The Ultimate Guide to the Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

The Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack is a compact, stylish and versatile minimalist bag. This lightweight and practical pack packs a punch thanks to its thoughtful design and useful features. There is a lot of competition for Hip Packs, Belt Bags, Bum Bags or Fanny Packs on the market, thanks to the convenience of keeping your valuables close in a lightweight and compact bag. Don’t ask why there are so many names for the same style of bag! The main competition for the Fjallraven includes the popular Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag and Patagonia bags. So find out why the Fjallraven Hip Coast Hip Pack is a top contender with its key selling points, technical specifications and kit ratings.

Fjällräven High Coast Hip Pack

Overview

The Fjällräven High Coast is a lightweight, compact, and durable waist/hip pack. It’s designed for travel, short hikes or everyday use with a range of colours available. It seamlessly blends Scandinavian design with practicality into a desirable pack. It’s targeted at minimalists who want to carry the essentials and do not need the extra bulk of something bigger. For me, the 1.5L volume is perfect for around town or to fit my Fujifilm X-T30 with some accessories. I initially was looking for a dedicated camera bag, but the Fjällräven High Coast Hip Pack served perfectly as my new camera storage. The Green colour I picked is distinctive and adds to the overall clean, stylish look.

This light hip bag is water-resistant and made from recycled Polyamide, a good combination for a durable pack designed for versatile travel. There are 3 separate compartments for different items, along with a security pocket and ventilated mesh (minimal padding) on the back. The main compartment has an open mesh pocket and a key clip as well. Overall, this bag is better used as a shoulder slung pack, but that’s my preference over a hip/waist pack. I was initially researching the smaller Patagonia Black Hole but chose the Fjällräven for the additional 0.5L volume. In hindsight, I am happy as it fits my camera perfectly and other personal items. So now this compact bag has made my Trekking Kit List to help protect my Mirrorless Camera.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack- Technical Specs

• Volume: 1.5 litres
• Weight: 125 g
• Dimensions: 21 cm (W) x 12 cm (H) x 6 cm (D)
• Shoulder strap length: 110 cm
• Price: £55 / $45
• Pockets: 3

Key Features

• Compartments:
  • Main compartment with internal mesh pocket and key clip
  • Front zippered pocket
  • Hidden security pocket (against the body)
• Carry Options: Hip pack or crossbody
• Extras: Adjustable hip strap, packs into its own pocket for storage
• Weather Resistance: Water-resistant (not fully waterproof)
• Material: 100% recycled polyamide (210D) with PU coating

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack- Strengths

• Ultra-lightweight & Packable – At just 125g, it’s easy to throw in a backpack as a secondary carry. Even when carrying my camera, the pack sits securely and is comfortable. And the ability to pack into itself helps for storage while travelling.
• Weather-Resistant Material – Durable recycled nylon with PU coating protects against light rain and splashes. It’s not fully waterproof, but it keeps my Camera protected in an emergency.
• Multiple Compartments – Despite its size, you get three compartments for organisation and a key clip. There is a Discreet Security Pocket against the body to hide passports, wallets or valuables.
• Stylish – The Scandinavian minimalist Design makes this bag versatile with different outfits and clothes. I prefer it over the more bold Patagonia styles and colours.
• Versatile Carry – Can be worn around the waist or as a sling/crossbody pack. I prefer to use the cross-body option instead of as a belt bag.
• Fjällräven Build Quality – Sturdy zips, reinforced seams, and a premium feel. The High Coast Bag has 210D material, so it is built to endure tough conditions and for longevity.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack- Strengths- Weaknesses

1. Small Capacity – 1.5L means it’s strictly for essentials (wallet, phone, keys, snacks) — too small for a water bottle unless it’s very compact or a flexible flask like the running vests (Salomon ADV Skin 4)
2. Not Fully Waterproof – Will handle drizzle but not sustained rain without a dry bag inside. The zips are not tapered, so be careful with electronics.
3. Minimal Padding – There is light mesh cushioning on the back panel, so hard items inside can press against your body. I only notice it with my hard Camera if the adjustable strap is not done right to sit on my back. The strap is 25mm webbing, which doesn’t offer much comfort for long use.
4. Price – Slightly higher priced than similar minimalist hip packs from other brands. But less than Lululemon or Arc’teryx for similar products.

Best Uses for the Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

• Minimalist day trips and city walks – Free Walking Tours or popping out for food or shopping
• Travel and sightseeing – Perfect for a camera, phone, headphones and other essentials on a warm day
• Quick hikes or trail runs with only essentials– Use as a hip pack instead of across the body for a secure fit. It won’t perform as well as a running belt, however. For short hikes where water, food and clothes are not needed, the High Coast can work well.
• Everyday carry for those who dislike carrying a backpack – My girlfriend has used a Lululemon Belt Bag for this exact reason, and it’s why this style of bags is so popular currently. Quick and convenient access to your stuff without having to carry a larger backpack.

Alternatives

• Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack (1L) – Even lighter and slightly cheaper, but less structured. There are great colours to choose but it has less volume, so it is even more minimalist.
• Osprey Daylite Waist Pack (2L) – Slightly bigger, with more padding and better airflow. Less discreet and worse style in my opinion.
• Fjallraven Ulvo Hip Pack (2L) – The bigger sibling of the High Coast with a bulkier design than the High Coast.
• Arc’teryx Mantis 2 Waistpack (2L) – Premium feel, more internal organisation, but heavier than the Fjallraven.
• Deuter Belt II (2.5L) – More traditional hiking waist pack, larger capacity and better comfort for long walks.
• LuluLemon Everywhere Belt Bag (1L) – What inspired me to get a versatile hip pack, keeping your valuables close and secure when it matters. See a side-by-side pic below.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack- Kit Rating

Should you buy the Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack?

A beautifully made, functional, and versatile small hip pack. It excels for light, everyday carry or travel with high durability and an attractive style. Not many Hip Packs (Belt Bags/Fanny Packs/Bum Bags) are fully waterproof, and it comes down to what size bag do you need? For me, 1.5L was perfect for my camera storage and a sleek compact pack for travel. It’s possible to find discounts on the High Coas,t which makes it a very tempting Hip Pack for a wide range of uses.