# Suggest a fanny pack/man purse/pack of some kind **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 11, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746 "2010-10-11T02:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/1 "2010-10-11T02:41:48Z")
I have been running into lots of problems lately with losing things. The problem is, I have way too many things that I am carrying in my pockets at once. For example: car keys, pocket knife, wallet, cell phone, dog leash, dog treats, dog clicker, dog toy, change, and more that I’m sure I’m forgetting. Any recommendations for some type of 1 strap pack/belt back/man purse that is: (1) not too expensive, (2) not too bulky, (3) will remain attached to me no matter what vigorous activities I am engaged in, and (4) not feminine? P.S. I don’t want to look like too much of an idiot, but function is favored over appearance. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/2 "2010-10-11T03:40:38Z")
FWIW, I carry a black Jansport book pack around a lot. Partly because I’m a student but I also keep a lot of my creature comforts in there…always have pens, a calculator, aspirin, tissues, glasses, phone, ear plugs, etc. on hand. It’s essentially a man-purse but would never be construed as ‘feminine’. Usually slung over one shoulder but could be both if I’m doing something especially active. I’ve only ever seen those male pouches with a long shoulder strap used a few times and I could never envision me with one…I don’t know why our culture became that way. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/3 "2010-10-11T03:48:14Z")
Something like [this](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699713&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442419239)? I use one for school and see a lot of people with bags in this style, both men and women. Small, comfortable, doesn’t really shift when I’m walking around. It’s big enough to hold my netbook as well as all kinds of other stuff I carry around. Look around the MEC webpage…they have a lot of bags that might suit your needs. Please don’t get a fanny pack. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/4 "2010-10-11T05:03:40Z")
Photographers vest is what I wear. A lumbar pack looks less like a fanny pack, esp with the water bottles. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/5 "2010-10-11T05:23:54Z")
I carry [this](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886190&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442545281) backpack around with me. It’s big enough to hold my laptop, a few files, and anything else I need. It’s a good carry-on bag for air travel. It has enough pockets and compartments to stay organized. And it has mesh pockets on the side big enough to hold a 1 litre water bottle. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/6 "2010-10-11T06:26:06Z")
I go with cargo pants. They will have at a minimum 6 pockets and often have an extra one hidden (like one pair that has a zippered pocket in a side seam) and/or pockets within pockets (like for an ipod). But your situation sounds more involved and probably will require something extra. However if you try the cargo pants, whatever you chose for the stuff that doesn’t fit can be much smaller and might not represent a great loss if it disappears. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/7 "2010-10-11T07:17:56Z")
Clip your phone and keys to your belt, get a smaller knife and buy a purse for your dog. Seriously, your dog accessories need to be stored somewhere else and if they means buying duplicates so you can keep the leash/treats in both the car and house then that is better than hauling them wherever you go. ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/8 "2010-10-11T11:50:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Clip your phone and keys to your belt, get a smaller knife and buy a purse for your dog. Seriously, your dog accessories need to be stored somewhere else and if they means buying duplicates so you can keep the leash/treats in both the car and house then that is better than hauling them wherever you go. All of the dog stuff will not be permanent; its just that she is now in her training phase and many times a trainable situation has arisen (short walk to mailbox, guest shows up, etc.) and I have been annoyed that I am missing an item that I would use for training. However, I think some things would be easier to keep in one easily carried device, rather than constantly switching. I don’t know how many times I have reached for my knife only to remember it is in a different pair of pants. The problem w/ cell phones and belts is (1) I don’t always wear a belt, or the same belt, and (2) I find that I end up lying on top of it if I’m lying on the couch or working on a car or something. If I take it off, it then becomes a small, easily forgotten object that I set down…somewhere. No, I think I need everything in one place. Thanks for suggestions though. ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/9 "2010-10-11T11:54:19Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Something like [this](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699713&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442419239)? I use one for school and see a lot of people with bags in this style, both men and women. Small, comfortable, doesn’t really shift when I’m walking around. It’s big enough to hold my netbook as well as all kinds of other stuff I carry around. Look around the MEC webpage…they have a lot of bags that might suit your needs. > > Please don’t get a fanny pack. Maybe kind of like that, although I’m really after multiple small compartments, and it looks like that has more of a larger main compartment. To be honest, the fanny pack kind of seems pretty well suited for what I am after. They’re quite functional. How did the hatred for them arise? Association with overweight, annoying tourists? ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/10 "2010-10-11T11:55:39Z")
I think I may have stumbled on something – check this bad boy out: [http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Fanny-Pack-Waist-Belt-Bag-Messenger-Hip-Pouch-01B-/250621461492?pt=US\_CSA\_MWA\_Backpacks&hash=item3a5a3403f4#ht\_2373wt\_926](http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Fanny-Pack-Waist-Belt-Bag-Messenger-Hip-Pouch-01B-/250621461492?pt=US_CSA_MWA_Backpacks&hash=item3a5a3403f4#ht_2373wt_926) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/11 "2010-10-11T14:44:21Z")
Dude, if you don’t want to carry a murse because it’s too feminine why on earth would you consider a fanny pack? My boyfriend carries a replica WWII map case - looks nice, not at all feminine, carries what he needs. Of course he’s always leaving it somewhere, though, because he’s not in the purse habit. (I tell him that if you want to stop leaving things places, put your car keys in the thing you’re most likely to leave. You won’t get too far.) ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/12 "2010-10-11T17:58:41Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > > [@mnemosyne](#): > > > > Something like [this](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699713&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442419239)? I use one for school and see a lot of people with bags in this style, both men and women. Small, comfortable, doesn’t really shift when I’m walking around. (…) > > > > Please don’t get a fanny pack. > > (…) > To be honest, the fanny pack kind of seems pretty well suited for what I am after. They’re quite functional. How did the hatred for them arise? Hi Mr. **MisterW** , Fanny packs just ended up on the wrong end of fashion; it might be because they are relentlessly utilitarian. They’re no goofier than dozens of things people presently embrace (tattoos for example.) Here’s a [site that does some mild fanny pack mocking](http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/42-awkward-fanny-pack-photos-cci) (and gives grudging approval to versions in black leather and metallic gold.) I wear a photo fanny pack, because it works better than any other way of carrying a camera with a flash and extra lens. Sometimes I’ll wear the strap around a shoulder for a mini backpack, and sometimes I’ll carry it by the strap as a man purse. Anyway. The black leather pack in that link does look pretty good. You could also look into belt packs designed to hold an SLR with a medium long lens. Those are smaller than most fanny packs, and probably even more secure. I’m pretty sure some have a secondary compartment. Of course they require you to have on a belt and thread it through some extra loops. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/13 "2010-10-11T19:10:38Z")
Getting in on the MEC product love- I have [this](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441773379&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699955) that I use when travelling- it holds a biggish Lonely Planet book, 500ml bottle of water, wallet, digital camera, assorted pens, pads, makeup, granola bars, phone, Itouch, smalish 2nd paperback, passport & travel papers… it’s a frigging TARDIS. [Smaller version](http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774985&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699955) ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/14 "2010-10-11T20:52:55Z")
Here you go. If you want to be an uber geek, you need to get a couple gadget holsters like these. [Gadget holster](http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/c616/) [Hip holster - very sexy!](http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/9190/) [Shoulder holster.](http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/918a/) Strap one of those bad boys on and FEEL THE POWAH! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/15 "2010-10-11T21:07:44Z")
Perhaps too bulky for you, but I really like the [Tamrac 515](http://www.cambags.com/nikon/d70/shoulder/images/tamrac_515/tamrac_515_nikon_d70_3.jpg). I’ve seen them on sale for $25, which is quite a bargain. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/16 "2010-10-11T21:23:29Z")
[Musette Bag](http://www.atthefront.com/us/fieldgear/musettebags&haversacks.html) ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/17 "2010-10-11T21:31:04Z")
You are looking at this all wrong. Since a lot of the bulky stuff is dog-related, have your dog carry it. > **[Dog Backpacks for Hiking & Backpacking | REI Co-op](https://www.rei.com/c/dog-packs)** > > Shop for Dog Packs at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee You can carry keys, wallet and change in your pants pockets. That’s what they are there for. Cellphones will fit in your pocket or use one with a little belt holster. Get a pocket knife with a belt/boot clip (that is approximately every single knife sold, these days). ---
**Author:** ![Alexpkeaton529](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Alexpkeaton529](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alexpkeaton529)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/18 "2010-10-11T22:38:30Z")
Maxpedition versipack [http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Versipacks-c4.htm](http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Versipacks-c4.htm) Done and done. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/19 "2010-10-12T17:06:30Z")
Dude, the [proper pants](http://www.atlanco.com/product/24-7-series-mens-pants,15,86.htm) are the answer! I have 6 or 7 of these. The pockets are big, but not bulky, and there are two small pockets on your hips for pocket-knife or other things. My daily carry is [4006](http://www.armchairgunshow.com/ot57-pix/hcp8-11.jpg) [P-32](http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/p-32/) [extra](http://www.keltecweapons.com/product/p3at-37-9rnd-magazine/)mag [Extra](http://tacticalgungear.com/images/cdnn_2005_36712020%5B1%5D.gif)4006 mag Spyderco [Police](http://images.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/spyderc/images/07gp3.jpg) Spyderco [Assist](http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=304) Leatherman [Squirt](http://www.bekkelund.net/img/blogg/leatherman_squirt_p4.jpg) Surefire [Backup](http://www.surefire.com/E1B-Backup) Extra [batteries](http://www.surefire.com/12-Pack-Batteries) - just a couple, not the box… [Asp](http://www.lapolicegear.com/aspaiexba.html) [Whistle](http://www.safety-selector.co.uk/images/FC31%20-%20Emergency%20Whistle.jpg) [Phone](http://www.careace.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/samsung_seek.jpg) [Camera](http://images.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/3603-11.jpg) [Mints!](http://exchange2020.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/402817124_0f5f175f2a.jpg) [Radio](http://www.hampedia.net/pictures/icom/ic-92ad.jpg) plus Chap-Stick, keys, wallet, and whatever my kids don’t want to carry at the moment. I’ve usually got room for more. I just need to add suspenders! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746/20 "2010-10-12T17:10:06Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Dude, if you don’t want to carry a murse because it’s too feminine why on earth would you consider a fanny pack? My boyfriend carries a replica WWII map case - looks nice, not at all feminine, carries what he needs. Of course he’s always leaving it somewhere, though, because he’s not in the purse habit. (I tell him that if you want to stop leaving things places, put your car keys in the thing you’re most likely to leave. You won’t get too far.) Map cases also have the virtue of being very, very cheap - I can’t imagine spending more than $20 on a standard canvas model. [http://www.amazon.com/Map-Case-Shoulder-Bag-Black/dp/B000KZHO9A](http://www.amazon.com/Map-Case-Shoulder-Bag-Black/dp/B000KZHO9A) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-fanny-pack-man-purse-pack-of-some-kind/556746.md?page=2)