Gossamer Gear Bumster Fanny Pack Review

Bottom Line

The Gossamer Gear Bumster impressed us with its lightweight durability and versatility. With an excellent weight-to-capacity ratio, it offers great value and earned a solid spot on our list of our favorite hiking fanny packs. This pack served us well in a variety of scenarios, from airport travel and dog walks to urban bike rides and sunny day hikes around the Boise foothills.

While the fabric provides some waterproofing, it won’t keep your bits and bobs dry in particularly wet conditions or on soggy hikes. 

The Bumster doesn’t offer many storage options, and its lack of structure can affect the usability and comfort when packing larger, hard-sided items. 

However, its soft shape makes it easily packable, rolling up neatly for travel or spontaneous outings. Despite these minor limitations, the Bumster remains a solid, functional choice for those seeking a lightweight and adaptable fanny pack for everyday adventures.

How We Tested

The Bumster proved useful on a Mississippi River hike to stash fossils and rocks and on day hikes in the Boise foothills for snacks, water, and dog bags. It also came in handy during airport travel to keep essentials separate. We lab-tested abrasion resistance with 160-grit sandpaper, ease of cleaning, stain resistance, and water resistance with rain simulation and a dunk test.

Comfort

The Gossamer Gear Bumster is a versatile and adjustable fanny pack that stays secure during dynamic movements, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor activities. What sets it apart from many others on our list is its extensive adjustability, with a waist belt ranging from 14” to 48”, allowing it to fit a range of adventurers.

While it lacks padding, the Bumster’s unstructured design is sleek. It comfortably conforms to the body without adding unnecessary bulk and offers a minimalist yet functional feel.

However, the mid-sized capacity and unstructured shape do present some challenges. Larger items, such as a 16oz water bottle, fit inside but can cause the pack to become bulky and awkward. For heavier loads, the pack can feel uncomfortable when worn around the waist, as the 1” strap may dig in. In these cases, wearing the Bumster as a sling can help alleviate discomfort and distribute the weight more evenly.

Despite these drawbacks, the Bumster remains an excellent option for those seeking a lightweight and well-fitting pack; we often reach for it for short hikes.

Durability

Constructed with durable 70D Robic nylon made from recycled materials, the Bumster stands up well to both wear and the elements. The zippers move smoothly, and the pack is well-constructed, with reinforced stitching for added durability. Despite testing a lighter colorway and dragging it through dirt, the pack cleaned up easily with minimal effort, showing no noticeable stains.

During our abrasion test, the fabric exhibited some pilling but held up impressively well, with no broken threads or compromise to its structure. While the overall construction is solid, there were a few loose threads in some areas, indicating that the sewing could be a bit cleaner.

However, the stitching itself remained secure in high-stress areas.  With its strong material, ease of maintenance, and budget-friendly price, the Bumster is worth the investment.

Features

The Gossamer Gear Bumster is a practical mid-sized fanny pack, designed with just enough thoughtful features to enhance usability. The top-access main compartment has a curved zipper around the top and is easy to access one-handed. On the back, a zippered security pocket keeps valuables close to the body, offering peace of mind during active use. The pack’s fabric has a weatherproof coating, allowing it to withstand light rain in our simulations. 

However, it did soak through during submersion and retained water for two days afterward, indicating limited waterproofing. The stash pocket is a thoughtful feature, but we found it difficult to access while wearing, and on one particularly warm, long hike, sweat seeped through and dampened our phone.

While the Bumster lacks advanced features like hydration compatibility or long-term rain protection, it excels as a simple, functional pack at an affordable price point.

Organization

The Bumster prioritizes affordability and lightweight design over extensive organization, making it a solid choice for hikers who prefer a minimalist approach. The main compartment offers ample space, with a split mesh pocket and a key clip to keep small essentials like cards and keys organized.

The full-length zipper provides easy access to your gear, minimizing any fumbling when you’re on the move. A zippered stash pocket along the back adds an extra layer of security for valuables, though it’s not the best option for quick-access items during the hike.

The lack of structure limits the usable space if packing hard-sided items, but carrying soft items like an ultralight rain jacket allows you to take full advantage of the pack’s 1L capacity without sacrificing comfort.

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear Bumster?

For base-weight-conscious hikers in need of additional storage, the Gossamer Gear Bumster offers an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. It’s an excellent addition to backpacks that lack a waist belt or hip pockets. The secure fit makes it versatile enough for high-impact activities like running.

The pack’s understated design also makes it suitable for use as a festival carry or travel bag without drawing too much attention. With its affordable price, the Bumster serves as a great “entry-level” pack for those curious about incorporating a fanny pack into their gear but unsure of how often they’ll use it.

However, if you plan to carry heavier items or frequently hike in challenging weather, you may want to explore packs with more padding and additional features. Larger hikers might also find the waist-belt adjustability somewhat limiting. For those with minimal load and moderate needs, though, the Bumster remains a solid, budget-friendly choice.

What Other Fanny Packs Should You Consider?

To see the full lineup of our top picks, head over to our tested and reviewed guide to the best hiking fanny packs of the year.

Atom Packs – The Roo Review: The Roo from Atom Packs is a great alternative if your only complaint about the Bumster is waterproofing. With the same liter capacity, the Roo is also a more structured pack made from ultra-durable Ecopak fabric. Expect a higher price tag, as the Roo is considered a premium product.

Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia 3L Review: If you love the unstructured vibe of the Bumster but require more storage capacity – the 3L Bataan Del Dia by Cotopaxi would be an excellent choice. Doubling the capacity does double the weight. However, the pack still holds an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio, especially with it only costing a few more dollars. 

Patagonia Black Hole Mini Hip Pack Review: The Black Hole Mini Hip Pack is a solid substitute for hikers most interested in a pared-down pack for holding essentials. This 1L pack is in the same price range as the Bumster and is supplemented with the backing of Patagonia’s ‘Ironclad Guarantee’, making it a great value.