Best list of hip bags 2023
Hip bag leaderboard: Velomotion tests various models and shows you what to look out for when buying a hip bag. Here you will find your personal guide.
Leaderboard hip bags
Waist bag, hip bag, hip pack, waist belt - the designations are varied. What is meant, however, is always that bag around the waist that was anything but trendy until a few years ago. But times are changing and it shows that things that are not very trendy can be practical. This is what happened with the waist pack: For a quick after-work ride or a longer tour with the e-bike in good weather - there are plenty of ideal applications. And if you can live with little luggage, you can enjoy a free back.
In the following you will find extensive information as well as our test criteria for the best list of hip bags.
Hip pack test: advantages and disadvantages compared to a backpack
Advantages
- Free back
- Less back sweating
- Limit to the bare minimum
- Less weight
- Nevertheless, all the important things are there
Disadvantages
- Little storage space
- Only space for the essentials
Purchase advice for the hip bag: What should you pay attention to
The most important feature of a hip bag is of course a comfortable, firm fit. Because a wobbling bag on the trail is no joy. As a general rule, the wider the strap and the wider the attachment of the strap to the bag, the more comfortable the seat is. As a rule, this means that the hip bag wobbles less when used on the trail. Otherwise, as is often the case, the motto applies here: trying is better than studying. In retail there is often the opportunity to create different models. In this context, the buyer can also test whether the packing volume of the hip bag is enough for the personal, most necessary things.
This is also crucial Length of the hip belt. Very thin or strong people in particular can fall through the cracks with some manufacturers. This was the case, for example Scott hip bag Almost too big for our test subjects, who are 180 cm tall and have a slim build. Ideally, the strap should be easy to adjust, or have a built-in elastic band - or ideally both. Especially when going uphill, you tend to wear a belt looser than when going downhill.
Concerning Hydration Of course, it's a matter of personal preference: In our opinion, a hydration bladder with a tube is more comfortable and practical - but when filled appropriately, the bladder takes up a lot of packing space. Models that are designed for bottles leave more storage space.
Even when Inner workings A lot depends on personal preferences and items. Nevertheless, the division of the compartments is more practical with some manufacturers than with others. Important from our point of view: compartments that can be opened wide. Especially if there is a hydration bladder in the hip pocket, reaching some things with small openings can be quite difficult. Otherwise, small pockets for bars, wallets, keys and the like are of course practical.
Anyone who includes longer uphills on their tours should have one Attachment option for protectors contemplate. Heavy cell phone users should also make sure they have an easily accessible pocket for them.
Dear buy too big – our tests have shown that almost all hip pockets fit best when they are not bulging. This means they can adapt better to the shape of your body. We therefore recommend buying a hip bag so that it is not bulging with standard filling for a standard tour.
In short: purchase criteria
- Comfortable seat
- No wobble
- Appropriate length of the strap
- Wide straps for more comfort
- Attachment option for protectors
- Hydration system compatible with personal preferences
- Sufficient volume for personal essentials
- Large side pockets for quick access
- Wide-opening compartments for easy loading and unloading
For orientation, you will find the most important things from our editorial team here, which we also used in the test:
- Replacement Tube & Tubeless Repair Kit
- air pump
- multi-tool
- Wallet, keys & cell phone
- 1-2 energy bars
- hydration bladder or bottle
- windbreaker
- A change of shirt if space is available
Hip bag test: This is how we tested it
We have tested all hip bags on our list of the best on alpine trails with flowing and technical sections - including several natural stone steps. A wobbling and the wearing comfort are particularly good here. During use, the handling properties of the various hip bags also become apparent, including the accessibility of compartments. We also paid great attention to the belt and tensioning system. The processing and the ratio of packing volume to weight are less important - but this should not be left unconsidered.
Our test criteria
- comfort
- sit/wiggle
- Belt & tensioning system
- Interior, layout & features
- accessibility of subjects
- application
- Volume to weight ratio
By the way, in the next few weeks you will find the tests of all fifteen test candidates here. Our list of the best is constantly being expanded.
