# When did fanny packs become considered so godawful lame? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856 "2006-03-18T01:42:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/41 "2014-07-29T23:28:08Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > Because they’re CALLED “fanny packs.” “Fanny” is a lame name. I reject tons of things for my own use if they have lame names, regardless of their actual stylishness, usefulness, or practicality. I never owned a pocket protector. I’d never buy a Pooper Scooper. I’ve never worn a codpiece or a jock strap. If I’d have known the durn thing was called a “Lazy Susan” I never would have bought one. To me, it’s my spinning spice rack and occassionally my Scrabble Turntable. > > The only thing worse than any given item with a lame name is a unisex clothing item with a lame name. Sun hats? Flip-flops? Clogs? Footies? My ego won’t let me buy 'em, let alone wear 'em. I haven’t worn briefs since I heard them called “tighty whiteys.” > > Until fanny packs are marketed as ‘urban utility belts’ I’ll never wear one.\* > > \*(Honesty compels me to admit I wore a fanny pack as part of my Olympic volunteer uniform for a few months during Atlanta’s Team for The Games in 1996. Never before, and not even once since.) I’ve seen them called “Belt packs” because, after all, it’s a pack-like container sewn onto a belt. And before the surf-craze resurfaced in the 1980’s we used to call the footwear “zo-ries” but that may be a cognate of some foreign term. Then they were called “thong sandals” and then “thongs” and then the Brazilian swimwear became famous and they had to be called something other than a ‘thong’ so they became “flip-flops” because that’s what they do when you accidentally fling them off your foot while walking down the road… I dunno why Susan got such a bad reputation… –G! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/42 "2014-07-30T00:43:48Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I’ve wondered about this. In college (1980-1984) it was smart business to carry your books in a back pack, but you HAD to wear it like a shoulder bag. One strap only. If you wore it like a backpack was designed, you’d be a dork. > > Nowadays, I see kids wearing their backpacks as designed, and if anyone wore it the way we did, THEY’D be the lame ones. > > When did this happen? And what was the transition period like? Simultaneous lameness/coolness, like some quantum fluctuation? I think it happened while I was in school. (Or, at least I was near the beginning of the transition). The reason it happened is pretty easy to understand: we started carrying more and more books. The transition was just over who wore them and who didn’t. It just gradually worked its way up the coolness scale. It also worked its way up the grades. By my class, for example, it wasn’t really cool or uncool. I mostly just did one strap because it was faster, up until I finally got it worked out where I would only need two books at any given time, meaning I could just carry them. I can only guess that it became uncool because it stopped being common, and thus started to indicate you were “trying” to be cool, which is the worst thing you can do these days. As for fanny packs, I’ve never seen them worn any way but on the front. That was just where you wore them. Did they get moved to the side? Surely not the back, as that would make sitting really annoying. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/43 "2014-07-30T03:14:05Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > I’ve seen them called “Belt packs” because, after all, it’s a pack-like container sewn onto a belt. > > And before the surf-craze resurfaced in the 1980’s we used to call the footwear “zo-ries” but that may be a cognate of some foreign term. Then they were called “thong sandals” and then “thongs” and then the Brazilian swimwear became famous and they had to be called something other than a ‘thong’ so they became “flip-flops” because that’s what they do when you accidentally fling them off your foot while walking down the road… > > I dunno why Susan got such a bad reputation… > > –G! Just call them [jandals](http://www.idealog.co.nz/magazine/38/all-about-jandal)and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/44 "2014-07-30T14:05:59Z")
If you guys want a not-lame version of a “fannypack” get a SpiBelt. They’re used for running. They’re inconspicuously small but hold a shit-ton of stuff. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/45 "2014-07-30T14:41:46Z")
> [@dinahmoe](#): > > What do people in the UK call fannypacks? Bumpacks? I don’t know what’s worse. I suppose they could be fannypacks if worn by a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/46 "2014-07-30T14:52:11Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > That’s a [bindle](http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-Bindle/). It’s where you keep your freinds’ beans. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/47 "2014-07-30T15:06:33Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I’ve wondered about this. In college (1980-1984) it was smart business to carry your books in a back pack, but you HAD to wear it like a shoulder bag. One strap only. If you wore it like a backpack was designed, you’d be a dork. > > Nowadays, I see kids wearing their backpacks as designed, and if anyone wore it the way we did, THEY’D be the lame ones. > > When did this happen? And what was the transition period like? Simultaneous lameness/coolness, like some quantum fluctuation? I can pin that one down to within a year or two, because it actually happened while I was in college, and you could peg someone’s class year/age by whether they were a one or two strap person. I graduated high school in 1991, and college in 1996. Sometime around my Junior or Senior year (1994-1995-ish), the incoming freshmen wore theirs with both straps, while us old-timers still single-strapped it. We thought dual-strapping was kind of dorky, and I’m sure they felt the same way about us. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/48 "2014-07-30T15:58:31Z")
I notices that REI carries fanny packs, but lists them as “waistpacks”. Much better name in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/49 "2014-07-30T16:20:26Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > [Pac-safe metrosafe 150 messenger bag](http://cdn1.ebags.com/is/image/im3/242663_1_1?resmode=4&op_usm=1,1,1,&qlt=80,1&hei=1500&wid=1500&align=0,1&res=1500). Similarly, I have something from PacSafe that is more of a belt pouch with an optional carrying strap. It’s designed to have your belt run through loops on the bag as opposed to having its own buckling strap. The only time I actually use it is when in Mexico and that’s mostly because as a tourist you are required to carry your passport and tourist card on you at all times. If that wasn’t required I’d probably not bother with anything other than my wallet and just not carry too much cash on me. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/50 "2014-07-30T16:38:39Z")
Even [The Rock](http://twitter.com/RealRaphaelK/status/489924797405868033/photo/1) couldn’t pull one off. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/51 "2014-07-30T23:42:07Z")
I think belt-bags/fanny-packs/waist-packs had already become passe (mid-90’s) when I bought mine. Then again, I bought mine for [its additional features](http://www.lapolicegear.com/blfapa.html?Size=60WF06BK%3A%20Large%20Pistols&gclid=CLnDvuqZ7r8CFQgxaQod070AKw) and now it’s basically my carry-all when I go practice. It holds my full-size Witness, plus cleaning tools, plus 4 extra magazines. Nobody tells me I look like a dork when I’m wearing it.🆒 –G! ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/52 "2014-07-31T00:13:31Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Because that’s exactly what smokers love, is that active, outdoor activity. Well, that is the case, oftentimes. When I smoked, there was nothing like a nice Marlboro Light after my post-workout shower. ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_area](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/53 "2014-07-31T16:35:01Z")
I’ve always lamented the fact that fanny packs are universally considered really really tacky. I tend to carry a bunch of crap in my pockets and having a fanny pack would be super useful. I’ve considered getting a man purse, but that’s weird too apparently. Damn you fashion, why can’t anything useful be trendy? ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/54 "2014-07-31T21:55:12Z")
I got one (actually two, wore one out) in the early 80’s. When I went long-distance packing in the mid 80’s, I stitched fastex buckles into the top of my (u-zipper) backpack so it could clip on top. Worked great for my 6-month trip. When just carrying the pack, I usually carry it over my shoulder, but it’s very handy to be able to clip it around my waist when I want both hands free. But the fashion police have put the nix on it. My wife got this great small camera bag as a giveaway from Steelcase, that’s made to wear over one shoulder and tuck behind your arm, just like I carried my pack. I seem to have inherited it; it’s a great airline carry-on. But I’m tempted to put a buckle in it so that I can clip it around my waist for a moment when it would be convenient! ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/55 "2014-08-01T01:04:10Z")
Didn’t they carry them in ‘Revenge of the Nerds’? ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/56 "2014-08-01T01:27:17Z")
A Cozy for the .38 when in shorts on the beach. 😉 ---
**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:** [August 1, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/57 "2014-08-01T03:07:42Z")
I got a Kelty “Boulder MG” fanny pack many years ago; a great three-compartment unit with two mesh bottle pockets that converts into a daypack. I use it for biking when I’m on vacation; it has plenty of room for a spare tube, a CO2 inflator, wallet, keys, a camera and other small items. I also have a giveaway neoprene pocket belt from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. It’s big enough for a wallet or cellphone and some keys–I use it for bike rides around home. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/58 "2014-08-01T05:04:03Z")
I rejoice in such sites as etsy, where one can peruse and pursue those fashions of yesteryear which should never have gone away. The late eighties for example were about the last time women’s fashions were flattering on me – dropped waists, fitted bodices, and long full skirts (I remove the shoulder pads). In like wise, fanny packs are the perfect way to carry wallet, keys, phone, and a couple other small items safely and without any fuss while, say, buying groceries. I would not be without my well-made black leather fanny pack circa 1987. Luckily the fashion police don’t have my address. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/59 "2014-08-01T14:54:18Z")
> [@Grey\_area](#): > > I’ve always lamented the fact that fanny packs are universally considered really really tacky. I tend to carry a bunch of crap in my pockets and having a fanny pack would be super useful. I’ve considered getting a man purse, but that’s weird too apparently. > > Damn you fashion, why can’t anything useful be trendy? I used a fanny pack for years, and never gave a damn what anybody thought about it. I only changed to a knapsack - or man purse - because the fanny pack couldn’t hold a book. I still carry my man purse everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856/60 "2014-08-01T17:05:28Z")
I made a foot-in-the-mouth comment recently, I commented on someone who still wears a fanny pack, but I’d forgot they had a colostomy bag. I think that’s a good reason to wear a fanny pack. At least I didn’t make the comment in earshot of the fanny pack wearer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-fanny-packs-become-considered-so-godawful-lame/348856.md?page=4)