I can't share the love for fanny packs. First off, I find they are too small & therefore are too restrictive of the gear & water I can bring. Second, I find them much less comfortable than a day pack; especially if wearing a belt knife.

I do find my self using one occasionally (most recently when I forgot a daypack when backpacking in; my large pack's lid converts to a fanny pack), but it is no longer my first choice for any situation.

First we are assuming that I care about fashion. I am a preper, and I really care less about fashion, and more about function. Perhaps this will explain why I am single and have no life to the point of being a Sheriff on this site.

But in all seriousness the Fanny/Waist/Lumbar Pack is practical and functional. but remember that when you take it off, if you have to run, don't forget to grab it. Also I think that one of the larger issues with the pack is that so many companies made them of poor quality/design that they looked more the joke and fell out of favor.

Now a good Mountain Smith or LL Bean Pack that is of high quality can really even out the load and make everything much more manageable.


**Disclaimer, I have no affiliation nor interest in LL Bean or Mountain Smith, I use them as references as I have actual experience with here packs**

Another dissenting voice here. While lumbar packs are convenient, I much prefer a photographers type vest for hiking, etc. You never have to take it off and they hold a surprising amount of gear.

One problem with the vest is that you need to keep it zipped so it doesn't flap about or get lopsided on you, if you carry more than a certain amount of weight.

I could never get fanny packs to fit me proper. Always seemed to make my belt line droop. I preferred a messenger bag or sling bag (what buddies respectfully referred to as my "Man Purse").

I keep Gladys in a fanny pack when not hung on my belt. But I sling the fanny pack on a shoulder instead of around my waist. Her fanny pack is about 15 years old now. I lined it with upholstery fabric to keep Gladys warm and cozy and safe from bangs and drops. The fanny pack has a pouch in front that will hold three full size magazines for Gladys, so it is a pretty good stow and go for me. Glenda and Gloria are holstered, although they will usually be stow and go in a range bag. Gerty is too big for a holster, so when she's not folded up in the range bag with Glenda or Gloria, she is hanging on my shoulder with a loop of 550 paracord attached single point style.

Perhaps one step removed from the fanny pack, some Maxpedition/Blackhawk belt loop packs function much like a fanny pack. Again, too much load on the belt line makes for sag, and constantly hiking the jeans back up.

Yes. However, I'm getting to the age where I need all the help I can get. In my case the speed increase from a red pack is more than offset by the slow factor of getting old.

"Is it true that you hike 1.27 miles faster if you are wearing a red pack"

definitely.
killer bees prefer red.

Pete2

As one of those 'elderly men with concealed guns' I can testify that nobody pays any attention to me or my fanny pack.

Which is just the way I like it.

If I were a criminal, I would pay plenty of attention to you (and pick an easier target)!

But then, I like to fancy myself smarter than the average criminal. The common everyday dumb ones, yeah, they'd be clueless. Which is a bonus for armed good guys!

I carried in a fanny pack once, seriously didn't like it and went back to a strong side kydex holster on a good belt. I suppose it would work for some firearms, but my G-19 was not one of them.