Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Review

The Bellroy Venture Hip Pack utilizes sturdy recycled materials and has thoughtful organization to ensure your essentials are easy to find, no matter where you go.

Our Verdict

8.1 /10
Great info

Form

90/100

Design

77/100

Value

77/100
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Pros

  • Recycled materials are durable and water-resistant
  • Zippers add extra protection from the elements
  • Thoughtful internal organization is easy to use

Cons

  • Can feel gear through the back panel
  • Zippers feel a little large for the compartments they contain
  • Struggle to find space for big gear

Technical Details

85 %

Carry-on Compliance

View 123/145 Airlines

39 %

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

  • Capacity

    1.5l

  • Weight (oz)

    6.1 oz (172.9 g)

  • Dimensions

    4.92 in x 6.69 in x 19.7 in (12.5 x 17 x 50 cm)

  • Notable Materials

    Recycled Polyester, Nylon, YKK Zippers, Woojin Hardware

  • Manufacturing Country

    Vietnam

  • Warranty Information

    Bellroy 3 Year Warranty

Buying Options

Brand
Price
Deal
Bellroy Logo
$75.00 
Amazon Logo
$45.00 

Full Review

If you think this pack looks nearly identical to the Venture Pouch, good eye; it is! However, there are a few key differences we’re excited to go over that affect how you use this thing. From its comfortable carry to more intuitive organizational details, there’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

External Components

The Bellroy Venture Hip Pack is crafted from nylon and polyester on its second life cycle. Yup, they’re recycled! In typical Bellroy fashion, they’re still durable and water-resistant, and they’ve held up well so far. They feel a little rougher to hold onto than other slings we’ve tested; however, it isn’t uncomfortable, and the added durability is worth the trade-off.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Sling
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | Wait, isn’t this a hip pack?

There are four colorways at the time of writing, and we dig the choices Bellroy made here. All four models are sleek, and the logo on the front face blends nicely with the primary pack material.

The YKK zippers feature AquaGuard technology to ensure no water sneaks through the tracks. It feels like a bit much for the job; however, if water resistance is high on your priority list, this might be the hip pack for you.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Full
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | We dig this colorway.

The pulls are a paracord-like material with a knot on the end and some heat-shrink plastic for good measure. They’re easy to hold, are large enough to grab onto quickly, and don’t get in the way when you don’t need to use them.

The plastic hardware on the strap is from Woojin, and the magnet is snappy and fun to play with.

Whereas the styling on the exterior is similar to what we’ve come to expect from Bellroy’s daypacks and other gear, we’re a little bummed that this thing can’t stand on its own. You can finagle it to work, but it doesn’t naturally sit up on a desk. It would be the perfect coffee shop companion if this were the case. Luckily, grabbing gear from it as it lies flat on its back is easy enough.

Fit Notes

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Side By Side
Left: Eric Hergenreder, Height: 6’0” (183 cm), Torso: 18.5” (47 cm) | Right: Kristyne Defever, Height: 5’5” (165 cm), Torso: 17’ (43 cm)

There isn’t much going on with the Venture Hip Pack’s harness system. This is a proper fanny pack, bum bag, or hip pack; whatever you want to call it, you’re supposed to wear it at your waist. The strap has no padding or aeration, but we didn’t expect that ona 1.5-liter sling. It’s comfortable without, even on warm days or long journeys. There’s a strap keeper to ensure everything stays organized, which we dig.

There’s no aeration on the back panel, either, but it has comfortable padding. If you throw an oddball-sized item inside, you can sometimes feel it, but for the most part, it feels good.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Back
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | The back panel.

The strap is easy to manipulate to get the perfect fit or change users, but it stays put once everything is locked down. That’s an important feature because you don’t want this thing flopping around on a hike or journey across a new city.

This pack feels best on your hip, but you can wear it across your body, too, with good comfort and easier access to your gear.

Inside The Hip Pack

There’s just one secondary compartment to work with on the front of the hip pack. It’s a small pocket with a divider down the center to break up the space. You cannot place longer items here, though it adds organization for smaller gear like a snack bar or your AirPods. Some wallets will fit here, like the Chums Surfshorts, but larger models will be too big.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack In Use
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | It’s easy to grab gear.

There’s a key leash here, which is missing in the Venture Pouch. It isn’t super long, but it has enough length to open a door while wearing it as a hip back, as long as you can get close to the lock.

The main compartment is where the real party is. There’s a large area to stow bulkier items, but we have some organization here too. On the back side, there’s a padded divider that creates the perfect space for your phone or passport. Any small flat item will do well here, but you may be able to feel bulkier items through the back panel.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Stuffed
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | The main compartment.

On the opposite side, there’s a mesh pocket for your sunglasses. There’s no padding here, so this storage area doesn’t offer much protection, though it provides a quick and easy spot for your daily carry. This is missing on the Venture Pouch, and its addition makes the main compartment more capable.

Bellroy Venture Hip Pack Waist
Bellroy Venture Hip Pack | Hip pack mode!

As a hip pack, this offering from Bellroy has enough space for your daily essentials and nothing more. If you like to bring a lot of extras, this isn’t the sling for you. However, if you pack minimally and want to keep your pockets junk-free, look no further than the Venture Hip Pack from Bellroy!

Usage Timeline

Initial Usage

Condition: Excellent

  • Materials feel durable and water-resistant
  • Magnetic clasp feels a little large for the job it’s tasked with but sturdy enough for rugged travel
  • We’re amped to put the internal organization through its paces
2 Weeks of Use

Condition: Excellent

  • Exterior materials have held up extraordinarily well
  • No issues with the strap or harness system to report
  • Interior organization is capable enough for the bumps and knocks of travel
mm
By Eric Hergenreder
Created May 3, 2023 • Updated May 3, 2023
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