Hip Packs

A hip pack is what you take when a backpack is too much.

Phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, maybe a small camera or a few travel essentials. Enough room for the things you actually want with you, without carrying a half-empty bag around all day.

Our Hip Packs range from very small waist bags to slightly larger styles that work just as well worn across the body.

Waist bag or crossbody?

Most modern hip packs can do both.

Wear it around your waist when you want the bag out of the way, or sling it across your chest or back for easier access.

We tend to use them crossbody around the city and while travelling, but around the waist can be better for cycling, hiking or whenever you want to keep your shoulders completely free.

There is no correct way to wear one.

Use whatever feels easiest.

Small enough to stay useful

The best thing about a hip pack is that it stops you carrying too much.

A larger backpack somehow always ends up collecting another layer, a water bottle, random cables and half the contents of your desk.

With a hip pack, you take the essentials and leave the rest.

For days around Amsterdam, festivals, bike rides or short walks, that is often all you need.

If you do need more space, our Backpacks are the obvious next step.

Great for travel

We almost always like having a small bag alongside our main luggage.

Passport, phone, wallet and earbuds are much easier to keep close than buried somewhere inside a bigger travel bag.

Once you arrive, the hip pack becomes your day bag and the main luggage stays at the hotel.

That makes it one of the simplest additions to a travel setup.

See our Travel Bags and Duffel Bags for larger luggage.

How big should a hip pack be?

Smaller than you think.

If you only carry a phone, wallet and keys, there is little point buying something huge.

A slightly larger model becomes useful when you want space for sunglasses, a compact camera, charger, small bottle or an extra piece of clothing.

The shape matters as much as the litres.

A flat bag sits closer to the body and feels cleaner around town. A deeper bag carries more, but starts moving towards small-backpack territory.

Pockets help, but keep it simple

A hip pack benefits from a little organisation.

One main compartment and a smaller pocket for keys or a wallet is usually enough.

Too many sections defeat the whole point.

This is supposed to be the simple bag.

Hip packs for cycling

Hip packs work particularly well on a bike.

They keep your back free, stay relatively stable and give you quick access to your essentials without taking a full backpack.

Just make sure the strap can be adjusted securely enough that the bag does not swing around while riding.

For longer rides where you need layers, water and more gear, a backpack will still make more sense.

Hip Packs at Behind The Pines

We like hip packs because they solve a very simple problem.

You need to take a few things with you, but not enough things to justify a backpack.

That is it.

Shop Hip Packs online or visit Behind The Pines in Amsterdam to compare sizes and fits in person.