Bellroy Venture Hip Pack 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!