September 5, 2015

"The fanny pack is not just useful; it’s a unifying force."

"Just look at the diversity of those who embrace it. Couture runways like Chanel and Gucci have been littered with them in recent years, Matthew McConaughey endorses them, quarterbacks rely on them, the wrestler Mick Foley hid chicken wings in them and tweaked-out E.D.M. festivalgoers would be lost (and less high) without them.... The fanny pack is utilitarian by design and aspirational in application, because a hands-free life is an engaged life — a life worth living...."

That's at the NYT, where one of the comments is: "I never did understand the objections. Who doesn't appreciate a sexy leather tool belt slung low on the hip? Why, they're mesmerizing! It's the same thing. Makes you sashay a bit...."

But: "Small cross-body bags are the only way to go. All the ease of a fanny pack and you don't look like a dork." I recommend something like this (unless you're out hiking or something).

25 comments:

Sharc said...

So a purse. I've seen those around.

hoyden said...

You can conceal carry with a fanny pack a lot more securely. I don't like little strappy articles that can easily slip off. Hands free wins hands down.

Ann Althouse said...

Slip off... I'm worried that a should bag can be ripped off... either breaking the strap or dragging you along. That's the kind of thing I think about in the city.

buwaya said...

Are fanny packs still around ?
Never see them in SF.
The big thing seems to be small messenger type bags/laptop bags.
They are what seem to be turning into male purses.

hoyden said...

I have never liked purses for that slipping off, breaking, or dragging potential. Doubly troubling if you are carrying.

I am beginning to think "look like a dork" is a feature rather than a bug. You are a less appealing target for criminals and other occasions for unwanted attention.

hoyden said...

"Never see them in SF."

I've heard that children are also becoming a rarity in SF. Is there a connection?

Anonymous said...

Interesting. Was a day not all that long ago when the odds of one or the other being armed was high. People were a bit more polite. As in "Excuse me, may I? my daughter is dying." (ok, so they'd fib, but at least there was a facade of equality. More guns, less rudeness. And fewer asshats.

Strange how this works. Welcome to the future, where we're all equal, except when we're not.

AFChiling said...

I wouldn't make fun of a scotman's sporran. The original (almost) fanny pack.

Bruce Hayden said...

You can conceal carry with a fanny pack a lot more securely. I don't like little strappy articles that can easily slip off. Hands free wins hands down.

I guess that if your alternative is carrying some sort of brief case or purse, that this is true. Esp. after a woman in ID (I believe) was killed by her very young child who found the gun in her purse in the grocery clerk earlier this year. Still, if you can do it, it is probably better to concealed carry on your body.

Still, wondering if fanny packs might become less popular in parts of the country where they might be popular if they became well known for hiding handguns. On the flip side, this might work advantageously in those parts of the country where guns are acceptable, by concealed carrying in a way that is overt, yet legal.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

I prefer the term hip bag. The appeal is not just free hands but empty pockets.

Nichevo said...

Funny this turns to guns, I have been thinking that the disadvantages of the fanny pack could be avoided by designing it in the form of a chest or shoulder holster.

Bobber Fleck said...

"...quarterbacks rely on them..."

Tom Brady finds his fanny pack a useful place to keep his pressure gauge and ball (de)inflation needle.

I wonder if he wears one with his blue suit.

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

Get you a Maxpedition Gearslinger or Maxpedition Versipack from Amazon, in one of the smaller size variants. Nothing built better.

Virgil Hilts said...

In Arizona, if a man wears something like this, the reaction is much less -- Heh, nice man purse you got there dude -- and much more -- heh, are you carrying a G26 or SSP938? People see it as a nice crime deterrent (even if you are only carrying a wallet), not that we have many muggings here. Not a very healthy part of the country to be a mugger or armed robber.

madAsHell said...

As I understand it, males don't have a fanny in the UK.

Big Mike said...

Something like this is cheaper, better made, and handier (if you have your permit). If you have your hand in the right place someone pulling it off your shoulder just helps you bring your S&W J-frame into play.

khesanh0802 said...

Ideal for your .45 or 9mm. and a couple of magazines.

khesanh0802 said...

@ Bobber Fleck I would like to tell you where to put your gratuitous Tom Brady comment, but this is a family blog!

khesanh0802 said...

@Big Mike Women want to be well armed? Who knew!

Big Mike said...

@hoyden, I wouldn't put a handgun in a fanny pack for the same reason that Bat Masterson wore his Colt butt forward on the left and James Butler Hickok wore his Navy Colts butt forward -- too easy for someone (if they realize it's there) to grab your gun without you being able to react in time. Also, if you fall down backwards, the hard steel can leave you with a serious lower back injury.

David said...

Or you could just stick it up your ass.

Sorry. But that was the first thing that came to mind.

Balfegor said...

Fanny packs are superfluous if you have pockets. I count four pockets on my trousers, seven on my usual jackets (some of my summer jackets have a significantly reduced complement). Under most circumstances, this is more than adequate for what I have to carry, unless I am carrying something (like a laptop or tablet) that would be too big for a fanny back anyhow.

Wallet, sunglasses, cellphone, earbuds, cardcase, keys, handkerchief, and chapstick. Passport and portable Wifi hotspot if I'm overseas, and I'm done.

hoyden said...

I prefer to wear my pack in the front; easier to draw from and in sight; a belly pack. The fanny pack is less optimal but I don't see a better solution that works with shorts and a tee shirt. Maybe a belly band. In winter clothing with pockets works better.

hoyden said...

I am a big fan of pockets also; wallet, cell phone, keys, and handkerchief. When I need more, like going to work, I use a day pack. Have to be careful because a lot of women's pants and shorts have tiny pockets. Sometimes it's easier to buy guys clothing because they have better pockets, are sturdier, and less expensive. Not as good color and style selection.

mikee said...

Bruce: Among those who carry concealed handguns, fanny packs in urban settings are considered as a near certainty that the person wearing one has a gun in it.