North St Pioneer 8 Hip Pack

“Fanny packs are back!”

I hear this over and over again. Let’s get on the same page, yeah? Fanny packs are not back. They never went anywhere! You can call em hip packs, lumbar packs, whatever makes you comfortable, but the scientific name is Fanny Pack, and it’s one of the most useful, versatile pieces of gear that you should have at your disposal at all times. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about the North St Pioneer 8.

The Pioneer 8 is the smallest in the North St hip pack family, clocking in at 90 cubic inches (1.5 liters). It’s a tiny pack. And that’s what I like so much about it. It’s perfect for quick laps on our local singletrack, when I’m just looking for a little extra space for my phone, a just-in-case ultralight jacket, like the Patagonia Houdini, and a Clif Bar for when one more lap is in order. It’s also been my go-to for Red Rocks shows this summer, when I’m carrying my little Lumix point-and-shoot, cards and cash, and that Houdini jacket. It’s available in a dizzying array of colors and patterns, from muted to wild. I customized my bag with their easy-to-use Custom Builder, which let’s customers pick front panel, top shell, and zipper pull colors.

I’ve owned a wide range of fanny packs that have been in constant service since the mid 90s, in just about every size imaginable. But there’s always been one size missing. The North St Pioneer 8 filled that gap, and is going to be my go-to for those just-the-essentials situations for many years to come.

Specs & Details

• Dimensions: 8″ wide x 2.5″ deep x 4″ tall
• Capacity: 90 cubic inches (1.5 liters)
• Weight: 7oz (199 grams)
• Belt Fit Size: 30″ – 46″
• 1000 denier CORDURA® Nylon
• Water resistant DWR finish on exterior
• Handmade in Portland, Oregon
• Lifetime Warranty
• Extra long zipper ties

Want just a little more? Pioneer 8 Upgrades are available, including shoulder straps, handlebar kits, and pockets.

 

 

 

All photos by Mitch Kline.