I am passionate about travel, more so as I grow older. Besides the excitement and joy of exploring new places and meeting new people, I really enjoy the process of packing for a trip. You’ll laugh if I tell you that my family considers me an expert packer, and cousins who traveled abroad would expect me to go do it for them—in a different city. What a compliment!
Fortunately, my corporate job also involved a lot of travel and I loved the impromptu trips I had to make. This meant that I always had a suitcase and fanny pack packed and ready to go—oh yes, I was super-organized and had at least six sets of clothes, pressed neatly and waiting to be packed, with a bag of essentials, so that I didn’t ever forget those things I couldn’t afford to. Yes, I am talking about those!
It is a good thing that back in the day, there were no electronic devices to carry around and therefore, no chargers and all that paraphernalia that go with them. But yes, I did carry a big tote and a fanny pack. Oh, I love it. And I continue to do so whenever I leave the house. I have a number of them—hey, I use it as an accessory!
So what’s so great about that fanny pack?
For one thing, it straps on to the hip/waist depending on your style, and has several compartments that are big enough to carry everything you need to keep with you. Mine can take the following:
- a purse (yep, my wallet snuggles in easily) or money
- keys
- emergency medicines
- tissues/hand towel (go ahead and roll your eyes)
- id cards
- a pair of earrings (don’t judge!)
- kohl pencil
- moisturizer
- a pen and a pencil
- a small notebook
- a small pouch of almonds (new addition since diabetes)
- hand sanitizer
- business cards
- paperback (Wodehouse—just in case you had to know)
- tickets, passport, and documents if I am traveling
- phone
See? All that! And hands-free, too! I like the snug way it fits with easy access to its zippered pouches.
What actually started as a travel accessory has now become an inseparable part of me when I step out. The transition happened when I became a Mom—with my little one, I needed the arm-space and found it super-convenient to just tie this around my hip, and put him in the baby-carrier and strap him around me, hoist that big bag of his essentials and set off, rather jauntily! Yes, yes, I confess I used his pram as a shopping trolley! And when I had to take my friend’s kids along…pure bliss to know that my purse was strapped to me.
But travel and mommy-outings are not the only occasions to love that fanny pack. You can max it out for just about any outing such as:
- Say you are off on a picnic. How convenient to keep your valuables close to you without worrying about leaving it somewhere?
- A music festival. Of course you are not going to carry your usual handbag when you get squashed in that crowd. How nice to have everything you need securely tied to you!
- Going biking? The fanny pack is an absolute essential!
- Off to the gym? Ideal way to carry your important stuff.
- Taking your dog for a walk? Enjoy the fresh air and time with your pet without lugging your bag
- Going to the stadium to watch your favorite sport? Yay! You don’t want to be holding your bag or keeping an eye on it when you’d rather be cheering! Strap it on and enjoy the peace! You could carry a backpack, but hey, I’d rather say bye-bye to that back sweat.
- What about the supermarket/library where they expect you to leave your stuff in the luggage rack? That waist pouch is your savior.
- Or just head off for a walk, find a quiet spot, sit and close your eyes and breathe, confidently.
And oh, nothing to stop you from making a fashion statement by wearing a matching fanny pack for utility+looks+style factor! Wear it with the pouch in front, or resting on the small of your back—either way it rocks. I sometimes like to carry it like a handbag on my shoulder. It keeps me organized like a boss!
Best of all, gender no bar! Some of our bus conductors/ticketers wear one for the sheer ease of reaching into it for change, for those pesky travelers who won’t carry any!
And there’s no need to stop at just one.
Do you use a fanny pack?
If yes, do you love it?
If no, why not?
What is your favorite travel accessory?
8 comments
Fanny packs are great. I have one that can even hold my Kindle Fire. Not fashionable, but a big square thing, it’s still my favorite, especially for longer excursions. As for travel, I do it less than I would have thought. We are home bodies to an awful (but cozy) degree that our darling cats appreciate even if loved ones lament. Funny thing is, friends and family don’t make the six plus hour round trip to visit us, either. Now if I could just invent a teleportation device to save time and limit uncertainty, I’d like to see the world (and visit you, for sure!).
So glad there was no security issue with your blog. And thank you for the kindly reply. Sorry I didn’t see it until this evening, at which time I thought to reply here and save you time reading another message. ~grin~ Namaste, my dear, and hugs to you and yours.
How sweet of you, Darla! I too have one that takes my tablet and my folks are always amused by my “kangaroo pouch”
I get what you are saying about getting out and others visiting–these days everyone is so busy that it is often hard to schedule the things one wants to do but pushes down the priority list.
I really would love that teleportation device too! Imagine instantly meeting for coffee! On my porch. 🙂 Or yours!
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Those are some creative designs on a fanny pack! I confess I never quite came around to the idea of a fanny pack. Tried it briefly and felt really awkward about wearing it. Much prefer the cross-shoulder sling bags or a backpack these days 🙂
I love packing too, by the way. Helps my methodical mindset 😀 Strange no, things that make us happy?
Absolutely! Packing is so much fun and I enjoy being the go-to for friends who are moving as well. Hahaha, yes–little joyful things.
I’ve lost count of the number of fanny packs I’ve gifted–colorful ones to kids and they love them. You should try them Shailaja. Very convenient.
Amazing blog post & I can very much relate to this. I have been travelling for quite a while now and fanny packs have always proved very helpful. Any small things which I required instantly like money, power bank, camera batteries and other things were always in fanny packs and comfortable to carry. Could not think my trip without fanny packs.
You know, I’ve seen more men than women use this. I didn’t even know that it was called fanny pack. 🙂 Those are some really funky designs there but I doubt if I would ever use a fanny pack.
very nice informative post
Great post. Learnt something new today – fanny pack.