The 10 Best Fanny Packs for Hands-Free Adventures

Like so many trends of the ’90s, belt bags have officially become cool again—and given that they’re also comfortable and functional, we’re totally on board. The best fanny packs provide a Goldilocks solution between balancing your phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, and beverage in one hand and carrying a giant, constantly-slipping purse for just a few essentials. They’re a practical option when you’re heading out on a jog, dancing at a concert, running a quick errand, or really doing anything where you want to be hands-free or only need a few basic items. To help you find the cutest, most useful bags out there, we scoured online reviews and asked SELF staffers to share their favorites. We selected casual, sporty ones and sleek leather options in a bunch of colors, shapes, and sizes—there’s definitely a pack here you’ll be happy to have attached to your hip.

Our top picks:

Best Overall: Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Best for Running: Fitgriff Running Belt
Best Leather: Quince 100% Italian Nappa Leather Belt Bag
Best for Hiking: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
Best Large Bag: Calpak Luka Belt Bag
Best for Concerts and Sporting Events: Veckle Clear Fanny Pack
Best Fanny Pack Diaper Bag: Kibou Diaper Bag
Most Stylish: Dagne Dover Ace Water Resistant Neoprene Belt Bag
Best for Organization: Everlane Renew Transit Bag
Best for Travel: Adidas Originals Rectangle Crossbody

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Photo courtesy of Lululemon1LululemonEverywhere Belt Bag 1L$38 LULULEMONBest Overall: Look, there’s a reason why this bag has sold out over and over again—it’s sleek, simple, and fits everything you need. I’ve had it for a couple years, and while it’s great in any season, it’s my absolute go-to in the summer months when I don’t have jacket pockets to hold my keys and wallet for a quick errand. I’ve worn it on walks, to concerts, and even while floating down a lazy river. (FYI, it’s not waterproof, but I only needed it to hold my sunscreen.) I especially like the zippered back pocket, which keeps my phone separate from everything else—that way I don’t have to open the main pouch to quickly access it and switch songs or reply to a text.The regular size works for me, but if you want something a little roomier, try the Everywhere Belt Bag Large, which is double the size. SELF’s associate wellness director, Cathryne Keller, is a huge fan: “I love the big one because I believe in always being prepared, and whether I’m traveling or running errands, that size allows me to comfortably fit hand sanitizer, sunglasses, tissues, bandaids, a Tide To-Go stick, etc. There’s even enough room for my reusable produce bags—a big plus since it’s my go-to bag for grocery runs.”
Amazon2FitgriffRunning Belt$18 AMAZONBest for Running: There are few things more annoying when you’re trying to PR or just out for a casual jog than a belt bag that bounces with every stride. This fanny pack will hold the essentials and won’t budge. SELF’s lifestyle writer, Jenna Ryu, recently started using it for her training: “I’m so surprised at how this stays in place, even for longer 10-mile runs,” she says. “It fits my keys and even a snack, and I love that the strap is adjustable depending on what I wear. It’s also super slim and light (even with everything inside it), so I don’t notice that I’m wearing it.”ADVERTISEMENT

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Quince3Quince100% Italian Nappa Leather Belt Bag$60 QUINCEBest 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.”
REI4PatagoniaUltralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack$35 REIBest 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.