Wallet, in the back pocket, digs into the ass cheek when sitting, squatting, etc., same as the cellphone digging against the thigh, not to mention the risk of hitting something hard and/or sharp but you don’t feel the sting. Instead you feel the impact evenly distributed against your leg then realizing the exact area of the impact is exactly the same size as that of your cellphone. That’s when you feel the sting, although, not physically. A new dent on the phone, or a cracked screen (the latter has happened to me).

To address these “problems” I went on a search for the perfect (almost) belt bag/hip pack. I’ve seen a lot of different designs and colors but, needless to say, the nearest to the what I’m really looking for is the Deuter Nordic 300 Hip Pack.

I prefer the ones with quite a few pockets for all my necessary things and other basic emergency stuff I need to bring around, especially when out 4-wheeling.

First thing I noticed, though, is the lack of attachment loops. So I used a common key ring and installed it onto the pack. Now I have 2 attachment loops for securing a few small things that I’d need easy access to, rather than keeping it in the main compartment and having to rummage through everything inside it to look for the smaller stuff.

The lack of a cellphone pouch also annoyed me a little. But I found a good phone pouch and just attached it onto the main bag handle for easy access, though, it covers the opening of the main compartment, but there’s nothing I can really do.

The 2 mesh pockets on either side of the pack are also useful. They provide easily accessible compartments for emergency stuff like my whistle (when lost on the trails and/or woods this will come in handy), small compass, coins, candies, etc., and these things won’t clutter up the main compartment where I need to put the more important things I carry: wallet, small Coleman flashlight (non-waterproof so I keep it inside), Victorinox Swiss-army knife, Coleman keychain with thermometer & compass, lighter, Coleman Marine Waterproof pouch, etc.

Right in front of the whole pack there is also a smaller zippered pocket. Yes, this is a good place to put my cellphone, and that’s how I used it when it was new, but now that’s where I put my business card holder and some of my keys. The keys are attached to a lanyard that goes out of the pocket and is attached to a (fake/NOT for climbing) carabiner that’s attached to a key ring used as an attachment loop. This will prevent me from totally dropping the keys when I’m in a hurry.

The other key ring/attachment loop is for my car keys plus I’ve attached an extra carabiner just in case I need it, like when I need to secure my Coleman Marine Waterproof pouch.

The Deuter Nordic 300 Hip Pack also comes with a bottle holder by using an elastic cord and is adjustable.

It’s doing a great job, in my opinion, and I actually use it everyday. If using the pack is not appropriate for my attire (weddings & such) I just leave the pack in the car and bring the stuff I need.

One thing, though. This pack is a little larger than normal so it might not be for everyone, or for normal everyday use. But for me it is just right, as I also use this on the trails.