buuk.top / Lecia Landis
Back in the day, wearing a bag around your waist was a stigma mainly bestowed upon overzealous tourists. Now, in a time when many are seeking a happy medium between fashionable and practical, belt bags, waist packs, and fanny packs are being received much more warmly. "Beauty is pain is an ancient way to see beauty, style, and fashion," explains Fausti, a New York-based stylist. "We have evolved and are continuing to evolve in positive and forward ways and our style choices should reflect that. We need functionality."
Belt bags are the ultimate solution to carrying your essentials hands-free while still keeping them accessible—and they can be stylish and attractive, too. "I love wearing [belt bags] because they bring me from set to a day out," Fausti says. "My hands are always filled and I’m very busy—I don’t need the extra struggle with handbags." Plus, they come in a variety of stylish silhouettes, materials, and color options, so you can make them your own, just like your favorite handbag.
We pored over reviews and tried on numerous options to help us hone a list of the best belt bags available right now, evaluating each on quality, materials, and color. After considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Everlane The ReNew Transit Bag at Everlane.com
Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack at Nordstrom
Adidas Originals Waist Bag at Amazon
Rothy’s The Belt Bag at Rothys.com
Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack at Amazon
Osoi Peanut Brot Small Leather Belt Bag at Matchesfashion.com
Dior Saddle Pouch at Dior.com
STATE Bennett Fanny Pack at Statebags.com
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack at Amazon
lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag at Lululemon
Expand
Best Overall
Everlane The ReNew Transit Bag
Everlane
The ReNew Transit Bag is perhaps the most well-rounded belt bag available right now. It’s spacious, versatile, and eco-friendly with a composition from recycled plastic bottles. Most importantly, it has a large capacity. With two external zip pockets, in addition to a spacious main compartment with an internal divider, you can stay extra organized. Offered in several neutral colors, it can be worn crossbody or at your waist, like a true fanny pack, for maximum wearability.
Material: 100% recycled polyester | Colors: Warm Quartz, Black, Elm | Closure:Zip |Dimensions: 6.3 x 2.5 x 15 inches
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack
Dagne Dover
View On Saks Fifth Avenue
View On Dagnedover.com
If youre looking for a belt bag to throw on for a day of errands, a trip to the gym, or even a hike, we highly recommend this one from Dagne Dover. The neoprene material is soft and smooth against the body, and the thick, adjustable strap is sturdy and comfortable. Its big enough to fit your essentials without being too bulky, and it features little pockets that are super convenient for storing your cash, credit card, or metro card. It comes in several neutral shades that are great for every season, but we adore this limited-edition sky blue color for spring and summer.
Material: Neoprene | Colors: Onyx, Camel, Heron +more | Closure:Zip |Dimensions: 9.25 x 5.5 inches
Best Budget
Adidas Originals Waist Bag
Amazon
View On Adidas.com
Belt bags can range widely in price, but for under $35, Adidas Originals makes one that’s worth a look. It has a slender shape made from recycled materials and an adjustable waist belt, which can hold up to one kilogram, or just over two pounds.
Material: 100% TPU lamination shell; 100% recycled polyester lining |Colors: Black | Closure: Zip | Dimensions: 2.3 x 8.3 x 1.7 inches
Most Innovative
Rothy’s The Belt Bag
Rothys
Rothy’s makes a low-profile belt bag from marine plastic-based knit material to fulfill a promise that sustainability is more than just a buzzword for the shoe and accessory brand, which boasts a goal of achieving a closed-loop manufacturing model by 2023. The style has plenty of compartments for organization and can be worn four ways: as a crossbody bag, over the shoulder, around the waist, or carried as a clutch. It’s also machine-washable.
Material: Marine plastic and plastic bottles | Colors: Grey Mist, Bay Leaf, Navy Fog, Light Poppy, Biscotti Brown | Closure: Magnetic | Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.9 x 1.2 inches
Best Color Variety
Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack
Amazon
View On Nordstrom
View On Zappos
Swedish brand Fjällräven makes an ultralight and versatile belt bag that’s perfect for life on the go. It features several compartments for easy organizing, plus a webbed waist strap with clip closure. Reviewers rate it highly overall, and we love that we can snag it in such a wide array of colors to meet our every fashion need.
Material: 100% vinyl | Colors:Black, Clay, Corn, Deep Turquoise, Flamingo Pink, Fog, Frost Green, Graphite, Navy, Ochre, Pink +more |Closure: Buckle | Dimensions: 7 x 2.5 x 4.5 inches
Best Accordion
Osoi Peanut Brot Small Leather Belt Bag
Farfetch
View On Farfetch.com
Korean label Osoi has a knack for creating novel silhouettes grounded by traditional influences. This leather belt bag style is crafted with neat, accordion-like folds around its hinge closure. Inside, the canvas-lined bag offers multiple card slots and a roomy main compartment, while the adjustable strap allows for several carrying options.
Material: Leather | Colors: Beige | Closure: Magnetic | Dimensions:5.5 x 6.2 x 3.5 inches
Best Monogram
Dior Saddle Pouch
Dior
This saddle belt pouch is a piece of perfection, as interpreted by Dior. It’s covered in the label’s iconic jacquard in elegant navy, black, and beige, and features an adjustable and removable shoulder strap for ultimate versatility. The capacious interior compartment will hold essentials like a phone, keys, and a wallet.
Material: Calfskin and fabric | Colors:Beige and Black Dior Oblique Jacquard |Closure: Magnetic | Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 2 inches
Best Black
STATE Bennett Fanny Pack
Amazon
STATE nails basic black with its Bennett belt bag. Crafted from smooth black leather and polyester lining, this bag will effectively store all of your essentials within its three pockets and compartments. Plus, you can adjust the belt to wear the bag several ways, so we feel confident that its classic design will last you a long time.
Material: Leather and polyester |Colors: Black, White | Closure: Zip | Dimensions: 5 x 7 x 2 inches
Best Utilitarian
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
Patagonia
View On Patagonia.com
View On REI
Patagonia makes a travel-ready bag to stow all of your essentials. In terms of construction, it’s made from durable recycled ripstop nylon, and the main compartment and security pocket are each lined with recycled polyester. It’s weatherproof and lightweight, making it convenient for errands and outdoor activities, like nature walks or hikes.
Material: 100% postconsumer recycled nylon body; 100% recycled polyester lining |Colors: Black, Borealis Green, Current Blue, Ink Black, Coriander Brown +more | Closure: Zip | Dimensions: 8 x 4.75 x 2 inches
Best for Workouts
lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
lululemon
If youre going to be wearing your bag during your workout or on your commute, the Everywhere bag by Lululemon is designed to be used on the go. In water-repellent fabric and an array of on-trend colors, it has an exterior zippered pocket and interior pockets to hold your belongings. Its also versatile: wear it over your shoulder or over your hips.
Material: 100% polyester mesh; 100% nylon body, 100% recycled polyester liner, 100% polyester contrast |Colors:Black, Electric Lemon, Trench/White Opal, +more |Closure: Zip | Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 5 inches
Best Patterned
Clare V. Grande Fanny
Clare V
Belt bags and fanny packs dont have to be all function, no fashion. Enter this statement-making checker-print bag by Clare V. If you want to keep your color palette neutral, go with the black-and-cream option. Or for an unexpected pastel thats perfect for spring, the mist woven checker option is a stunner. With a hobo shape, this bag also can be worn across the body. The strap also detaches if you want to wear it as a clutch, making it a highly versatile bag. Keep in mind there are no interior pockets, so if keeping your items compartmentalized is important to you, pick another bag.
Material: Chambray lining | Colors:Black & Cream Checkers, Safari Green & Coral Woven Checker, +more |Closure: Zip | Dimensions: 12.75 x 8 inches
Best Design
Bottega Veneta Belt Cassette
Bottega Veneta
In terms of a belt bag, we feel that there is none more luxurious than that of Bottega Veneta, particularly the well-made Belt Cassette style. It features the Italian brand’s signature intrecciato detail (which translates to “intertwined” in Italian) in sumptuous lambskin, delicate gold hardware, and one interior open pocket so you can keep small essentials separate.
Material:100% lambskin | Colors: Almond, Black, White, Chili | Closure: Magnetic | Dimensions:3.7 x 6.9 x 2 inches
Final Verdict
Belt bags come in all types of styles, whether theyre basic, functional options or high-end designer with unique touches. Overall, we love the Everlane The ReNew Transit Bag because its roomy, has an organized interior, and can be worn several ways. As a plus, its made from recycled materials. The Adidas Originals Waist Bag is a solid option at a lower price point, and also is made from recycled materials.
Meet the Expert
What to Look for When Buying a Belt Bag
Silhouette
Belt bags come in all shapes and sizes; the right one for you depends on how you plan to use them. Are you looking for something versatile that transitions well from day to night, or are your needs more niche? Interesting silhouettes, like hexagons or gathered pouches, are very refined choices. The Pangaia Nylon Belt Bag has an ultra slim shape thats unique from other bags. Meanwhile, a simple silhouette, like that of a classic fanny pack, could suit you for anything remotely casual, like an afternoon with errands or relaxed dinner with friends.
Materials
You can find belt bags made from materials like polyester, nylon, vinyl, and leather. However, each one will have a different look and feel. Polyester, nylon, and vinyl are often the more pragmatic options because they’re durable and, in many cases, very easy to clean. (Look at the care guide to see if it’s machine-washable.) Leather, on the other hand, makes for a very polished look and can be an heirloom, well-made option that lasts, like the Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag. Nappa leather is very soft and sumptuous, though in holding a prospective leather bag, you can be the judge of what feels the most comfortable and luxurious to you.
Details
Consider your usage of your belt bag and what type of closure youd like: a zip, magnetic, or buckle are common closures. Youll also want to look at the length of the strap and how youll wear your belt bag. Bags with longer straps can be slung over your shoulder, while options with a short or no strap will best be worn around your hips.
Belt bags are multi-functional, embodying the characteristics of both a belt and a handbag. They’re traditionally worn as waist belts, to cinch the middle of a loose silhouette. But they’re also designed to hold essential belongings in a small compartment that looks like a small handbag or a fanny pack, a retro accessory that allows wearings to keep their belongings close and diminish the chances of pick-pocketing.
You can wear a belt bag around your waist for cinching, around your hips, like a true fanny pack, or across the chest, the way you would wear a sling. When shopping for a belt bag, be sure to note the ways you can wear it, as some brands simply use the phrase to describe a belt-style shoulder strap. Some options, like the Clare V. Grande Fanny Pack, can be worn around the hips, across the body, or over the shoulder.
Nothing! They both refer to bags worn across the body, typically close around the waist or hips. Depending on region, youll likely hear one term versus the other.
Why Trust buuk.top
This shopping guide was written by buuk.top contributor Hayley Prokos. A seasoned commerce writer and editor, she’s constantly on the lookout for versatile clothing and accessories. Her work has appeared in SELF Magazine, Newsweek, and the daily Greek newspaper Ekathimerini, and she holds a Master of Arts in Journalism from Northwestern University. For this roundup, she spent upwards of 10 hours researching the best belt bags on the market.
-->