The 5 Best Ultralight Hip Packs for Hiking and Backpacking (That are also Sustainable)
Hip packs are a delightfully multifunctional piece of outdoor gear. They’re lightweight, packable, and depending on the size and style, can be carried on their own or in conjunction with larger packs to keep snacks, power banks and sunscreen close at hand and easily accessible without stopping or removing your pack. They’re efficient, often easily integrated with larger pack systems, and I rarely backpack without one these days.
Naturally, we’ve tested plenty of hip packs, waist packs and fanny packs designed for hiking over the years (including more conventional hip packs). But these are the best ultralight hip packs we’ve used that are not only easy on your base weight, but more sustainable, too.
How We Test
We’ve tested and used dozens of hip packs over the years (conventional and ultralight) and know what makes a solid, reliable option for hiking and backpacking.
We tested each of these on short and long hikes, took them traveling around the U.S. and the world (including Belize), and assessed features, fit and functionality to see where each shined and where they fell flat.
Why Carry a Hip Pack Hiking and Backpacking
If you’ve never used a hip pack when hiking and backpacking, you may not yet understand why they’re so handy. Their uses are many-fold:
- They can be carried in conjunction with any backpack or daypack to keep snacks and essentials within reach.
- Attach them to a backpack hip belt that doesn’t have pockets (if the hip pack has a pass-through sleeve).
- Carried on their own in the evenings around camp they let you keep essentials like matches, a headlamp and sunscreen handy.
- For short hikes, they are a lighter, less sweaty, more minimalist way to keep small necessities close at hand.
- They’re also perfect for everyday carry when transporting small necessities around town/to farmers markets/on mountain town strolls.
- They make excellent packable carry systems for short hikes from base-camp when backpacking.
- Hip packs can be easily packed flat for air travel.
Plus, hip packs can often be worn around the waist, cross-body, on their own or in conjunction with a larger pack for ultimate comfort and versatility.
Pro tip: Pair one with a backpack or daypack that doesn’t have shoulder strap or hip belt pockets for extra functional storage!
The Best Ultralight Hip Packs
LTFP by Bullmoose: Best For Compact Carry
Small but mighty: that’s how we would describe this little powerhouse of a hip pack. Yes, the L.T.F.P. (Lil’ Tiny Fanny Pack) is only about 1 liter in capacity, but we found it was plenty large enough to hold lip balm, a small sunscreen tube, hand sanitizer, lotion, even a UL headlamp without issue. There are even low-profile drop pockets inside for credit cards, cash and your ID, plus a secure zipper pocket on the outside.
The webbing belt isn’t removable, but it’s extra long for serious size inclusivity. That said, small folks like me may find they have an abundance of excess strap they may want to trim.
Another features we loved: The buckle clasp is right next to the pack body, so we could wear it as a sling or hip belt under a larger backpack without a back panel pressing the buckle into our spines or hip bones. It was always out of the way.
It comes in several color combos and is weatherproof, to boot! Bonus: it makes an excellent everyday sling, too. If we had one qualm, it would be that the zipper pulls are tiny, but that’s easily fixed with a DIY bungee, cord or clip and it’s certainly not a dealbreaker.
Is it the lightest hip pack on this list? Well, no. Wes Holland, Bullmoose Softgoods founder, calls his fun gear “ultra medium,” but we wouldn’t balk at the thought of taking it ultralight backpacking, especially when paired with an ultralight pack that doesn’t have hip belt pockets.
Pros:
- Packs nearly flat
- Comes in a slew of colors
- Several organizational pockets
- Waterproof
- Size inclusive waist strap
Cons:
- Small capacity may not suite everyone
- Tiny zipper pulls
- Heavier than some options
How it’s sustainable: Made by a one-man cottage brand in Sommerville, MA; made of partially recycled materials; durable.
- Weight: 3.5oz | 99g
- Capacity: ~1L
- Price: $65
Hyperlite Versa: Best for Trails + Everyday
We’re suckers for just about anything Hyperlite (read our review of the Unbound 55 Pack and Unbound Tent). They just make clean, functional, good-looking gear. The Versa hip pack is no exception. In fact, it may be the perfect compact size for trail days when paired with an ultralight pack AND a top pick for rambles around town on trail days (if you’re a thru-hiker) or day-to-day life (for the rest of us).
It 2.5 L, which we found was the perfect size for necessities, including a knife, headlamp, snacks, electrolytes, sunscreen, even a small mirrorless camera. It’s waterproof so you can keep your phone and other valuables protected in inclement weather. There is an interior mesh pocket, a secure outer zipper pocket, and rear drop pocket.
One of our favorite features: the ultra low-profile strap pass-through pocket on the back of the hip pack. It lets you remove the webbing hip belt so you can slide the whole pouch onto a backpack hip belt and use it as a hip belt pocket. Then you can slide it off when you get to camp, deploy the strap so you can use it as a hip pack, and you have all the essentials close at hand!
Like most of the brand’s other bags, it’s only available in two colors (black and white), but we’re not mad about it. It just means it transitions seamlessly from trail to everyday use without being too loud.
Pros:
- Can be attached to a backpack hip belt
- Waterproof
- Webbing belt extends up to 52″
- Removable hip belt
- Roomy interior
Cons:
- Black interior can make it hard to find things
- Hip belt isn’t quick and easy to detach
How it’s sustainable: Made in Mexico of ultra durable Dyneema, offers an extensive repair and warranty program.
- Weight: 4.27oz | 121g
- Capacity: 2.5L
- Price: $85
Thrupack Summit Bum Eco: Best For Bulky Gear
If the availability of endless colors and patterns matters to you as much as functionality, check out the Summit Bum from Thrupack. Made of robust ECOPAK material, this fully waterproof hip pack means you don’t have to worry about your valuables getting drenched.
What’s more, the semi-rigid rectangular shape meant it was easy to get gear in and out of on the go and the convenient looped zipper pull made access a breeze. There’s even a drop pocket on the back, which made a great place to stash our phones or protein bar on the go (though it’s a pretty loose pocket and not super secure).
And yes, it’s available in a wide array of colors. You can even further customize your carry by adding a Comfort Strap (sold separately). Also available in lots of colors and patterns, it’s soft, wide (2″) and stretchy, which was incredibly comfortable and created zero tightness or pressure points when fastened tight compared to a webbing strap. That said, when we loaded it with heavy items like a camera, small water bottle or trail burrito (yes, we did shove a burrito in there), it sagged under the weight, so it’s better suited for lighter loads.
The strap pass-through on the back of the pack that allows for easy swapping of the hip belt also allowed us to slide the Summit Bum directly on a UL backpack hip belt (with up to a 2″ webbing strap) so it could be used as a hip belt pocket. That said, due to its larger size, that configuration works better on folks with larger bodies (than mine, anyway). Still, we dig the versatility.
Pros:
- Enough storage space for lots of gear
- Replaceable/removable strap
- Comfort straps available
- Lots of color and patterns
- Can be attached to a webbing hip belt
- Waterproof
Cons:
- May be too large for small bodies when worn with a backpack
- Heavier than other options
- On the bulky side
How it’s sustainable: Made with ECOPAK™ 100% recycled woven polyester and 100% recycled laminated back; made in the USA.
- Weight: 2.5oz | 71g
- Capacity: 2.5L
- Price: $65
REI Co-op Trail 2 Waist Pack: Best Budget Pick
If there’s one versatile go-to hip pack on our gear rack that we reach for time and again, it’s the REI Trail 2 Waist Pack. After all, it’s slim, compact, can be carried on its own or with a larger UL backpack, and comes in colors and prints that will suit just about everyone (though the one pictured was a member special that has since been retired). Plus, it’s just big enough to carry all the essentials, from lip balm and sunscreen to headlamps and ultralight knives.
The only potential downside is that because it’s made of soft, pliable material and features a flatter profile that doesn’t hold its shape, it isn’t as suitable for bulky items like compact cameras or a small water bottle. But if that’s not what you need, we have very few complaints and think it makes an excellent hip pack for backpacking.
What’s more, it has a zipper pocket on the front, a hidden one on the back that’s just big enough for an iPhone 14 Pro, and slim interior drop pockets for cash and cards.
It’s also the most budget-friendly hip pack on this list, so it gets a huge thumbs up for value. What’s more, REI regularly offers sales on their gear, so it’s frequently available at a lower price.
Pros:
- Packs nearly flat
- Several colors and patterns available
- Organizational pockets inside and out
- Size inclusive strap
Cons:
- Softbody design doesn’t hold its shape
- Not water resistant
How it’s sustainable:
- Weight: 4 oz | 113g
- Capacity: 2L
- Price: $45
Sidequest by Gossamer Gear: The Unique Cross-Body Bag
If you’re on the fence about a hip pack but still want a simple way to carry necessities close at hand, give the Sidequest from Gossamer Gear a try. Instead of strapping around your waist or being worn across the body on your chest, it wears more like a Japanese sacoche-style cross-body satchel or purse, but in the lightest and most slim package.
The low-profile line-loc cord strap and thin mesh shoulder pad meant it was virtually unnoticeable when slung over the shoulder on top of a larger pack. And as long as we didn’t load it with heavy items, we didn’t notice any additional pressure on the shoulder it rested on. Gossamer Gear says it can also be clipped onto their packs via backpack O-rings, but we found that configuration fully and it required additional tiny clips or carabiners, so felt moot.
The capacity is perfect for items like snacks, wallets, phones and more. We could even fit an ultralight windbreaker in it without issue. And because it’s square instead of oblong like most hip packs, we could fit slightly taller items in, like vegan jerky. It does have a slimmer profile than most hip packs, though, so chunky or bulky items didn’t fit in quite as well.
Pockets abound on the inside and out, including a drop pocket on the back perfect for phones and a zipper pocket on the front. Mesh drop pockets on the inside made organization easy and we loved not having to fuss with buckles or figure out how to integrate it with a backpack.
For a more traditional UL waist pack from the brand, the Bumster is Gossamer’s more traditional hip pack option and is similar to the REI Trail 2.
Pros:
- Plenty of pockets
- Adjustable strap
- Easily usable with a larger pack (under or over)
- Stylish carry
Cons:
- Slim profile doesn’t accommodate bulky items as well
- Not waterproof
How it’s sustainable: Made of recycled Robic Nylon. Dedicates 1% of all web sales to trail-based partner organizations and non-profits.
- Weight: 3.8oz | 108g
- Capacity: 4L
- Price: $55
Bottom Line
No matter what you call them––ultralight hip packs, fanny packs, waist packs or crossbody bags––having more easily accessible pockets on your backpack or a place to stash necessities on short hikes is a must. And hip packs provide an excellent, convenient and functional solution.
The best part? they’re not designed to stay on trail; they’re just as useful around town and when commuting or running errands. So grab one that works for you, integrates seamlessly with your other gear, and never have to remove your pack to dig around for that energy bar or electrolyte packet again.
