Hikers are great at finding every way possible to carry their gear on the trail while keeping things lightweight and accessible, and that’s where having a hiking fanny pack, waist pack, hip pack, or lumbar pack can come in to easily resolve those problems.
A good fanny pack for hiking is essential for keeping your most-used items in an easy-to-reach spot while you’re out on adventures, and there’s so many choices that it’s tough to find the perfect one for your needs.
There are 4 key features that make a great hiking waist pack:
Size: the hip pack needs to be a manageable size but still able to hold your stuff.
Waist Belt: the waist belt needs to fit you, stay secure, and be adjustable.
Pockets & Dividers: a fanny pack not only should store your things, but keep them organized.
Water Bottle Holder: a hiking fanny pack with water bottle holder will keep your hands free.
Read More: Hiking Fanny Pack Buyer’s Guide
Note: understand that the terms fanny pack, waist pack, hip pack, and lumbar pack all mean the same thing, so we’ll be using these interchangeably throughout this guide.
Our Top Hiking Fanny Pack Picks
| Best Hiking Lumbar Pack For Men | Osprey Talon 6 Men’s Hiking Lumbar Pack |
| Best Hiking Lumbar Pack For Women | Osprey Tempest 6 Women’s Hiking Lumbar Pack |
| Best High Capacity Hiking Lumbar Pack | Mountainsmith Tour Hiking Lumbar Pack |
| Best Hiking Hip Pack For Carrying Lots Of Water | Evoc 3L Hiking Hip Pack |
| Best Simple Form Hiking Fanny Pack | Cotopaxi Bataan Hiking Fanny Pack |
| Best Hydration Waist Pack For Hiking | Camelbak Repack LR 4 50 oz Hydration Waist Pack |
| Best Low Capacity Hiking Fanny Pack | Osprey Daylite Hiking Fanny Pack |
| Best Hiking Fanny Pack With Water Bottle Holder | Waterfly Hiking Fanny Pack With Water Bottle Holders |
| Best Small Form Hiking Hip Pack | Kavu Spectator Hiking Hip Pack & Fanny Pack |
| Best Lightweight Hiking Waist Pack | Osprey Ultralight Hiking Waist Pack |
| Best Waterproof Hiking Fanny Pack | Freetoo Hiking Fanny Pack |
Osprey Talon 6 Men’s Hiking Lumbar Pack
- Size: 8.27” x 9.84” x 5.91”
- Weight: 0.9lbs
- Capacity: 6L
The Talon 6 lumbar pack gives you enough room to be prepared with the essentials but none of the extra bulk.
This hiking lumbar pack holds two water bottles, all your necessities, and even has room for a rain jacket.
The Biostretch waist belt hugs your body to keep loads stable and the pack is made with recycled nylon to minimize your impact on the environment.
What We Like:
- Airscape backpanel is highly breathable and reduces moisture from sweat
- Great for hiking, biking, and more
- Lightweight and highly durable
Osprey Tempest 6 Women’s Hiking Lumbar Pack
- Size: 8.27” x 9.84” x 5.91”
- Weight: 14.4oz
- Capacity: 6L
The Osprey Tempest 6 is the women’s version of the Osprey Talon 6 we reviewed above, and features all the same great features and specs.
The Tempest 6 lumbar pack gives you enough room to be prepared with the essentials but none of the extra bulk.
This hiking lumbar pack holds two water bottles, all your necessities, and even has room for a rain jacket.
The Biostretch waist belt hugs your body to keep loads stable and the pack is made with recycled nylon to minimize your impact on the environment.
What We Like:
- Airscape backpanel is highly breathable and reduces moisture from sweat
- Great for hiking, biking, and more
- Lightweight and highly durable
Mountainsmith Tour Hiking Lumbar Pack
- Size: 11.5” x 10” x 5”
- Weight: 1lb12oz
- Capacity: 9L
If you need to carry a little more than the average fanny pack or waist pack will allow, turn to the Mountainsmith Tour lumbar pack.
This is the original pack that started the trend back in the 80’s and is still going strong today for good reason.
It features ultra-tough ripstop fabric, a smartphone-compatible waist belt, FreeFlow EVA backpanel padding, and Delta Compression System load adjustment to keep your stuff secure.
This pack fits waists 28”-48” and holds two 32oz/1L water bottles to keep you hydrated all day long.
What We Like:
- Super durable ripstop fabric
- Tuck-away waistbelt that’s highly adjustable and secure
- Padded backpanel that zaps sweat
- Plenty of pockets, including two water bottle holders
Evoc 3L Hiking Hip Pack
- Size: 7” x 11” x 3.14”
- Weight: 12oz
- Capacity: 3L
The Evoc 3L Hip Pack offers optimized back ventilation, separate tool compartment, tons of storage in a compact size.
The really unique thing about this hip pack is that it can carry two water bottles and can hold a 1.5L hydration bladder, ensuring you have all the water you need for your trip.
What We Like:
- Ultra lightweight and highly durable
- Holds 2 water bottles and a 1.5L hydration bladder
- Adjustable back ventilation is great for comfort and adjusting for hiking uphill/downhill
Cotopaxi Bataan Hiking Fanny Pack
- Size: 9” x 5” x 4”
- Weight: 4oz
- Capacity: 3L
The Cotopaxi Bataan is a super lightweight and compact hiking fanny pack that amazingly fits 3L of gear into a compact and vibrant package.
You can wear it front, side, or back for customization, and the adjustable webbing strap helps ensure a snug fit.
The single pocket is simplistic and easy to get to all of your gear, while the ripstop nylon shell keeps the pack working for you over many hikes.
What We Like:
- Affordable, fun, and stylish
- Hip belt is easily adjustable
- Tons of space in a simple design
Camelbak Repack LR 4 50 oz Hydration Waist Pack
- Size: 7.1” x 11” x 6.1”
- Weight: 11oz
- Capacity: 2.5L (Gear), 1.5L (Water)
If you need plenty of water, you’ll want to bring along the Camelbak Repack LR 4.
This is a unique option because it features Camelbak’s 1.5L hydration bladder integrated into the waist pack, and features a magnetic tube trap to keep your tube accessible when you need it, but secure when you don’t.
There’s also cargo pockets, a wide waist belt that fits sizes 28”-46”, and integrated carry pockets to keep the stuff you need at the ready.
What We Like:
- Integrated hydration bladder with tube is a great feature
- Reflective accents for better visibility
- Plenty of pockets
- Reasonably priced
Osprey Daylite Hiking Fanny Pack
- Size: 6.3” x 17.72” x 3.54”
- Weight: 7.36oz
- Capacity: 2L
The Osprey Daylite fanny pack combines practicality, capability, and comfort into a convenient and affordable package.
The adjustable webbing Daylight waist helps keep your load secure while the external zip pocket, key clip, and interior mesh organizer help keep all your stuff separated and easy to get to.
What We Like:
- Compact and affordable
- Several different pockets to stay organized
- Made with highly durable and sustainable materials
- Trusted brand
Waterfly Hiking Fanny Pack With Water Bottle Holders
- Size: 7.5” x 8.3” x 4.7”
- Weight: 14.72oz
- Capacity: 6+L
The Waterfly Hiking Fanny Pack With Water Bottle Holders is a great choice for hikers on a budget because it packs so many key features and versatility at such a low price.
This high-capacity pack can be worn on the front, side, or back and includes an optional shoulder strap for extra support (if being used off-trail).
THere are tons of pockets and organizers within the pack, and it has two adjustable and elastic water bottle holders to make sure you’ve got all the hydration you need while hiking.
What We Like:
- Incredible value and price for all the features you get (under $30!)
- Hiking waist pack holds 2 water bottles & the holders are adjustable
- Lots of storage capacity
- Several different ways to wear it, waist strap fits X”-X”
- Comes in lots of colors
Kavu Spectator Hiking Hip Pack & Fanny Pack
- Size:5” x 9”
- Weight: 4.6oz
- Capacity: 0.5L
The ultralight and ultra compact Kavu Spectator hiking hip pack is great for when you only need to carry a few things and keeping everything super lightweight is of concern.
This bag checks those boxes if you’re looking for a small form factor, as it’s 5” x 9” and less than 5 ounces – but it still manages to have two separate zippered pockets to keep your things secure.
The waist belt is sturdy, the pack materials and buckle are highly durable, and it fits waists up to 50”.
What We Like:
- Highly durable materials
- Ultra lightweight & compact
- Two zippered pockets for organization
Osprey Ultralight Hiking Waist Pack
- Size: 4.33” x 12.2” x 3.94”
- Weight: 2.93Oz
- Capacity: 1L
The Osprey Ultralight Hiking Waist Pack lives up to its name by allowing you to carry 1L of your belongings while weighing in at under 3 ounces.
There’s two separate compartments that both feature zipper closures and heavy-duty nylon ripstop fabric to make sure your hiking pack sees you through many trips.
A really nice feature of this pack is that it tucks into its own pocket for easy storage when not in use, cutting down on bulk and slipping into a day pack or backpack easily.
What We Like:
- Ultra lightweight (under 3 ounces)
- Compact and durable with 2 pockets
- Tucks into its own pocket for storage when not in use
Freetoo Hiking Fanny Pack
- Size: 3.5” x 5.5” x 13.8”
- Weight: 9.17oz
- Capacity: 3L
The Freetoo Hiking Fanny Pack provides a lot of value in a fully-waterproof waist pack: 1000D polyester is highly durable and tear resistant, and boasts a total of 6 pockets to keep everything separated and organized.
There’s even a secret pocket to keep your valuables and sensitive items hidden in case you run into trouble or if someone else needs to carry your pack, which is very convenient.
The thing that put this pack on our list of best hiking fanny packs was the fact that it manages to provide everything above at under $20, which is an incredible value.
Fanny, Waist, Hip, & Lumbar Packs: What’s The Difference?
With all these different terms describing nearly the same thing, it can get a little overwhelming.
Let’s cover each of these below:
Hiking Fanny Packs
Fanny Packs are a type of pack worn around the waist that usually buckle in the back, are worn in the front center of your waist, and provide a storage pocket just below the navel. Fanny packs were super popular in the 80’s and 90’s and are regaining popularity thanks to their convenience.
Hiking Waist Packs
Waist Packs is a catch-all term used to describe any pack worn around the waist, including fanny packs, hip packs, and lumbar packs.
Hiking Hip Packs
Hip Packs are the same design as fanny packs, but they are worn off-center on the front of the waist or on the side near your hip. Hip packs buckle at the opposite end of where you’re wearing the bag. Hip packs can also be worn over the shoulder in a cross-body fashion.
Hiking Lumbar Packs
Lumbar Packs can typically hold more than fanny or hip packs, buckle in front, and are keep the bag at the rear, facing away from you. Lumbar packs are designed as an alternative to backpacks that shifts the load of your gear from your shoulders to your hips, making it easier and more comfortable for hiking.
How To Choose The Best Fanny Pack For Hiking
Picking the right hiking waist pack ultimately comes down to answering these key questions:
- What kind of hiking will I be doing?
- How long will I be hiking for?
- How light does my hip pack need to be?
- How much stuff will I be carrying in my fanny pack?
- Do I need a hiking fanny pack with water bottle holder?
- What’s my budget?
We’ll go through these and some other key considerations for you to keep in mind while searching for pack.
Overall Size & Dimensions
Make sure the outer dimensions and size of the hiking fanny pack meets your needs and is not too large for your body or overall needs- you don’t want your pack getting in your way.
Additionally, if you’ll be using it in addition to a backpack and wearing it behind you, you don’t want both packs bumping together.
Capacity & Volume
You’ll want to make sure your waist pack has enough room for your essentials like your flashlight, smartphone, keys, and some small snacks.
If you’ll be going for longer hikes, maybe go for a lumbar pack that can hold an extra layer or two of clothing if that’s the only pack you’ll be bringing along.
Pockets And Dividers
Make sure your hip pack can help you organize all your belongings by having dividers and separate compartments to help you keep everything straight.
Waist Belt Fit, Security, & Adjustability
A good fanny pack for hiking should be easily adjustable and fit to your size.
Look for thicker belts, as this will help hold the pack in place securely.
Water Bottle Holder
If at all possible, pick a hiking fanny pack with water bottle holders – two water bottle holders is preferable!
You’re not able to carry a hydration bladder in a hip pack, so carrying as much water as possible when hiking is going to be highly important.
Comfort & Padding
The comfort of the belt and the padding on the waist pack itself are two key ingredients to keeping you happy while hiking.
You don’t want your stuff poking or prodding you while you hike.
Breathability
If sweat and moisture gets trapped in your belt or between the pack and your skin, it can irritate and chafe your skin, which is no fun.
Look for packs that have breathable materials – some even have extra panels that aid in helping sweat to evaporate quickly.
Style
There are tons of color and pattern options available for hiking waist packs and hiking fanny packs, so you’ll need to decide what you think looks best long-term.
Gender
Although many hiking hip packs are gender neutral and one-size-fits-all, there are some models that are made specifically for men or women.
These gender-exclusive packs have different body types and measurements in mind, so pay attention to this when making your selection.
Materials
The materials and fabrics that your pack is made of are going to have an effect on the durability.
Look for hiking hip packs that are made of synthetics like polyester or nylon, as they are durable, water-resistant, affordable, and clean up easily.
Also pay attention to the fabric denier number, which measures fiber thickness of the fabric and is usually expressed as a lowercase “d” at the end of a number (like 50d).
In other words, the higher the denier number, the thicker the fabric.
Price
Like most gear in this hobby, fanny packs for hiking can run the gamut on pricing from less than $10 to nearly $100, so have your budget in mind when making your selection.
Benefits Of Waist Packs Vs Day Packs
Now we’re not saying that you can’t wear a fanny pack while hiking in conjunction with a day pack – in fact, this is a great way to store extra gear on long or overnight hikes – but there are some instances where you’ll want to bring just one of the two along.
Read on to learn more when to choose between a hip pack or a hiking backpack.
Benefits Of Using Fanny Packs For Hiking
Lightweight
The weight of a hiking hip pack is going to be lighter than any hiking day pack, hands down.
Keeps Weight Off Your Shoulders
Hiking with heavy backpacks can make your shoulders sore after long hikes, and messing with the straps can be a nuisance.
Lumbar packs take the load off your shoulders and transfer it to your hips and lower body, reducing back and shoulder strain.
Promotes Better Balance & Posture
You’re less likely to hunch when wearing a waist pack, allowing you to stand up straight and also keeping your body closer to its natural balance.
Forces You To Carry Only What You Need
Since you’re limited to less capacity than a day pack, using a hip pack requires you to bring only what’s necessary and skip all the extra junk (which just weighs you down anyway).
Bye Bye, Sweaty Backs
Even though many hiking backpacks are engineered to reduce moisture, sweaty backs from using backpacks are still alive and well.
Using a fanny pack when hiking eliminates the sweaty back issue entirely.
Downsides Of Using Hip Packs & Lumbar Packs For Hiking
Less Storage, More Exposure
If you’re going on a longer hike or in conditions where the forecast is unknown, you may not have the storage space for extra layers of clothing which could be life-saving.
In these situations, it’s best to bring along a day pack or hiking backpack instead.
Smaller Water Storage Capacity
Although many hiking waist packs have water bottle holders, there may be longer hikes or hot weather where even two full water bottles won’t cut it.
Backpacks and hydration packs win here because they’ve got the capacity to help you stay hydrated for the long run.
Not For Overnight Hikes
Although you can (and should) use a fanny pack for overnight hikes in conjunction with a backpack, you can’t bring all the gear you need for overnighting in just the fanny pack on it’s own.
Can’t Carry Heavy Loads
Most waist packs will become overloaded if you’re carrying more than 5 pounds in them, including the weight of your full water bottles.
If you’re carrying any type of heavy gear, bring along a backpack or day pack.
FAQs About Hiking Waist Packs, Fanny Packs, Hip Packs, & Lumbar Packs
Yes, fanny packs are great for hiking! They are a simple and easy way to store your most-used items and can be a great substitute for backpacks on day hikes.
Yes, waist packs are good for hiking because they will reduce the load you carry on short daytime hikes and allow you to bring only what you need.
Hip packs are very good for hiking because they promote better balance than backpacks and keep the load off your shoulders.
Lumbar packs are a good choice for day hikes because they transfer the load from your shoulders to your lower body, but also allow you to carry more gear than you can in a fanny pack or waist pack.
Usually you’ll carry your essentials in a fanny pack while hiking, like your water bottle, phone, keys, snacks, and your wallet or ID.
Yes – lumbar packs are good for you because they transfer the weight and load of your gear to your lower body rather than straining your back or shoulders like a backpack does.
A lumbar pack buckles in front, and keeps the bag at the rear, facing away from you.
Lumbar packs are designed as an alternative to backpacks that shifts the load of your gear from your shoulders to your hips, making it easier and more comfortable for hiking.
Fanny packs are typically buckled in back and worn in the center of the waist facing forward.
You can also wear fanny packs, hiking packs, and hip packs off to the side or behind you based on your preference.
Wrapping Up The Best Hiking Fanny Packs
We hope you learned more about how to choose the best hip pack or waist pack for your hiking needs as well as the benefits of using them out on the trail.
Which one did you choose? Let us know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our guides to other great hiking gear like the best men’s hiking boots under $100, the best women’s hiking boots under $100, the best hiking gloves, and the best hiking knives for some great suggestions to get you fully prepared.
