The "waist" pack is cool again

The have seen the bags mentioned above and never once in this current version have I seen one worn fanny pack style. Every time I have seen one, it has been worn slung crossbody style or has been a very stylish belt with a small attached wallet worn by some model thin person. Don’t wear a fanny pack the old school way thinking that it looks cool unless you are somehow, as my teen son would say, doing it ironically or very thin.

I lived through that trend once. Not doing it again! When I see the people wearing one cross body, all I can think is, "It's still a fanny pack!"

The big different is in the name - they're not called fanny packs anymore (which is a good idea, especially if you're traveling to England). :) Not only Belt Bag, but I've seen Hip Pack and Waist Pack (which is what they're called at Tom Bihn). So as long as you don't call them a fanny pack, you're cool if you wear one. 😉

The most insecure way to carry anything, a pickpockets delight.

I have a vast array of belt bags which I have been wearing since 2002. I have leather, fabric, and nylon in solids and prints. My favorite is a Vera Bradley gray quilted one which converts to a proper crossbody just by adding an extra strap. I have 2 of the aforementioned lululemon bags. I just received one as a gift in navy blue from my very hip niece. I like them because it makes me limit the ‘crap’ I can carry with me and it doesn’t bother my shoulders or back after a long day of sightseeing. I never have to worry about leaving it behind in a restaurant or even a restroom. I crowded situations I keep my hand on top to deter any pickpockets. And yes, I wear them around my waist. Luckily they fit.

They have been back “in fashion” for a couple of years now.

My 15 year old son wears one, cross body style as is the rage these days, I tease him mercilessly every time he wears it. They look ridiculous now as they did the first time they were popular. I can imagine his reaction if I called it a fanny pack!

They're just so doggone convenient, but nowadays I have a small backpack, or daypack, to carry water, snacks, and so forth.

I'm gonna have to look into the more sophisticated belt. I don't want people giggling at me.

It actually helps to have a big beer belly so you can rest your arms on it, and the "waist pack."

the fanny pack is now trendy

Maybe on some, but not anyone on this forum.

But seriously, I have worked hard over the last 5-10 years to be comfortable with ditching any "day bag". I have become content to have only my phone (it is my map, guidebook, camera, notepad, copies of tickets/reservations, and much of the time my wallet) and a clip with a few euros and a credit card.

I rarely need anything else, and it makes wandering through the day so much easier.

It's been my observation that whatever the fashion mags try to pimp as cool, looks ridiculous on normal people. As a utilitarian tool, I think they sometimes make sense. But as high fashion, no.

I agree with Stan. They can be very helpful in carrying bare necessities, passport, cash, etc, but I am hard pressed to call them fashionable. I find the bulky ones to be obnoxious, but a flat waist bag can be quite helpful.

Paul, I haven't yet figured out how not to use a day bag, but I'd like to ditch it. The thing is it comes in handy at times if someone wants a snack or a drink, and also to store rain gear and an umbrella, etc.

Stan, it's sort of like wearing a cowboy hat. Some people look good in them but most just look funny and out of place. Almost like playing dress up unless you're a real cowboy.

I have one that rotates to the front and has a fold down tray with a drink holder. That way I can have a beer and burger while waiting in line at the Eiffel Tower.

The thing is it comes in handy at times if someone wants a snack or a drink, and also to store rain gear and an umbrella, etc.

I get it, but I decided I really do not need to carry a water bottle with me, if I need to hydrate or need a snack, that is the perfect excuse to sit and people watch for a while, or pop into a store for something. As for rain gear, if it is raining, I wear my jacket out, if it stops, it goes around my shoulders or waist. If it is a "maybe it might, maybe not" kind of rain day, I have learned to live dangerously.

This is for urban and in town kind of days, if I am hiking in the hills, then sure, pack a light bag.

I have one that rotates to the front and has a fold down tray with a drink holder. That way I can have a beer and burger while waiting in line at the Eiffel Tower.

Admiring glance and nodding of head from me. Let's see if Emily in Paris is sporting one soon.

BMBGWV, yes! I look like Ralphie in A Christmas Story in my Akubra.

Hip packs have been trendy in Germany for at least 3-4 years, but they do not wear them around their waist, they wear them cross body. Everyone wears them like this. Teens, adults, boys, girls, women and men.

Please do not call them fanny packs. Seriously.

I do wear one on the Camino every day and occasionally here in Frankfurt if I want to go filming. Perfect for my gimbal, glasses and phone.

Regardless, what the current name is, I prefer calling it "waist belt" Waist pack is also a good description.

Since 2001 my waist belt is that made by Eagle Creek, the current one is less bulky , somewhat smaller than what Eagle Creek offered 20 years ago.

I never travel without it, either domestically or in Europe. Out and about . it's a given to have it on, visible and right up front, very handy and convenient below the belt.

I think you may be confusing the older style fanny packs with the current very large crossbody bags that do not have straps, rather are belted in the back. Two totally different things. Think Lululemon everywhere bag. These are just daily use bags and I think perfect for travel. I don't like them because I think I would get too hot and my chest would not allow the look I was going for.

Just envisioning Big Mike flipping through the fashion mags - a vision I never thought I'd see....

Paul, that makes sense.

Stan, I'm just trying to upgrade my look from a John Deere baseball cap and a sleeveless t-shirt to show off my guns.

Nigel, it's never too late to improve one's appearance. That German cross-body thing has promise.

I've been using an Eagle Creek belt-pack for many years. It sits by my left hand, serves as the "personal item" on flights with tablet, Kindle, earbuds to exchange for hearing aids on flights, itineraries and confirmations, receipts as acquired, pocket calendar, pen/pencil, notebook, foreign currency, and more. On the ground it holds a guidebook, water bottle, whatever else I need that day. Sure it's vulnerable, but my hand is almost always on top of it. It has a shoulder strap that I seldom use. I'm still a paper guy and this is my travelling office.

In a Mexico airport I was putting it through the detector and the employee asked me what it was called in Spanish. I said it was a belt pack, cinturon bolsa. Probably not grammatically correct but he got it.

But a fashion item -- no way! Marks anyone as a tourist, as if there was any doubt to begin with! ;-)

Dick, you're old school. I like it!

They can also be called “lumbar packs” like the one my husband has.

https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-lumbar-packs/products/cona-4

So tonight he asked me why the word can have such a suggestive meaning in the UK now, when the name Fanny (short for Frances) was quite common in Britain in the 1800’s. Think Jane Austin’s Fanny Price, for one.

I searched for answers and found this article, which doesn’t explain the “why” but does go into the history, with literary references, and the differences between the US and UK usage.

https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2017/02/fanny.html

Lola, I like the term lumber packs. It seems manly. I'm a lumberjack!

Lumberjacks of yesteryear

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Lumberjack+Song+Original&&view=detail&mid=845B6084CBE74E815887845B6084CBE74E815887&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3F%26q%3DLumberjack%2BSong%2BOriginal%26FORM%3DVRPATC%26form%3DVDRSCL

Regards Ron

Made me giggle! Thanks Big Mike! 😄
Do we call them “Champagne problems” as far as deciding if they are cool? This post thread just cracked me up! Good thing we all have a good sense of humor!

Despite the fact that the fannypack identifies you has a tourist, I use a Pacsafe anti-theft fannypack and I challenge a pickpocket to get into it. Everything is locked down and its cut proof. On my recent trip I used an older smaller one, and simply put a mini combination lock on the latches, but the times before I used a newer larger one, that had a self-locking mechanism but it was too bulky. We also used a smaller security day pack - and it successfully resisted some grabbing hands on a tram in Lyon - and they did not get anything. I use an Osprey backpack Porter 30 where you zip it up, then can put the zippers behind a flap which is locked down. And of course, I am always on guard for pick pockets - having had numerous experiences with them.

So, it is a bit like a chastity belt?

RailRider - A waist pack/hip pack/urban belt/ etc. does not identify you as a tourist when all the locals are wearing them. Granted, they are wearing them cross body, but so can you. This is not a tourist identifier.

Have you not read all the posts here? One, that they are trendy and not a tourist item and Two, that you should call them something different, not fanny pack.

To be clear, whether or not you decide to use one, cross body, around your waist, as a chastity device, whatever.
Fanny packs were never cool.
Waist packs are not cool now.
"Coolness" should not be a consideration.

""Coolness" should not be a consideration."

Never cared, never will.

"Marks you as a tourist"

As members of this forum continually claim, you're marked as a tourist anyway, from a myriad of things. Don't care about that as well.

And yes, I wear one all the time traveling. And in front where no, I do not believe in pickpockets getting through the zippers. If I'm feeling paranoid I twist a couple of bread ties through the opposing zippers.

So, it is a bit like a chastity belt?

My wife suggests that my entire wardrobe has the effect of a chastity belt, so a waist/fanny/day/cross belt should fit right in on me.

Just to clarify, as Ms. Jo has said, the hip pack or waist pack or whatever you want to call it, does NOT mark you as a tourist, as most locals are wearing them.

I think many years ago it did, especially the way Americans wore them, but the ones today can be worn all over the upper body - waist, hip, back, and crossbody and are worn that way all over.

It's the same fallacy people still spout about athletic shoes. Don't wear them because they make you look like a tourist, which is ridiculous because most locals in Europe are wearing athletic shoes, just like the out-of-towners. There might be a few exceptions (I'm looking at you, Paris) but not many.

Allan, ha ha ha!!!

I have used a variously a lumbar pack, sling or cross body messenger bag for over 30 years for a simple reason. They are the most convenient and safest way to carry what I need our for a day on the town. Backpacks are great when you want to carry a ton of stuff but a real headache when you need fast access to cash or a camera. Plus, worn on a back, they are a thief’s dream.

90% of the younger crown wearing these waist bags would never wear them as such simply because it is much less convenient.

Whether wearing a waist belt makes one conspicuous or vulnerable as a visitor or not is irrelevant. Also irrelevant if a target.

Without it or having it on, I have tourist written all over me anyway, but then so what? Are "they" going to come after me?

Wearing an Eagle Creek waist belt unconcealed since 2001, I've never come close to getting picked, don't expect it to happen either. The "coolness" factor is an individual decision. I don't include that in choosing to wear the waist belt. As long as I travel, that waist belt will be on.

I rarely if ever see anyone but a tourist with a cross-body F-pack or pack, so maybe that's a thing in urban areas or Europe.

I notice it's called an F-pack on Amazon so it must not be politically incorrect or anti-woke.

Tassie Devil: My birth control glasses work much better than any chastity belt.

My German cousins wear them crossbody. They aren’t tourists.

"Backpacks are great when you... Plus, worn on a back, they are a thief’s dream. "

No, they're not. How you wear them makes them a "dream" or not.

I wear a light backpack most of the time. Anytime I'm "close" to other people, subway or such, the pack comes off my back and down on the floor in front of me between my legs. That and situational awareness has had me with no problems in traveling (and using public transport) in New York City, Paris, and several Cities in Italy. Hard to say if I've just been lucky or not but I don't believe so. I got "vibes" off a few people in crowded subway cars in Paris. Just looked straight at them, no problems.

My German cousins wear them crossbody. They aren’t tourists.

Yeah, I saw a lot of them worn by Germans when I was there this year. In fact, I saw one local woman wearing one that was so cute, I asked her where she got it, and I bought one myself. I love it for when I'm out walking during the day. I mostly use it at home, though, since I carry more stuff with me when traveling.

Big Mike - it has nothing to do with being "woke". It has to do with meaning of the word in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, etc. In the British countries, it means vagina. So, please, go ahead and continue calling it that if you like, but personally I prefer not to as do many others.