Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 10:30 pm
You’ll likely want a way to carry your items regardless of how short or long your hike is. Whether you want to bring hydration, or need a place to store your car keys and money, hiking packs are extremely useful. To help you find a comfortable way to carry your stuff on a hike, we’ve put together a list of the best hiking waist packs with shoulder straps.
Our Favorite Hiking Waist Packs with Shoulder Straps Are...
I’m a big fan of waist packs. They’ve been invaluable on many hiking adventures. While this post goes into a ton of detail on all the pros and cons of our top picks, we feel the two below deserve special attention:
Best Overall: ENGYEN Fanny Pack Waist Bag with Shoulder Strap
Second Best: Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack with Shoulder Strap
While most hikers would likely love the two excellent waist packs above, we cover some other awesome options in this post.
Beneath the comparison table, we give all the ins-and-outs for each of the packs on our list. So if you have the time to do a bit more research we highly recommend reading further.
Comparison Table of Our 4 Favorite
So that you can see what all of our favorite shoulder-strap-fitted waist packs look like, we’ve put this comparison table together. You can get more info, compare specs, or check their current prices on Amazon by clicking on the picture or product name.
| Picture | Name / Link | Price |
|---|---|---|
 
|
ENGYN Fanny Pack with Shoulder Strap | $ |
 
|
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack | $$ |
 
|
Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack | $$ |
 
|
Mountainsmith Tour Classic | $$ |
Hopefully, the table above provides some value visually. If you want to get more detail on WHY the packs in this post are our favorites with shoulder straps, keep reading through the rest of this post.
1. ENGYEN Fanny Pack Waist Bag with Shoulder Strap
They are so convinced you will like this bag, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t love it, don’t keep it! You can send it back for a full refund, no questions asked. How awesome is that! This (and its low price) are why we love the ENGYN Fanny Pack with a Shoulder Strap.
It can also be used as a strict waist belt without the shoulder strap. When you want to carry more, you can employ the use of the comfortable shoulder strap. This way you can pack more for your hike, and stay out in the fresh air for longer.
Multiple Pockets - Six Total
Six pockets in total ensures you have plenty of storage space. Four of the pockets are zipped pockets, which means you can store a wide range of items safely and securely
And all of the pockets are positioned so you can get to anything you want in seconds.
In addition to the zippered pockets, there are also two side pockets that provide quick and easy access to a water bottle.
No Bounce and a Crossbody Strap
The close-body fit reducing bouncing which makes it nearly perfect for speed hiking.
This design allows the pack to sit comfortably and securely with minimal movement. After all, there is nothing worse than a pack that swings around.
A swinging pack is not only annoying, but it also opens you up to chafing. With this pack, your odds of discomfort decrease drastically.
ENGYEN Waist Bag with Shoulder Strap Pros and Cons
ENGYN PROS
- 6 pockets
- Water bottle holder
- Water-Resistant
- Doesn’t bounce much
ENGYN CONS
- Not plus sized friendly
Who is This Waist Bag Perfect For?
Overall this is an excellent bag for a variety of outdoor activities, which comes in a range of highly visible colors.
This is perfect for nearly any day hike. You’ll be able to carry water, snacks, you phone, and more. And the zippers ensure those items will be kept safe during the hike. If this is what you need? Then the ENGYEN Fanny Pack Waist Bag with Shoulder Strap is for you.
2. Mountainsmith Tour Lumber Pack
Mountainsmith is a highly trusted brand and the Tour Lumbar Pack is one of their flagship waist packs. Producing high-quality lifestyle products since 1979, Mountainshmith has time and time again shown they make quality (and durable) mountain gear. This pack is no exception.
Can Accommodate Plus-Sized Phones
Getting back to nature and experiencing the wild. That is one of the reasons we all hike. However, this waist pack has taken into consideration that people still like to have their comforts with them.
For this reason, this waist pack has a built-in tablet carrying section, pockets designed for plus-sized phones, and a back panel hidden pocket for valuables like bank cards (or passports). It also comes with a handy headphone jack.
With these well thought through pockets and compartments this pack is one of our favorites that also come with a comfortable shoulder strap.
Lots of Carrying Capacity BUT Low Weight
It has a large 9 liter carrying capacity that comes in at a lightweight 1lb 12oz.
This means you can pack in a lot of stuff, and get out on the trails with the knowledge that a heavy cumbersome pack is not going to weigh you down.
This is especially impressive as they have included a lot of padding for maximum comfort. They have achieved this by using high-quality Oxford and HD Ripstop Nylon.
Pros and Cons of the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack PROS
- Fit
- Valuables
- Hammock
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack CONS
- Weight
- Bottles not included
Who Will Love This Waist Pack for Hiking?
The Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack is ideal for all types of travelers especially day hikers, but can be used in a whole range of situations. For example; they have proven to be an excellent carry-on bag for airplanes, as it has great storage areas for your phone, passport and boarding cards.
They have been making high-quality lumbar packs for over 40 years, and they are so confident in the materials they use and their craftsmanship that they offer a warranty for life against manufacturer’s defects. So this could be a valuable part of your outdoor equipment for decades. You can check out more pictures, specs, and current pricing on Amazon here: Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack.
3. Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack with Should Strap
Mountainsmith shows up on our list a few times. That’s because they’ve been making waist packs for 40 years, and a number of them deserve to be on our list. The Day Lumbar Pack is the perfect example of a large capacity waist pack that can be worn with extreme comfort.
Large Capacity
Coming in at a huge 13 liters, with a weight of 1 lb 12 oz, this is at the top end of what you need from a waist pack.
If you need more space than this, then you are either overpacking or need to consider taking a backpack on your hike instead.
In all seriousness though, the large volume of this pack is a great way to take a waterproof jacket or a back-up pair of shoes.
Body shape
Not all bodies are shaped the same way, and not all waist packs work the same for all these different body types.
When looking at most waist packs, they are a lot longer, than they are tall. This pack is taller than most you will see. This means it will fit slimmer upper body frames better than some packs.
Pros and Cons of the Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack with Shoulder Strap
Day Lumbar Pack PROS
- Lot’s of space
- Sits well against body
- Hip storage / side pockets
Day Lumbar Pack CONS
- Can be tricky to organize items with vertical orientation of pack
Who Will Love The Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack with Shoulder Strap?
This is a tremendous bag that has stood the test of time. In my opinion, it can rival any waist bag used for walking and hiking. Its shoulder straps provide comfort, and its extreme storage capacity is unique amount hiking waist packs.
If having a vertically oriented pack with a TON of storage space interests you, the Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
4. Mountainsmith Tour Classic Waist Pack with Should Strap
The Tour Classic Waist Pack with a Shoulder Strap is a comfortable, albeit large, waist pack option. It will be a bit bulkier than others, but this makes it perfect to get water, snacks, AND an extra layer to the top of a summit. The highly adjustable shoulder strap, allows you to sit this pack pretty much anywhere on your body, for convenience and security.
Large Carrying Capacity and Comfortable Fit
This is a large pack with a 10.5 Liter capacity. But due to the clever design it can easily hold over 12lb of items.
The heavy carrying capacity isn’t necessarily a good thing unless you can do so comfortably. Due to the Delta Compression system and adjustable straps, this pack is very comfortable at any weight.
If you are filling the bag to capacity, I would definitely recommend using the shoulder straps.
Quality Design and Material
Made with the highest quality Kodra and Embossed Liner, this ensures that having a heavy pack will not reduce its lifespan. It is a really rugged pack that will put up with nearly everything you put it through.
Again, Mountainsmith is a quality brand, and they stand behind this waist pack. This is shown by their offering a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
Tour Classic Waist Pack Pros and Cons
Tour Classic PROS
- Embossed liner
- Comfortable shoulder straps
- Tons of space
- Space for water bottles
Tour Classic CONS
- Minimalist
- Smallest pockets won’t fit largest phones
Who Would This Unit be Perfect For?
What sets this pack apart from others is how rugged and sturdy it is, which opens up more opportunities for different types of hiking. For example, this pack would be excellent as a fishing pack due to its size, and comfortable shoulder straps.
With its thick but light padding on the shoulder straps, this waist pack ensures you can take a lot on your trick while reducing strain on your shoulders. The Tour Classic Waist Pack really does provide a rugged hiking pack that comes with a TON of storage space.
What Makes a Waist Pack With Shoulder Straps Great?
Where you may need things like food, navigation equipment, camping gear, and multiple items of clothing for potentially changeable weather, a high volume waist pack is ideal. Having shoulder straps (comfortable ones) is important if you want versatility in the way you carry your items for your day hike.
With the above in mind, there are three main things you should consider when you’re looking for a waist pack with shoulder straps:
- Capacity: You need to consider the size of the pack and how much it will hold. What gear do you expect to need most? Make sure there is room for those items.
- Number of Pockets: Having numerous pockets is helpful to compartmentalize what you have taken with you. The most logically set up is having zipped pockets for money, phones, and keys. Larger pockets are great for clothing, water, and food.
- Strap Comfort: Comfort of the strap is essential. A good strap will take into account the maximum weight allowed within the pack’s capacity, and it will spread that weight through the strap.You want a pack you can use time and time again and not even know you are wearing it.
There is a huge range of waist packs on the market, and they are suitable for all skill levels.
I do think the types of hiking packs we focus on in this post, are especially useful for beginner hikers.
Waist packs are very useful for getting you used to one-day activities, which can lead to more technical hikes later on. Basically, a waist pack increases the likelihood you have what you need to enjoy your hike more fully.
Find a Pack for YOUR Needs and Get Hiking
There is no perfect waist pack that is suitable for every occasion, so you do have to consider the type of hike you’ll be doing and what you want to fit in the pack. In this post, we focus on waist packs with shoulder straps because I think they enable a pack to be more suitable for a wider range of activities.
But if you are looking to hike faster and want a smaller waist pack we also have a post where we focus on the best lightweight waist packs for hiking. The same goes for if you want a lighter hiking pack that prioritizes waterbottle storage; if this is you, check out our post on the best hiking packs with water bottle storage.
Regardless of the type of hiking you plan to take on, if you are looking for a waist pack there is something out there for YOUR specific needs.
Hopefully, this post has provided you with the direction needed to find a hiking waist pack that can help you remain well prepared, but do so comfortably.
Image Credit: Ed and Eddie | (source) | Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) — reduced file size
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