Traveling Ted in Halong Bay: you can bet I am wearing a fanny pack, but it is just not pictured
The stereotypical traveler is much maligned in the adventure travel blogger world. The straw hat, the camera wrapped around the shoulder, and the shades. In short, kind of what the author looks like in the picture above taken from Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Somewhere along the line the fanny pack has become another symbol of the annoying, loud, culturally insensitive traveler. Budget Travel advice linked the loud annoying American traveler to the fanny pack. Jeremy in his Budget Travel Adventure columns was the latest to take a dig at the little pack around the waist. In fact, Jeremy’s latest post inspired this one as this is my travel confession.
In this post I am coming out of the closet to proclaim my love for the fanny pack.
Here are five reasons I adore them:
5. I do not care if I blend in or not:
Many travelers feel that they need to blend in with the culture and country. They give their traveler egos mental high fives whenever they are mistaken for one of the locals or if they are credited by the locals for acting different than regular tourists.
When I am traveling in another country or state I do not care if I am immediately recognized as a tourist. In fact, I prefer it. I find more people are willing to talk to me or help me out if they sniff me out as someone from somewhere else.
In fact, I intentionally foster this fact by wearing symbols from my home town like a Chicago Bulls t-shirt and a Chicago White Sox hat. Many times meaningful conversations have started when people have recognized that I am from Chicago.
In Canada wearing my Chicago Bulls t-shirt
Triple tourist whammy: White Sox hat, shades, and the lovely fanny pack
Since I have already lost the “I am a tourist geek” battle it makes no difference if I throw on another symbol of tourist loserdom.
4. I like having all of my important travel stuff right in front of me:
I have my wallet, keys, camera, video camera right in front of me within easy access of my hands. I can take a picture, buy a beer, shoot some video just as fast as some western gunslinger can pull out a gun. Call me Quick draw McTraveling Ted.
Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand
3. Deters theft –
Thievery is probably the biggest threat to travelers. Pick pockets and cutters are the two main styles that thieves use to separate tourists from their dollars, pesos, baths, doung etc. . . Fanny packs are kryptonite to pick pocketers. They can pick my pocket when I travel all they want and they will only get a piece of gum or handful of lint.
Cutters are people who use a razorblade to cut unaware tourist backpacks and then remove the goods. It would be pretty difficult for a cutter to cut into my fanny pack. If they did this would mean someone has a razor sharp object with intent to use near my vital organs and more important vital things down there, so if this happened the last thing I would worry about is losing stuff from my fanny pack.
Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand
2. Loss deterrent –
Travelers lose objects more often than have them stolen. I place all of my important items in my fanny pack. I am screwed if I lose my beloved much maligned geeky looking bag around my waist, but this has not happened nor will it ever happen.
I am so used to having the feel of the elastic around my waist while on the move that it feels like I am missing a leg when I am without it for one second. For the most part, I never take it off until I am in my room.
Doi Sudhep Temple Chiang Mai, Thailand
1. I think the fanny pack looks lovely –
I have actually had comments on past blog posts with people sarcastically complimenting me on my fanny pack. I do not care what the fanny pack haters say: fanny pack oh fanny pack, how I love thee.
Tourist geek Traveling Ted at the Bridge over the River Kwai
Stay tuned,
TT
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Ted, first things first – I thought you were banned from posting that photo of you in that Bulls shirt anymore? 🙂
As for fanny packs, there are much better alternatives to them in my opinion. I do believe there are times to be a tourist. I never think there is a time for a fanny pack. As someone who does more adventure travel, I can see the advantage of that over a backpack. However, it’s not that I don’t use anything. I use a money belt. It tucks inside my clothes and keeps all of my essentials. For my camera, it easily fits into my pockets and there is no danger of it being stolen because I attach it to my pants.
For for reasons 2, 3, and 4 my money belt serves the same purpose as your fanny pack. I just don’t stick out as much. Another aspect of this is that I don’t like a bulky pack around my waist – very restricting.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..California State Parks announces 70 state parks will be closed
Well it should be noted that you did cite my travel confessions and not travel tips. So while everyone may not agree with me, that was the point – it was my personal travel confessions 🙂
I do believe there is a time we should all be tourists. I have found what works for me and I see your point as well. I actually have a fanny pack. I just never use it! 🙂
Jeremy Branham recently posted..California State Parks announces 70 state parks will be closed
Just a thought, Traveling Ted, you might want to consider a language issue and mention that a fanny pack is also called a bum bag because fanny has rude implications in some parts of the world:).
Oh, and don’t let the fashion police dictate your wardrobe….
Oh, poor, poor Ted! That fanny pack is horrible. At least I take solace in the face that you aren’t wearing socks with your Tevas, and your look has improved considerably since the photo of you fishing in the Chicago Bears shirt. That was a low point 😉
Leslie (Downtown Traveler) recently posted..The value of blogger press trips- Interview with Jordan Tourism Board’s Nayef Al-Fayez
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of the fanny pack. Dawn, the fashion police have arrived 🙂 At least I have shown improvement.
May I point out that a (don’t want to offend w/ “fanny”) pack worn on the front becomes a belly pack unless you are anatomically challenged. 🙂
Oh no! Please help us! Now Ted is the expert on style with his Chicago shirts and fanny packs! 🙂
Jeremy Branham recently posted..California legislature seeks to keep California state parks open why closing the parks is stupid
your self confidence in your attire will propbably spawn a fashion trend and fanny packs will become all the rage
greg urbano recently posted..Foamy Rocks
Ted – I like fanny packs, too, but that one is a lumbar pack…much, much larger. My fav fanny packs are a small leather one I picked up at a flea market leather crafter’s booth, and a small, ancient Eagle Creek fanny pack that the don’t make anymore. It’s gusseted, so the emptier it is, the flatter it rides. I wouldn’t do the state fair or any day-long “event” without one, for all the reasons you mention. It’s secure, it makes it easy to reach the stuff I really need to carry and it’s light.
But I’m petite – so I do tend to prefer a smaller version. Fanny pack onwards and upwards!
I’m not a fanny pack wearer (okay, full disclosure, I may have actually maligned the fanny pack at some point), but I LOVE your stand and reasons for the defense. Sold.
Charu recently posted..Young Friends’ Holiday Follies Highlight the Perks of Packaged Vacations
HA! That’s cool you’re willing to just enjoy using it. I know a lot of travel accessories are dictated by those wanting to follow others – way to buck the trend! I like the point you make about not having to blend in the with the locals. To be honest, when I see a foreigner decked out in local attire it at times makes them look absolutely ridiculous 😛
I love your choice of the phrase tourist loserdom & laughed out loud. Who cares what you look like – as long as you’re comfortable. I don’t like stuff around my waist but that’s just me – also hate a money belt and prefer a nondescript black bag that I wear over my shoulders. Each to their own.
I think it’s the Brits that have other meanings for the word fanny.
Leigh recently posted..A Saturday on the Tour du Mont Blanc
I agree wholeheartedly. Multi pocket vests and jackets are another option, that might be more comfortable. sportsmansguide.com is one good source. Also for fanny packs. Great prices.
Ted, I have nothing against the fanny pack but what you are wearing is more of a fanny bag! LOL I totally agree with you in that I don’t care if I fit the bill of the politically correct travel police.
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Photo Essay: Bucharest, Romania
I have since purchased a sleeker model. I am glad you too thumb your nose at travel fashionistas.
Great article Ted!
Whether in the west or east, home or travelling – wear a fanny pack. And a hat, and a Hawaiian short, and socks with my Birkenstock plastic clogs.
Friends shudder. Women laugh.
I do not care.
Fanny packs are perfect. It is about utility and comfort, bot fashion
Plus, they are ideal for the absent-minded
Thank you Hermes,
I am glad we see eye-to-eye on the issue. It always drives me crazy when people criticize what you wear when you are traveling. Who cares? I guess women do 🙂