If you are more than 30 years old, you will remember the often ridiculed hip bag, or as we call them here in the US, the fanny pack. I apologize to our AU, NZ and UK readers… They were small zippered pouches designed to wear around your waist to provide quick access to necessary items. Although they were really convenient, they ended up being associated with tourists, older people and those without any fashion sense. Like many things, time passes and popularity returns. Although it’s not exactly a hip bag, the Quivver is a narrow pouch designed to hold your phone, money and a few other important items when you’re on the go. They are made in the US and are available in solid colors, patterns and with see-thru pockets. Prices range from $39.99 – $44.99.
The question is, would you wear one? I think it would be perfect as a vacation or weekend bag while walking and shopping and am tempted to get one for a vacation I have coming up in October. Good idea or bad? I already know I lack fashion sense, but they look cool to me.
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@Julie – I’ve been a big fan of Chrome lately and have been using something a bit more “manly” 🙂 For my lite-carry days, I alternate between the Victor and Cardiel-Shank: http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=victor
http://www.chromeindustries.com/us/en/bags/utility-bags/cardiel-shank
@anson Ooooh, I love the look of those Chrome “bags”, but they are a little too manly and bulky for me. 🙂
@Julie… more manly yes- but it does fit a iPad-mini 😉
The banana-design of the quivver doesn’t look like it can accommodate enough of my necessities…
I’d just want to carry a wallet, phone, keys, lip balm, pen and a field note sized notebook.
I prefer a very small backpack usually slung over one shoulder – like one of the deuter Speed Lite packs. No gender identity issues and quite a bit more capacity.
Well stated Julie: “Although they were really convenient, they ended up being associated with tourists, older people and those without any fashion sense.” The WORST was those who wore them center, front. 🙂
@Lex which was almost everyone because wearing them on the back meant it was easier for people to pick pocket you…
On the side was semi-normal in my area back in the day. In front seemed to look like a camping Speedo.
I spent 30 years commuting by bicycle with my trusty fanny pack and never found anything more comfortable and convenient, but I took a ton of abuse from my Harley riding friends. This looks way cooler but probably not as roomy or comfortable.
These designs seems to pop up with regular intervals.
Also, i see quite a few people “fanny packs” in a similar manner by simply putting the waist strap over one shoulder.
http://www.kangatek.com/
http://www.ckie.com/products/setgo-transport-urban-bag
http://gorunnur.com/
Some variants on the theme i have gathered links for over the years.
I asked my wife if I should get one in place of the vest I wear… And she thinks these “titty packs” and just as bad fanny packs and only a douche would wear one.
So no go for me.
I need to get me another one…
I just called it a pouch. I wear mine to the gym; I NEVER leave things like my wallet, keys, money, phone and music player in the lockers. I keep them with me at all times. So in the gym this is where they stay. I have never heard any ill comments or jokes. Also I also wear it whenever I wear jogging pants because their pockets are not secure (things fall out the side slit pockets when you sit down).
And I wear it front and center. Any other position is stupid.
I don’t see why people trade practicality for style (and mostly impractical). It reminds me of being in Germany and seeing so many people using bicycles (with baskets, both front and rear) as transportation (to the store, to school, to work, etc) and here in U.S. it means ‘exercising’ or ‘you’re poor and don’t have a car’…you’re laughed at. But they are thrifty and NOT in the top 10 fattest countries in the world. Why is being practical out of style? Also reminds me of my childhood friends that had a combination briefcase with only a Diane brush inside: Cool is better than being seen carrying books.
FYI the Fanny Pack is known in Australia as the Bum Bag ! And no they’re not cool here either 🙂
What happened to backpacks with only one strap ? They where popular for awhile.
And then there is always this… http://www.grabitpack.com/
Never bought one but still have it booked marked for some reason.
@poqeteer the only way I’d wear one of those is to an audition to play Lara Croft in the next Tomb Raider movie 😉
@poqeteer… first I chuckled, but then my inner Han-Solo took over… and I kinda want one 🙂
Heh, if you want gadget holsters:
https://www.urbantool.com/hq/holsters
@digi_owl I have another site I’m going to introduce everyone to tomorrow in a news post 🙂
@anson… I know for some reason I just like it, but would never wear it. Guess I’d be afraid of being shot or something. 😉
I carry my personal EDC distributed around my pockets or off my belt in a Nite-Ize pouch. If I want more carry capacity like on my way to and from work I carry my Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. I do like the CKIE bag linked above though.