The 10 Best Fanny Packs for Hands-Free Adventures

Best Leather: If you want something that’ll pair well with dressier ’fits, this leather fanny pack, which looks like a slim purse and has an adjustable belt, is it. One Quince reviewer said that, while they don’t like the look of nylon belt bags, they still wanted in on the fanny pack trend, and this “minimalist and sleek” one fits the bill and is “the perfect size too.”

Best for Hiking: When you’re heading into the woods for a leisurely hike, you might not need an entire backpack, which is where this small but durable hip bag comes in. It’s water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet, and its ripstop nylon fabric can handle some wear. In fact, one REI reviewer says they’ve used this on hikes five days a week for the last three years and it’s still in perfect condition. “I love this thing and would buy another one no question. Don’t need to though because I think this will last forever!” they said.

Best Large Bag: If you’re looking for something more spacious, this fanny pack is 11 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep, making it even roomier than the big Lululemon bag. One Calpak reviewer says it easily fits their Kindle, and another took it to Disneyland (the ultimate test for a belt bag, in our opinion) and noted how “comfy and convenient” it was, and that it fit all their essentials for the day.

Best for Concerts and Sporting Events: You’ll breeze past stadium security wearing this clear pack. It has a separate front-zippered pocket for your phone, cash, or anything else you may want to grab in a pinch. We like that the strap and zippers come in different colors so you can still show some personality and match the bag to your concert look or favorite team’s colors, despite the fact that it’s mostly clear. “I will keep this for every concert I ever go to!” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “I used this for the Taylor Swift Eras tour and it held EVERYTHING! I have never had a stadium purse that worked this well. It fit all my friendship bracelets and was still within stadium guidelines.”

Best Fanny Pack Diaper Bag: This cute belt bag is a genius hands-free option for caregivers with babies in tow. It’s got a waterproof pocket to hold wet wipes or a dirty onesie, a detachable changing pad that unfolds from the back, card and cash slots, and even a key or pacifier hook. One Nordstrom reviewer said that they’ve “never been happier with a baby purchase!”

Most Stylish: The monochromatic design makes Dagne Dover’s bag feel more modern than the average fanny pack, but it still has a casual, athletic look thanks to the pillowy neoprene fabric. SELF staffer Dana Leigh Smith can attest to how good it looks with any outfit: “I have gotten a ton of compliments on it over the years from my sporty friends as well as my more fashionable friends. I can’t recommend it enough!” The back cleverly includes a card slot where you can keep a train card or ID for easy access, and the inside also has an attached card case, a tiny pocket to secure lip balm, and a key ring, so all of your essentials have a home.

Best for Organization: This bag isn’t bulkier than any other option, but it manages to fit a couple large outer pockets (one in the back and front) to stash items you want at the ready, and it has a divider inside the main compartment for more structure. One Everlane reviewer wrote that it can hold all five of their lip balms (relatable) along with a large wallet, headphones, and keys.

Best for Travel: Adidas reviewers noted how lightweight and durable this sporty bag is (which can be worn as a crossbody or fanny pack) and praised the many individual and different-size compartments for travel days, errands, and carrying kids’ stuff with them.