You not only can pull off a fanny pack—you should!

I’ve become a fanny pack evangelist because I love fanny packs. They’re practical. They save me from neck and shoulder pain. And they’re cute!

(Just don’t call my fanny pack a belt bag—I’m not in denial. It’s a fanny pack.)

Not convinced? Read all the reasons why I love fanny packs, then get yourself one. At the bottom of this post, I’ve pulled together my favorite ones (including the galactic fanny pack I wear, of course!) and tips on how to wear a fanny pack.

I promise: You can pull this off. Here’s why you should try.

This post contains affiliate links, which adds no extra cost for you. When you click through, I may earn a small income, which helps me continue to bring you family travel tips for free.

Fanny packs: The ultimate mom accessory

Whether you already rock a fanny pack (high five!!!!) or are wondering how to wear a fanny pack, these reasons to love ’em will have you embracing the 80’s throwback in no time.

1. Go hands free

When you wear a fanny pack, your hands are free to take photos, dole out snacks and hold onto your kids’ hands.

(Even still, my youngest says, “Mama, think of what you could do with eight hands!”)

2. Pockets when you wear leggings

I am an unabashed fan of wearing leggings all the time. I’m pretty sure you agree that leggings 24/7 is the best mom uniform ever: All the comfort and the cute styles without having to worry about what to wear (or a dry cleaning bill).

The only problem with leggings is they have no pockets!

The brilliant solution: Fanny packs. Wearing a fanny pack is basically like adding pockets to leggings.

3. Carry what you need—and no more

If you’re like I was before I started using a fanny pack, your purse is full of stuff. You have whatever you need—and a whole lot more. I would find random toys, doodads from birthday party goodie bags, used tissues and bouncy balls in my purse.

But now that I use a fanny pack, I carry my wallet, phone, keys and a snack for the kids. I have just enough room for what I need so I don’t end up being a pack mule.

4. Hike with just what you need

On a related note, I wear my fanny pack when my family goes on short hikes. If we’re out walking the dog or hiking for just a mile or so, I don’t want to carry a big backpack—it’s overkill. But I can carry just enough with my fanny pack.

5. Find that perfect accessory to babywearing

My kids are 3 and 5 now, so I don’t wear them that often (though I still do on the trail sometimes). When they were smaller, though, babywearing was constant. Yet my Lillebaby carrier (which I absolutely love and still sometimes buy for friends’ baby shower gifts) didn’t include a pocket, so I had nowhere to put my keys and phone.

I started to wear by fanny pack along with my baby carrier and my problem was solved!

6. Stash a secret pocket

My fanny pack has two zippers—the front one, where I carry everything I need, plus one that lies flat against my belly. It’s safe and secure, which is why I carry my passport there when I travel abroad (like here, when I visited Huaca Pucllana in Lima, Peru). I also keep a small set of just-in-case items there at all times: In a snack sized ziplock I carry a few band-aids, several Ibuprofen and a hair tie.

(Wondering where I am in this photo? Check out my post about the best things to do in Lima, Peru.)

7. Save your shoulders and neck

Recently I learned I have several bulging discs in my neck. (Glamorous, I know). Suddenly it made sense why I’d get severe neck and shoulder pain when I wear a purse: Having anything on one shoulder threw me out of alignment and aggravated my injury.

When I wear a fanny pack, I have so much less neck and shoulder pain. We moms are constantly holding a million things at once—a kid on one hip and 40 pounds of groceries in the other hand, for example—and we need to give our bodies a break. Wearing a fanny pack is one easy way I do just that.

8. Stop hitting people with your purse

Moms, you’ve been there: You lean over to see your child eye-to-eye or tie their shoe, and your purse swings forward, bopping them in the face. Ow!

Fanny packs stay put. No more hitting people with your shoulder bag!

9. Avoid gross situations with your purse

You know when you use a public bathroom and there’s no hook to hold your purse? You end up wondering what in the heck to do with it while you do your business. And when you sit down at a café or restaurant, you probably put your purse on the floor, picking up whatever germs other people’s shoes left behind. Yuck.

When I wear a fanny pack, I don’t have to worry about where to hang it. I just keep it on.

How to wear a fanny pack

Now that I’ve convinced you to love this mom-friendly accessory, you might be asking how to wear a fanny pack.

Personally, I wear mine on my front, so it’s actually more of a belly pack. When it comes to how to wear a fanny pack, I prefer it on my front so I can easily grab what I need.

I wear it low over my hips, not around my waist.

You can also wear a fanny pack in the back, over your bum. Sometimes I’ll swing it around this way if I’m carrying one of my kids so it doesn’t get in the way.

On the other hand, if I’m in a crowd, I don’t wear my fanny pack in the back because I worry someone will pick my pocket.

Thirdly, you can wear your fanny pack across your chest. I have friends who do this, making a fanny pack a hybrid shoulder bag. It’s not ideal if you have neck or shoulder pain like me, although it’s better than a purse because it stays close to your body and therefore doesn’t pull you to the side as much.

However, wearing a fanny pack across your chest doesn’t work as well if your bust is on the bigger side.

My favorite fanny packs

Now that you’ve been won over by my fanny pack evangelism, you might be wondering which one to buy. The great news about fanny packs is they tend to be durable but not that expensive, so you can totally buy several and rotate them, just like a (cheaper) purse.

Need some ideas? Check out my 8 favorite fanny packs below!

Glitter glamor

I’m actually putting this glitter fanny pack on my wish list for Christmas/my birthday (since they’re around the same time). I could definitely use a little extra glam in my day-to-day!

Totally radical 80’s throwback

This hologram-like fanny pack makes me want to break out my scrunchie and leg warmers.

Utilitarian and unisex catch-all

If you want something that’s not flashy, this no-frills fanny pack is ideal. (And you might be able to persuade your husband to wear it! Maybe…)

Flirty flair

Sometimes girls do just want to have fun. I like this tropical-inspired fanny pack because it makes me think of beautiful warm weather (and cocktails with umbrellas in them).

Preppy practicality

I love this simple fanny pack because it’s cute (and comes in many colors), but it’s also understated—perfect for traveling moms who might be more comfortable in collared shirts.

Sleek style

Ok, so this red belt bag isn’t actually a fanny pack, but for those of us who need a bit of a gateway drug to fanny packs, embrace this red tailored leather!

Sporty spice

Whether you actually run marathons or just like athletic wear, this sporty fanny pack is adorable and practical.

Space kitties!

You could also buy the space cats fanny pack I wear every day—then we could be fanny pack twins!

It’s no secret I love fanny packs, but how about you? Would you try out this mom-friendly style now that you know how to wear a fanny pack?

The post 9 reasons I love fanny packs (and why you should rock a fanny pack, too) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.