We have all been there when our fishing backpack gets too heavy or uncomfortable to walk around with. It puts a strain on your back when you are wading all day, not to mention it affects your casting stroke due to the shoulder straps.
Now, you can, of course, leave your backpack on the bank as you wade around the river but then you always have to go back and get it, wasting precious fishing time. So what is the solution? An awesome waterproof fanny pack, aka a waterproof waist pack.
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best For VersatilityYETI Sidekick Dry |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best Of The BestFishPond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Fly Fishing Pack |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best For Small ItemsGeckobrands Optixtreme Waterproof Waist Pack |
| Check Today's Price |
| Best On A BudgetMountainsmith Dry Tour Waistpack |
| Check Today's Price |
With the best waterproof fanny pack, you can wade all day long in comfort with nothing on your shoulders while having everything you need for a day of fishing. But, finding a great waterproof fanny pack isn’t easy as there are loads to choose from, which is where we come in.
Join me as we run through some of the best waterproof fanny packs on the market so you can find the right waterproof fanny pack for your fishing needs.
Our Best Waterproof Fanny Packs
YETI Sidekick Dry
Best For Versatility
Specs
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
- Material: TPU Coated Nylon
- Submersible?: Yes
- No Pockets: 2
- Volume: 4.6 liters
Pros
- Top shelf construction
- Incredible overall quality
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
- Fully submersible
- Heavy-duty durability
- 100% waterproof design
- Easy access magnetic closure
- Will keep your belongings dry
- One of the most versatile packs
- You can easily add it to your Yeti backpack/cooler
Cons
- Quite expensive
- You will need your own belt
The YETI Sidekick Dry is one of the top waterproof fanny packs on the market and one of the most versatile waterproof waist bags on the market too, especially if you own other Yeti products too.
What makes this fanny pack waterproof is the incredible material used to build them along with the magnetic locking system.
Made from Yeti’s fully waterproof and puncture-proof TPU Coated Nylon, these waterproof waist packs are bulletproof, and they are so waterproof that you can hold them underwater and it will still keep all your small items dry.
It has a good amount of space inside the bag for small things like valuables, tippets, leaders, a wallet, a fly box, pliers, and more. Access is incredibly easy through the large magnetic openings and it is a solid choice for when anyone wanting to carry a small amount of gear.
You can also attach it with ease as an add-on to your Yeti panga, cooler and more plus it comes with Yeti’s iron-clad lifetime warranty, not that you will need it since it is so durable.
The only cons to these waterproof fanny packs are that they are not cheap, and you will need your own hip belt to add to the pouch. A standard belt would work, to be honest, so it shouldn’t be that hard to use.
FishPond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Fly Fishing Pack
FishPond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Fly Fishing Pack
Best Of The Best
Specs
- Weight: 1.8lbs
- Material: 900D TPU coated NewStream
- Submersible?: Yes
- No Pockets: 4 plus
- Volume: 6 liters
Pros
- Large capacity
- Can be fully submerged
- Water bottle pocket
- Multiple pockets for gear organization
- Zipper locks so it stays waterproof
- Attachment points for nippers, tippets, etc
- Shoulder strap with pockets for comfort
- Enough space for all your gear
- Well built pack
- Made from durable quality materials
- 100% waterproof and keeps valuables dry
- Comfy waist strap
Cons
- Very expensive
One of the best fanny packs around for carrying all the fishing gear you need for a day on the water is without doubt the FishPond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Fly Fishing Pack.
This fanny pack is built from 900D TPU coated NewStream fabric, which is more than waterproof and water-resistant, it is fully submersible when the zip is fully locked. You can take this waterproof waist pouch anywhere, fall in the water, swim to shore, and everything will still be dry.
This waterproof fanny pack comes with a comfy breathable and padded waist belt along with a shoulder strap to keep it from sagging as you wade. You will find plenty of room for everything you need too.
There is a large main compartment in these fanny packs along with an inner zipper pocket for organization, plus a water-resistant outer pocket too. You will also find pockets in the shoulder sling, a special holder for a bottle, as well as lots of attachment points for tippets, nippers, and more.
Overall, this is a pretty spectacular waterproof fanny pack that is super durable, will last a lifetime, and comes with an excellent warranty too. It is awesome for all outdoor enthusiasts, from fishing to paddle boarding and more.
The only drawback to this waterproof hip pack is that it is a very expensive fanny pack but it is worth the investment in my eyes.
Geckobrands Optixtreme Waterproof Waist Pack
Geckobrands Optixtreme Waterproof Waist Bag
Best For Small Items
Specs
- Weight: 1.17 lbs
- Material: 840D TPU nylon
- Submersible?: Yes
- No Pockets: 2
- Volume: 4.8 liters
Pros
- Comes in at a reasonable price
- Large main compartment
- Durable 100% waterproof fabric
- Quick and easy to access
- Pockets for organizing your gear
- Breathable back panel
- Comfy to carry
- Will keep all your personal items dry
- A magnetic fold-over lid makes access easy
Cons
- Capacity could be bigger
The Geckobrands Optixtreme Waterproof Waist Bag is another excellent fanny pack that suits all watery outdoor adventures from fishing on paddle boards to wading up rivers.
Built from 840D TPU nylon that is super durable and 100% waterproof, you can carry your valuables in this waterproof waist pouch without any worries about it getting wet, even if you fall overboard.
These fanny packs have a smallish capacity compared to most fanny packs but you can fit what you need in these waterproof pouches for a short-ish trip. There is a solid compartment for bulkier belongings and a small zipper pocket on the outside for the small things that you need to access quickly.
The hip belt on this waterproof waist pack is padded with breathable material and is fully adjustable. This means the waist pack will fit perfectly, be comfy, you won’t sweat too much, and the pack stays put as you walk around.
These packs are also fully submersible meaning they are air-tight so they are more than a dry bag since they will even float if they fall overboard.
Overall, this is an excellent waterproof hip pack but the capacity could be bigger since it won’t hold enough for a full day on the water without carrying a pack too.
Mountainsmith Dry Tour Waistpack
Mountainsmith Dry Tour Waistpack
Best On A Budget
Specs
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Material: 500d TPU coated Nylon
- Submersible?: Yes
- No Pockets: 4+
- Volume: 5.2 liters
Pros
- Can be worn as a shoulder bag or fanny pack
- Large compartment for fishing gear
- Numerous pockets for items like a small camera or car keys
- Durable build with welded seams
- Waist belt pockets for small items
- 100% waterproof
- Padded comfy waist strap
- Water bottle holder
Cons
- The zipper is a bit stiff
If you are on a budget then the Mountainsmith Dry Tour Waistpack might be the waterproof fanny pack you have been looking for.
This waterproof hip pack is built from super tough and waterproof 500d TPU coated Nylon and comes with multiple pockets plus multiple gear attachment points. You get a large zipper compartment with a valuable pocket on the inside and great for a phone, wallet, or keys.
You can add your fly boxes in there and maybe even a small waterproof too. On the outside of the pouch is a small zipper pocket and there are two more of them on the actual belt too. This means you can keep everything you need quick access to close by.
The attachment points come in the form of multiple D-rings and webbing so you can clip on your nippers, hemostats, and tippet holder on the outside too. There is even a bottle holder on the outside of the pouch too.
The belt that comes with the bag is well padded, breathable, and fully adjustable for your comfort. You can also adjust them and carry the bag over your shoulder if you would like to.
The only negative to this otherwise excellent waterproof fanny pack is that it comes with a stiff zipper which can be hard to open. It would be worth adding some vaseline to the zipper in order to make it smooth and ensure it doesn’t break at any poing.
FAQs
What is the best material for a fanny pack?
The best material for a fanny pack is a lightweight, water-resistant fabric such as nylon or polyester. These materials are durable and will keep your items safe and dry. They are also lightweight and won’t add too much bulk.
What is a fanny pack called now?
The fanny pack is now sometimes referred to as a waist pack, belt bag, or hip pack.
How do I choose a fanny pack for fly fishing?
When choosing a fanny pack for fly fishing, look for a pack that is waterproof, has plenty of pockets and compartments to organize your gear, and is adjustable to fit your waist. Choose a pack that is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Look for a pack with a secure closure system to keep your gear safe and dry.
Winding Up
Thank you very much for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and have found the perfect waterproof fanny pack for your fishing needs. These are great pieces of gear that are awesome for all water-based activities from paddle boarding to fishing and more.
The key to picking the right waterproof fanny packs for your needs are durability, submerse-ability, and capacity. Make sure it is big enough for all the things you need to take with you, that it will last, and that if it falls overboard with or without you, your gear will stay dry.
Please share the article with your fishing buddies and why not take a look at some of our others? We cover everything from how to catch certain species to the best gear to catch them with.
