Hot Take: Fanny Packs are Amazing for Travel
Yes, I’m serious
I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere during the past six months of around-the-world travel, I fell in love with my fanny pack.
I’ve worn that fanny pack slung over one shoulder in chic European capitals and rugged, rainy hiking trails—and through it all, my little two-pocket Patagonia fanny pack has become my ride or die go-to day bag for just about every situation.
And here’s why:
- It holds everything I use on a daily basis
- It’s absurdly easy to carry no matter what I’m doing
Those two things might sound kind of “meh” to you, but when you travel as much as I do, finding a small, lightweight, functional bag you can just sling over one shoulder is a game-changer.
And while the fanny pack (or “bum bag” or “sling” if you prefer) has definitely made a comeback in recent years, I still think it’s under-appreciated — especially by travelers. In fact, after a few months of testing, I can say with confidence that a fanny pack might be one of the most useful things you can pack.
Yeah. I said it.
Here are three reasons why I love my fanny pack so dang much and why you should definitely get one before your next trip.
The best day bag is no day bag
A small backpack (aka “day bag”) is great for exploring the city or taking on a short hike. You can pack an extra layer, a water bottle, laptop or tablet, DSLR camera, tripod, extra battery, some snacks, and even a book for downtime at a cafe. Heck, you can even bring your super annoying drone with you everywhere you go. No one will like you, but it will fit in a day bag.
But that’s a lot of stuff.
And while you might need a few of those things for longer days on the road, you’re probably carrying too much stuff in your Fjallraven.
I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t the whole point of a day bag to carry all your stuff?
Actually, no it’s not.
The point of a “day bag” is to carry what you need for the day. It’s not a Mary Poppins bag-of-holding crammed with every single item that might be useful. A big day bag just encourages overpacking (and makes you a target for theft). Plus, it’s a pain in the ass to carry around all day.
Unless you’re a working photographer or you need to carry around vital medical equipment like medication or an EpiPen, you probably don’t need anything more than just your phone, keys, and wallet and what fits in a fanny pack.
What fits in a fanny pack
Minimalist travel isn’t just about packing a small carry on bag for the flight. You have to manage packing bloat after you land to take in more of your destination without a bulky day bag holding you back.
When you leave the house/hostel/homestay/Airbnb you should ask yourself: What do I need today?
Then bring exactly that. No more no less. The following items can all fit in my fanny pack at once (although it doesn’t happen too often).
Phone, Wallet, Keys (pants pockets, no day bag required)
Honestly, everything I need usually fits neatly in just my pants/shorts pockets. That means I don’t even carry a fanny pack sometimes opting to explore au natural (without a day bag). It’s a great feeling to explore a city with nothing weighing you down. I highly recommend it.
If however, you need to bring a few other things, here’s what else I typically carry in my fanny pack while I travel.
Water bottle (clipped to the strap of the fanny pack)
Clipping my water bottle to the fanny pack strap instead of stuffing it into a bag actually makes for super easy drinking. And it’s surprisingly comfortable.
It’s also why I travel with the slightly smaller (0.7L) collapsible Vapur water bottle instead of something bulkier like a Nalgene or Swell bottle.
And the best part is, when I’m finished I can just fold up the water bottle and tuck it away in my fanny pack or back pocket. No more bulky bottle.
DJI Osmo Pocket
On days when I’m shooting video, I bring the DJI Osmo Pocket. It’s one of the smallest 4K gimbal cameras around, and the fact that it fits in my fanny pack makes me much more likely to use it. Plus, I can tuck it away when I’m not in shooting mode and still enjoy my day without a bulky camera dangling from my neck or the anxiety people get from lugging around expensive (heavy) camera gear.
Extra layers
This is a big one for some people, and if you need lots of layers, maybe a fanny pack isn’t the best choice for you. However, I never need more than a few thin layers for almost any destination. If it gets hot, I take off a layer and drape my sweater or shirt through the fanny pack strap and keep on trucking. It works like a charm.
Bluetooth headphones
When I need em, my headphones fit effortlessly in the small organization pocket on the front of the fanny pack.
Snacks
I like to snack my way through a city, usually with a coffee in a cafe, but I also get hangry if my blood sugar drops. I can toss a fruit leather and a few small candies in the front pocket of the fanny pack for emergencies.
Bluetooth keyboard
As a travel writer, I obviously use my laptop a lot. But I don’t always want to be shackled to a heavy, expensive computer. On days when I know I’ll end up at a cafe, I bring my foldable Bluetooth keyboard to get some writing or emailing done.
It’s a little thing, but a physical keyboard makes me a lot more productive. And it fits in a fanny pack.
Passport
If I need my passport for the day (usually travel days), it easily fits in the main pocket of the fanny pack. I always know where it is, and it’s super easy to keep with me without worrying about it getting damaged in my pocket or worse, falling out.
Airport security
Speaking of travel days, my fanny pack is a straight-up beast whenever I go to the airport. I empty my pockets and load up the fanny pack with everything I need for the flight—wallet, snacks, headphones, keyboard, even an eye mask, and sleeping pills—then stow it in my backpack or simply take it off at security.
Bonus points: I never have to fumble around to get everything I need once I board the plane. I just put my bag in the overhead compartment and sit down. It’s great.
Once you start using a fanny pack, you’ll be stunned by how much stuff you can actually fit in there (and how much stuff you don’t actually need). Seriously, embrace the simplicity of a fanny pack. It’ll change the way you travel.
Fanny packs are safer than backpacks
While I obviously love the streamlined functionality of a fanny pack, I think the real reason I wear it so often is because it keeps my stuff safe. I’ve been pickpocketed in the past, and also just lost my phone while traveling due to bad pockets and carelessness. A fanny pack fixes both problems.
I never have to worry about stuff slipping out of my pocket on the bus or in a cab, and you have to be a ninja to steal from a fanny pack. It’s literally on my chest, inches from my face. Good luck, Ocean’s 11.
When it comes to security, fanny packs are just way better than backpacks.
I’ve seen more and more people carrying their backpacks on their chests to keep their belongings close. And while I get the impulse—backpacks are notoriously easy to steal from since your stuff is literally in your blind spot—the bag-on-the-chest look still isn’t a great solution to theft.
When you clutch your bag to your chest, it just makes you look like you have something worth stealing. Plus, it looks super cool and not at all super duper sweaty.
A small sling bag, on the other hand, is designed to be worn on your chest. That alone makes it a much safer travel option. Plus, you won’t have to spend $300 for a “slash-proof” backpack or wear your Jansport on your chest to deter thieves. Just get a fanny pack and keep your valuables where you can see em.
But that’s not the only way fanny packs help keep your stuff safe.
Fanny packs are hands-free storage
When you walk around all day, you’ll eventually sit down at a cafe or park bench. If you have a backpack you have to put your bag on the ground or around your chair or dangle it off your knee or something. It’s not ideal.
Lots of thieves target travelers when they take their backpacks off—especially if you’re on your phone and not really paying attention to your surroundings.
Unlike a backpack, a fanny pack can stay safely on your body, even if checking Google maps or editing that sweet pic for the gram.
And what about when you’re at a coffee shop or restaurant and you have to go to the bathroom? If you’re alone you can ask that random guy sitting next to you to watch your stuff, but that’s not great. The alternative is that you pack everything up and bring it with you to the (probably gross) public bathroom. Cool. I hope there’s a hook on the back of the door.
With a fanny pack, you don’t have to worry about that. You just sling it over your shoulder for a safe, and even hands-free toilet time experience with all your stuff. Easy peezy.
The list of risks goes on, but suffice it to say that a fanny pack is exponentially more secure than a backpack in almost every travel scenario, including crowded busses, overnight trains (yes, I sleep with mine if I’m worried about security), and just walking through a crowded city square. If you’re a nervous person, embrace the peace of mind that comes with ye old fanny pack.
Ultimate minimalist travel
Functionality and security are nice, but the main reason I love my fanny pack so much is that it’s really all I need.
I’ve been writing about minimalist packing and travel for the past eight years, and while I’m a pretty bare-bones traveler, I never realized how much using a fanny pack simplified my daily travel habits.
I’ve stopped lugging around just-in-case items and instead, plan my day ahead of time. I’m actually more prepared than ever because I have to make decisions about my day before I step out the door. And I like that.
A fanny pack is the solution to overpacking. It’s also all you need to enjoy just about anywhere. As long as my fanny pack continues to carry everything I need day-in-and-day-out, I’m going to keep rocking the heck out of it.
And I’m going to look cool as hell doing it.
