Backside Line
The Ultralight Fanny Pack by Hightail Designs is a standout minimalist resolution. We’ve been carrying throughout journey throughout the US, city walks, and brief hikes round Boise, Idaho.
Its compact design contains a ¾-inch sewn-on belt, a single primary compartment, and an envelope-style internal pocket. These parts decrease bulk, providing a superb weight-to-capacity ratio very best for ultralight fans.
What units this pack aside is its daring dye sublimation printing, a departure from the everyday Dyneema aesthetics. The colourful patterns and local-artist designs give it a singular, personal touch. Moreover, it’s crafted by a small USA-based enterprise, guaranteeing consideration to element, high quality, and sturdiness, with options like absolutely taped seams and a waterproof zipper. Whereas not probably the most finances pack on our listing, the worth tag is decrease than many Dyneema packs. With all of the options of the pack, it’s effectively value it’s value.
Execs embody its light-weight, modern profile and distinctive, customizable designs. Nonetheless, the pack’s minimalist measurement and restricted organizational options might not go well with these carrying in depth gear. General, it affords an modern mix of efficiency, sturdiness, and magnificence, and for these causes, it earned a spot on our information to one of the best mountain climbing fanny packs.
How We Examined
First used as a journey pack, this compact and versatile bag accompanied us from Idaho to Tennessee. It proved extremely handy, permitting us to maintain our necessities simply accessible, but it was small and light-weight sufficient to stow away in a bigger bag when essential. We used it round city and in work environments, testing the bounds of its capability. As soon as again in Idaho, the Ultralight was put to the check on a number of day hikes, the place it comfortably carried a cellphone, keys, canine luggage, and different small necessities. Along with these real-world makes use of, we additionally carried out focused assessments to guage its abrasion resistance, water resistance, and ease of cleansing.
Fast Spec

Excessive Tail Designs The Ultralight
Finest Ultralight Mountain climbing Fanny Pack
CleverHiker Score:
4.6/5.0
Worth:
$66-$76 (relying on sample)
Measured Weight:
1.8 oz.
Capability:
1 L
Execs
- Ultralight
- Extremely waterproof
- A lot of coloration/sample choices
- Spectacular capability for low weight
- Small enterprise
Cons
- Small measurement
- Not a lot group
Consolation
Weighing simply 1.8 oz, the Ultralight by Excessive Tail Designs is the lightest pack on our listing. When worn with a lightweight load, it’s so ethereal that you just barely really feel it. With solely 1L of obtainable storage, it retains weight to a minimal, making it very best for brief, fast-paced journeys the place you don’t want to hold a lot. Regardless of its small measurement, the waist belt is extremely adjustable, becoming waist sizes starting from 13” to 52”, and the webbing anchors present added help.
Whereas the skinny 2cm strap may develop into uncomfortable when worn across the waist with heavier hundreds, it’s not a lot of a problem when the pack is carried as a sling bag. The pack’s light-weight design and flexibility make it a stable selection for these searching for a minimalist choice for brief hikes, path runs, or on a regular basis carry, the place consolation and adjustability are key.
Sturdiness
Made with ultra-durable Dyneema material, this pack carried out exceptionally effectively throughout our abrasion check. It confirmed solely slight fuzzing and no holes or damaged threads.
Even when used as a packable fanny pack, it maintained its structured form, which speaks to the fabric’s resilience. The Dyneema material does a superb job of hiding put on and tear, guaranteeing the pack stays wanting new for a very long time. Moreover, it was simple to scrub with a easy scrub and a little bit of cleaning soap.
The zipper confirmed no indicators of snagging or blowouts, even when overpacked, and was clean and simple to function with one hand. The stitching and seam taping have been surprisingly polished, rivaling bigger manufacturing amenities, regardless of the pack coming from a small, unbiased maker.
Options
Not each pack wants an in depth listing of options, and the Ultralight fanny pack embraces simplicity. True to its identify, this pack focuses on reducing weight quite than including additional options.
Constructed with sturdy Dyneema material, it features a waterproof zipper and absolutely taped seams, which made it extremely efficient throughout each our rain and submersion assessments.
A singular characteristic of this pack is the sublimation course of utilized by Excessive Tail Designs, permitting vibrant designs to be printed on the Dyneema material. Not solely are you supporting native artists, however it offers the pack a extra enjoyable, fashionable look quite than the everyday techy look.
Whereas the Ultralite excels in efficiency and design, one notable draw back is the shortage of a keeper strap for the waist belt, leaving any extra webbing dangling loosely. Regardless of this small flaw, the pack stays a stable, light-weight choice for minimalists searching for simplicity and sturdiness.
Group
The Ultralight fanny pack affords minimal group, that includes only one envelope-style safety pocket inside its open primary compartment. This pocket is right for maintaining small objects like IDs and financial institution playing cards separate out of your bigger necessities, similar to snacks and sunscreen.
With solely 1L of capability, there’s not a lot room to litter the pack, so that you gained’t discover your objects misplaced on the backside. Whereas this lack of advanced group might not go well with everybody, it’s good for many who desire a easy, streamlined design. The pack’s small measurement encourages cautious packing, maintaining all the things simply accessible and in place.
Ought to You Purchase the Excessive Tail Designs Ultralight Fanny Pack?
For ultralight hikers searching for a compact storage resolution or a path pockets that additionally doubles as a classy accent for city outings, the Ultralight Fanny pack has a spot in your gear assortment. Whereas it comes with a premium price ticket contemplating its small measurement and restricted options, the sturdiness and high-quality craftsmanship make it a worthwhile funding, particularly in case you plan to make use of it for a number of seasons. The pack affords a wide range of coloration and sample choices, permitting you to precise your private model whereas on the path or round city.
Nonetheless, it is probably not the only option for these seeking to carry greater than the necessities on longer hikes. Whereas it features effectively as an on a regular basis carry choice, there are extra inexpensive alternate options accessible for these searching for a easy, city fanny pack.
In case you prioritize weight financial savings and sturdiness, this pack is a good selection.
What Different Fanny Packs Ought to You Think about?
Under are some choices much like the Ultralight by Excessive Tails Designs that made it to our information to one of the best mountain climbing fanny packs.
Atom Packs – The Roo Evaluation: In case you love supporting small makers and are in search of a singular, sturdy fanny pack with a bit extra storage than the Ultralight – try the Roo from Atom Packs. Constituted of material offcuts, every pack is exclusive, however the Roo Re is offered in all black for many who desire a refined look.
ThruPacks Eco Summit Bum Evaluation: Lengthy-distance hikers wanting so as to add a fanny pack to their equipment might wish to try the Summit Bum by Thrupacks. Whereas able to being worn as a traditional fanny, it additionally simply attaches to the hip-belt of backpacks. It stays in the identical value vary because the Ultralight, doesn’t sacrifice weatherproofing, and has a 2.5L capability.
LiteAF Featherweight Evaluation: What in case your backpack doesn’t have a hip belt? That is the place the Featherweight shines. An ultralight pack with a bit extra versatility, the Featherweight might be worn as a traditional fanny or connected with Sliqclips to supply accessible storage on ultralight backpack designs. With a cheaper price tag, it sacrifices sturdiness utilizing a lighter material. In case you take excellent care of your gear, the Featherweight is a stable selection.