Opinions on waist packs for backpacking

I usually use an REI trail 2. Great design; smooth on-handed zipper operation. Wish it were waterproof. Put my heaviest/densest stuff in there, which rides on top of hipbelt where the belt has tendency to exert an upward/backward force – the front pack counters that force. Ergonomically it’s a win and the contents of the pack are essentially “free” load. (Although I still count em in the base weight:)

Im moving toward all Aarn, all the time, so not sure the wait pack will continue to ride, but as Diane points out, the front pack can stay on when the pack comea off, which has special utility.

I think I’m beginning to see how some people keep their pack weight so low….grin.

I never enter the woods without my HPG chest pack (OKB). It is out of the way of my backpack and is “docked” to the backpack itself making it weightless.  In it are a lot of items I might need or don’t want to lose.

https://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1/ProductID/71

I’m starting to packrat and now looking for a fanny pack to keep survival kit in case I loose everything, like one said for crossing rivers while hiking. Nothing under 1,5 or even 2l would fit what I need (emergency blanket, knife, some food, water purification, fire thing, map and GPS or phone). So all those easy clips are out of the question, must be the last thing that stands. Still not sure of the entenglement risks, got to get info on how to wear it while paddling (waist, diagonal sling, over pfd ideally but maybe under). Ideally worn over in sling mode with something for water, either like the Redpaw flex, or adding a shoulder pouch or an elastic like rope to simply hold a bottle (like ULA Epic has). Would not care if DFC or XPac or silpoly or shakedry, I don’t believe any is really waterproof if soaked, would add a sealed plastic bag inside. Even just perspiration gets in all those materials, it is my experience with loved HMG and MLD belt pouches and zpack chest pack.  On the trail would have to be useful also, so wear it either on chest or on belt. So for that, hmg or MLD or zpack waist packs, unfortunately no water options on those… And Redpaw flex doesn’t have the loop to get a hipbelt there,  but he makes custom, don’t know if he can… … Nothing perfect. It’s new for me still fear it becomes too hot as a chest pack (need a towel under) or friction on the belt area… Will have to try to know. Still I need it for water, so if doesn’t work on trail, will become a backpack top.

I really like them.

I recently took off both hip pouches and replaced with a 4MONSTER fanny pack that I attach around the shoulder straps, basically making it a chest pouch. I think it is 2 oz, and cost around $11.00 on amazon. My ladyfriend wears hers as a hip pouch, this presses her sweater against belly, and turns her sweater into a pouch for our hot water bags = warm ladyfriend, and weight stored at center of gravity.

I like having snacks / lunch in an easy to reach, and see into place, and it is a good place to keep an easy access cheese knife (mercer paring knife), soap, lighter, keys, headlamp etc.

Michael B—Check out Timmermade’s blog post on his roll-top waist belt pockets. I like how he thinks outside the box.

I used a [discontinued] Osprey Grab Bag which was designed to be used as a hipbelt or chest pocket as well as a waist pack. I tried all three uses on an overnighter on the Kalalau Trail. Since I didn’t need to bring insulation I went SUL and carried a daypack. The Grab Bag was the only pocket I could reach with the pack on.

It was kind of nice to have my wallet, light and other small, important things on me at all times including while I slept in a tiny hammock. IIRC, I wore running shorts or a swimsuit with no pockets so the Grab Bag served that purpose.