I Travel Solo Often, and This Unsuspecting Fanny Pack With Hidden Anti-theft Features Gives Me Peace of Mind

Belt bags and fanny packs have become mainstream again following a revival of the '80s classic trend, and as someone who listened to New Kids on the Block and watched Saved by the Bell, I'm celebrating it. Growing up with bum bags, as we called them in Australia, I love how it is once again hip (no pun intended) to don a bag around the waist or simply hang one over the shoulder as these one-strap bags continue to prove themselves convenient for travel; after all, they are small but mighty bags that are accessible, travel-friendly and, most importantly, secure in keeping essentials close to you when you're on the go.

As a frequent traveler, I've tested quite a few of them on several types of trips: hiking in the French Alps of Megeve, running in the forests of Finland, and going on urban walks and shopping trips in Paris, Helsinki, and New York City. While there are thousands of them to choose from, my current favorite is the Cotopaxi Corso Hip Pack — an indispensable bag for every kind of traveler.

Cotopaxi Coso 2L Hip Pack Like most options in the Cotopaxi range, the Corso Hip Pack is a perfect, all-around pick for urbanites and city escapes as I found out recently on my trip to Helsinki, Finland. During my three-day stay in the unfamiliar city, the Cotopaxi Hip Pack gave me security when traveling abroad solo because, unlike a backpack, you can position the bag on one shoulder and sit it in front of your body — keeping all your essentials close to you without looking like a tourist who is scared of being pickpocketed. I knew the Corso Hip Pack was a winner when I was waiting for my train in the historical Helsinki Central railway station, where more than 200,000 people pass through each day. With the extra hidden pockets and secured zips keeping my passport, phone, and money essentially under my arm, the bag ensured I didn't have to worry about my personal items and could focus on getting from the train station to the hotel.

Moving around Lakeland of Finland in the latter part of my trip, I put the Cotopaxi hip pack to the test while playing disc golf at Lehmonkärki Resort , cycling to Salpausselkä UNESCO Geopark , and on light strolls around historical canals like Old Vääksy village . The compact bag proved to be functional, versatile, and very durable for all activities because of its special G-straps, which expand the bag out when filled — allowing for more gear to be packed in when necessary. During a 30-kilometer ride from my cabin in the woods to the Salpausselkä Ridge, I stuffed my Cotopaxi Teca rain jacket , my iPhone to capture the breathtaking scenery of Finnish Lakeland, tissues, a small wallet, and some Band-Aids and still had room to fit a small punnet of raspberries, which I picked up on my way to my lodge after long but rewarding ride.

Cotopaxi Coso 2L Hip Pack One of the greatest advantages of the Cotopaxi Corso Hip Pack is the material; it is lightweight and a simple wipe with a damp cloth can remove any grime, grit, or raspberry stains. Trust me, you can't go wrong by adding this multitasking and surprisingly secure travel bag to your repertoire.

For those who want to travel with the same ease in a different size, style, or color, keep scrolling to explore a curated selection of hip packs, sling bags, and fanny packs that also fit the bill. Bonus: I've tested each one and can vouch for their spaciousness, functionality, and overall performance.

More Fanny Packs to Shop: Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack If the Corso Cotopaxi Hip Pack is a bit too expensive (or even sold out!), check out the Kapai 3L Hip Pack instead. I had this one before the Corso and loved it because of the multi-zips leading to multiple pockets, and the nifty inner sleeve where you can place your passport or phone without losing it in the main compartment when your bag is filled with other knick-knacks. The design of the bag allows it to sit nicely on your hip or shoulder when the straps are extended out.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack The popular Fjallraven backpack is a cute nod to the Swedish school backpack and I love using it when I travel, but the hip pack is just as fun to wear. Smaller than most hip packs, the compact bag has a key clip and two zippered pockets inside to secure essentials. The bag fits nicely on the hip, but I personally like it as a side bag when I travel to and from Sweden; it helps me blend in with the locals. Like most Fjallraven products, this one is super lightweight.

Hoka Hip Pack 2.5L You might not think of Hoka for bags, but I tested this one out and can recommend it for both runners and urbanites who want a hip bag that can fit a lot. With the weather getting cooler and always traveling with a rain jacket, the Hoka hip pack is great to pack in these loose items when you travel. It is slightly longer than most hip packs, a spec that you'll find useful if you wear it on your hips because the weight is evenly distributed on your back and doesn't weigh you down. It can even fit a 150-milliliter water bottle, trail mix, souvenirs, or anything you find on your travels. It's slim in design but very versatile.

Teva x Parks Project Wild Rivers Hip Pack/Dry Bag Teva makes great sandals for short hikes, but it also has one of the most versatile and stylish hip packs out there. Done in collaboration with Parks Project, this belt bag can be used as a conventional fanny pack, but it also opens up into a shopping bag-like tote to make it especially excellent for travelers who rack up tons of souvenirs. The roll-top closure and carabiner clips make for easy on-off removal from the hips, which is perfect when you are trying to move through busy cities, arenas, and airports smoothly. All proceeds go to protecting the Grand Canyon, which makes it worth the splurge.

Longchamp Belt Bag This is a definite investment piece, but if you are thinking of taking your hip bag to a whole new level, this Longchamp Belt Bag is the one. The Le Pliage line is perfect for travelers because of the material; if it gets dirty, a simple wipe with a damp cloth will clean it up. The shape of the bag is almost square so you can fit your sunglasses in there without worrying they will break, and the adjustable belt allows you to use it as a crossbody bag with a simple squeeze of the buckle. Stylish enough for the Champs-Élysées? Oui!

The North Face Never Stop Lumbar Pack The North Face has a few hip bags in its lineup, but this is the most stylish, versatile, and functional one, in my opinion. Rather than looking like a hiker's hip bag, this is a little more on-trend with the white color and softer design, making it multipurpose for urbanites to take with them when exploring cities and not just parklands. From experience, it's great when worn on the hip, but it works even better as a side bag because of the lightweight material and easily adjusted straps. What's more, there are multiple pockets to fit smaller items and essentials.

Merrell Shop Crest 8L Sling Bag If you're looking for a heftier side bag, the Merrell 8L Sling bag is a great one to have handy. Much like a regular side bag, this one fits over one shoulder but can pack a lot more gear like your kid's water bottles, snacks for the road, and jackets. There are multiple zippered pockets so you are not rummaging deep into the bag for loose items and straps are ambidextrous. Plus, the soft EVA foam allows the bag to double as a lumbar pillow when your back is strained.

On Waist Pack 2L Lite Swiss engineering is at its best here with On's latest hip bag. Allowing for 2 liters of packing space for common items like light rain jackets, gloves, and snacks, the bag's tough nylon material stretches out very well when filled but remains lightweight for people who want to run with it on their hip. It fits nicely on the shoulders as well, and the material is easy to wash when stained.

Uniqlo Quilted Round Shoulder Bag You can't wear this as a belt bag but it is a great sling bag because of the lightweight, quilted design, which gives it style and substance. Made with water-resistant material, it guarantees you won't mind getting caught out in the rain, or regret packing it to the brim with books, souvenirs, passports, phones, and water bottles since the rounded U-shape bag fits nicely on the body.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Available in a range of colors, the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag offers everything you need in a travel bag: easy access to essentials, a water-repellent fabric, multiple zips and pockets, and a simple buckle to quickly switch it from a fanny pack to a shoulder bag.

Calpak Luka Belt Bag A hugely popular belt bag that sits very nicely on the shoulders, the Luka Belt bag has a loyal fanbase because of its lightweight, scratch-resistant, and spacious design. Though it may appear to be very simple in terms of its construction, its sleek material makes it highly durable and roomy; it fits a lot of items like sunscreen, a water bottle, sunglasses, a phone, and more.