Back in the day, when I saw my mom sporting a fanny pack, I cringed. I was a tween, and my mom was utterly embarrassing with her nylon belt bag. Flash forward a couple of decades and as I juggle four kids at a playground while my diaper bag keeps slipping off my shoulder, I find myself thinking, “Maybe, just maybe, my mom was onto something.”

And I’m not the only one. That’s right friends, fanny packs are BACK. Why? Well, for celebs and fashion-types, it’s because everything that was once old must always be reincarnated.

But for us mamas, there is one simple resounding answer: The bag is incredibly convenient. It allows us to have our hands free—to, ya know, change a diaper or put a bandage on a knee—and it also forces us to pare down the litany of items we’ll throw into our purses before we head out the door. Like, those ten extra snacks or a juice box or a coloring book—the items that result in your purse suddenly weighing 50 pounds.

Oh, and this just in: You can also sling a fanny pack around your body, now. We’ve got options! (They also go by a more sophisticated name in some circles—”belt bags,” thankyouverymuch.)

Is it the ultimate mom bag? Listen, we’re not going to say it is. But we’re also not going to say it’s not. Catch our drift? And if you see yourself in a mirror while sporting your new belt bag, we dare you not to start singing, “I’m too sexy for… my fanny pack.”

Our favorite fanny packs for moms

Beis The Sport Pack

Beis

$48

The Sport Pack

We’ve always loved Béis for travel so it’s no surprise their pandemic close-to-home creation hits all the marks as well. (One reviewer called it the “holy grail of fanny packs,” so you know it’s good!) Designed with hikers in mind, each feature easily translates to everyday mama needs as well! The nylon pack is generously-sized with plenty of space for a spare diaper and wipes as well as card slots and a key fob to keep the important things easy to access.

caraa sling small

Caraa

$118

Sling Small

From the gold hardware to the metallic cloud-like nylon, we’re totally gaga for this gilded beauty from Caraa. The scoop-style zippered top makes it easy to access your must-haves and an internal key fob keeps keys handy. (It also comes in a ton of other fun neons and neutrals.)

–S.G.

State Bags Crosby Fanny Pack

State Bags

$175

Bennet Fanny Pack

Fanny pack, but make it fashion. Not only does this leather stunner from State Bags stylishly carry all your essentials—it also gives back to families in need. Since their launch in 2013, State Bags has used the power of the brand to support causes all around the world in the ways they need it most. Refreshing, isn’t it? –S.G.

Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

Dagne Dover

$95

Ace Fanny Pack

We love Dagne Dover’s neoprene bags with their chunky zippers and spot-on details. Available in six fun colors (including the brand new for fall camel hue which is perhaps our favorite neutral ever), it boasts a slew of convenient features like a handy key clip, card slot and elastic loop inside (perfect for hugging your chapstick!) and even a credit card pocket on the back for easy access.

Freshly Picked Classic Park Pack

Freshly Picked

$69

Classic Park Pack

Designed by mamas, for mamas, this stylish pack from Freshly Picked can hold diapers and wipes along with the essentials. Access is easy thanks to a magnetic clasp (because how many hands do you really have when there are kids involved?). Inside you’ll find four card slots along with a zip pocket at the back.

State Bags Lorimer Fanny pack

State Bags

$90

Lorimer Fanny Pack

Yes, another pick from State Bags because it’s too hard to choose. (#NotSorry) Not only did this bad boy rack up at 5,000 person waitlist, it also relaunched with a longer strap option due to popular demand. It’s roomy, durable and features two separate main pockets to keep things organized. There’s a bunch of great colors to choose from as well!

mom carrying a toddler

TushBaby

$85

TushBaby Carrier

How about a fanny back that also saves your back? The raved-about Tushbaby offers comfort for both parent and kiddo with a memory foam-lined seat that promotes hip health and a seriously supportive padded belt which evenly distributes baby weight. It even provides ample storage for diapers, wipes and essentials, eliminating the need for an additional diaper bag. You’re freeeee!

herschel supply fifteen hip pack

Herschel Supply

$31.99

Fifteen Hip Pack

Perfect for just the essentials, this no-frills option from Herschel Supply comes in a ton of colors and patterns. And their warranty program is 🙌! –S.G.

kibou vegan leather bag

Kibou

$98

Vegan Leather Bag

As a mom who crammed a diaper and a couple of wipes into my coat pocket and hoped for the best, I really wish Kibou had been around when I was slinging babies. Dubbed “The Deliberately Minimal Diaper Bag” this brilliant mama-made design has thought of everything. It’s got plenty of space for snacks and diapers, a built-in waterproof pocket for wipes or blowout soaked onesies and—get this!—a detachable changing pad that unfolds from the back flap. Smell ya later, giant diaper bag. –S.G.

And! You can feel good knowing your purchase gives back, too. Kibou gives 1% of every sale to mothers and children affected by incarceration via Hour Children.

 

wild fable belt bag

Wild Fable

$15

Fanny Pack

Between the price point, cheery color and rave reviews, this one from Target is a no-brainer.

ODODOS Unisex Mini Belt Bag

ODODOS

$18.98

Unisex Mini Belt Bag

One of the most coveted fanny packs is the $38 Everywhere Belt Bag from Lululemon. The problem? It sells out within 30 minutes every time they drop a new batch. Stop chasing it! You’ve got better things to do. Instead, be the cool label-eschewing mama and snatch up this bargain spot on dupe instead. It’s $20 cheaper and comes in a bazillion colors to go with everything. It’s perfect for Saturday morning pilates!

 

petunia picklebottom all around belt bag

Petunia Pickle Bottom

$34.30

All-Around Belt Bag

From the brand that’s synonymous with diaper bags, Petunia Pickle Bottom’s on-trend belt bags are made of a mom-friendly faux leather that can be wiped down and easily cleaned up when handled by sticky fingers. Also, bonus points for leopard. –S.G.

parker clay desta belt bag

Parker Clay

$198

Desta Belt Bag

The durable, made-to-last leather goods from Parker Clay seem to get better with age. (Just like you, right?) All their styles are timeless and versatile–including this beauty that can be worn around your waist or over the shoulder.

Want more to love? In addition to sustainably sourcing their leather from local Ethiopian providers, Parker Clay’s Ethiopian factories employ at-risk women and provide them a safe work environment and livable wage. Through their employment, they’re also given opportunities to learn and develop new skills and advance their careers.–S.G.

fjallraven ulvo hip pack large

Fjällräven

$65

Ulvö Large Hip Pack Bag

Designed for outdoor adventures, this is one bag you can easily hand off to dad when it’s his turn to fly solo.

mz wallace metro sling

MZ Wallace

$185

Metro Sling

Moms everywhere love MZ Wallace for their crazy parenting-friendly totes, and turns out they make an equally utilitarian belt bag that can go from playdate to brunch date no problem.

glad and young big sister fanny pack

Glad & Young

$145

Big Sister Fanny Pack

Whether you’re carting kids or sipping cocktails kid-free, the gorgeous handmade hip bags from Atlanta-based Glad & Young Studios are totally on point. Choose from three different marbled leather base colors and a variety of strap colors to match or contrast. And just like you, this one gets better with age, mama.–S.G.

Clare V. Grande Fanny Pack

Clare V.

$325

Grande Leather Belt Bag

The epitome of cool-girl bag brands, Clare V. also brings its chic aesthetic to the fanny pack category, and we couldn’t be happier about that. I splurged on this one last summer after agonizing over such a pricey investment for ages. But it checked all the boxes! Roomy enough to easily carry the essentials, trendy but timeless, and both day/night appropriate. Basically, the bag to end all bags. So I pulled the trigger. And I was soooo right.–S.G.

baggu nylon belt bag

Baggu

$52

Nylon Belt Bag

Baggu doesn’t just make the perfect reusable shopping bag—they also crush it in the fanny pack department. This durable pack is made from the same recycled nylon the brand is known for which is (blessedly) totally machine washable when an inevitable disaster occurs.–S.G.

monos metro sling

Monos

$80

Metro Sling

If you want the look of leather without the investment, the faux leather slings from luggage experts Monos are totally mom-friendly. One big pocket and three internal sleeve pockets keep you organized while a full length zip pocket across the back keeps your most important essentials safe and secure. They’re sizable enough for the must-haves, super duper durable and sustainably made to boot. Go ahead, jelly-fingered toddler, do your worst.–S.G.

jansport fifth avenue fanny pack

Jansport

$30

Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack

If we’re going to go the fanny pack route, we might as well go the whole way, right? Right. And nothing screams “90s!” like a Jansport bag. The good news is they haven’t raised their prices too much in the past three decades.

igloo cooler retro fanny pack

Igloo

$24.99

Retro Fanny Pack Cooler

OK, we spoke too soon. This is the 90’s throwback we didn’t know we needed. Igloo has brought back their Full House era color palettes and logo to create the coolest fanny pack ever. No, literally. This insulated pack keeps three cans (er, um, baby bottles) cold when you’re on-the-go.–S.G.

A version of this story was published July 21, 2021. It has been updated.