Fanny pack, hip pack, waist bag, moon bag, belly bag, bum bag. Whatever term you use, this is an item that probably stirs up images of the 1980s, neon, and celebrities trying to convince us that they are cool. Which is probably why so many people shy away from them, afraid to be lumped into the same category as the unhip tourist. However, fanny packs have evolved, moving from questionable fashion accessory to a proven way for carrying essentials on the trail. Hip packs these days are a practical solution for mountain biking and we are here to help you figure out what are the best MTB hip packs for you.
Benefits of a Hip Pack
So why a hip bag instead of the tried and true backpack?
A hip pack offers a way of doing shorter runs without having to carry a large pack. A small local ride, you may find the only gear you need is a spare tube, tire level, a way to inflate that tube, a multi-tool, and a water bottle. Why carry a large backpack when you can get it all into a smaller hip pack? Of course, on longer rides, you may require more water than just a single bottle and there are several larger solutions for everything you need to carry in some of the larger hip packs. The way some of these hip packs are designed you can easily bring just as much, if not more, than some of these smaller backpacks you see people running with these days.
Ergonomics
Another advantage of a hip pack over a traditional backpack: Ergonomics. Riding with a waist bag considerably decreases the torque on your lower back, middle back, neck, and shoulders. When you are biking with a backpack, the load is distributed across your shoulders, which is much higher up on your spine and increases the twisting in your lower spine and exacerbates lower back pain, middle back pain, and even shoulder and neck pain. It is much more ergonomic to have the weight of a hip pack on your pelvis, which provides stability and allows your pelvis to bear that weight. Hip packs are a great solution to a rider who is experiencing back pain.
Comfort & Freedom of Movement
Alongside ergonomics is the comfort and freedom of movement. You no longer need to keep a bottle holster on your bike. There is no chest belt restricting breathing or shoulder straps to limit mobility. Most importantly, the inevitable back sweat from the larger backpack is greatly reduced. Obviously, this is a bigger issue for riders in the summer or warm climates. Reducing the amount of back sweat while still having good carrying capacity is important.
Of course, if you are the type of mountain biker that wants to carry a spare outfit, all your camera equipment, two or three bottles of water, along with all your other tools for the trail, then perhaps you should stick to your extra large backpack that weighs a ton. Or skip down to the evoc Hip Pack Capture 7L to see that there really is a waist pack solution for that too.
Basics of MTB Hip Packs
Most hip packs these days have several similar features: some storage capacity with a main compartment, a way to store water, a waist belt (or hip belt), and easily zippered. They also include a capacity carrying size. For example: A 7L hip pack means that the bag itself can carry up to 7 liters of "stuff". If you have a 1.5 liter water bladder then the bag can carry an additional 5.5 liters of other items.
Right now, the market for hip packs is huge, with a variety of shapes and sizes that certainly go beyond their 80s fanny pack predecessors. It is difficult to define a "best hip pack" since not everyone is looking for the same features. Certainly, if you only pull your mountain bike out for short rides, the type of hip pack you want will be different from the all-day trip through the canyon on a warm day.
This means that you will have to determine what it is you want in your hip pack. Remember, with hip packs, simple can be better. Carrying too much will just mean a run with a big bouncy bag, which will be uncomfortable and exhausting. So what do you need?
Here are a few things to consider:
- How long do you plan to ride?
- Do you prefer to drink out of a water bladder with a tube or a bottle?
- Will you want to bring things along like a rain jacket or clothes?
- What do you need the main compartment to store? Snacks, phone, or other essential supplies?
- Do you require compression straps for reducing the size of the pack or holding outside items?
- Material that is easy to clean and durable?
Once you have determined what it is you want from your hip pack, you can be better prepared to purchase one that works for you. There are many brands out there who sell hip packs and the latest ones breaking out on the scene all the time. As we look into the best mountain bike hip packs, we will also look at the various elements that help make a good hip pack like ventilation, padding, storage capacity, compartment layout, water carrying capabilities, comfort, weight, ease of drinking and filling, and how the pack sits while riding. Ultimately, the sign of a good hip pack is one that you can wear and forget about it.
Small Packs
1. CamelBak Repack LR 4 Hydration Pack
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Large Packs
1. Dakine Hot Laps 5L
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And the Winner Is...
If you are out on the trail, the last thing you want to worry about is an uncomfortable pack. Choosing which one of these is the best MTB hip packs is completely dependent on your requirements and obviously we couldn't even begin to name all the packs that are out there. As we are all aware though, you can't just go out and try out all these different packs, looking for the perfect Goldilocks fit. We have to look at both the pros and cons and determine what really works best for us and what are deal breakers.
For me, a pack with extra water bottle storage isn't a necessity. I find that 1.5L is more than enough water for an average ride. I do want a pack with extra cushions and support on my back so that I can forget about it during my ride and my back not hurt the next day.
Best Small Pack
If we were to narrow down our list to the best overall, we would choose the Bontrager Rapid Pack for the smaller packs. It has an organizational system that keeps everything in place. The material is stretchy enough that you can roll up a light-weight jacket and maybe some non-essentials too. It is comfortable and you just kind of forget that it is there while riding.
Best Large Pack
For those longer trips as you race to the top of a cliff and take those off-beaten trails, the Dakine Hot Laps 5L will have you covered. Not too heavy, but enough room to fill with all the essentials, this bag fits the bill. This may be a good overall bag too since it is small enough for those short runs while more substantial for the big days. Whatever one you pick, it is clear that we have certainly evolved past the fanny pack of old.
We'll see you on the trail!