11 Sustainable Fanny Packs To Carry Your Essentials
Eco-Friendly Fanny Pack Belts Replacing Our Purses
When we’re out and about, we love carrying the basics—phone, keys, wallet—but we don’t love having them in a bag that inevitably slides off our shoulders. (Or carrying everything in our hands.)
That’s why we’re amped about the return of fanny packs, also known as waist packs, bum bags, or belt bags. Made to free our shoulders and hands, these slide right around our waists and hips and effortlessly carry all the essentials. Whether you’re going for a mid-day jog, heading out on an adventure, or running errands, you’re sure to love one of these sustainable bags.
For when you need to carry more than the basics, check out our regularly updated guide to ethical and eco-friendly handbags, totes, and weekenders.
1. QWSTION
Ethics | Plant-based fibers, biodegradable & recyclable, ethically made in Asia & Europe
Materials | Banana plant textile, vegetable-tanned leather, natural wax
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | €70–€170
QWSTION is a sustainable Swiss company focused on form, function, and footprint (a low environmental one, that is). This eco-conscious team founded Bananatex®, a new fabric made entirely from the fibers of banana plants in the Philippines. Accented with recyclable zippers, natural wax finishing, and vegetable-tanned leather, these banana-fiber belt bags will hold all your basic needs.
Shop QWSTION
2. Patagonia
Ethics | Certified B Corp, Fair Trade certified, recycled & organic materials, Bluesign-approved
Materials | Recycled nylon & polyester, organic cotton
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $29–$229
Trekking in the great outdoors? You can’t find better than Patagonia’s fanny packs and hip bags. Starting at $29, these bags are designed to withstand the elements; some are waterproof and submersible, while others include weather-resistant lining. One thing’s for sure: They’re all made with eco-friendly or recycled materials in Fair Trade certified conditions. Stow your gear and keep your hands free to focus on foraging, hiking, and every outdoor activity in between.
Shop Patagonia
3. HFS Collective
Ethics | Sustainable & recycled materials, ethically made in LA, gives back, PETA-approved vegan
Materials | Recycled plastic, upcycled denim, deadstock fabrics, organic cotton, hemp & Piñatex
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $155–$420
HFS Collective has spent years perfecting the belt bag; that’s what it’s best known for, after all. Designed so you can live life hands-free, these belt bags are crafted at a nearby family-run factory just a few miles from the HFS HQ in Los Angeles. Available in a range of sizes, shapes, and colors, each waist pack is made from either recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials, so while they’re an investment, these are sure to last for the long haul (literally).
Shop HFS Collective
4. Girlfriend Collective
Ethics | Recycled materials and packaging, ethically made in Vietnam & Taiwan, eco-friendly dyes, gives back
Materials | Recycled plastic bottles
Ships To | USA, Canada, UK, Australia
Price Range | $48
For a 100 percent recycled—and recyclable!—fanny pack, this one from Girlfriend Collective diverts 23 plastic bottles from landfills. Manufactured in Taiwan and Vietnam, GC guarantees workers are paid fair wages and have safe working conditions at its factories. We love these fashion-forward color options, thoughtful design, and an embossed reminder to ‘please recycle’ once you no longer need.
Shop Girlfriend Collective
5. Naissant NYC
Ethics | Sustainable materials & practices, carbon-neutral, recyclable packaging, ethically made, gives back
Materials | Vegetable-tanned byproduct leather, organic cotton
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $215–$265
Naissant NYC is a Brooklyn-based brand challenging the status quo. Instead of opting for chrome-tanned leather, this team uses certified byproduct leather that’s vegetable-tanned instead and always sustainably sourced. On top of this, these gorgeous belt bags are fully carbon-neutral and shipped in eco-friendly packaging. Throw one on for your next lunch break, dog walking sesh, or outdoor stroll.
Shop Naissant NYC
6. Cotopaxi
Ethics | Certified B Corp, climate-neutral, gives back, upcycled
Materials | Upcycled nylon fabric
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $30
A one-of-a-kind fanny pack? We’re intrigued! Cotopaxi’s offering a limited batch of its Del Día bags, made from leftover fabric. With dozens of colorful options, find the one that’s best for you—or let the brand surprise you. These come with an adjustable strap, buckle belt, and plenty of room for the basics and more (including snacks!). Sustainable and stylish all at once.
Shop Cotopaxi
7. HYER GOODS
Ethics | Upcycled & deadstock materials, plastic-free packaging, ethically made in India, gives back
Materials | Upcycled leather
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $160–$165
After spending over a decade in corporate fashion and witnessing the industry’s waste problem firsthand, Dana Cohen founded HYER GOODS, which crafts quality goods from waste. All materials are either upcycled or deadstock fabrics, including the materials used to make the fanny packs and four-in-one purses. With three separate pockets, an expandable strap, and a flexible fit, these upcycled belt bags are wonderful for everyday use.
Shop Hyer Goods
8. Volta Atelier
Ethics | Upcycled materials, artisan-made in Brazil, small-batch production
Materials | Upcycled leather
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $150
Volta Atelier works with women refugees from Haiti living in South Brazil to stitch one-of-a-kind upcycled leather bags. These skilled artisans craft each piece with discarded leather, specifically sourced from accessories factories in the area. The Lapa bag, which acts as a waist pack, is elegant and chic enough for a night out. (Or wear as a crossbody or shoulder bag, too!)
Shop Volta Atelier
9. Rags2Riches
Ethics | Upcycled & deadstock materials, artisan-made in Philippines, social enterprise
Materials | Upcycled leather, raffia, nylon
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | PHP ₱1,499–2,499 ($30–$50)
Launched in 2007, Rags2Riches is a Filipino social enterprise offering fair trade work to women artisans. Today, R2R is built in partnership with these same artisans and with an integrated supply chain, sourcing discarded and upcycled materials whenever possible. These fanny packs include the artisans’ signature weaves and are often decorated with gorgeous beadwork and embroidery. 😍
Shop Rags2Riches
10. Sans Beast
Ethics | PETA-approved vegan, recyclable packaging, ethically made in China, sustainable materials
Materials | Recycled polyester, cactus leather
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | $129–$199 AUD
Belt bag or bum bag? However you say it, Sans Beast has the Melbourne-designed bags you’ve been looking for. Every product here is PETA-approved vegan, using materials like cactus and recycled eco-PU in place of leather. We love how adaptable these bags are, equipped with detachable straps, and available in varying shapes and colors.
Shop Sans Beast
11. Hempnath
Ethics | Eco-friendly materials & packaging, artisan-made in Nepal, gives back
Materials | Hemp, cotton, recycled rice bags
Ships To | Worldwide
Price Range | £22–£30
Hempnath harnesses the power of sustainable hemp for these waist bags. Available in two sizes and handmade in Nepal by local communities, the inner linings are made with cotton and recycled rice bags. For every purchase, Hempnath plants three trees through the Eden reforestation project. Artisan-made, sustainably produced, and versatile? These fannies check all the boxes.
Shop Hempnath
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