Whether you’re Inflatable paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, rafting or drift fishing, you need a place to keep some gear close and dry. It’s critical that, whether you are on an afternoon float or a weeklong trip certain items on your packing list, such as phones, key fobs, snacks, cash, or a box of flies, not only remain tucked away in a waterproof place but are always accessible when you need them.
There are plenty of options when it comes to dry bags, including roll top backpacks, duffels, and hard cases, however, when considering versatility, this article asserts there may be none more helpful than our old friend from the 80s, the fanny pack. Also known in its recent renaissance as the hip or waist pack, and initially a comeback kid in the modern festival scene, the fanny pack has infiltrated paddling, not to mention travel and leisure. On a board, it can be clipped below your life jacket for ever-present accessibility. For a short side hike, it can be slung over a shoulder. And with any watercraft, it can be tucked away under a bungee or in a hatch just like a small dry bag.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the top waterproof fanny packs in the industry and crash tested them in the gnarliest, wettest water sport of all—rafting. Read on to discover how each performed while field tested by a professional guide, what unique features stood out on each waist pack, and which specific water sport each pairs best with.
Best waterproof fanny packs for 2025: Our top picks
- Best overall: Patagonia Guidewater
- Best for paddleboarding: Atoll Overkill
- Easiest to access: Yeti Sidekick
- Most budget-friendly: Airtech Waterproof Fanny Pack
Wear A Life Jacket
Best fanny pack overall
Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack
Patagonia Guidewater Specs
Capacity: 9 Liters
Rating: Submersible
Construction: Recycled nylon plain weave with a PU face coating and a TPU back coating
Price: $239.00
Patagonia
Buy from:
Why I love it
Waterproof, dustproof, and fully submersible—the Guidewater was intended for angling, but this hip pack’s ability to cross over into other water sports and everyday use is uncanny. Its zipper is identical to those manufactured for industry-leading dry suits as well as its seam seals and fabric.
The Guidewater is ergonomic by design, sitting comfortably on the hip. It offers an optional shoulder strap to distribute weight and two external, adjustable loops at the bottom of the pack designed to hold a breakdown fishing rod. These loops double as external storage for your rain jacket or outerwear as you swap layers throughout the day.
In testing, I used this pack as my day bag on the Grand Ronde in eastern Oregon. Just what is a guide such as myself carrying in a day bag? A map, chapstick, emergency toilet paper, wag-bag, mobile phone, Garmin InReach, speaker, electronic cables, backup battery and more. In addition, I am opening and closing my pack innumerable times while on the water each day. The ease of a zipper, such as on the Guidewater versus a snap closure wass a universe apart. And for good measure, I routinely submerged this waist pack throughout each day.
Reasons to buy
- Just about everything proof
- Made from recycled materials
- The company’s well-known “Ironclad Guarantee” on repairs and replacements
Consider another if
- Cost is factor
- You’re seeking a more compact storage size
Bottom Line
The Guidewater submersible hip pack has the backing of a trusted legacy outdoor brand and can keep all your goodies dry for days on end.
Best fanny pack for standup paddleboarding
Atoll Overkill
Atoll Overkill Specs
Capacity: 4 Liters
Rating: Submersible (except small outer pocket)
Construction: TPU material
Price: $49.99
Atoll
Buy from:
Why I love it
Considered a lightweight waist pack, the Overkill by Atoll was created with a blend of durability, style and thoughtful design. You can even choose from five colors: army green, black, heather grey, navy or safety orange.
Atoll’s intent of this pack is for use on an inflatable paddleboard. It stows under deck bungees without taking up too much room among the rest of your strapped-down gear. You can clip it around your waist when carrying your board to avoid extra trips or awkward juggling. And, if it fits below your style life jacket, you can keep it on your person for your entire outing.
I also found the Overkill to be the perfect auxiliary first aid kit. For many commercial whitewater companies, a major medical kit stays on the sweep boat at all times, and a secondary med kit is created in a fanny pack, which can accompany guides and guests on a hike or travel with the boats taking off ahead of the group to secure camp. I stashed gauze, bandages, and other items which would be rendered useless if damp or soggy in the pack, and left it in the footwell of my boat for three days while intermittently pulling out supplies every now and then. At take-out everything was just as dry as at the put-in. Part of the reason this pack is so dry is that it also utilizes the same zipper used for dry suits
My only regret with the Overkill was not snagging it in the safety orange.
Reasons to buy
- Low cost compared to similarly designed packs
- Balances storage capacity and compactness
- Resistant to oil and grease as well as abrasions, scuffs and scratches
- TPU construction means no PVC smell
Consider another if
- A brand’s time established in the outdoor market is a major factor in your decision
Bottom line
Atoll is a paddleboard company and they’ve built a paddleboarding-specific waterproof waist pack that fits the bill and is also capable for other users.
Carry A Waterproof VHF Radio, Use Your Phone Only As A Backup
- A handheld VHF marine band radio allows you to communicate with the Coast Guard and other boat traffic. Use Channel 16 only for hailing and emergencies. The radio should be waterproof, because it is virtually certain to get wet.
- A cell phone, even if in a waterproof case or sealable bag, might not work, so don’t rely on it as the primary means of emergency communication.
Easiest to access waist pack
Yeti Sidekick Dry
Yeti Sidekick Dry Specs
Capacity: 1 Liter
Rating: Submersible
Construction: Dryhide shell
Price: $45.00 (Sideclick waistband sold separately)
Yeti
Buy from:
Why I love it
Yeti’s Sidekick case is a Transformer, and I’m obsessed with its multiple uses. Not only can this fully waterproof storage compartment be used during any water-based activity, it can be attached to a cooler or fixed to a raft by the velcro bits on the back. In addition, the Sideclick strap is available separately, which turns it into a proper waist pack. In fact, because of the webbing slots on the back of the Sidekick, you can use any strap you prefer or have at your disposal attach it to.
This is a truly multi-use gear case like no other. The Sidekick is just at home on a paddleboard or raft as it is strapped to a bike or on a cooler at a concert.
Best of all, the magnetic waterproof closure makes access to contents easier than any other product on this list.
Reasons to buy
- Slim design
- Magnet closures for handy ease of access
- A “Transformer” that combines with other outdoor gear and Yeti products
Consider another if
- You foresee issues using the magnetic seal instead of a zipper closure
Bottom Line
The Yeti Sidekick is made to handle class V, though it also seamlessly integrates into the everyday river life.
Best pack on a tight budget
AiRunTech Waterproof Pouch
AiRunTech Waterproof Pouch Specs
Capacity: Less than 1 liter
Rating: Submersible
Price: $16.99
AiRunTech
Buy from:
Why I love it
The best reason to purchase the waterproof fanny pack by AiRunTech is the price point. If you have a tight budget and you need a waterproof case for limited items to get you through one or two trips, this product will get the job done.
One consideration is that the AiRunTech is a hybrid between a fanny pack and a phone pouch, though it doesn’t have a clear window for phone photography. It has three Ziploc-like, press closures to access anything inside. To secure your valuables, paddlers will need to be sure all three closures are sealed, and you should test-submerge the pouch before use.
Reasons to buy
- It is incredibly affordable for limited use or a last-minute solution
Consider another if
- You want a durable waist pack for many uses or multiple seasons
- You have the means to upgrade to another option
- You want to ensure you have enough storage capacity for your size phone and other items
Bottom Line
The AiRunTech Waterproof fanny pack will get the job done for a few bucks in a pinch.
Wear The Appropriate Leash When Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Always wear a leash on open bodies of water like lakes, bays, and oceans. Due to the risk of snags and entrapment, leashes should only be worn on rivers if they include a quick release attached to your life jacket.
Waterproof fanny pack buying advice
The number one priority paddlers are looking for in a waterproof pack is that it is in fact going to keep your gear dry. The last thing you want is to spend money on a bag, for it to fall of your paddleboard or raft and later open it up to find a stew of your belongings. Waterproof is a tricky word to throw around when it comes to interior dryness, and what you are often looking for that is submersible. This usually translates to a dry bag or pack with a rating of IP67 or IP68. This means the pack can be submerged under a meter of water for 30 minutes or more.
Beyond this, you probably want a waist pack that is not only submersible but fits and is comfortable to wear. If you can try packs on before buying this is the best way to find out.
You also want a pack that will not only fit your waist, but store well on your boat or board. I larger capacity pack will hold more gear but is both bulky on you and under the bungees of a paddleboard. While a slim pack will be low profile but be more scarce on space when trying to cram it with snacks, phone and safety gear. Take stock of what you plan to carry and what this looks like with the capacity of various packs.
Lastly, waterproof fanny packs come with multiple types of closures. Specialty zippers are the most commonly used because they offer a low profile and closure that is considered submersible. Zippers can be tough to open and close however, and need to be maintained with a lubricant over time. Yeti’s magnetic closure is unique and enjoyed by many users. Budget packs may have a press-to-seal zipper like many may be familiar with from sandwich bags.
How we tested
The fanny packs in this article were first selected through researching what products were widely available on the market. Next, the waterproof fanny packs selected were tested, on-the-job, by the author, a professional guide, while on a four-day trip down the Grand Ronde River for Little Creek Outfitters. Packs were filled with critical gear like first aid supplies, maps, phones and satellite messengers, then put to work. All packs kept these items dry for up to three hours of intermittent submersion in the chaotic currents of the Grand Ronde. The author found that because all waterproof fanny packs were indeed waterproof as advertised, evaluation came down to unique product features and versatility in multiple sports and leisure activities.
Why trust us
K.M. Collins has been writing about rivers for over a decade and paddling them for longer. She has guided on the Lower Wild and Scenic Rogue, Owyhee, Deschutes and Grand Ronde with some of the most well-respected companies on the West Coast, and has assisted in teaching river courses. Collins is meticulous about rigging her paddling crafts with the best possible gear for her kit, because as a guide, she’s learned the last thing you want is for your gear to fail you when you need it most.
