Fanny pack - yes or no?

After traveling all around Europe this summer, being extremely cautious, and a friend having her wallet stolen from her purse while on a metro or in the streets (all the while all of us being cautious)...I would say absolutely do NOT wear a fanny pack--too easy of a target! Buy a money belt, and wear a bag that you can hold in front of your chest when on metros, in packed streets, etc.

Fanny Pack- a big NO. My opinion ,it screams tourist. Paris is just as safe as anywhere else.

I haven't even been to Paris. But, not only are fanny packs just not attractive, they aren't safe. Even if he wears it in the front, somoene can unlatch it from the back in a crowd.

He should buy a money belt. I bought one on Rick Steve's site. It's super light, made of silk, and not expensive. It has a plastic lining in case of rain too.

Personally, I don't like the next things because I think it's annoying to have something hanging on my neck all day. I use a very plain across the shoulder/chest camera bag that hangs in front of me, and the strap can not be cut. Still debating using the money belt myself.

Fanny packs are the scourge of the tourist. I don't know why they are touted as convenient. My philosophy is, just don't carry anything. Of course, I carry cash, and occasionally a credit card, but that goes in my pocket. Passport is in the hotel, and I have no valuables unless I am traveling for a gala event, in which case they get put into the room safe or are made the responsibility of the event's coordinators.

What do you really need while walking around Paris? Or any city for that matter? 1 compact and easy to read map, perhaps a guidebook, your US driver's license (way less valuable than your passport), some cash (distributed among pockets and never more than you plan to use), 1 credit card (leave the others at home unless you are planning a spree), a camera. . . if there are 2 of you going together, pub the bulkies (book, camera) into the purse, and the rest can be distributed as you see fit.

Also, from a female perspective, I would not be seen in public with any man wearing a fanny pack.

Claire

Fanny packs are SO tacky looking. Please tell him to leave it at home!

Also...in the event he insists on bringing it...make sure he doesn't actually call it a "fanny pack" while in europe. I believe in the UK, fanny is slang for a woman's "privates".

Have a good trip!

Margy

No.

As someone who flys to Europe everyweek for work-ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!Seriously,you might as well wear a sign that says "Bob and Ethel from smalltown USA who have never traveled overseas before".There are many different ways to carry your valuables-security belts inside of your shirt(Please not the ones hanging down outside of the shirt?) and also the new velcro ones that go under your pants leg below your knee which you can buy at any travel store,Walmart,Target,etc. When one wears a fanny pack overseas you might as well your Disneyworld or Old Style Beer t-shirt to compliment it. Europeans think that they are ridiculous! I will get off my soapbox now....

Even forgetting the "visual factor" and "style question," fanny packs are easy pickings for thieves. I've seen the results (not mine nor my family's, fortunately) of how easy it for a thief to rip off a fanny pack in a matter of seconds.

I don't think it's that horrendous. I don't wear one myself when traveling to Europe, but I've seen lots of other people wearing them, and I know some are European. I have a very close German friend and she wears one and likes it, so I do not agree that Europeans think they are ridiculous. Now she wears it in more rural or sporty situations, like when walking or hiking a lot, things like that. I don't think she would wear one in a major European capital, but never asked her. She told me she likes them because they allow your hands to be free. I think with guys, the issue is more that they can't carry a purse as much as women, and like to have something to put stuff in. Some men use various kind of messenger bags for that purpose, so that's an alternative, if it's just the look you don't like (and I agree with that). It might be okay in the Dordogne, depending what you are doing. As for pickpocketing, I think they may signal you are a target, but if you are just using them to carry stuff and not for really important valuables, they may be convenient.

My husband has his "purse". I bought it for him about 10 years ago after the time we got ready for a driving trip here at home and, honest to god, he came down the stairs ready to go carrying an old pair of multi-pocket shorts in which he'd put all of his necessary junk (glasses cases, knife, GPS, allergy medicine etc.). I'd told I was sick of carrying all his stuff in my purse in additon to all my things. So, this was his solution. Now you know why I bought him the "purse".

So, here is our routine. He wears a good quality, breathable money belt under his clothes. All of the really important stuff stays in there. He has another little item he really likes which is an extra pocket type thing (bought from a travel store). This has 2 loops (one brown and one black to match different belts) so it hangs from his belt and he wears it inside his trousers. An extra supply of cash (in addition to the small amount he carries in a regular pocket)and a credit card go in there. If need be, he can just pull it out in public to gain access. He also has several pairs of travel trousers which have a zipper access to the side pockets.

Then, he carries his "purse" which is an Eagle Creek bag, with padded strap, with multiple pockets. He carries our camera in there, his GPS, knife and corkscrew, sunglasses, a small travel umbrella etc. Obviously, in subways and places that are known for their pickpockets etc. he keeps his arm across it very securely. Our things are as protected as they can be, some are more easily accessible, he looks much more like a local with just a day bag, and he can carry his fair share. We've gotten this routine down to a science and it really works for us.

I've seen non-North-Americans wearing "fanny packs" in various European cities. I don't like to wear them myself, but that's personal. If it makes him feel more comfortable, and he doesn't store anything of significance in it, I'd not make a fuss.

For cities, no, for hikes and countryside walks, yes.

A man-purse! I brought that up and you should have seen the look! No, I think we might go with the camera bag, and use the fanny pack on the bike trip en province, where it should be OK, security wise, and we can compromise (always a good thing, I guess). Got to be stylish in Paris, but we can slide a little elsewhere.
But, you know, cultural symbols really stick. When I mentioned to my sons that the transformers toys that they have or the GI Joes that their friends play with are dolls, there was a furor! lol...

TamaraEden, that plastic lining in the money belt is for sweat not rain!! It's supposed to be worn under your clothing, no chance of getting wet from precipitation... that's perspiration -LOL.

Whatever you do, don't use the word "fanny" in the UK or in the presence of the British. I did that once and my British friends just about fell onto the floor with laughter. And we weren't even drinking.

I don't use one myself but know several people who do successfully when traveling (gasp1).

I believe the most important thing is to use something you are used to and comfortable with (why I carry my normal purse).

For your husband, sounds like that's his fanny pack. I say if he wants to take it and is secure with that method, leave him be.

People are more likely to lose, misplace, drop, forget, whatever an unfamiliar item (brand new money belt, neck pouch) than are likely to be pickpocketed on the streets of Europe.

Don;t even think about it. You are marking yourself out as a tourist and a target - and one who doesn;t know how to secure belongings.

It is incredibly easy to get stuff out of these without your knowing - just asking for trouble.

If he must carry half the den around with him - let him get a bandolier style messenger bag that he wears in the front - so you can at least see it if someone tries to take something out.

I agree with those who say a fanny pack is a bad idea and the reasons have been well stated. So in answer to your post title, my answer is "no".

Please, let's use some common sense. The answer has to be huge YES!

A backpack is just not big enough for all your essential travel gear: Tiger Sauce, BC powders, pork rinds, grits, GPS, swiss army knife, flares, maps, Dolly Parton fan, American flag, M&M jars, twinkies, poncho, thermal blanket, jock strap, fruit loops, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pup tent, flares, colman lantern, TV guide, Soap Opera Digest, 3D movie glasses..... .

Use a fanny pack and secure your valuable STUFF!

Don't get me wrong when I call it a purse. That's just our joking name for it. This is the type of thing he has. Buy it in black and he'll blend right in with everone else on the street.

http://www.eaglecreek.com/40242.html

Just go out and buy one and bring it home. My husband also had apprehensions at first about carrying an accessory that he thought only a woman would carry. Perhaps it is a generational thing in the US (we're in our 50s). Now on trips he can't live without it. Also, these do look more like a camera bag than a real purse.

As far as the fanny pack, I used one on our bike trip in the Loire and it was perfect for that.

Julies: The man purse is a MURSE!

Purse, murse, messenger bag, Kelly bag -- whatever ---

A long as I don't have to carry his stuff!

It would have to be a NO for a guy to carry a fanny pack. But I think it's totally ok for a woman to carry one. I've been getting compliments and being stopped on the streets of NY about my fanny pack. The trick is to get a very stylish one like LV or Gucci then no one will like it's tacky but quite fashionable. You can have your wallet stolen at home just the same as on vacation. Just be more aware of your surrounding and belongings.

If you don't wear a fanny pack or carry a messenger bag, no one will ever suspect you're a tourist - and therefore you won't be a crime target.

Right.

By the way, I think "Fanny" has been the title of enough novels, plays, movies, and musicals over the past three or four hundred years that it's high time the Brits get done with the giggling and go back to using "bum" - or the more colloquial "arse" - for "rump" (is this similar to Eskimos having dozens of words for "snow"?)

a murse! who knew?

I told DH that votes were pretty overwhelmingly against on this forum, so he shrugged and said OK.

And, I do not carry his stuff, I have enough of my own . I found a pretty nice messenger bag at ebags, http://www.ebags.com/, although zappos, http://www.zappos.com would have nice ones as well.

The British love toilet humour. Fanny is a euphamism for a vagina so no wonder it gets a chuckle every time.

My husband has started wearing one when we take the dog for long walks, usually in Brussels or somewhere in Germany. I don't like it, but I'm not going to bug him about it. If a thief snatches it, all he'll get is a small water bottled (with tap water), a mini plastic Ikea water bowl (4 for 1 euro), a couple of poop cleanup bags, and some paper towels. A rather disappointing haul, and not worth p*ssing off a 6'2" 200 pound half-German for, IMHO.

No they may not look great but they're very utilitarian.

After using a shoulder bag to carry things like wallets, water bottle, book, maps, my shoulder started to hurt.

Plus for things like your money clip and keys, the pack worn on the front made for easy access.

Now imagine carrying around camera and iPod as well as the usual tourist stuff.

I used a messenger bag along with camera clipped to belt. Then I could keep keys and wallet in my coat for easy access. That combo works in winter but in summer, you need something else.

I can see using it again in the summer for long excursions where I'm on my feet all day.

And Europeans absolutely use them, but some of them are nice leather things, with muted colors and design.

They also wear backpacks on the front to prevent theft.

Suze: Actually the liner is for "moisture". Now, I don't intend on sweating in my money belt in 40 and 50 degree weather. And it can definitely get wet from rain under your clothes. Imagine being stuck in a downpour unexpectedly. If your shirt gets drenched, so will the belt. Or, maybe you get in a water fight why doing the utmost touristy thing like pedal boating in Amsterdam. Or, maybe you stand under the Manekin Pis haha, actually, he is so small, it would just be a trickle.

Oh my.. I wouldnt caught dead in one...usually.. but have finally found an appropriate place...Biking in the country or hiking in the high alps!!!..it's a great way to carry your poncho,medicine bandaids socks,snack,water,map,camera,sun and field glasses..it goes with my double bottom lined stretch knee pants....and knee socks...and felt hat with a feather..i love to go a wandering..

Packs or fannypacks or murses or...Not needed in cities for us--I mean, how far are you from a water source just about anywhere in Paris or Rome?

I wear clothing with pockets--they hold everything I need (and everything Mrs. Fly needs when her outfit does not have enough pockets) for an urban outing--including our camera. One less item to worry about losing, dropping, lugging around.

Robespierre said:
"By the way, I think "Fanny" has been the title of enough novels, plays, movies, and musicals over the past three or four hundred years that it's high time the Brits get done with the giggling and go back to using "bum" - or the more colloquial "arse" - for "rump" (is this similar to Eskimos having dozens of words for "snow"?)"

Actually, 'bumbag' is indeed our name for your 'fanny pack'. And as someone else pointed out, Fanny, whilst being a rather old fashioned name (Victorian parlour maids spring to mind), is also most certainly NOT another word for 'arse'. Think 'front' bottom...

I see that the first (and usually only) definition in dictionaries is "buttocks." A small number of dictionaries give "vulva" (and only as a second definition). So it certainly IS another word for "arse" (besides being my aunt's given name).

What on earth is a fanny pack? A daypack à la Eastpack?
A stylish and safe alternative is to use a small size messenger bag (20 x 30 cm). Manhattan Portage has some. It's enough to accommodate all you need, ie map and guide, possibly a small camera. And you have control on its access all the time, it's not in your back.

It's just a small sport sack that is attached to a belt around your waist. It's really for sports, such as skiing or cycling. I think they were sometimes referred to as fanny packs by some people in the US because of their use while running or skiing (the pouch is put in the small of your back, rather than in front). A lot of people wear them just walking around while touring, hiking, etc., to carry small stuff. Even in the US, I don't think you see these called fanny packs in the store. It's not the usual term for them nowadays. I think they are usually called waist packs. They are not day packs and are not on your back, so a messenger bag has nothing on them in that regard. Messenger bags are a lot bigger and bulkier.

I agree-no fanny packs! That coupled with white sneakers will scream "American tourist!" Not that there's anything wrong with being a tourist, but calling unnecessary attention to oneself isn't always prudent. I personally carry a purse just like I would here in NYC, or a larger tote bag, or a smallish backpack...

My in-laws wore fanny packs in Russia and were pickpocketed, they didn't even realize what happened until later. Their passports/credit cards/$$$ were all taken.

Tamara- I guess it is POSSIBLE that a money belt worn under your clothing could become wet if you are caught in a downpour (but wouldn't you be wearing a jacket?)

Ah, une banane! In French, they are called a "banana". Woaw, last time I used it must be skiing as a teenager circa 1978...
Christina, you didn't read my post: I was mentioning measurements (OK, in metric, but you should know better... ). Actually, it's more a "DJ bag" than a "Messenger bag", check this URL:
http://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=95

I personally only swear by those when visiting

I found a nice mono bag at target, can be worn in the front or in the back. I think it would be safe enough and it does look stylish

Robespierre: "I see that the first (and usually only) definition in dictionaries is "buttocks." A small number of dictionaries give "vulva" (and only as a second definition). So it certainly IS another word for "arse" (besides being my aunt's given name)."

You are using the Amercian definition. 'Buttocks' is certainly not the English definition. And we are, after all, speaking english are we not? Particularly as this is the European board?

Momliz - We call them Moon Bags because of the half-moon shape. Although they are very out of fashion nowadays I wouldn't stop your husband from taking his - old habits die hard and he will feel lost without it. Probably won't stop moaning about the fact either!
Just don't put lots of cash or cards in it - you keep that neccessity instead?!

I only wear a fanny pack/belt bag at an amusement park. I wouldn't consider anything else for a day of rides and rollercoasters!

I agree with Kate a British person (of which i am one) NEVER uses fanny to mean arse, bum, rump whatever NEVER its a womans privates always has been.
Robspierre you are confused.
So when "fanny" i used hence why we would laugh, be aghast and of course Fanny packs SCREAM American Tourist (not that i am suggesting there is anything wrong with american tourists)

Aside from the issue of whether to wear one or not, there are "waist packs" that are specifically made for security. They cannot be slashed or cut or unopened easily by a pick-pocket.

Magellen's has one:

http://www.magellans.com/store/Games___Gifts___Gifts_Under__50LB230?Args=

Travelsmith also offers a few varieties, I believe, of which this is one:

http://www.travelsmith.com/ts/cookie.jsp?ContentOID=3412243&Category=%2fProductHierarchy%2fLuggage+and+Accessories%2f+Daypacks+and+Handbags&Category1=%2fProductHierarchy%2fLuggage+and+Accessories&source=subcategory.jsp

--Marv

I saw plenty of white sneakers/trainers in the U.K. when I was there, and a lot of them seemed to be worn by people with British or Scottish accents. Hmmmmm......

It doesn't matter what you use to carry your touring essentials... the key thing is to NOT carry your passport, tickets, extra money etc in the backpack, bag, fanny pack, whatever.

Hate to resurrect such an interesting topic but would you say this Eagle Creek wallet-size pouch, which slides onto your belt, falls into the fanny pack category? I think this is a little more discreet than the fanny pack and maybe the only way I can get my DH away from packing his "George Castanza" wallet in his back pocket.

http://www.eaglecreek.com/40326.html

what about kids ...can they have a backpack with stuff they like to carry snacks and such (not valuables ) ?

>>>>
So when "fanny" i used hence why we would laugh, be aghast
>>>>

most, if not all british people are well acquainted with the meaning of this word in american english and its casual use in the american term "fanny pack". hardly worth debating.

I say no to fanny packs just because while growing up I remember how they were just soooo tourist like.

I suggest a decent money belt instead, and a cute little fashionable plain colored back back or shoulder bag.

I say single colored or plain colored bag because a friend who is native to London commented on how the brightly multicolored backpacks are a bit too obvious and make the wearer definately look non-native. I will be wearing a dark colored backpack on my next trip.

Again repeating the obvious - don't put anything in your bumbag (the Aussie term for the fanny bag) that you don't want to lose. With that I have used a bumbag since I started travelling I have been travelling since 1984: Nepal and trekked the Annapurna Circuit. (September 1984), India/Nepal (December 1985/January 1986), East Africa /Zimbabwe /Tanzania / climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (December 1988/January 1989),
China (December 1989/January 1990), Thailand/Burma (December 1990/January 1991), Europe/Malaysia (February/July 1991), Indonesia (December 1991/January 1992), Middle East: Israel, Egypt and Jordan (December 1992/January 1993), Europe (December 1993/January 1994), Vietnam (December 1995/January 1996), United States of America/Canada/Europe (December 1996/January 1997), South America: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru -walked the Inca Trail (December 1997/January 1998), Turkey/Greece (December 1998/January 1999), Laos/Cambodia/Thailand (December 1999/January 2000), Uzbekistan - University of Sydney's Archaeological Site (September/October 2000), Mexico, Belize, Guatemala (December 2001/January 2002), Middle East. Egypt, Syria, Lebanon & Jordan. (2002 December- 2003 January), Pella, Jordan University of Sydney's Archaeological Site (February - March 2003), Israel March 2003, Sri Lanka (January 2004), Southern India (December 2005/January 2006) and have NEVER had an attempt at the strap being slashed or stolen from me. It has always left my hands completely free to travel. The serious things: money, passport, vaccination card, tickets, travel insurance, spare credit card go in the money belt around my wist under the shirt.

I have traveled all over the US, Europe, South America, and China wearing my fanny pack, and I intend to keep on doing so, fashion or no fashion. I carry valuables: extra money, credit card, etc. in a neck wallet under my clothes; leave passport and excess cash in the safe at my hotel. But kleenex, rain poncho, extra film and batteries, map and pages from guidebooks, safety pins, hand sanitizer, bandaids and change for the bus or phone (and depending on where I am, the cell phone) go in my fanny pack. My hands are free and my circulation is not being cut off by a heavy shoulder strap.
I am a tourist, and no one is going to mistake me for anything else even though I never wear white tennies. As soon as I pull out a guidebook or map, everyone knows anyway. Big deal. You just be careful and use common sense. If your DH wants a fanny pack and is comfortable with it, who cares? What a thing to worry about when you are seeing the world. Enjoy and be comfortable and forget what others think is fahionable looking...

Never, if you wear one, your screaming to get picked or scamed.

Now, if you are flying out of the UK, they are allowing fanny packs only, and small ones at that (aside from small purses and pockets, of course), so I am all for them. I hear saw a nice Louis Vuitton yesterday. . .

ONly if you want to look like a fanny...

Wear one of those thin money pouches with several zippers on it around your waist under your shirt. I even pin it to my pants to be sure it stays put. Keep copies of your passports in it should you need them and the passports themselves in a safe at the hotel.

Take small amounts of money and a credit card for daily use in either a deep front pocket - or in a zippered purse if you are a woman - and put larger amounts in the zip pouch. Only dip into it in private, in a bathroom or somewhere no one can see you do it.

I was amused to see a rather chic "manbag" carried by businessmen in Russia last week. At first, I thought they were holding their wife's bag, but it turned out to be their own. It's rather compact, has three sections, a short grip and is always made of dark leather. I also saw more casually dressed Russian men with fanny packs.

Rather than a fanny pack, consider a pouch. I use one from Eagle Creek. cut off the straps as soon as I got it home and use it exclusively on my belt. It can hold two passports, my International Driver's license, my wallet, an address book, a pen, my pocket knife for picnics, and it still is thinner than any fanny pack. It also feels much safer than one because the minute my arm falls down, it covers the pouch.

Hi Infotrack

Just a suggestion. If you use TinyURL.com when you are posting links it shortens them so it doesn't make the page spread so far you can't see the entire post without scrolling which is very difficult to read.

In Australia also, "fanny" means human female genitalia. So a "fanny pack" sounds like some sort of poultice you might need for a bad case of thrush. Whilst most are familiar with the American usage of the word, it does tend to bring a smile here and there. But aghast, no.

I don't think many Brits would laugh at an American using the term fanny-pack as we know that that is your term for what we call a bum-bag. (well, we might smile a bit).

But use fanny in any other context at your peril as it will invariably be taken as meaning 'vagina'. If you say your fanny hurts, or that someone bumped into your fanny, or patted your fanny, or that your other half loves the shape of your fanny, expect hysterics in reply.

An American friend of mine says that she once heard a busy branch of Marks and Sparks reduced to stunned silence when a loud American voice asked, "Does my fanny look big in this?"

<<So a "fanny pack" sounds like some sort of poultice you might need for a bad case of thrush.>>

It is sentences like this that keep me coming to fodors.com. Hilarious!

One more comment on fannies. We have a French neighbour whose daughter is called 'Fannie' and who was planning a year in Australia. Having been asked to give here some English language tips, review her resume, etc., we also strongly suggested she not admit to any Australians that her name was Fannie. SO for the last year she has been Annie. Occasionally when someone had to check her passport or visa, they smiled, and obviously understood why she had introduced herself as Annie. She came home last week, and to her mother's horror, once again introduced herself to someone as Annie. So now she has to get back to being a French Fannie, so to speak.

>>>>
you might as well your Disneyworld or Old Style Beer t-shirt to compliment it. Europeans think that they are ridiculous!
>>>>>

in fact, kitsch tourist t-shirts are extremely popular, at least in london, as are beer t-shirts of all sorts....non-european brands such as "bud", miller or asian brands bring the most value at the vintage clothing shops.

Everybody to their own opinion but I find it very convenient to carry my camera rather than hanging around my neck all the time, even when I am not taking pictures or it is raining. Also a great place to put all the metal objects when going through security. I never put money or my passport in it. And beside, most of the time American's stick out like sore thumbs anyway, no matter what they wear or don't wear.

I bought a PacSAFE® brand with exomesh® fabric that has a steel mesh woven into it plus the strap has two aircraft grade steel cables and latches at the front of the bag. The latch is covered with a flap to hinder somone casually squeezing it. The strap has a cable with a loop on the end that can lock to the bag along with the two zippers under the flap. Not entirely safe from a determined theif but I think I would know something is amiss as they were trying to get it off. Pro Travel Gear is one seller.

I discovered an answer to fannypacks a couple of years ago. I have what is called a fisherman's vest, or photographer's vest. It is made of mesh, has at least 10 pockets in it (front and back) with a couple large enough for one or two disposable film cameras. It fits nicely under a jacket. I carry only small amounts of money in it--valuable items are in the hotel safe or under my clothes. It probably screams tourist, but I don't travel much in the warm weather (high price) season, so it is covered most of the time with my jacket or fleece vest.

I think a fanny pack with a big American flag on it is a great idea

it will divert any would be thief while you have your money, etc. in a secure money belt, etc.

Fanny packs - Brilliant idea!

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Just get a money belt, easier and less tacky!!