OK, fashion wise the waist pack is seen mostly on tourists at Disneyland; but for a planner/prepper/outdoors person its a simple, out of the way place to carry just the right amount of gear - some even include water bottle holders or a hydration bladder.

Not sure why you think the waist/fanny pack is shunned, or not fashionable? I have a Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack with shoulder straps which I like a lot. It can carry two water bottles, and I especially like it for hiking in hot weather, since my back gets more ventilation. I also use it for short ski tours in easy terrain (when I don't need to carry a avy shovel or a lot of other gear).

Fanny or lumbar packs tend to be on the small side, so one can't carry a lot of extra clothing or gear. For that reason I mostly just use them shorter hikes in mellow weather, where I don't feel the need to carry so much stuff. Used within those parameters they work great.

Another adherent of the MS Tour pack, in a very fashionable, tasteful black (you can only imagine how important that is to me), also with the add on straps. It carries very comfortably and is great for the shorter hikes. I also have a very old (about twenty years) North Face lumbar pack - a so called "climbing model" (it features a few gear loops) which I really like when I am on my bike.

Both of these pretty much guarantee that I will have a basic essential load with me all the time. I didn't realize that they were shunned by fashionistas - that's their loss.

I have a ton of lumbar packs! These include two from True North Gear (a SERAC SAR and a Double Diamond), a Mountainsmith Tour with Strappettes, a Jansport Coltrane, a couple generic ones an fourteen (yes, 14!) Mountainsmith Vibe II's that I picked up from Woot for a project down the road.

While the "fanny pack" isn't very fashionable for urban carry it's not at all out of place on the trail or in the woods. It's actually very hard to beat a well designed lumbar pack for day hikes or hunting and fishing.

I let out my inner flamboyant wild side, and got mine in red!

Is it true that you hike 1.27 miles faster if you are wearing a red pack, compared to the conservative black?

I would agree that for hot days and short day hikes the lumbar pack excels. We have been using Kelty Orioles for several years on our prairie hikes. Hers: blue, his: grey. Carries just enough. I do like the MS packs, and I might pick one up soon. I prefer a small backpack when I'm wearing a heavy coat though.

Looks like REI is clearing out their 2013 model year lumbar packs

http://www.rei.com/outlet/category/29354102 No affiliation

Whats next...making fun of those of us who like fruitcake?

Yes, however black somes with more accessories and automatically adds 15 pounds to how much you can carry due to TACTICAL factors.

I used to wear a fanny pack day in and day out. But these days, yes, I will admit that you rarely see them in urban settings except for two circumstances: (1) tourists on vacation, and (2) elderly men with concealed guns in them.

On the trail though, I still see quite a few.

In the woods, the small fanny pack is great to keep your 10? essentials in while you are around camp or doing something that separates you from your camp gear. Also great for canoeing if you don't like a loaded life vest (here in FL the vest with pockets is very warm).

In town, not often worn.

Respectfully,

Jerry