Saturday
Mar122011
March 12, 2011 The return of the fanny pack
That’s right boys and girls, the fanny pack, the waist pack, the thing you wore around your body that branded you a tourist with a capital “T” is now a “must have fashion accessory.”
Think about it. For one bag travelers, especially those in the leisure category, this is very handy and compact. I’d much rather have one of these than a full sized messenger bag if most of that bag is empty.
If popularity does increase, I have my eye on a security packed one from Daymakers. And for the days I need more room, a fold up Chicobag Messenger will do the trick. (I’m not thrilled that Pacsafe is now plastering their logo on everything. No more discreet turtle.)
(Frank II)
Reader Comments (9)
I ran into a problem with that method last summer in Berlin and Paris. It was simply too darn hot to wear another layer. Carrying the anorak was not practical. So I got a small bag that would fit the following: Iphone, GPS, note blog, city map, swiss knife, wallet (though I'd usually carry that in my pants pockets) and a light sweater or scarf.
If it were not for the sweater requirement or the desire to be able to stow some small purchases like magazines or books in the bag, something like the Eagle Creek Compass would have been sufficient.
What I got was the Eastpak Madison from their Core series. See here:
http://funktionelles.e-vendo.de/e-vendofront.php3?shop=life&ProdNr=57506&PartnerId=15
And here for more pics and specs:
http://www.alletaschen.de/product_info.php/info/p3767_Eastpak-Madison.html
In fact, I already wrote a longer review of it here:
http://www.1bag1world.com/obow-light-travel-forum/post/1146469?lastPage=true
Mine is the dark grey pinstripe version, very elegant actually. The thing is an organizational wonder with a ton of water resistant easy to reach pockets. One big main compartment that has an additional PDA/Noteblog and a cellphone slot as well as a key loop. The two front pockets you see. The front pockets are great for a camera or other gadget. Each front pocket has a flat outer pocket. These are good for receipts or chewing gum and other flat items. The side pockets are just the right size for a pair of sunglasses or one of these tiny umbrellas.
The shoulder belt is a simple nylon belt but you can adjust the size and take it off completely.
Oh, I almost forgot. There is also a removable hip belt for biking. I haven't used that yet.
The bag would be perfect if it had a grab handle. I may very well ask my luggage store to fashion a grab handle from nylon belting material for me.
The thing is so darn good I'm thinking of getting some other colors just for fun and as a backup.
The 'bum' bag (I can't use the F word, in Limey lingo it means something entirely different), never went out of fashion in our household. My husband uses one on our trips (it holds his camera, specs and meds) and I have two. I also have a small purse that attaches to belts, large enough to hold money, passport, ID and several small items......not a bum bag but does the same job. We both enjoy unhampered, hands-free sight-seeing.
No matter how fancy the leather, how pricey or well made, those bum bags / fanny packs are awful! I've seen women wearing them with the Gucci and Louis Vuitton lables all over them ...but nearly fell over when I saw pictures of the same styles by Bottega Veneta and Hermès! Once again, just because it's expensive doesn't mean it looks good or is tasteful! Money doesn't buy class.
Really, how difficult it is to have a small shoulder bag, worn messenger style across the body if necessary, or just putting the small items in a few pockets? For women, there are "micro" sized handbags with a small shoulder strap or even a little wrislet too. I use these bags when going out in the evenings and want to have my hands free. Also, if you need a coat - easy to wear these small bags underneath your coat or jacket.
Also, your own bags as described seem to be like a nice utility bag attached to a belt vs. a bum bag!
Since I am a straight male and nowhere near a "metrosexual," the "waist pack" would give me a hands free option to a backpack and a lighter choice than an oversized messenger bag. (I'm not judging anyone's lifestyle here, just talking about my own.)
And just stuffing things in my pocket in such places as Rome, Barcelona, Madrid...just to name a few...would mean they probably wouldn't stay there long.
Last week, I saw a guy about my age---let's just say around middle aged--wearing a Pacasfe Metrosafe 100 (8.5 x 6. 3 in/22 x 16 x 8 cm) messenger style.. Even though it was in black, it looked ridiculous. It was too small. It really looked like he was carrying a purse.
I guess I just never saw a problem wearing a waist pack in all black halfway between my front and side .But since they were so maligned, I stopped wearing them years ago.
But what I don't understand, if they are so bad, why are there so many on the market including the Side Effect by Tom Bihn--which I do own.
Too bad, one of these would have been perfect for my style of travel:
http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/images/dmb4111B.jpg
As I stated I own the Tom Bihn "Side Effect" and really like it. I can carry it as a shoulder bag, but I admit that wouldn't look particularly masculine on a man that way. So in that case, a subtle dark shade as a bum-bag would be appropriate for a gentleman in an informal setting.
However, when one travels or is out and about in a city, I still feel that wearing a bum-bag style on the waist - people think that is where you store your valuables and must be a tourist and hence makes one more a target for thieves. Although using that "logic" - carrying a hand bag for a woman says the same thing yes?
Something the size of the Madison counts as a real bag for me. Obviously, there is the question of how much you have to stow. Some people carry full-blown backpacks around. Still less geeky than the FP.
I think the FP's downfall is that it totally ruins the silhouette. It gives you a belly. A purse sits on the exterior of the body and doesn't merge with the silhouette. Same for a messenger bag. The FP merges with the silhouette and then destroys it (if there is any left).
In a threat on Flyertalk someone advanced a holster, to be worn concealed like a gun holster with the same funtions. Terrible thing. I mean, good while concealed but when it's seen it makes you look like a would-be James Bond. :)
Maria, it is actually a very small bag, I have used it before just as a money wallet, it has three zippered compartments. I bought it years ago at my local Bentleys luggage store.
It is 7w x 51/2h x 21/2 d - there is a square sleeve on the back to slide the belt through and rings at each side to clip a strap to or (what I do) is clip caribiners on them and attach to my belt that way. It's small enough to hide under a tunic top or shirt, no one would know it was there.
The one thing I did find handy with my black leather bum bag, I wore it high enough around my waist one time to support my nerve damaged arm, I just rested my arm on it at the front, like a sling. I was on holiday at the time, didn't have access to a pharmacy to buy a sling and did not have a scarf to use (which is why I carry one now on all trips).