Zoe Vanderweide is a fashion and accessories writer who has personally tested nearly 500 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more.
Once the butt of (ahem) many jokes, fanny packs (also known as crossbody bags, shoulder bags, and crossbody bags) have become an everyday wardrobe staple. And for good reason: These compact, hands-free bags are incredibly practical. Plus, they’re cute.
Since 2019, we’ve reviewed 90 bags and personally tested 46 of them. In our latest round of testing, we filled the bags with potatoes to compare their capacity, rinsed them under the tap to see if they stayed dry, and tested them on 14 Wirecutter and New York Times employees at our headquarters in Long Island City, New York.
In the end, we selected 10 popular backpacks that suit different budgets, tastes and usage scenarios. From everyday travel to rugged adventures and elegant city nights, we have a stylish backpack for every taste.
This popular nylon fanny pack won over our testers with its vintage look and sophisticated details like a velvety front pocket and sturdy belt buckle. However, the longer straps may look a little baggy for shorter people.
The surprise star of our roundup is the Berkeley Lumbar backpack from North Face – this unassuming pack immediately won over our judges, receiving the highest overall score and the most “ready to buy” votes to date. The secret to its success lies in its interesting and practical features, perfect proportions, and a beautiful appearance with a slightly nostalgic touch that makes people fall in love with it at first sight.
There’s a retro vibe going on here. The North Face (and fanny packs in general) naturally remind us of the ’90s, when the brand was everywhere. But the Berkeley Lumbar—with its ’70s-inspired logo patch, relaxed fit, and crinkled nylon—takes us back even further, especially in the adorable mustard colorway we tested.
Although it looks small, it is fully equipped. Although this bag may be small for a petite frame, it will fit all the essentials for the day, including a small bottle of water, a pack of tissues, a wallet, a phone, and keys, which is extremely rare.
It’s full of features that surprise and delight. The front pocket is lined with ultra-soft fleece to protect sunglasses and a cell phone. While the diamond-shaped straps at the bottom of the bag aren’t great for hanging things, they can provide a degree of support, like a pair of legs.
This stylish nylon backpack has a flexible half-moon shape that fits comfortably against the body. The removable shoulder strap adds versatility, but the hook-and-loop closure at the waist is a little tricky to use.
The Sport Pack by Béis is a sleek, slightly techy (think The Matrix) bag that looks like it came straight out of a Y2K mood board. Ironically, you’d have been mercilessly ridiculed for even considering a fanny pack in the early 21st century, but today we’re all for it. What’s more, this roomy, form-fitting shoulder bag can be worn cross-body, too.
The half-moon shape of the bag is comfortable and beautiful. The duffel bag has smooth curves that hug the body comfortably. Although the bag is long, it is lightweight, and the silky nylon material makes it maneuverable and easy; our movements never felt cramped or restricted.
A stylish model with a tote strap for versatility, testers liked the sporty look of the bag. The most eye-catching feature is the removable paracord strap, which is mostly for visual enhancement, but can also be used to quickly sling the bag over your shoulder. If you want to spice up your evening look, you can remove the belt entirely, leaving just the braided paracord.
The interior is spacious and the layout is smart. The spacious main compartment can easily accommodate a full-size water bottle, wallet, keys, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and snacks. The bag has a well-organized interior with a key clip, an interior zippered pocket, three card slots, and a long, flat exterior back pocket. The two-way zipper is very smooth and has an elastic pull tab for easy access to your belongings.
This practical and well-made nylon backpack has a cute square design and comes in a dozen fun colors and patterns. It has a surprisingly large capacity, but its square shape can be a little awkward if you pack too much stuff in it.
The Baggu Large Square Belt Bag has a simple, understated look that won’t leave anyone on the defensive. Like most Baggu pieces, it has a “scary cool” aesthetic and is available in a variety of bold colors and vibrant prints. There’s no doubt about it for us: the square is in.
The Baggu waist pack is a staggeringly large package, with a multi-tiered design and two spacious rectangular compartments. We easily fit a pack of tissues, a small bottle of water, a glasses case, a slim wallet, a phone, a few keys, travel-size sunscreen, lip balm, and some snacks. (Only the truly roomy Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack, at 5L, is larger than our pick.)
Available in a dozen colors and patterns, whether you prefer safer neutrals, bright neon colors, or cartoonish motifs (think Hello Kitty and the Peanuts crew), Baggu’s ever-changing collection has something for everyone.
This Baggu backpack is extremely durable. It’s made from recycled heavy-gauge nylon and has a ripstop nylon lining. The zipper is particularly strong and smooth, and the thick straps are securely fastened to the toothed puller. I have an older version of this bag from 2022, and the fabric, hardware, and stitching are still in great condition.
Available in a variety of colors, this classic, affordable polyester bag is a great option for fanny pack lovers. A word of caution, though: this is the only bag we recommend that isn’t waterproof.
If you’re looking for a cute, affordable fanny pack, the JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack is your best bet. It’s cozy and familiar, making it a great choice for fanny pack lovers or those on a budget. It’s also a great gift for teens (or kids nostalgic for the ’80s and ’90s).
It has a classic and casual look. If you love belt bags, this vintage-style Fifth Avenue bag is the perfect choice. But thanks to its compact, rounded shape, it is equally suitable for wearing on the shoulder or on the belt.
You can choose from more than a dozen solid colors, patterns, and fabrics. Want floral? Pastel? Camo? All of them. (Styles may vary by retailer.) In addition to a wide selection of polyester suits, JanSport also offers a variety of corduroy options, which typically cost about $8 more.
This backpack has enough space for a day in the city. Despite its compact size, the main compartment and flat front pocket offer plenty of room for your belongings. We (haphazardly) packed a small water bottle, a slim wallet, a phone, a few keys, travel sunscreen, lip balm, and a candy bar. (Warning: If you overfill it, it will resemble a crotch.)
Don’t expect your clothes to stay dry. Fifth Avenue is the only one we have that isn’t waterproof. When we ran the fabric under the tap, it got wet almost immediately.
This colorful backpack is made from a unique combination of nylon and polyester, giving it a unique look, comfortable construction, and a great feel. If you buy it online, you won’t be able to choose the color – the exact design of the bag will surprise you.
If the words “worn fabric” make your heart flutter, then the comfortable and aesthetically pleasing Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Del Día Belt Bag is sure to do the same. Like the rest of the company’s Del Día collection, this belt bag is made from panels of leftover nylon and polyester fabrics in bright, bold, contrasting colors.
You can’t choose the exact color. Since each package is unique, you can’t know exactly what color you’ll get when you order online. (The bag we tested had a predominantly blue color scheme, but the ones we received could have purple or orange.) If you don’t want to take any chances, we recommend buying it in person at a store.
The backpack is thoughtfully designed and ergonomic. The Kapai backpack has a padded back panel that follows the contours of your body for support, as well as wide, comfortable shoulder straps that distribute weight effectively. Inside the main compartment is a fleece-lined pocket to protect your phone and other fragile flat items.
It doesn’t look all that roomy. Don’t get me wrong—there’s enough room for a small water bottle, snacks, sunglasses, wallet, phone, and keys. But its semi-rigid design means it’s not as comfortable as more flexible options like the Baggu Fanny Pack. (Editor-in-Chief Ingela Rutledge Amundson bought the Kapai Fanny Pack for a trip to Disneyland and quickly realized it was too small for all the essentials she needed for a 12-hour visit.)
This roomy and durable ripstop polyester bag is large enough to easily replace a diaper bag, tote bag, or small backpack. However, its large capacity may be too much for smaller people.
If you want a waist pack that’s big enough to replace a diaper bag or small duffel bag, consider the Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack (5L). It’s so roomy that one tester joked she could use it to carry her Chihuahua (though we don’t recommend it). Its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to carry even when it’s full.
The capacity is really big! We managed to squeeze in 12 russet potatoes! Even more practical, the main compartment easily holds a light jacket, sunhat, a pack of tissues, a large wallet, a phone, some keys, sunglasses, and a few snacks — with some left over.
It has elastic side pockets. There are two mesh pockets on each end of the pack specifically for water bottles, as well as compression straps that will keep your items securely in place. These pockets can also hold sunscreen, bug spray, or a travel umbrella.
Even when fully loaded, it’s still comfortable to wear. The Black Hole is the most ergonomic of our recommendations, with thick padding and a well-ventilated back panel that adjusts to accommodate a variety of body shapes and movements. The wide, sturdy straps are adjustable and won’t dig into your skin.
It’s tough and durable enough to withstand any weather conditions. The Black Hole Backpack is made from recycled ripstop polyester and is waterproof with a TPU laminate. Built for outdoor use, it’s built to withstand everyday wear and tear and is backed by Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee.
Crafted from silky, full-grain leather, this waist bag is functional and luxurious, yet practical. Its simple leather design won’t suit everyone, but we think it’s great value for money.
Most of the expensive leather backpacks we’ve tested aren’t this practical. The Leatherology Blake Waist Pack is an exception. This well-designed, genuine leather backpack fits essentials in every pocket, and frankly, we love its cool, European-dad-style look.
Its sleek, fan-shaped aesthetic has captured our hearts. When we first saw the Leatherology Blake Fanny Pack, we thought it was a little ugly. (One tester astutely noted, “He looks just like The Rock in this photo.”) But over time, we’ve grown to love it. The classic-shaped fanny pack is crafted from smooth leather and finished with practical hardware. The result is a versatile and sophisticated piece—casual enough for everyday wear, yet sophisticated enough to wear to a dinner party.
Everything is super organized. Strategically placed pockets make it easy to access your Blake bag even when you’re on the go. The main compartment features four card slots and space for a large wallet and glasses case, while an interior zippered pocket keeps smaller items separate. The top-opening back pocket is perfect for storing your phone and other flat items. And inside the front pocket is, you guessed it, another pocket.
You can personalize your bag with monograms. Leatherology allows you to personalize your backpack for free with stamped, hand-painted, or quilted lettering.
Testers were blown away by the bag’s soft, full-grain leather and sleek, curved design. Yes, it’s pricey, and yes, there’s not enough room inside for a water bottle, but it’s easily the best-looking fanny pack we’ve ever seen.
Words like “stunning” and “exquisite” are rarely used to describe the humble belt bag. But when we see this chic leather Maison de Sabré crossbody bag, the first words that come to mind are “stunning” and “exquisite.” It’s the most expensive option in this guide—and definitely worth a try.
This is the cutest fanny pack we’ve ever seen. Testers raved about this crossbody bag’s elegant crescent shape and soft, genuine leather, which comes in five rich colors (including vibrant emerald green and garnet red). This fanny pack is also a popular choice at high-end restaurants, a rare find.
The crossbody design provides comfort and a snug feel. The bag is designed to be worn over the shoulder across the chest, with a discreet, curved design that hugs the body. “It felt more like part of my outfit than an accessory,” said one tester. It’s important to note that the strap doesn’t unclip or fasten, so if you choose to wear it as a fanny pack, you’ll have to twist your body a bit to put it on or take it off.
It might not hold as much as you think. While this shoulder bag isn’t exactly tiny and is actually considered a medium-sized bag, it doesn’t offer a ton of space. We were able to fit a slim wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, lip balm, and hand sanitizer in there, but not a small bottle of water. It’s still well organized, though, with a key holder and several interior pockets for smaller items, as well as a useful back pocket for your phone.
Maison de Sabré also offers a larger version of the backpack, The Large Sling Bag, which can hold a water bottle. We tested this bag and found that its larger size didn’t quite work: it felt a bit bulky, wasn’t very comfortable, and didn’t look very impressive.
This neoprene oversized bag combines street style with pop art aesthetics to create a voluminous look. The puffy exterior makes the bag look roomy, but there’s actually very little space inside.
The Dagne Dover Ace Belt Bag looks like a fun cartoon fanny pack. This small but roomy neoprene bag has a sleek silhouette and statement hardware that we love. It’s fun. (I personally bought three of these belt bags.)