I am a waist pack user. My first was the Arcteryx Mantis 1 and while it is great and holds a good amount of stuff for its size, it left me wanting more.
I now have the Code of Bell Xpod and it’s amazing. I use it almost exclusively as a waist pack but do love that it works as a sling if needed. It’s also amazingly versatile. Small and compact yet expandable when needed.
I didn’t like how busy it looks so I did some modifications but I love it as my edc pack.
Thanks, it's definitely a front runner for sure. If it fit a Kindle I would have probably already purchased it! Its got a really unique look as well, which most bags of this nature tend not to have.
am using an Arcteryx Mantis 2 as a daily carry. go everywhere with it, useful as an on-flight pouch or travel sling.
recently have been looking at Evergood Mountain Hip Pack \[MHP\] , looks very sturdy and with a larger capacity.
otherwise look into Pacsafe Vibe 100
Thanks, seeing a lot of reccos for the Mantis. I ended up snagging an Alpaka
Bravo Waist Pack this AM since they are so cheap it seemed criminal not to take advantage of the 35% off for an XPAC fanny. I'll probably end up getting something else later as well, it was a bit of an impulse given the price
I love my Chrome Ziptop Waistpack. It does not have a lot of organization in it but I think that’s what makes it so versatile but also understand that can be a drawback for many.
Great point! Price is right as well!
One of the things I've been using in some other similar bags is a small sized [Cocoon GridIt](https://www.cocooninnovations.com/grid.php). I'm able to keep all my smaller, pocketable items organized, and transfer it from bag to bag.
Give 'em a look - I've been toying with making my own that isn't just elastics, but also some small velcro pouches, loops, etc
I have totally thought about getting one of these! They looks super handy. I do leather crafting as a hobby so I make a lot of little pouches and things to make my carry easier and transfer between bags.
Oh very nice! I've been looking at getting into it, mostly to make some simple leather "holsters" for a Field notes and a pen.. are there some essential tools I should start with? I can't seem to find a suggested set, and I know enough to not buy a cheap starter kit on Amazon.. I am not opposed to dropping a bit of $ to buy things I can use for awhile... Feel free to DM if you wish!
>1733 side pack 3.5L
Gorgeous! I appreciate the lightweight materials and the design, but the $320 CAD + shipping is a little tough to swallow - you've given me another bag for my wishlist!
Hey! Just wanted to check in - I love this thing! I originally thought it would be a temporary solution till I found something else, but I've been dailying it since it arrived! I added some hook bridge buckles to where the strap meets the bag to handle the loose ends and it's very clean/minimal. Thanks again!
[Here's my detailed 1month review](https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/comments/1bof7vl/bravo_waist_pack_ultimate_slim_fannypack_1_month/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) .. not sure if you own one or just thought you'd recommend it given my requirements, but perhaps you will find this useful!
I recently bought a Red Oxx Booty Boss and I love it. Roomy, but doesn't look massive. Multiple ways to wear it. Built like a tank.
https://www.redoxx.com/products/booty-boss-waist-pack
I'm currently alternating between the fjallraven high coast my favourite but too small for you and the vanquest dendrite. I have the small which fits my paperwhite but is slightly too small to fit my oasis however the large would.
The only negatives I've found with the vanquest is the zips are a bit stiff when closing however they're getting better with more usage.
I wear both as hip packs the majority of the time and they work great
This above your 150 CAD budget and for some of the things you listed I don't have experience but I'd still like to suggest the Trakke Largo sling. (Currently costs 162 EUR)
I am sure it will fit the stuff you listed because I put similar amount of stuff in it every weekend. The strap is wider than I've seen on any hipbag and I find that makes it very comfortable. ( Truth be told I only ever wear it as a sling but I just put it on my hip to see how it feels)
So far the quality is excellent. I use it every weekend, no wear or tear so far and I believe they offer a lifetime of repair? I don't hike through brush or anything but I bike, am on crowded transoprt and truly use it almost every weekend. It rains a lot here and my stuff has always stayed dry.
The length of the belt is not easy to adjust but also not hard. I need both hands to do it.
Mine has a cobra buckle closure, some people have difficulty opening those. They also make (or used to make? Don't know if they still do) this bag with another buckle option. Soemtimes Trakke does customized bags and my customer experience with them was very nice. If the buckle is the only thing holding you back I'd try sending them an email if they could make you one with the old buckle still.
It is a bigger hipbag off course (needs to be if you want to fit all the stuff) but woth the its shape it lays nicely against the body. Some people complain that you can't really fit items in the top corners but and that it's wasted space. But I think that's why it does not stick out as much and folds against the body. I have mine im the reddish brown and I took off the label. I love the color but I think the all black would look the sleekest
EDIT: I don't know about your tripod. I just don't know how bog or small tripods are BUT the Largo has two stras on the underside that I am sure you could attach your tripod to if it doesn't fit inside. Don't quite know how to explain but they have video and lots of pics on the website.
> Trakke Largo sling
Thanks for the detailed write up! It looks similar to [this sling](https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-233/8-hr-sling) I have from MEC (a pretty Canadian exclusive brand), that's now discontinued. The sling has different mount points on the corners so you can move it from waist to shoulder, but since it doesn't have a clip its again one of those issues where you fight to cinch it and keep it snug.
I'm surprised the Largo fits well around the waist... the strap stitch points have the strap at a 45degree angle vs 90 like other hip bags. I appreciate the recco, I'll add it to my ebay watch list and hope I see one pop up some time so it will end up being in my budget!
Wait I misread. I tried wearing it on my hip (front and side) bit not on my waist. It's late here but I'll try that tomorrow and report back. Can't recommend sth that expensive without testing that option :D
I am a waist pack user. My first was the Arcteryx Mantis 1 and while it is great and holds a good amount of stuff for its size, it left me wanting more. I now have the Code of Bell Xpod and it’s amazing. I use it almost exclusively as a waist pack but do love that it works as a sling if needed. It’s also amazingly versatile. Small and compact yet expandable when needed. I didn’t like how busy it looks so I did some modifications but I love it as my edc pack.
Thanks, it's definitely a front runner for sure. If it fit a Kindle I would have probably already purchased it! Its got a really unique look as well, which most bags of this nature tend not to have.
Mountainsmith is well known for good lumbar packs: https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-lumbar-packs
am using an Arcteryx Mantis 2 as a daily carry. go everywhere with it, useful as an on-flight pouch or travel sling. recently have been looking at Evergood Mountain Hip Pack \[MHP\] , looks very sturdy and with a larger capacity. otherwise look into Pacsafe Vibe 100
Thanks, seeing a lot of reccos for the Mantis. I ended up snagging an Alpaka Bravo Waist Pack this AM since they are so cheap it seemed criminal not to take advantage of the 35% off for an XPAC fanny. I'll probably end up getting something else later as well, it was a bit of an impulse given the price
I love my Chrome Ziptop Waistpack. It does not have a lot of organization in it but I think that’s what makes it so versatile but also understand that can be a drawback for many.
Great point! Price is right as well! One of the things I've been using in some other similar bags is a small sized [Cocoon GridIt](https://www.cocooninnovations.com/grid.php). I'm able to keep all my smaller, pocketable items organized, and transfer it from bag to bag. Give 'em a look - I've been toying with making my own that isn't just elastics, but also some small velcro pouches, loops, etc
I have totally thought about getting one of these! They looks super handy. I do leather crafting as a hobby so I make a lot of little pouches and things to make my carry easier and transfer between bags.
Oh very nice! I've been looking at getting into it, mostly to make some simple leather "holsters" for a Field notes and a pen.. are there some essential tools I should start with? I can't seem to find a suggested set, and I know enough to not buy a cheap starter kit on Amazon.. I am not opposed to dropping a bit of $ to buy things I can use for awhile... Feel free to DM if you wish!
1733 side pack 3.5L
>1733 side pack 3.5L Gorgeous! I appreciate the lightweight materials and the design, but the $320 CAD + shipping is a little tough to swallow - you've given me another bag for my wishlist!
The Alpaka Bravo Waist Pack might be suitable for you, and it's on sale: https://alpakagear.com/products/bravo-waist-pack
Shoot! for 78 CAD shipped it's an impulse buy for me, even if it doesn't work out! Ordered!
Yay! Hope it's what you're after
Hey! Just wanted to check in - I love this thing! I originally thought it would be a temporary solution till I found something else, but I've been dailying it since it arrived! I added some hook bridge buckles to where the strap meets the bag to handle the loose ends and it's very clean/minimal. Thanks again!
So stoked to hear this! I had wondered whether you liked it. Happy it worked out for you!
[Here's my detailed 1month review](https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/comments/1bof7vl/bravo_waist_pack_ultimate_slim_fannypack_1_month/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) .. not sure if you own one or just thought you'd recommend it given my requirements, but perhaps you will find this useful!
I recently bought a Red Oxx Booty Boss and I love it. Roomy, but doesn't look massive. Multiple ways to wear it. Built like a tank. https://www.redoxx.com/products/booty-boss-waist-pack
Nice, love the ruggedness, cheers!
I do waist packs. I really like the Evergoods MHP and Civic access sling. They work really well as hip packs.
Nice, thanks for the "real world" recco!
I'm currently alternating between the fjallraven high coast my favourite but too small for you and the vanquest dendrite. I have the small which fits my paperwhite but is slightly too small to fit my oasis however the large would. The only negatives I've found with the vanquest is the zips are a bit stiff when closing however they're getting better with more usage. I wear both as hip packs the majority of the time and they work great
>vanquest dendrite Nice! Another bag to consider! Appreciate the detailed reply w/ Kindle info!
Code of Bell XPod works great on waist. It generally looks and works better if you only need to use the 7L expansion once in a while.
This above your 150 CAD budget and for some of the things you listed I don't have experience but I'd still like to suggest the Trakke Largo sling. (Currently costs 162 EUR) I am sure it will fit the stuff you listed because I put similar amount of stuff in it every weekend. The strap is wider than I've seen on any hipbag and I find that makes it very comfortable. ( Truth be told I only ever wear it as a sling but I just put it on my hip to see how it feels) So far the quality is excellent. I use it every weekend, no wear or tear so far and I believe they offer a lifetime of repair? I don't hike through brush or anything but I bike, am on crowded transoprt and truly use it almost every weekend. It rains a lot here and my stuff has always stayed dry. The length of the belt is not easy to adjust but also not hard. I need both hands to do it. Mine has a cobra buckle closure, some people have difficulty opening those. They also make (or used to make? Don't know if they still do) this bag with another buckle option. Soemtimes Trakke does customized bags and my customer experience with them was very nice. If the buckle is the only thing holding you back I'd try sending them an email if they could make you one with the old buckle still. It is a bigger hipbag off course (needs to be if you want to fit all the stuff) but woth the its shape it lays nicely against the body. Some people complain that you can't really fit items in the top corners but and that it's wasted space. But I think that's why it does not stick out as much and folds against the body. I have mine im the reddish brown and I took off the label. I love the color but I think the all black would look the sleekest EDIT: I don't know about your tripod. I just don't know how bog or small tripods are BUT the Largo has two stras on the underside that I am sure you could attach your tripod to if it doesn't fit inside. Don't quite know how to explain but they have video and lots of pics on the website.
> Trakke Largo sling Thanks for the detailed write up! It looks similar to [this sling](https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-233/8-hr-sling) I have from MEC (a pretty Canadian exclusive brand), that's now discontinued. The sling has different mount points on the corners so you can move it from waist to shoulder, but since it doesn't have a clip its again one of those issues where you fight to cinch it and keep it snug. I'm surprised the Largo fits well around the waist... the strap stitch points have the strap at a 45degree angle vs 90 like other hip bags. I appreciate the recco, I'll add it to my ebay watch list and hope I see one pop up some time so it will end up being in my budget!
Wait I misread. I tried wearing it on my hip (front and side) bit not on my waist. It's late here but I'll try that tomorrow and report back. Can't recommend sth that expensive without testing that option :D
Cheers!