Men's Journal aims to highlight only the best products and services. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Compact, versatile sling bags have come a long way from the bulky, slightly embarrassing fanny packs of old, and they’re a great way to keep your essentials—keys, phone, wallet, multi-tool, emergency breath mints—securely stored during your outdoor and daytime adventures. Many of them still look cheesy, but right now REI has one of our favorites from Patagonia for less than $25.
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack is on sale for $24 at REI, a 31% discount off its regular retail price of $35. This sling bag is one of the highest-rated products at REI, with over 300 five-star ratings from shoppers who say it’s “super lightweight” and “roomy.” It comes in three colors: Burl Red, Passage Blue, and Mangrove Red.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack in Burl Red, $24 (was $35) at REI
Courtesy of REI
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Bag is designed to keep your small accessories and essentials within easy reach. The outer fabric is 2.4-ounce recycled ripstop nylon and is treated with a silicone exterior coating for added weather resistance. The inside is lined with 3.3-ounce recycled polyester with a polyurethane coating and DWR treatment for superior moisture and stain resistance. It offers 1 liter of interior storage and is divided between two zippered pockets. The web strap is adjustable from 8 to 36 inches, so you can wear this bag as a hip belt or crossbody bag. It folds into its own front pocket when not in use and weighs a feather-thin 3.5 ounces, so you’ll barely feel it on your waist or chest.
The Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack impressed shoppers with its versatility and carrying capacity. One shopper noted that it was “the perfect size for a phone, small wallet, and sunglasses” and that it was “comfortable to wear as a fanny pack or messenger bag.” Another shopper agreed, calling it “the perfect essentials bag,” adding, “I now carry it with me pretty much every day for all my small essentials.”
Related: Walmart Is Selling a $1,000 Cruiser E-Bike for Just $486, and Buyers Say It's 'Perfect' for Daily Commutes
It’s also very durable. Another customer said it’s still “going strong” after three years of heavy use. One reviewer even put the bag to the test while BASE jumping. “It’s the perfect little bag,” they said. “I use it for all the essentials I take with me when BASE jumping. The strap is strong enough to withstand the pressure from opening my canopy.”
A lightweight and compact pack like the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack will come in handy in a variety of scenarios, whether you’re out in the wild or just out for the weekend. And for $24, it’s an incredible deal. Make sure you pick one up today—a deep discount on a top-rated product like this definitely won’t last long.