “The Athleta belt bag followed my mom on her European travels, toting her passport, phone, sunglasses and on,” says GH Editor Jacqueline Saguin. “By the end of it, it only needed some spot cleaning.”
5
Best for Travel
Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack
Material: Neoprene | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 36 inches
Made with Dagne Dover’s signature neoprene fabric, this fanny pack is ideal for travel as it has a spacious interior and excellent organizational pockets for easy access. GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich loves this pack, saying it’s “such a compliment-getter” and that it’s “not only super chic, but it’s durable: I’ve had it for over two years, and it still looks brand new!” If the bag’s dirty after a long vacation, you can hand wash this pick to keep it fresh trip after trip.
6
Best Sling
Free People Idle Hands Sling
Material: Leather | Closure: Belt | Strap length: 36 inches
Editors and analysts alike are proud wearers of Free People’s sling-style bags. This fun bag emulates the shape of a fanny pack but wears like a crossbody. It’s available in 14 vivid shades, including hot pink, lime green and fiery red. Online reviewers rave that it even replaced their favorite belt bags. One wrote: “Got this bag right before a trip to Spain, and it was perfect! I wanted a stylish crossbody that could hold a lot of stuff, and it definitely did the job!”
7
Best Athleisure
Fjallraven Kanken Water-Resistant Belt Bag
Material: Vinyl | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 42.5 inches
Perfect for summer exploring, this water-resistant fanny pack from Fjallraven comes in six shades and has multiple pockets, keeping everything you need secure and accessible. GH fiber scientists appreciate that the material is not only easy to clean, but stays in great shape even after extensive use. Testers have worn this pack to outdoor music festivals, on long hikes and on international vacations, loving that it can be dressed up or down.
8
Best for Running
SPIbelt Running Belt
Material: Nylon, spandex | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 47 inches
With a Fitness Award under its belt, this pouch is the perfect companion for runners who can’t be weighed down by pockets or armbands. Our testers were impressed by the sheer amount that fit inside the deceptively small running belt. One marathon runner said, “I really love how convenient and secure this belt is. It surprisingly fits a lot in its stretchy compartment. It is extremely lightweight, which is perfect for my runs!”
9
Most Spacious
BAGGU Fanny Pack
Material: Nylon | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 48 inches
Outfitted in pretty blush pink and stylish denim, the Baggu marries fashion and practicality. Its outer nylon fabric safely stashed belongings for our staffers. One GH editor was equally impressed by its roomy compartments. She even fit a book and snacks, with room to spare. “I appreciate the zippered interior pocket for storing more precious items you don’t want to lose (i.e. your ID card),” our staffer says. “It is a little bulky compared to other fanny pack styles, but you’ll still be able to squish it down to pack away in your suitcase.”
10
Most Trendy
The Drop Preston Belt Bag
Material: Polyurethane | Closure: Belt | Strap length: 42.5 inches
The glossy exterior of this stylish fanny pack from The Drop on Amazon makes this affordable pick look way more luxurious. With one large interior and a small back zipper pocket, this pick holds everything you need without feeling bulky. Testers appreciate the longer strap that makes it size-inclusive and rave about its dressier design, ideal to wear from dinner to dancing.
11
Best for Hiking
WATERFLY Fanny Pack with Water Bottle Holder
Material: Nylon | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 14.2 inches
Fanny packs continue to impress style experts, but they also serve a functional purpose for outdoor adventures. Staying properly hydrated is a must when hitting the trails, and this pick from Waterfly has two compartments to hold water bottles. The large interior can hold an impressive amount of items, according to Amazon reviewers. GH pros cannot wait to put this style to the test!
12
Best Clear
Wododo Shiny Neon Fanny Bag
Material: Polyurethane | Closure: Buckle | Strap length: 52 inches
Some concert venues and festivals only allow clear bags, so this clear fanny pack from Wododo on Amazon is ideal as it’ll hold necessities for the event while keeping you hands-free. The water-resistant PU material will also keep your items protected from splashes at the beach or pool. One tester loved that this fanny pack was a “music festival game-changer,” as it made check-in through security super easy.
