Why shouldn't you use a fanny pack when hiking?

When you're out hiking, choosing the right equipment is essential: you need to avoid discomfort, knocks, poor weight distribution, painful materials... To meet this need, we offer you the ideal alternative to the fanny pack: the Belt bag. Practical, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, it lets you take all your essentials with you wherever you go, and keep them close at hand in all circumstances, all without feeling like you're carrying something!

Yes, its greatest asset is that, unlike bananas, it can be forgotten.

What are the disadvantages of a fanny pack for hiking?

Because it's a stylish accompaniment to everyday life!

Before putting on your hiking boots and hitting the trails, it's important to think about weight distribution and carrying ergonomics. Of course, the fanny pack has no place here! Although useful in certain situations, they don't always live up to expectations and can quickly lead to disappointment... Which is not the case with our pocket belts.

Limited storage capacity

One of the first problems with the fanny pack is its size, its limited storage capacity. A cereal bar, phone and keys will fit, but everything else will be hard to fit in. So, on longer or more uncertain routes, where you need to have more items to hand, you have to make a choice!

Poor weight distribution

Worn around the waist or slung over the shoulder, the fanny pack concentrates weight on a single point of the body. This asymmetrical distribution may seem harmless over short distances, but after a few hours of hiking, it can lead to localized pain: back, hips or shoulders, depending on how it's worn.

Unlike a well-fitting backpack, and our belt bag, which distribute weight, the fanny pack unbalances posture and tires more quickly; all because it involves poor weight distribution.

Accessibility

One of the key arguments in favor of this retro item from the 90 the belt bag is its accessibility. And it’s true: it only takes a few seconds to slip your hand inside. But on more technical hiking trails, this advantage can quickly turn into a drawback. Having to adjust or reposition an accessory like this during a climb or descent can be annoying or even dangerous.

Let’s not forget that an overstuffed bag loses its practicality and often forces you to stop just to find what you need.

Instability in Motion

On uneven terrain, the belt bag tends to shift, bounce, or rotate around your waist. This constant movement becomes frustrating and requires frequent adjustments. Over time, it can be distracting and hinder your progress. On routes where focus and balance are essential, this inconvenience becomes a real issue.

Do our belt bags have pockets big enough?

Yes they allow you to keep all your essentials within easy reach!

Our belt bags were designed to complement a hiker’s gear, not replace it. That’s why they integrate seamlessly with traditional hiking backpacks, without getting in the way. Their design allows them to remain discreet, while providing a much more efficient storage solution than a classic fanny pack.

Thanks to deeper and wider pockets, you can finally carry everything you need without feeling overloaded: smartphone, ID, keys, wallet, snacks, small tools or pet accessories. Each item has its place no more cramming which makes access quicker and more intuitive.

So, as you can see, the fanny pack or retro belt bag just doesn’t cut it for hiking. It’s not well suited to the reality of the trail.

Choose a well-designed belt bag and enjoy better comfort, more storage, and greater freedom of movement.

It’s a smarter, more practical, and ultimately more trail-appropriate choice.