Once you decide to go for a short hike outdoors, you might take out your old college backpack from the closet, load up all your gear, and go on the road without hesitation. However, after you trek for an hour or two, that bulky bag — made of thick, air-tight material — may make your back look and feel as if you have just participated in a marathon soaked in sweat. Not cute—not comfortable.

Solution: hiking pockets (also known as hiking pockets). These bags are light and compact, can be comfortably placed on your waist and through your hips (not the entire front or back), will not restrict your arm movement, and are still spacious enough to store your daily trekking essentials , Such as a map, a compass, a first aid kit, some snacks, your mobile phone, etc. To keep you cool and dry, many hiking belt bags are also equipped with a breathable mesh or honeycomb foam back panel, which promotes air circulation and prevents the belt bag from feeling as if it is actually sticking to your body. (Related: No matter how far you hike, the best hiking snack you can take with you)

Are you ready to unload your backpack and say goodbye to the sweaty days? Before your next outdoor adventure, grab one of these hiking pockets. (Related: Why you should take a big solo hike this year)

To ensure that you stay hydrated when you conquer the mountainside in the hot and humid afternoon, wear this hiking belt bag. The side pocket can easily store two 24 oz water bottles. Together with your H2O, this 5-liter bag can also "easy to put in a lightweight raincoat (or compact binoculars), first aid kit, energy bar, headlamp, wallet, keys and [and] a small field guide ," one critic wrote. If your waist starts to feel a little too hot for comfort, put on a detachable shoulder strap and convert it into a temporary sling bag to let your lower back or abdomen breathe.

This hiking belt bag may be one of the more affordable options on the list, but the nearly 3,800 five-star reviews of this bag prove that it is not stingy with quality. The trekking belt bag is available in 14 colors and is made of waterproof nylon fabric to protect your gear from sudden rainstorms. It is also equipped with a bottle cage, allowing you to completely free your hands during the rugged terrain. In addition, its two zippered compartments will help keep all your hiking essentials (e.g. mobile phones, keys, wallets, snacks, sunglasses, etc.) in order. 

Although this hybrid one-shoulder messenger bag and waist bag is technically designed for running, it is strong enough to cope with off-road challenges. The mountaineering waist bag is made of quick-drying waterproof fabric, the hidden back pocket can safely store your mobile phone and wallet, and the breathable honeycomb foam back panel can keep you cool when tied to the waist. There is also a key ring in the two-liter main compartment to prevent your car keys from being buried under all snacks during the journey. (ICYDK, Janji also has Shape Editor's own seal of approval.)

This trekking belt bag uses striking colors, such as warm gold and sea blue, which will surely make you stand out on the top of a crowded mountain. This lightweight bag has two pockets that allow you to separate sunscreen, insect spray, and hand sanitizer from your phone, plus a mesh back panel to keep you cool and comfortable. After completing the cycle, tuck the entire mountaineering waist bag into its hidden "secret" pocket to make the bag compact and easy to store. (Want to travel a long distance? Put on one of the hiking backpacks.)

This hiking belt bag may look like a camera bag from the 80s, but please believe that its ample storage space makes it worthy of retro design. This trekking belt bag is made of sturdy recycled nylon fabric and has a flap that covers two zipper compartments to ensure your gear is protected from bad weather. The compression straps on each side can be tightened to prevent your necessities Move every step of the way. With a capacity of 8 liters, you can store water bottles, raincoats, first aid kits, sunscreen and binoculars effortlessly. 

This two-liter hiking belt bag is not equipped with one pocket, but four pockets. It is a necessity for those well-organized, real-life Danny Tanners. The inner phone pocket of the recycled nylon bag is lined with fleece to prevent you from getting scratched when walking up and down rough terrain, and the inner front pocket ensures that your wallet is safely stored during the entire trek-and will not be lost during the journey. Whether in the woods or in the city, hiking pockets are equally useful. "This messenger bag is dripping," one shopper wrote. "I have had it for several days and it can be carried anywhere. I use it in the city as a way to release my pockets when commuting. It can secure everything perfectly. I plan to use it when I fly. Go to Europe. Buy it. You won’t regret it.” (PS, the brand also makes super breathable masks for all your outdoor adventures.)

You can think of this bag as a tool belt for hikers: the waterproof belt bag comes with two water bottle pockets; there are two small zippered pockets on both sides of the waist to store lip balm, hair band, lighter and other small necessities ; A front zippered pocket can store your mobile phone; Finally, a spacious main compartment can store your windbreaker, map and a lot of snacks. Fortunately, the hiking belt has a moisture-wicking mesh back design, so even if you travel through the desert, the lower part of the T-shirt will not be soaked in sweat in just a few minutes. (Related: No matter how far you hike, the best hiking snack you can take with you)