Fanny packs are back, baby. You may have seen more and more thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers donning this stylish accessory over the last few years, but there’s much more to the fanny pack than fashion.
Pack accessories are becoming the premier way to compliment an ultralight backpacking setup. Furthermore, many pack companies now offer upgrades to their packs like hipbelt pockets or chest pockets depending on each hiker’s needs.
These extra pockets and accessories don’t only give you more space, they also help you crank out miles. Keeping your snacks, phone, and water accessible while hiking eliminates the time you need to stop while on trail.
Over the past few weeks I’ve tested out a handful or popular accessories from some of our favorite brands, and here’s what I think:
|
Product |
Weight |
Price |
Best Use |
|
Gossamer Gear Bumster |
3.1 oz |
$25.00 |
Versatile everyday or with an ultralight pack |
|
Gossamer Gear Bottle Rocket |
1.35 oz |
$18.00 |
Backpacking, hiking |
|
Westbound Gear Fanny Pack |
2.6 oz |
$40.00 |
Everyday, hiking/ backpacking, biking |
|
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Repack |
1.4 oz |
$45.00 |
Cooking while ultralight backpacking |
|
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket |
1.4 oz |
$40.00 |
Ultralight backpacking/hiking |
|
Superior Wilderness Designs Hip Belt Pocket |
1.2 oz |
$19.00 |
Ultralight backpacking/hiking |
Gossamer Gear Bumster:
Functionality: 4/5 stars
So far, I’ve been able to carry *almost* everything I need for quick access while hiking and biking in the bumster. It’s meant to be ultralight and have room for just the essentials, so I am usually able to squeeze in sunglasses, keys, a couple snacks, and my phone.
Versatility: 5/5 stars
The bumster is unique as far as fanny packs go because of its multiple wear options. You can use it like a simple fanny pack, or across your back/chest as a sling. This is super helpful and personally my favorite way to carry a “purse” while romping about the city.
Necessity: 3.5/5 stars
With large hipbelt and chest pockets, you may not need a fanny pack. I find myself using a fanny pack more for short hikes, urban walks, and bikes than during backpacking trips because I already have a well-pocketed pack.
Gossamer Gear Bottle Rocket:
Functionality: 5/5 stars
This is 100% the most legit piece of gear I own. I’m already baking in the Utah summer, and this simply clips to the outside of my shoulder strap and lets me drink while hiking. Less stops = more time to swim at camp.
Versatility: 4/5 stars
This is pretty much a one-use accessory. Although, the mesh is quite stretchy and accommodates up to a one-liter water bottle.
Necessity: 4/5 stars
I wasn’t expecting to like this accessory as much, but after I used it once, it always made it into my pack. The only other way to be able to drink on the go with this much ease is a water bladder with a straw, and those have never suited me well. This version is even closer to your face, without gross clean up or frozen straws.
Westbound Gear Fanny Pack:
Functionality: 4.5/5 stars
I rate this pack as slightly more functional than the Gossamer Gear Bumster because it’s a tad bit bigger and I really like the top zipper. The Bumster has a front zipper, which makes it slightly more difficult to access my stuff and rifle through it while I’m on the move.
Versatility: 3.5/5 stars
This works as just a fanny pack, so the Bumster is definitely a more versatile product in general.
Necessity: 3.5/5 stars
Again, I don’t really use fanny packs that much while I’m backpacking because of the design of my backpack. However, it’s easily become my favorite everyday essential that I’ve taken on countless bike rides, urban hikes, and brewery tours. I’ve even paired this fanny pack with the Bumster as a sling to double up on what I can carry. Everyday ultralight goals = achieved.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear RePack:
Functionality: 5/5 stars
This product works exactly as it’s intended to. It rehydrates food even better than many brand’s individual packaging does, and it keeps your food warmer longer. Furthermore, it’s built with a handle and keeps you from burning your hands. You can also use a shorter spoon or fork, because you won’t be digging into the depths of a freeze-dried food bag to scrape out bits.
Versatility: 3.5/5 stars
This product is intentionally designed for one specific purpose. That is to offer a solution to how to rehydrate food safely and efficiently when you either make your own dehydrated food or repackage branded freeze-dried meals. If you’re a cold soaker, don’t cook at all, or don’t mind larger food bags then it’s not going to make a big difference in your camp experience.
Necessity: 3.5/5 stars
If you routinely repackage food into Ziploc bags, this is an absolute necessity. On the JMT I would put each repackaged meal into one Backpacker’s Pantry bag I ate out of continuously (gross), and I really wish I had known about this. However, many hikers that I know don’t need a product like this because they cold soak or cook out of a stove and pot.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket:
Functionality: 4.5/5 stars
Again, HMG kills it with the thoughtfulness behind each product’s design. Their shoulder pocket easily buckles onto any backpack strap and creates another easy access point for essential items. My sister borrowed it on a backpacking trip (her first ever!) and loved having a spot to keep her phone close for photos. She had a bit of trouble getting it to a spot where it didn’t bounce around in her way, but there are straps for tightening it to your liking.
Versatility: 4.5/5 stars
I absolutely love removable accessories like this. It works with any pack, and I frequently bring it on day-hikes where my pack doesn’t have any great access points. It’s big enough for either a cell phone and a few small things, or a ton of small essentials like chapstick, snacks, or sunglasses.
Necessity: 3.5/5 stars
So far I’ve only used this myself on day-hikes because again, my backpacking pack is well equipped with accessible pockets. However, it is a great accessory to loan around when backpacking with friends or family.
Superior Wilderness Designs Hip Belt Pocket:
— Review for this product is done by Maggie Slepian
Functionality: 4/5 stars
My favorite pack came without hip belt pockets, so I went with the Superior Wilderness Designs hip belt pockets. The folks at SWD were super helpful in figuring out the dimensions of my hip belt and tacking, and made sure the attachments on the pockets would fit the belt. These are large enough to fit snacks, a filter, and a phone, but not so big they feel bulky or clunky on the hip belt. My only issue with the functionality of this product is that I’ve found the end clips pretty hard to secure.
Versatility: 4/5 stars
This hip belt can also be used as a wallet, however you first have to be able to get the clips undone. Though it’s a very straightforward product, there is versatility in the fact that these can be attached to any pack whether you’re traveling, backpacking, or thru-hiking. They’re also inexpensive and come in a variety of fun colors.
Necessity: 5/5 stars
Hip belt pockets are an absolute must for me, and this one performs extremely well. The zipper is watertight and secure, and the X-Pac material is also waterproof and durable. Because my go-to backpacking pack doesn’t have a hip belt pocket, I never hit the trail without this accessory.
More Recommended UL Backpacking Accessories
This review roundup is by no means a complete list of all of the pockets, fanny packs and other ultralight backpacking accessories on the market. The GGG Team personally vouches for these other options made by small brands:
- Phone Pocket by Chicken Tramper Gear
- Water Bottle Sleeve by Chicken Tramper Gear
- Chest Strap Pocket by Chicken Tramper Gear
- X Kross by allmansright
- Shoulder Pouch by WEBO Gear
- Summit Bum Classic Pack by Thrupack
- Summit Bum Pocket by Thrupack
- Summit Bum Fanny Pack Slim by Thrupack
- Ultralight Fanny Pack by Napacks
- Flex Fanny Pack by Red Paw Packs
- Hipster by Gossamer Gear
- Shoulder Strap Pocket by Gossamer Gear
- Ultralight Fanny Pack by High Tail Designs
- UL Shoulder Water Bottle Pouch by Lone Star Ultralight
- The Lunch Box by Superior Wilderness Designs
1 comment
Kim Kremer
I have the Summit Bum. I opted for the “laughing kittens,” and boy howdy am I glad I did. It’s a delight to see weary hikers smile at those adorable kittens.