Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack Review

Fanny packs have been making quite the comeback lately. Like many other hikers, I’ve made the switch from using hipbelt pockets to wearing a fanny pack for keeping snacks and essentials close and accessible during the day.

The 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack from Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear is a sturdy and simply designed fanny pack. It has a lot of storage room for any activity, from long-distance backpacking to a stroll in the park. On top of this, its water-resistant material and comfortable design make it a great competitor in the world of fanny packs.

Close-up of blue and purple Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack on mossy log in the forest

The Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack.

Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack At a Glance

  • MSRP: $55 stock | $60 custom
  • Weight: 4.3 oz
  • Capacity: 2.5L
  • Dimensions: 9.5″ Wide x 5.5″ Tall x 3-4″ Deep (deeper at the top than at the bottom)
  • Materials: Xpac VX-21, 1″ nylon webbing, YKK #5 Uretek Zipper, and 3D spacer mesh

Circumstance of Review

I’ve taken this fanny pack on two overnight backpacking trips in Sequoia and Zion National Parks this fall. I’ve worn it with different backpacks, including one with a robust hipbelt and one with a less cumbersome, removable hipbelt. I’ve also worn it without a backpack on a few casual strolls through various parks in Portland.

READ NEXT – Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 1 Liter Fanny Pack Review

Features

Water Resistant: Waterproof zippers and the Xpac material make this fanny pack water resistant. The lack of seam sealing prevents it from being fully waterproof, but it’s pretty damn close to it. I didn’t experience any rain or submerge the fanny pack while I was testing it. However, I did manage to splash some water on it while filtering and drinking multiple times, and the inside stayed fully dry.

Pockets: On the inside of the fanny pack, there are two Lycra mesh pockets at the back. I found these perfect for smaller items that would easily get lost in the main pocket, such as my chapstick or headphone case. They’re also big enough to fit something like sunglasses or even your phone.

Customizable Colors: This fanny pack comes with many fun colors to choose from. There are plenty of in-stock color combinations, or you can customize any two colors if you’re willing to put up with the lead time.

Hiker wearing backpacking pack and fanny pack with trees, brush, mountains, and blue sky in backgroundComfort

The 3D spacer mesh on the back of the fanny pack adds some cushioning to make the fanny pack comfortable sitting on your hips. I’ve had fanny packs with and without this mesh backing, and the improvement is noticeable. I did notice that the one-inch webbing strap dug into my sides a bit at first when wearing it with my backpack. However, after a few minutes of wear, it wouldn’t bother me at all. The buckle never bothered me while wearing a pack, either. I was comfortable wearing the fanny pack all day hiking with a full backpack.

Durability

The Xpac material makes this fanny pack durable and abrasion-resistant. I also found that it hides dirt well and is easier to keep clean than other fanny packs I’ve used. Dirt and crumbs shook right out instead of collecting on the inside. The water resistance also helps it stand up to long-term use. The durability was the most impressive feature that made this fanny pack stand out to me.

Size

Size is an important consideration when purchasing a fanny pack. This one is on the larger side at 2.5 liters. It will hold all the snacks and accessories your heart could desire. At the same time, I found that it didn’t bounce or flop much while I was hiking. The design is tapered, providing more front-to-back depth at the top so that you can take items in and out with ease. I’ve also heard that it can fit up to four beers, and while I haven’t tested this myself, I definitely will be happy to have this feature when ski season comes around.

Versatility

The one-inch wide, 55-inch long webbing strap can be expanded to fit larger waists and also allows the fanny pack to be worn as a crossbody bag. I never tried this but had no difficulty adjusting the strap as needed. CTUG also advertises that you could add any of their shoulder strap accessories to the fanny pack strap, including their water bottle sleeve. I did not have any of these to test but would love the water bottle sleeve for a short day hike where you can avoid taking a backpack.

Hiker wearing Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack around waist at Zion National Park with brush, mountains, and blue sky in background.

Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack Pros

  • Lightweight: The 2.5L fanny pack weighs just 4.3 ounces—not the lightest, but mostly in line with other UL fanny packs in this size range.
  • Large size: Tapered design provides more room at the top for easy access.
  • Durable and hides dirt well: Waterproof Xpac fabric is abrasion-resistant and easy to clean.
  • Comfortable: I was comfortable wearing the fanny pack all day hiking with a full backpack. The 3D spacer mesh backing was a noticeable improvement over fanny packs I’ve used that lacked this feature.
  • Can add features like a water bottle sleeve: Would allow you to go backpack-free on day hikes.
  • Fun color options: Five color combos in stock; 169 possible custom color combinations.

Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack Cons

  • Break-in period for webbing strap: My only complaint, as I’ve mentioned, is that I did notice the one-inch webbing strap digging into my sides a bit at the beginning of wear, but it faded quickly.
  • No external pocket: One features this doesn’t have is an outside pocket; this isn’t something I necessarily missed but have seen on other popular fanny packs.

Hiker wearing hat, backpack, and fanny pack holding trekking poles with trees and mountains in background

Overall

The Chicken Tramper fanny pack has a great, simple design while being durable and water resistant. The 2.5L size fit everything I’d want to put in a fanny pack while being comfortable to wear all day long. I’ve had quite a few fanny packs, and this is my new go to without a doubt for backpacking and other activities. On top of that, there are endless color combinations to choose from to make anyone happy. For a reasonable price of $55 ($60 for custom), I would wholeheartedly recommend this fanny pack.

Shop the Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack

Comparable Fanny Packs

Thrupack Summit Bum™ Classic

MSRP: $49.99
Weight: 3.5oz

Cotopaxi Bataan 3L Fanny Pack

MSRP: $35
Weight: 3oz

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa

MSRP: $79
Weight: 5oz

The Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 2.5 Liter Fanny Pack was donated for purpose of review.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 1

    What Do You Think?