Fanny Packs? - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

On my upcoming thru-hike, I am finding that I have a number of smaller items (Aquamira, small radio, journal, pencil, camera, a water bottle, pocketknife, snacks, etc) that I would like to have easy accessibility to on the trail. Do any of you have recommendations for how to comfortably carry these items separate from my backpack? Have any of you used a fanny pack in concert with your main backpack? (I was worried a fanny pack might be rather irritating to wear for the long haul.) Any other interesting ideas? For what it’s worth, my main pack is a Granite Gear Vapor Trail. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

exacademic

#2

I have read that a lot of people on the AT carry extra items,or items needing quick and handy access, in a waist pack accessible from the front. This little pack can be taken into a restaurant or other type store and can carry cash (Change and Bills), ATM cards, Camera,a notebook & pencil, etc., and just about anything small that requires quick access (such as identification cards).

A fanny pack would be awkward if one is already carrying a Backpack.

Skylander

#3

Perhaps you could add pockets to the shoulder straps or the front of the hip belt? The Vapor trail already has webbing running down the fronts of the shoulder straps and a couple attachment points, so maybe glomming something on wouldn’t be too hard.

You can put some of the items you mention in the side pockets (water bottle, journal, pocketknife), though those get a bit tight on the Vapor Trail when the main pack is really stuffed. My plan has always been to store ID + money in a pounch worn around my neck, but I’ve never quite worked that out.

You might prioritize these small items in terms of accessibility. For example, I think water and snacks need to be super-accessible, because lack of either is a showstopper. Probably you’ll only journal when stopped, though, and do you need instant access to your knife? The more accessible the camera, the more pictures you’ll take, etc.

Eric

#4

I used a fanny pack on my CT hike. It was useful then, because I had to constantly use a GPS to record data for their data book revisions. Note that my back does not have a hipbelt. Yet even still, I didn’t like the fact that my hips were restricted.

Eric has some good ideas above for extra items. My buddy 204 on the AT '01 carried his camera attached to his shouler strap like Eric suggests. It worked very well for him. You can also use and elastic band to keep a small waterbottle handy. I use my short pockets for temporary items like a snack or pages of the data book. You can also rubber-band map or data book pages to a hiking staff. John Muir carried his famous journal/notebook attached to his belt.

If these options don’t work and you still want a fanny pack, I’d get one very small and water resistant. Also, make sure it fits somewhere in your pack in case you want to stow it for a while (due to rain, annoyance, ect.)

Tha Wookie

#5

aside from the euro fashion no-no of wearing a fanny pack…

i used one on my trip, i worked great. however, i didnt wear it, i strapped it to my pack. but the reason it was great was i could get to it while wearing the pack, and i could take it indoors or wear it as a fanny pack when my pack was at a hostel or i was eating indoors. i used it for my headlamp, id, cash and other quick access items. (lighters, smokes etc…)

jacelor

#6

I used a North Face Fanny pack worn in the front all the way during my hike of the AT. I found it to be a vital part of my gear. I kept my camera and wallet in along with other items I felt I might need often. This NF Fanny Pack has a good degree of waterprofness and things such as my camera were kept in zip lock bag also. When I got into town I carried it with me and felt it help me to keep from leaving itmes all over town.

I plan to carry a Fanny Pack on my PCT hike this year for pretty much the same reasons

Waterboy 99

#7

Hi, In answer to the fanny pack. I have a “wet rib” It attaches to the front of the pack on the shoulder straps. Had a pouch for a water bottle and a zipper section for holding snacks, camera, etc. Very convenient

Super Mom

#8

I tried a fanny pack, but it was very uncomfortable with the waist belt on my backpack. Instead, I hook it through the straps, and wear it on my chest. It restricts my downward vision, but with the bifocals, that was restricted anyway. I use it for my camera, snacks, and cigarettes. Anything I don’t want to have to take off the backpack to get to. I probably would take almost no pictures if I kept my camera in my backpack. I’m sure there’s a better way, but I haven’t found it yet.

Harry Dolphin

#9

I used a samll fanny pack that fit onto my waist belt. I got the fanny pack halfway thru my hike. I liked not having to take off my backpack to get items such as the data book, camera, and snacks out. I got some good pictures of bears and other wildlife because my camera was at my side.

cakalaki