One of the most surprising trends in recent years has been the re-emergence of the belt bag — the accessory formerly known as the fanny pack (or, in the United Kingdom, the bum bag). Yes, the stalwart option for 1990s Dads has returned with a stylish vengeance and men’s fanny packs are as popular as ever.
Whether you wear them around the waist or as a crossbody, the best fanny packs for men are here to stay — and for a good reason. The Y2K fashion revival may be going strong in 2022, but that doesn’t mean the fashion world’s obsession with the 90s has slowed down. And now that festival season is right around the corner, these bags are back in fashion. Like dad shoes and Hawaiian shirts, these accessories are dorky in the best possible way.
Keep reading to check out some awesome waist bags to rock in 2022, with stylish, colorful and practical options for every sense of style.
1. Patagonia Black Hole Belt Bag
BEST OVERALL
The only thing the Black Hole is missing at this point is the kitchen sink — but given just how much it can hold, we’re sure you can find a way to fit that in there as well. Equally, at home on the trails or at Coachella, this durable men’s belt bag will be by your side for years to come. If you want to make sure you’ve got a waist pack that can hold almost everything, Patagonia’s Black Hole bag should be your first and last stop. Made from a highly durable, 100% recycled polyester, the Black Hole is completely weatherproof to ensure all of your items will be dry even if you get caught in a monsoon.
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2. Herschel x Prince Seventeen Hip Pack
RUNNER UP
When you write about men’s bags as much as we do, Herschel products are ubiquitous. No matter what type of bag we’re writing about, Herschel has a high-quality option for guys to consider, and that includes the best fanny packs for men. This summer, our favorite Herschel fanny pack is actually a limited-edition version of the Seventeen Hip Pack. Released in partnership with the tennis brand Prince, this fanny pack now comes in two dozen stylish colors, but we love the neon green version pictured below.
3. JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack
CONTENDER
Is JanSport sexy? Definitely not, but this JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack comes pretty close. If you’ve ever owned the classic JanSport backpack — the one seen on every high school and college campus in North America — you know JanSport makes durable, spacious gear at absurdly reasonable prices. This fanny pack won’t change your mind about any of that. Despite its friendly price, it offers plenty of storage space and will probably outlive you, thanks to its tough polyester construction. Can one ask for anything more in a fanny pack?
Read More: The Best College Backpacks for 2022
4. Osprey Daylite Fanny Packs
BEST FOR HIKING
Osprey bags are known among hiking and camping enthusiasts for being some of the most quality products available on the market. That’s certainly the case when it comes to something as simple as a waist pack. The appeal of Osprey’s Daylite fanny pack is straightforward: There’s plenty of interior storage for all your odds and ends, and it also includes a dedicated mesh pocket so things don’t rattle around. If you have an existing Osprey hiking bag, the Daylite can connect to that system with ease.
Read More: Hiking Fannypacks for All Types of Outdoorsmen
5. Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Belt Bag
BEST UNISEX
Fjallraven is one of the trendiest bag companies of the moment, so it’s no surprise they make one of the coolest men’s fanny packs. Go to any airport or university and you’ll be able to spot countless Fjallraven bags. With durable, water-resistant materials and a stylish unisex design, we’re big fans of this European company’s colorful bags. For festival season, you can’t beat this affordable belt bag, which features just enough space for all the day’s essentials.
6. Adidas Originals Waist Bag
BEST VALUE
This men’s belt bag from Adidas might not carry as much as some of the other options on this list, but what it lacks in capacity it certainly makes up for in terms of price. At just under $25, it’s not going to set you back too much, and you get the swagger that comes with a brand that is as recognizable as Adidas. There are several different color options to choose from, which means there are a number of different ways to make sure you’re reflecting your own personal style when you wear it.
7. Bellroy Sling Premium Edition
BEST FOR BUSINESS
Bellroy is best known for its men’s wallets, but the company recently dropped an expanded EDC line.
Though the Bellroy Sling Premium Edition is much more of a sling bag or crossbody bag than a fanny pack, it’s too slick not to include in our guide to the season’s most stylish fanny packs for men. It’s got plenty of space and compartments, made from high-quality leather and nylon, and wouldn’t turn a single head on your way into the office other than the dudes who stop you to ask where you got your bag.
Read More: Does the Bellroy Wallet Justify Its Cult Following?
8. Nike Sportswear Heritage Hip Pack
MOST COMFORTABLE
The nice thing about making a belt bag with a padded, adjustable strap is it can be worn for long periods of time without feeling uncomfortable — perfect for festivals, concerts, and sporting events alike. Complete with a logo that’s just the right size to add a dash of character to any outfit, this belt bag has a couple of zippered pockets to hold onto those smaller items that might jangle around while you’re out and about.
9. Clearworld Clear Fanny Pack
BEST CLEAR
Certain festivals will require you to leave your stylish, 90s-inspired belt bag at home and bring a clear fanny pack instead. So if you need a completely see-through bag for festivals and other large events, then we recommend this Clearworld bag, which is available on Amazon. Made from a clear waterproof PVC plastic, you’ll protect your goods from the rain and never spend more than a second digging for whatever you’re looking for.
Read More: The Best Clear Backpacks for Festivals
10. Carhartt Cargo Series Hip Pack
HIGHLY RATED
It never hurts to identify a highly rated fan-favorite fanny pack because all that online love usually means it’s a pretty good product. Checking through reviews and ratings for the men’s waist bags on Amazon, we found the Carhartt Cargo Series Hip Pack. Unsurprisingly, Carhartt’s made a real workhorse of a fanny pack here. It’s made from heavy-duty Cordura with a Rain Defender water-resistant treatment and features premium details such as YKK zippers and triple-needle stitching for long-term durability.
11. Mokuyobi Color Block Sling Fanny Pack
BIG AND COLORFUL
Having a pop of wild colors is awesome but not inherently useful without enough space for your gear. If you want something as useful as it is trendy, check out the Mokuyobi Color Block Sling Fanny Pack. Not only does the bag have an eye-popping coral color block scheme, but it also offers plenty of space for pretty much all small-to-medium-sized items you’ll need for the day. If you love this loud style, then we also recommend checking out accessories and bags from brands like TOPO Designs and BABOON to the MOON.
12. Lululemon Clean Lines Belt Bag
BEST FOR EXERCISE
Runners rejoice! This belt bag is made from 100% polyester on the inner back panel, which means you can wear it on a run no matter how sweaty you get. The water-repellent material provides a bit of moisture-wicking, which means you can just wipe it down to have it working as good as new. With one interior mesh pocket, there’s plenty of space to keep essentials like your keys and wallet nearby while you’re running.
13. Monos Metro Sling
BEST VEGAN
Looking to invest a little more into your waist bag? Then snag one that’s got some serious character. Monos’ city-dwelling version of the bum bag is constructed entirely from water-repellent nylon twill and vegan leather detailing. Here, the front zipper is extra wide to make it easier to get your hands on quick or important items, while also providing a deep interior for lots and lots of storage. It’s a little bit more expensive than other bags on this list, but the Monos Metro Sling ensures you’ll have a bag that will last for a long, long time.
14. BAGGU Space Shuttle Fanny Pack
BEST MODERN
You can’t talk about bags in 2022 without mentioning BAGGU. It’s just not the way the world works. This extra fun, ultra-packable fanny pack features a bright orange exterior with numerous NASA patches for some added hip looks on your hip. The bag is also made from 100% recyclable materials.
15. Champion Men’s Prime Waist Bag
STYLISH BASIC
If you’re looking for a simple fanny pack but don’t want something generic, the Champion Men’s Prime Waist Bag is the best fanny pack for you. It’s polyester and machine washable, with one big storage pouch and an embroidered Champion logo for a little bit of swag for your basic bag.
Read More: The Best Deals on Champion Logo Clothing
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