The (overdue) Resurgence of the Fanny Pack

Most of the stuff in my Pocket recommended reading list is profane socialist crap, but this, this is exciting:

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-rise-fall-and-resurgence-of-the-fanny-pack?utm_source=pocket-newtab

"The pack, of course, has retained its appeal among outdoor enthusiasts, and lately has been experiencing a resurgence in style circles, with designer labels like Louis Vuitton and Valentino offering high-end pouches. Many are now being modified or worn across the torso like a bandolier, an adaptation prized by skateboarders who want something to hold their goods without hindering movement."

The wife has never stopped using them on vacations. She refuses to use a purse so on vaca she brings the FP. And packs my cargo shorts too.

I noticed that all of the players on Ted Lasso use them as well. I have something similar that I put my phone, ID and some $$ when I go running.

Despite the fact that I've lived here in the States for pushing 28 years, the 12 year old inside still giggles as the term 'fanny pack' for a 'bum bag'.

For those limited to simplified English, rather then the OG version, in real English fanny is a slang term for Vajayjay.  When I was first here I worked with two women, one used the term 'fanny' (already knowing the English meaning) and when the other said 'you can't say that to the Brit's', the first one played dumb and said 'why not, what does it mean?'.  The second then got very red, very flustered and blurted out 'It means a woman's front bottom'  Classic that adds to the hilarity in my childish mind even today.

If they were more socially acceptable, I'd totally rock one. I dont wear cargo pants because I hate the bulk swinging with each step, but sometimes I feel like I have too much on me. I keep it super minimal out of neccessity, but wouldnt mind a few bits more in my daily rotation. 

Quite popular in MTB now - helps keep you from getting a sweaty back, and allows enough water for most non-epic rides. 

For those who eschew cargo pants and bum bags / fanny packs, can I recommend a murse, or for our female readers simply a purse?  Carries lots of stuff, convenient, can be slung over your shoulder, over the neck, tossed on the passenger seat or back seat etc.  Dead simple to carry, use and larger so less likely to be forgotten than something small you may put on a table/desk etc.  I've got two I use a lot of the time.

My wife and I each have one of these. It is really nice, well made, and not too bulky. Basically holds your phone, a small bottle of aleve, phone charger, small battery pack, and a few snacks. It'll also hold a water OR sunglasses, but not both.

I want to get one to use as a tackle box as well, something that can hold a small plano box... But that may never happen, as I have backpacks.

What are you guys carrying on you? 

Phone, keys, wallet...........that's it for me. We have a roadside/first aid kit in the trunk of the car and if I need to bring something like eye drops (my eyes have developed horrible allergies this year even though I take Zyrtec everyday) I throw it in the ladies purse. 

z31maniac said:

What are you guys carrying on you? 

Phone, keys, wallet...........that's it for me. We have a roadside/first aid kit in the trunk of the car and if I need to bring something like eye drops (my eyes have developed horrible allergies this year even though I take Zyrtec everyday) I throw it in the ladies purse. 

Leatherman multitool is common in my pocket and gets plenty of use. 

When I travel I like to keep some pain pills, a bandaid etc in a small altoids tin. I also tossed a mini leatherman in there - security never opens the can of mints. Then I still have a small set of scissors and stuff on me while in a big city. 

z31maniac said:

What are you guys carrying on you? 

Phone, keys, wallet...........

It's more like "What are you wearing?" (Jake from State Farm).

When I'm biking in warm weather, I'm wearing spandex shorts and a t-shirt.  No pockets, therefore, fanny pack.  Mine typically contains just keys and a phone.

For the past 10 years I've assumed that people who wear Fanny packs in everyday circles fall into two categories.   If they a muscled up and wearing circus pants: the pack contains steroids and other "supplements".  If they look relatively normal but seem more alert than usual: second amendment enthusiasts who are ready for a quick draw.   
 

I wear one while hiking sometimes, otherwise not so much.

1988RedT2 said:

I'm wearing spandex shorts and a t-shirt. 

Go on...

Even we speech manglers in the far flung colonies of the empire prefer the term bum bag despite the efforts of the faceachers to change us.
Both my Gas Gas trials bikes came with "complimentary" bags, possibly  reflecting their anticipated reliability in a country where it actually rains sometimes (maybe the ones sold in the UK came with 2) ?  My inner child still has a wee giggle about wearing it above the gas producer ....

z31maniac said:

What are you guys carrying on you? 

Phone, keys, wallet...........that's it for me. We have a roadside/first aid kit in the trunk of the car and if I need to bring something like eye drops (my eyes have developed horrible allergies this year even though I take Zyrtec everyday) I throw it in the ladies purse. 

Mine is basically used on vacations/hikes only. Because generally speaking, I'm with you. Wallet, keys, phone, leatherman. That is it. But there are times that it is helpeful.

EDIT: I also wear one when rollerblading, I'll often be 5 miles from home. If something happens, I want to be able to do a quick repair, so I have some axle screws, an extra wheel, screw driver, ratchet and socket, neosporin, bandaids, and a pair of those super cheap flip flops.

I tend to use one when hiking, if I'm going somewhere my cargo pants are insufficient, but a backpack is overkill.  However, that's been a rare event lately, as I'm hiking local trails and will be back to the car pretty quickly.

pheller said:

Quite popular in MTB now - helps keep you from getting a sweaty back, and allows enough water for most non-epic rides. 

Yeah I have an Osprey two bottle one and a Dakine one with hydration bladder in them and they are so much better then a backpack especially in the heat of the Alabama summer.

I've been know to grab a camera bag and put an SLR in without any additional film or lenses just so I have a "murse with a purpose" to make carrying other stuff easier.  Wearing a small pack bandolier style had occurred to me as well.  What I'd like to be able to carry is a small camera (thinking about a Fuji X-E3 with a small lens mounted) as well as my Kobo e-reader and a few other small things that won't easily go in pockets but aren't large enough to make me want my existing camera bag and its bulk.

There's probably a bunch of websites that show this kind of stuff off that I could lose a bunch of time looking at.  I've also taken to using a small backpack meant for carrying a Camelbak style hydration bladder as they're pretty tough, rain/water resistant to a degree, and not at all large.  And pretty cheap which I like.

Y'all may not believe this, but I had a reputation in high school for carrying a few Taco Bell burritos in my pack. Which I still have. And it's acid-washed denim and older than me. Pictures when I get home. 

In reply to z31maniac :

Just the bare minimum: mask, phone, keys, wallet, multi-tool, handgun, snacks, flashlight, medical grade gloves, small first aid kit.

barefootskater (Shaun) said:

Y'all may not believe this, but I had a reputation in high school for carrying a few Taco Bell burritos in my pack. Which I still have. And it's acid-washed denim and older than me. Pictures when I get home. 

You still have the burritos from high school?  Dude... those gotta be ripe.....

I've thought about getting one for biking, but I'm usually an backpack or nothing guy.  If I'm riding at my local XC spot, I'll just carry a water bottle on the bike and my key and phone in the jersey pockets.  If on a ride where one bottle won't be enough (bike only has room for one), then I wear a pack.  Other stuff is usually in baggy shorts pockets (that I don't wear over my spandex shorts on short XC rides).

If I'm going somewhere when I need to carry more than my wallet, keys phone and pocket knife, then I have a messenger bag.

I always wear one on the mountain bike. Phone keys, cash gum and ID. It will theoretically protect the phone if I go over the bars.

In reply to logdog (Forum Supporter) :

Oh they never lasted more than a couple days. But I could get like 6 for $3 and have a pretty rad snack handy. Damn inflation has them at $1.39 each these days. 

I'm either carrying little enough that everything goes in pockets, or I need enough cargo capacity to justify my messenger bag.

Mountain biking, I wear a M.U.L.E backpack with a significant amount of water because this is the desert. Also, I carry tools because I repair other people's bikes on the trail :)