The Resurgence Of The Waist Bag
A little over a decade ago, it was not unusual at all to see adults and children alike sporting a waist bag. These packs were worn to ball parks, amusement parks, school activities, and any number of other places. One day they just disappeared without a trace, and now out of the blue, they have returned with hip new styles and fashionable new designs.
Also known as a fanny pack or waist pack, these handy little bags have all of the qualities of a purse, but have the added benefit of being non-gender based. The generic functional packs and the designer packs have the same basic design. A strap latches around the waist, and has a pad located in the back for added comfort. The body of the waist bag is normally located in the front, but it's not unusual to find one that rests against the hip. Zippered pockets usually decorate the front, with one large compartment for the bulk of storage. Most of the time, there's also a small zippered section on the back of the bag, which makes a perfect place to stash a little extra money.
Years ago, each person's waist bag was virtually the same. These dinosaurs of the fanny pack world were made of a canvas material and usually only differed in color. Now, however, they're available in a wide range of styles. One of the more common fashionable styles strongly resembles a sling style purse, and is usually made of leather. Unlike the fanny packs of the past, the current styles have many different colors, patterns, and fabrics. Leather and quilted patterns have been added into the mix, along with the time-tested canvas. The new, dressier designs have made waist packs an acceptable addition to almost any outfit.
Despite the many drastic alterations to its appearance, the usefulness of the waist bag has not changed. It still makes a wonderful companion for exercise, field trips, vacations, and many other activities, especially those located outdoors. One of the most popular features of the fanny pack, especially amongst nature lovers, is that some are available in a waterproof fabric. Whether white water rafting, or spending a day at the water park, a fanny pack is a hands-free option for keeping valuables safe and dry. The hands free option is ideal for hikers, and gives more range of movement than a standard hiking backpack. Additionally, it keeps weight off of the shoulders and on the hips which puts less strain on the back and is less tiring for the outdoors enthusiast.
With so many new designs and styles, it's not surprising that fanny packs have made such a strong comeback. What is surprising, however, is that with so many benefits and uses, the waist bag lost popularity in the first place. That's all water under the bridge though, and consumers can rest easy knowing that even though the fanny pack will go out of style again, it will eventually come back around.
