Best Fanny Pack for Hiking: Our Top 11 for Day Hikes and More

The MountainSmith is a robust lumber pack with a similar design to that of the Osprey – sturdy, durable, and with great compartmentalization. The MountainSmith, however, has a couple of extra thoughtful features that make it our overall top pick.

This hiking fanny pack features lots of functional pockets designed to store everything from a smartphone or tablet to two water bottles. A padded harness and compression straps offer maximum comfort even when the pack is fully-loaded.

Got a lot of stuff but hate rummaging around your backpack? The Osprey Talon 6 (click here for the women’s version Tempest 6) is a robust waist pack with a large, dual-zippered main compartment for stowing your gear and 5 other small pockets for keeping your small essentials organized.

With a medium storage capacity of 6L, hikers with a ton of gear might be better off choosing the MountainSmith Day 13L. But if you like traveling light with just a little more than the basics, the OspreyTalon/Tempest will provide all-day comfort while on the trail.

This sleek and retro option provides just enough room to carefully stow away your essentials. It’s roomy enough to keep all your small gadgets secure and organized, like a smartphone, keys, and passport.

The Spectator features a simple, 2-compartment design, and has other nice features like a padded back panel, adjustable straps, and a side-release buckle.

If you’re looking for a barely-there model to keep you hydrated, check out the CamelBak Podium. This minimalist hydration belt includes 2 liters of storage space and a 21-ounce water sleeve, making it perfect for a quick run or a short hike.

What we love is how optimized for convenience this waist belt is. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, like its easy-access bottle pocket, secure stash pocket for your smartphone, and comfortable and adjustable waist belt.

The Gossamer is a no-fuss hiking waist pack for outdoor enthusiasts that live on the bare essentials. It’s one of the lightest and most affordable waist packs on our list along with the Kavu Spectator.

While the real showstopper of this bag is its lightweight and affordable price tag, you’ll also enjoy useful features like a top opening for quick access, internal mesh pockets, and a secure back pocket.

The REI Co-op is a rugged nylon bag made from sustainable materials. Its deep main compartment holds up to 10 essentials, and there’s also a secret hidden pocket in the back for stashing valuables.

We especially love the daisy chains on the front which allow you to clip on lightweight gear for easy access. Thanks to 5 liters of capacity at only 9oz., it has one of the better weight-to-capacity ratios on our list.

Can a fanny pack stand in for an actual hiking backpack? The MountainSmith Day sure can!

This beast of a lumbar pack is a great choice for gear-heavy hikers. With 13L of storage capacity, your days of overstuffing your pack are over. Add the optional ​​Mountainsmith Strapettes (not included) for easy, backpack-style carrying.

Thanks to its function-first design, you’ll barely feel the weight you’re carrying. A patented compression load adjustment system evenly distributes the weight for easy carrying while back-panel padding and a tuck-away waist belt provide all-day comfort.

If you need a rugged companion to accompany you on your adventures, make it the HMG Versa. Its Dyneema (DCF) construction makes this model pretty pricey, but its waterproof and durable design will keep your gear secure.

Despite its large carrying capacity, it’s still one of the lightest packs on our list. Its large, zippered main compartment will hold a variety of gear and its impressive weight-to-capacity ratio makes it a good choice for heavy packers that want to minimize weight.

This compact model has just enough room to carry your hiking essentials or extra snacks without weighing you down. On top of its fun retro design, it’s made from durable, 100% recycled ripstop nylon and meets Patagonia’s bluesign® criteria.

The main compartment features a convenient key ring clip and security pocket while a soft, flexible webbing belt provides all-day comfort around your waist or hips.

The Bataan is a retro-style hip bag made from repurposed materials. No two are alike since the Cotopaxi brand creates each pack from excess materials left over from their other products.

The result is a classic hip bag with a funky, brightly-colored design. Durable yet lightweight ripstop nylon shell fabric will keep all your gear protected while its mesh and zippered pockets keep your small essentials secure and organized.

The Waterfly is an ultralight fanny pack designed for carrying just the bare essentials. You’ll get lots of versatility out of this waterproof fanny pack as it’s perfectly suitable for sightseeing, trail running, dog walking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities.

Despite its small size, the Waterfly is surprisingly water- and sweat-resistant. You won’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet while you’re exercising, and thanks to a secret anti-theft pocket, you won’t have to worry about your stuff getting stolen either.