The 5 Best Leather Fanny Packs – [Reviews & Rankings]

A fanny pack or bum bag is a small-sized waist bag worn around the waist for men or hips for women using an adjustable strap with a buckle.

In the late eighties, they were considered as a necessary fashion accessory, but nowadays, they are used mostly because of its several functions (Source).

Fanny packs can be used to store items while on a trip. It can also be used while taking a walk or going to the mall, festival, picnic or concert. It can be used in all kinds of situations.

They are convenient and useful to store phones, cameras, and other items. These packs are made of different designs, materials, styles, and shapes.

The fanny packs reviewed in this guide are made of leather or fabric material and are suitable for men, women, and children.

The most expensive fanny packs are water-resistant with several compartments. Higher-end waist packs are long-lasting, durable, and they are made with genuine leather for maximum protection.

What are the Features of a Fanny Pack?

A fanny pack or belt bag is a small pouch that is wearable around the waist. You can easily carry everyday items, such as credit cards, money, keys, and more, in it.

Fanny packs can serve your day-to-day purpose without the risk of losing items. People find it convenient to carry around their waste because of the following features:

• Multiple Compartments – Even though fanny packs are small, they have many pockets to give you the convenience of storing your belongings safely.
• Waterproof and Durable – Leather fanny packs, for instance, can withstand harsh weather conditions, wear and tear, etc. These are even waterproof to ensure that your valuables are stored securely.
• Flexible Straps – The straps on fanny packs can be adjusted to fit your waist size. You can also wear it on your shoulder as a sling bag.
• Lightweight – Fanny packs or bum bags comprise of light but durable materials. As a result, you maintain your natural speed without unnecessary burden.

Comparing The Top 5 Leather Fanny Packs

1. Leatherboss Designer Fanny Pack – Best for Smaller Items

This fanny pack is made of genuine, high quality, soft lambskin leather with three-zippered pockets and adjustable strap. LeatherBoss is a brand name in North America and has been in existence since 1997. They produce top quality, leather goods for their customers at the most possible and affordable prices. 

They love to satisfy their customers first by providing them with the friendliest customer service, the best quality products, and prices. This is made possible by their production base, design team, and overseas suppliers.

This fanny pack is suitable for carrying passports, wallets, and cellphones. The quality of leather it is made of makes it durable. It also has a wide, zippered, big pocket at the backside, and a strong nylon adjustable strap to suit all waist sizes.

2. Home-X Genuine Leather Lambskin Waist Bag – Suitable for Larger Valuables

This fanny pack is made with genuine lambskin material. It has all the features of a fine, compact handbag but the only difference is that the user can engage in other activities like taking pictures while on a picnic or tour. 

It has a large pocket at the back for storing valuable items, the main section is for big items, and three small exterior zip pockets.

A total of five-zippered compartments is fully lined inside and its webbed strap is adjustable to fit different waist size. 

3. Polare Genuine Leather Fanny Pack – Easy Removal of Items

This couples multifunction waist bag is made of high quality synthetic leather. The buckle and magnetic metal closure is designed for easy removal of items from the compartment. It is a perfect belt-bag suitable for hiking, festivals, traveling, and everyday use. 

The Polare fanny pack is not bulky compared to other fanny packs. It keeps items and valuables like phones, cash, notes, and wallets, handy and secure. 

The extra pockets may be used for safekeeping of keys and identity cards during outdoor activities. Waist bags eliminates the stress of carrying purse and the feeling of forgetting important items because it is always strapped to the waist. It is also available in different colors of blue and coffee.

The manufacturing company’s original brand is very well known. They produce high quality leather products with competitive and affordable price. They deal on leather items such as coin purse, shoulder bag, wallet, cross body bag, backpack, credit card holder, and tote bag.

4. Visconti Classic Waist Pack – Suitable for Traveling

Visconti brand made this belt pouch from a collection of polo accessories. It is designed with double, contrast stitching, made of superior quality, smooth-oiled genuine leather. It has a strong plastic and reliable buckle that snaps with a click attached to an adjustable strap. 

This three-zippered pouch has multiple functions and it’s suitable for traveling or anytime you want to free your hands. Though it is small compared to other fanny packs, it will surely serve its purpose. 

Visconti is made by a leading manufacturer of top quality wallets in the U.K and it’s sold in department and luggage stores throughout Western Europe. Their brand of leather-made briefcase, purse, bags, and wallets, are designed to satisfy the high market demand.

With their years of experience in manufacturing eye-catching leather bags and other accessories, Visconti’s products are practical, affordable, durable with beautiful designs. 

5. Loyofun Unisex Genuine Leather Fanny Pack – The Unisex Fanny Pack

This Loyofun Unisex Genuine Leather Fanny Pack has three-zippered pockets and a snap button front pocket. It is well-designed to store items and valuables such as cellphone, small wallets, keys, identity cards, gum, tickets, and passports without looking bulky. 

The waist strap can be adjusted to fit most waist sizes between 25-inches and 50-inches and it’s unisex. It can be used as a check pack and it’s suitable for camping, hunting, outing, trekking, and as gift for loved ones. 

Why Are Fanny Packs Called Fanny Packs?

The word “fanny” is an everyday slang in the U.S., used for representing buttocks. Traditionally, these packs were meant to be worn with the pouch facing the rear.

That is why the people started calling them fanny packs in the American region. Nevertheless, most individuals avoid wearing these bum bags behind them, as it becomes harder to use them.

It also makes it vulnerable to pickpocketing. Ironically, fanny packs are worn in various trending styles, but rarely facing the rear.

The ease of accessibility of fanny packs also makes it a prudent option for holstering handguns. Even in ancient times, people used to wear such pouches to keep their valuables safe from bandits.

Despite its versatile usage and stylizing, the name “fanny pack” has been stuck with these conventional waist pouches. People have improvised using these bags as per their needs.

How to Wear a Fanny Pack?  

Fanny packs are available in a variety of colors, designs, and materials. Leather fanny packs are quite popular these days.

If you are interested in wearing one, then you can add them to your style in various ways. Significantly, you follow the steps below for understanding the right way of wearing it.

• Wearing Style – Several styles exist to focus your fanny pack with your clothes. You can wear it around your waist to get a classic look. You can even wear it around your chest to keep it secured.
• Choosing The Design – Fanny packs are available in a variety of designs and sizes. You can select a leather fanny pack, a slouchy one, a sophisticated one, and many more.
• Accessorizing – Many exemplify their fanny packs by adding smart and appealing accessories over their bags. Choose brooches, buttons, clips, etc., to create beautiful and unique designs.

Are Fanny Packs Back In Style?

Since the end of 2018, fanny packs have witnessed an upheaval in terms of fashion and utility. There was a time when these bags were considered an embarrassment.

Plus, these were mostly used by older adults. But, now, they have undergone a full marketing and design makeover. Top brands, like Alexander Wang and Nike, are bringing forth custom looks for these bags.

They are even marketing them as “hip bags,” “belt bags,” and “waist bags.” Fanny packs’ reviving popularity came into the spotlight in the Q2 2018, when their sales increased by over 359% since Q2 2017.

Another reason for them to become trendy was the revamping of their looks. Luxury handbags replaced those traditional polyester-material pouches with adjustable straps.

Another reason that drew buyers towards fanny packs was their focus on all types of genders and age groups. Even the men’s accessory market saw a significant boost in the sales of these bags.

The Different Types of Fanny Packs

Classic Fanny Pack

This type of fanny pack is suitable for traveling and everyday use. They are made of polyester – a lightweight synthetic material and are sporty-looking. They have three-compartments; the small front pocket, the main compartment, and a zippered back pocket.

The main compartment can carry your sunglasses (best sunglasses under $100 here) or a small disposable water bottle, though there are no water bottle holders. 

Hiking Fanny Pack

This bulkier, larger fanny pack is made of lightweight synthetic material. It has several pockets, compartments, and bottle holders and it’s designed to carry more weight. 

Hunting Fanny Pack

Its design is similar to the hiking fanny pack and it carries more weight compared to the smaller classic fanny packs. The hunting fanny pack can accommodate a gun, walkie-talkie, and other items. They are durable with several compartments and a water bottle holder. 

Running Fanny Pack

This is specially designed for athletes and runners. If you are an avid runner, consider also buying a waterproof fitness tracker. Anyway, fanny packs can be used to store cards, smartphones, and keys. It is made of water-resistant material to keep phones protected from sweat and water and it is usually hidden under the clothing. 

Money Belt

This is a travel security wallet carried around the waist and used to store passports, cash, credit card, identity card, smartphone, and other items. They are hidden under the clothing like the running fanny pack. 

Hydration Fanny

Hydration fanny packs are compact waist bags designed for carrying hydration systems or water bottles. It is used by athletes, hikers, and runners.

How to Choose the Best Fanny Pack

Fanny pack serves different purposes, and are made in different sizes, materials, and shapes. Some are made of fabric, wool, or leather and most of them carry small-sized items and valuables while very few are suitable for larger-sized items.

Most fanny packs are used on casual wears, while very few are meant for corporate outfits. It can be used when hiking, running, traveling, hunting, and many more.

It is important to evaluate some features when shopping for a waist bag. But before you begin the search, set your budget first. A wide variety of these fanny packs are available at different prices.

After setting your budget, consider the following: style, material, color, intended use. Most of these products are made from leading manufacturing companies like LeatherBoss, Home-X, Visconti, DreamBox, Loyofun, Adidas, and several others.

Before purchasing a fanny pack, there are things you must consider if you want to get the best from its usage.

Intended Use

If you are buying a fanny pack for everyday use or for hiking, and you need the one that will carry only your phone and wallet, then go for a classic fanny pack. If you want to use a fanny pack for a short hike, then, a hiking fanny pack is preferable.

Hiking fanny packs are bigger, with water bottle holders compared to the classic fanny pack. If you are an athlete and you need a fanny pack to carry your phone, cash, or card, buy a running belt. But if you are going to run for a long distance, the hydration fanny pack is a better option.

Hydration fanny packs have a water bottle holder with a pocket for cash and phone. During outdoor activities, a money belt can help secure your passport, phone, and money, keeping them safe and close to your body.

The leather used in fanny packs is often similar to the quality used in leather padfolios, which is meant for business use.

Size

Considering the size of fanny packs to purchase depends on your needs. You can buy a money belt if you want to carry only a few things like cash, phone, passport, and credit cards. The money belt can hide items under your clothing while it lays flat against your body.

A regular classic fanny pack should be considered if you are going for a concert or picnic since it is big enough to carry a couple of items like identity cards, phone, wallet, candy bars, or a water bottle. Always check the bag’s compartment dimensions before buying to avoid getting the smaller size.

Hiking fanny packs should be purchased if you are going for a day hike. They have bigger compartments designed to carry heavier stuff like tablet computer or phone, a walkie-talkie, compact camera, few snacks, and a spare cloth. They are ergonomic with bottle holders.

Material

Purchasing a bag made from good material like genuine leather is essential. It is important to evaluate how a fanny pack will be used and what content it will carry to suit your needs.

Before making a purchase, review the features, manufacturer’s tag, or sellers description to determine the level of care needed by the material. Although high-quality materials like leather may be expensive, they are durable.

Pockets and Compartments

If you need your items organized, get a fanny pack with up to three-compartments which include – front zippered compartment, large main compartment, back zippered pocket. With these, your phone will be separated from keys to avoid scratch.

The water bottle is kept away from electronic devices, identity cards, and cash in a separate and safe place like the back zippered pocket. 

Color

There are fanny packs designed mainly for ladies which can be differentiated by color. Bright colored fanny packs are meant for women, dull colors for men. There are also unisex designs, ideal for both men and women.

Ready To Buy The Best Leather Fanny Pack?

A high-quality fanny pack is a fashion accessory that should be available in every wardrobe. It can even look good with athleisure, even if you’re just wearing a shirt and any top-rated yoga pants.

Purchasing a waist bag made of high-quality material is a decision you’ll not regret because of its durability.  But, remember to evaluate how you want to use it before purchasing.

What do you look for when buying a fanny pack? Share with us below!