Last weekend, I picked up one of the Simms Waist packs. There are a couple models available, in various sizes and levels of water-resistance, and I just picked the one that fit my jumble of stuff for trout fishing. But at the shop, searching for what’s essentially a fanny pack, I wondered how this mode of gear transport ever became so cool.
I literally walked into the shop looking for a fanny pack. Somehow the marketers at Simms, through careful manipulation and ad placement have made it OK to wear these things. From Wikipedia: Fanny packs reached the peak of their popularity in the late 1980s and early- to mid-1990s. Today, however, fanny packs are considered unfashionable in some countries. “Weird Al” Yankovic, for instance, mocks the wearing of fanny packs in his song “White & Nerdy.” Many consider the fanny pack a sure mark for an out-of-place tourist, invoking the traditional tourist stereotypes known around the world. If Weird Al is calling you out, you’re in trouble.
Apparently, the domesticated utility belt is making a comeback in high fashion, with companies like Prada and Gucci rolling out new versions of these 80s accessories. So it only makes sense that fly anglers jump on board, being the fashion forward individuals we are (Rob stirrup pants, fuzzy socks Russell is a fine example).
But I think most people share the views of this blogger: The majority of people who still wear fanny packs are grown men who drive minivans. This allows the rest of us to make fun of them until they retreat to their Town & Country only to pull a wad of tissues from their fanny pack so they can cry about how no one realizes how “functional” their fanny pack is.
Well, it is functional. I had a great time fishing with mine. I hated digging around in my ratty backpack for my stuff and it always bugged me to have something around my shoulders when casting. As for vests, forget about it. I can’t really do any serious wading with large items bouncing off your chest. It will drive you crazy. In fact, I asked Chris about the vest thing, and he said he didn’t think he’d sold one in over a year. “You know when people buy fly fishing vests? When someone’s wife finds the old nasty one in the closet and comes in and buys him a new one. And then the husband takes it back and buys a fanny pack.”
Fanny packs are in. Vests are out. Call me Tim Gunn, and quit pretending you don’t know who that is.
-MS
Tim Gunn? I had to look him up. The reel question to ask is: “Does this fanny pack make my fanny look big?”
anyone who has been to Ireland knows that using the term” Fanny Pack” will get you a big laugh.
Matt, I don’t think you look your best in the magenta jeans; if you are going to wear a purse, at least do it with something more manly in the jeans color. Go with the Brett Favre tattered blue Wranglers, or have Mr. Gunn give you another alternative.
I’ve been fishing out of mine for years now. nothing else even comes close.
All I can say is LOL! Your “Views” were spot on!
~n
The fishing variety are Hip Packs, not Fanny Packs; a very important nomenclature distinction, fashion-wise.
And Matt: take a moment from your fashion studies to respond to your messages, por favor.
Wait a minute…I really like my AWD T&C Limited van! And, I always leave my shoulder bag at home when on a piscatorial mission. With my old ’91 Alumaweld sled, or my wood ’78 Don Hill drift boat on the back and a bag of Cheetos, some peanut M&Ms, and a couple of bottles of Vitamin water for medicinal purposes to prop up the driver, that old Chrysler is a low-ridin’ wonder. Big-ass leather seats, ghetto sound system….what more could a guy need?
Just wish they were waterproof. I have the Simms Dry Creek “waist” pack and can’t tell you how many times I have waded to deep and had a twelve pound weight hanging of my waist that is filled with water. Makes my my sandwiches soggy.
Patagonia has a “waist pack” version of their waterproof Stormfront pack coming out first of 2011. Guaranteed to keep your shite dry.
If the vests aren’t selling let me know when they hit the half price rack!
Hey guys, put a indicator on that belly button…
Kids look at this site>>
🙂
Steve