Fanny packs? (And water-bottle holsters?)

[Terran Terran]

[David D]

Blast from the past, the Coghlan’s Bota Bag! I owned one ~ 40 years ago.  Good for sneaking booze into uni football games, but everything tasted like the lining and it weighed a ton.

[David D]

This old warhorse holds 2 700mL Podium bottles inside the main compartment comfortably.  The side and front hold the Dooy, knee brace, emergency essentials etc.  I prefer this lightweight style if not needing to carry a lot of gear, it disappears better

When augmenting with a bag in front, the flyweight nylon ones like the Decathlon have the benefit of not getting sweaty like heavier duty ones.  The material is similar to a shell nylon.   I get a lot of varied use from that thing, it’s one of my favourite pieces.

I have the old one without the fleece backing, I think they made a mistake adding that.

[Terran Terran]

If you use cheap enough wine, you don’t taste the lining.I thought I’d seen an ultralight bota bag somewhere. They’re made to be carried. Often I just squish the bottle down as I drink it and stick it in a pocket.

I find the lumber packs aren’t much lighter than a full pack.  Especially with the lighter fabrics.

A water bottle sling may work.

 

[Bill Budney]

I find the lumber packs aren’t much lighter than a full pack.

True, the big packs can definitely be like that. The largest MountainSmiths and Radical Design’s packs are heavier than the UL backpacks that we normally discuss.

However, lumbar packs leave most of your back wide open, for ventilation. In hot weather they are much cooler than many UL (non-ventilated) packs. Mine carries well, too. For my long torso, lumbar packs fit better than most non-adjustable-length packs. They are special-purpose (but good for those purposes).

There are several great suggestions in this thread, for different use cases.

• I use packable packs all the time. They are super handy.
• Aaron’s pic looks like the old-style OR bottle pocket that they don’t make anymore. It’s my favorite small add-on pocket for hip belts. eBay.
• I haven’t used an LBE belt and a canteen as Monte suggested, but I believe him when he says that they carry better than water bottles. I’m surprised that they are as light as they are.

[Haakon R]

I’ve only touched the edges of this rabbit hole, and I’m not sure I’m ready to dive in.

I have 2 main use cases for fanny packs, where at least one branches out into some sub categories, that potentially could be solved using the same pack.

1) A lightweight fanny pack that integrates well with a backpack.
Partly to have more items easily accessible without taking off my backpack. And partly (mainly) to have a smaller carry option when leaving a camp site for a short excursion (short hike, fishing etc.).
I’ve been hesitant to pour money into this use case because my options are few and expensive here (Norway), the integration with backpacks don’t seem overly convincing and it’s hard to decide on a size. Should be small enough to carry comfortably, yet large enough to hold relevant items (photo gear / fishing gear) without being stuffed.

2) A comfortable fanny pack for day hikes in hot weather, or for any other reason a backpack may be undesirable.
This one may be even harder to get right. Even for a male I’m very lacking in body curvatures, so there is nothing to support a fanny pack from sliding down except friction and ingenious carry systems.
Anyhow, the primary goal is to have a carry system that covers as little of my back as possible, for optimal venting in hot weather. It should conveniently carry at least 0.6L of water, a small amount of clothes e.g: wind breaker, zip-off legs, a lightweight shirt or similar. A small bottle of sunscreen and something to eat (small lunch). Some obvious sub-categories that could benefit from using a similar style fanny pack is small game hunting and SAR dog training. Both can be strenuous and benefit from good venting. Both require good mobility of arms and upper body as well and not having shoulder straps is obviously never a disadvantage when mounting a shotgun.

I’d love to have something functional for these two use cases, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the frustrating trial and error it will surely take to get me there.

[Bill Budney]

I’d love to have something functional for these two use cases, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the frustrating trial and error it will surely take to get me there.

Chuckling, yes, that’s pretty much why I haven’t found a solution that I love. Except that I have done a lot of the frustrating trial and error (and am still frustrated). :)

I envision something like a packable musette/sling/messenger bag made of lightweight fabric with fittings to clip to a belt or shoulder harness. A convertible bag that can be carried solo, on a belt, or as a chest rig. Larger than most fanny packs, but wouldn’t have to carry a lot of weight (rain gear is bulky but light, for example). A water bottle would be the heaviest thing.

I’m currently tinkering with modifying something like a Nanobag Sling. A KamSnap to keep it closed when inverted, and a couple of loops where the sling meets the bag gives me a place to clip to something else. It’s simple, light, and squishes to the size of a plum when I’m not using it.

(I don’t believe the “19 liter” capacity, BTW, but it’s just an example. There’s nothing magic about Nanobag — it was just a reasonably priced example for experimentation. MontBell and others make similar bags. Easy MYOG.).

 

[David D]

I do a lot of fishing trips setting up a base camp then lake hopping all day.  Ideal solution (for me) after a lot of trial and error (bum bags, day packs, UL full on back packs) for your use case #1 a la peche is:

• Osprey 18L Ultralight Stuff Pack or similar (e.g. Klymit).  Packs down to next to nothing and is only 3.9 oz

• Klymit V-seat or equivalent as a pack stiffener and seat pad, only 2.3 oz, packs down to nothing

This combo holds all my gear + water/food for the day other than fishing lures and a few odds/ends.  It even holds a telescoping rod at side

The decathlon fanny pack @ 1.6 oz (did I mention it packs down to nothing?) to hold my lures in a ziploc, bars, quick access stuff like compass, leukotape etc

All pretty cheap, light and packable

[Aaron Goldzimer]

That Mountain Warehouse pack that David posted has exactly the bungee/elastic cords that I was talking about – so useful so that you can stuff a jacket in there – but it doesn’t look like that bag is made anymore? The OMM has it too, on top – but the water situation seems annoying. This is all so befuddling to me. I had a system that worked. A fanny pack that held what was needed, had the elastic/bungee to be able to carry more externally (like the discontinued Mountain Warehouse that David posted), and the bottle pockets that I could slide onto the belt and that allowed me to have easy access to two 1L bottles (of varying shapes) on both sides (rather than the bottle holders in many fanny packs, which would seem to put all the weight in the back – and I’m also unsure whether they would accommodate different bottle widths/heights – and also they wouldn’t seem to be very accessible). And my back and shoulders were free! To me, this was the perfect (seemingly obvious?) set-up for day-hikes. I’m so confused why it doesn’t seem to exist anymore – and, if not, what would be the best solution to try instead.

[David D]

Aaron, do you have a picture or a link to a specific (discontinued) pack that you found ideal?

[Aaron Goldzimer]

I don’t have a picture or link, unfortunately, to the one I used to have. It had the bungee/elastic like the one you posted – except that, interestingly, it looks like, in yours, you’d have to stuff a jacket under the bungee/elastic cords vertically, whereas, with mine, it was horizontal (which would seem to make more sense?). But, then, the other part is just the water bottle pockets/hosters and being able to slide them onto the belt on both sides. I guess bottle pockets/holsters like that aren’t made anymore (and I’m just not sure what alternative would be as good and allow you to carry 2 1L bottles, accessibly). The Zimmerbuilt 1L pocket looks too tall/skinny for a Nalgene and doesn’t look like it’s made for a belt (I sent him a message but didn’t hear back). I guess I could try to get those used ones off Ebay.

[Monte Masterson]

This is how the boys in Nam used to carry 2 quarts of water and other essential gear around their waist. Very heavy but extremely durable. Vintage. Available on Etsy.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1746463490/combat-field-pouch-two-canteens-vietnam?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-art_and_collectibles-domestic_med&utm_custom1=_k_4a947b3d612d1d8ffff91c42a6a821ef_k_&utm_content=bing_412371534_1302921576715767_81432662487777_pla-4585032213878079:pla-4585032213878079_c__1746463490&utm_custom2=412371534&msclkid=4a947b3d612d1d8ffff91c42a6a821ef

[Terran Terran]

The holders from Zimmerbuilt barely hold a 1 liter Smart water bottle. I have a set of Porter wb pockets that he makes that I like better. At least the old ones. They can hold 2 bottles. All fabric, but from the description, it sounds like he’s making them smaller..

I see Osprey makes a Talon 6 waist pack (closeout) and a Savu5 hydration waist pack. For some reason, I can’t post the links, but the both look like similar to the Mountain Warehouse.

Osprey also makes a Seral7. They’re listed only on their European website. If I Google the names, it leads me to REI that tells me that they’re in stock. If I post the link here, it leads me to a error.

[David D]

Talon 6 meant to only hold 1.14L water unfortunately and it rides down but YMMV

[Aaron Goldzimer]

Really? There’s a photo showing it with two Nalgenes?

 

Or maybe they’re just the smaller Nalgenes?

[Terran Terran]

[David D]

Dunno, just going off the outdoorgearlab review

Answer: ” I can stuff my 32oz nalgenes in it but they max out the pockets where they barely fit and are hard to seat”

Looks like a nice bag to carry 2 700mL bike bottles.  If you want one, I’d jump on it, it looks like’s it’s discontinued (no longer on the Osprey site and most places have it on sale)

 

[Aaron Goldzimer]

I actually emailed Osprey, because I saw the same thing! They said the spring 2025 model will be in in 2-3 weeks.

[David D]

Nalgene sell 30 oz HDPE bottles that look identical but are very slightly narrower and shorter than the 32oz ones.  I have a couple from Amazon

[Terran Terran]

If you Google the Osprey pack, it will lead you to REI. It may be an old link though. You could strap a bottle on the top or like David suggested, add the Decathlon as a front pack.

[Monte Masterson]

I’m snowed in and this thread got me thinking that I should make a 500 ml slip-on belt bottle holder to add to my Nathan. 70D silnylon was the heaviest material I had around. With bottle filled it will carry well for 2 reasons: 1) the belt loop is located at center mass. 2) the grosgrain loop is exactly the same width as the belt. That allows everything to be balanced and held tight to the waist with no bouncing around like it would if the loop was wider than the belt. Nice snug fit.

To keep the bottle from slipping out I just sewed a 1/2″ grosgrain loop inside and tied on 3/32 shock cord. Bottle won’t move.

[Aaron Goldzimer]

How much are you charging for one that can fit a 3.75″ diameter? :) haha

[Monte Masterson]

Is this the style of 1L Nalgene you’re talking about?

[Haakon R]

Chuckling, yes, that’s pretty much why I haven’t found a solution that I love. Except that I have done a lot of the frustrating trial and error (and am still frustrated). :)

Ha ha, can’t help chuckling a bit right back attcha :) In the most compassionate way ofc. I know the feeling all too well.

While definitively a tangent to the main topic, for my own needs sharing your idea of using a Nanobag for your project re-ignited another shelved “life improvement” hack that I’ve been droodling with from time to time.
As my mode of work commute is split between running/walking, public transport or a combination of the two, I always carry a backpack with the stuff I need, and some free space for whatever. That “whatever” is very often groceries that I pick up on my way home, and it should be no surprise that it doesn’t take a lot of items on my shopping list before the free space in a regular sized EDC backpack is exceeded. I currently handle this scenario by always having a plastic shopping bag or two in my backpack, but the carry handles are quite uncomfortable and especially now during winter my hands get very cold carrying groceries back home.
I’ve been looking at tote bag options from Sea to summit as well as their newer drybags that comes with attachments for a shoulder strap that can be bought separately. Neither really feels like a homerun. The Nanobag, which I’ve never heard of before, is closer. Then you go ahead and state the obvious – MYOG. Of course! While I’m quite new to MYOG, I can’t understand why this hasn’t crossed my mind before. It’s such a simple project, just perfect for a beginner MYOGer like myself. Thanks for the pitch and sorry for the long tangent :)

[Bill Budney]

Yes, I was trying to say that I have experimented with a wide variety of fanny packs, and have concluded that a hybrid system is superior. That is a direct answer to Aaron’s original question, “Does anyone have any insights?”, and it is the reason that I keep mentioning sling bags in a fanny pack thread.  It is not off-topic — it’s more like thinking outside the box.

All of the fanny packs I have tried, from tiny to jumbo, have limitations: Size, weight, packability, flexible carry options, and comfortable ability to carry a pound or four (2 liters) of water plus bulky-but-lightweight layers, easy access while moving, ventilation — they are all factors.

No commercially-available pack (fanny or otherwise) ticks all of the boxes for me.

I woke up thinking that Kevlar/Dyneema/Spectra thread (or 50 lb braided fishing line) might be an easy and extremely compact way to add attachment points to a tiny packable pack (like Nanobag or similar). No need for a sewing machine even — it could be done in seconds by hand-stitching loops.

A few mini-carabiners, maybe some zip-ties, and a wide webbing belt (possibly a thick one that will not roll, like Monte’s LBE or some tool/hunting belts) make an easy-MYOG kit.

My goal is the convenience of packable sling bag(s) with the security and comfort of being able to clip to the belt when desired. Maybe a water bottle pocket (or canteen if they are only a few ounces) as well. The system is expandable simply by adding more bags.

Perhaps suspenders/shoulder straps (LBE Harness?) for the hip-challenged. ;)

[Author]

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