10 Best Fanny Packs for Hiking of 2024

The Cotopaxi Bataan is a truly unique fanny pack. Each one has a unique colorway designed using off-cuts of scrap fabric to reduce waste – which we can all get behind! While the hodge-podge of bright colors won’t appeal to everyone, we think they’re completely cool and love rocking our one-of-a-kind fanny on trail.

The other major standout of the Bataan is its impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. At 3 liters, this is one of the largest backpacking fanny packs on our list – and it feels even larger than the numbers imply. Its weight is on par with fannies that have about half the capacity, and it’s priced lower than anything comparable.

We love sporting our unique Bataan on the trail, and we’re constantly blown away by how many snacks and small items we’re able to fit in it.

Most of the time it’s relatively easy for us to pick out a drawback or two about a piece of gear, but we really struggled to find a flaw with the Atom Roo. The capacity is just right (we prefer the large size), the materials are high-quality/durable, the pockets are designed to functional perfection, and the Roo is incredibly light for its size.

The Roo is made from off-cuts of VX-21 (210d; more commonly known as X-Pac) used in the construction of Atom’s backpacks. So waste that might’ve ended up in a landfill is instead being used to create this neat little hip pack. VX21 is waterproof and highly tear/abrasion-resistant by nature, but it’s important to keep in mind that the Roo isn’t seam-sealed against downpours.

The only real “drawback” we could think of is that – since the Roo is made from off-cuts of whatever custom backpacks Atom Packs was making that week – you don’t have control over the color. We purchased a custom backpack at the same time we bought our Roo, and to our delight the Roo complimented our backpack beautifully. We reached out to ask if we got lucky or if they often try to match the colors. We were told it’s common – but not guaranteed – to get a Roo in a similar color scheme when you order a custom pack since the same person is likely to be making both pieces.

If you can’t stand to leave it up to chance, you could always go with the Roo RE which comes in black. We chose the large size because it’s a lot more space for a negligible amount of weight added and only $5 more. There’s plenty more praise we’d like to give this hip pack, but in the interest of not being too long-winded we’ll say this: we’re convinced this is as close to perfect as a backpacking fanny pack can get.

Tired of having to take off your backpack and dig around every time you need a small item on day hikes? Ditch the daypack and go with the Osprey Talon (men’s) / Tempest (women’s). This large-capacity fanny pack has plenty of space for essentials on fair-weather hikes when you don’t have to worry about packing bulky layers. There are two water bottle sleeves, a large main compartment, hip pockets, and a front pocket that will keep your items well organized and easily accessible. If you’re familiar with Osprey’s backpacks, then you’ll already know how comfortable and breathable they are. The Talon and Tempest feature the same padding and breathable back panel, so they’ll stay comfortable during long days on trail.

For casual use, you’d be hard-pressed to find a higher quality fanny pack than the Jansport Fifth Avenue at this price point. This bag is built with the same durable materials and built-to-last construction that you remember from your grade school backpack. We love the simple, yet effective pocket design – one large main compartment and a generously sized front zipper compartment keep your items well organized and easy to access. The Fifth Avenue isn’t weather-resistant, so it’s not the best choice for longer hikes or areas with unpredictable weather. But for strolls to the park and everyday use, it’s one of the best and most affordable options available.

We love the value-priced KAVU Spectator for its streamlined design and 90s-esque styling. This small waist pack is made with extra durable 600-denier polyester, so it’s perfect for the demands of everyday use. Because the body fabric isn’t waterproof and doesn’t dry as quickly as others, we don’t recommend the Spectator for any rigorous hiking. But it works well for jaunts on trails in city parks, and then it transitions seamlessly back to town life afterward.

If affordability is your main concern, you won’t find a better deal than the TINYAT Travel Fanny Pack. This sleek waist pack comes in a huge variety of fun colors and patterns and is best suited to travel and casual use. The oblong shape of the TINYAT makes it comfortable and manageable, but it somewhat limits versatility if you have bulkier items (like a large power bank) to tote. That said, we find the pockets of this pack to be very convenient – particularly the zippered back pocket that sits against your body which can be used to conceal sensitive items, like credit cards and a passport during travel.