Atom Packs: The Roo Fanny Pack Review

Bottom Line

The Roo by Atom Packs earned its spot in our top three best fanny pack gear guide for good reason. Its build quality rivals that of larger manufacturers while still maintaining a trail-forward design with a small business feel. Thoughtful touches like a handwritten note and a piece of candy with each purchase show the brand’s attention to detail.

Made sustainably from EcoPak or XPac offcuts leftover from Atom Packs’ full-size custom backpacks, each fanny pack features unique colors that would otherwise end up in a landfill. This not only reduces waste but gives each pack its own distinct look.

We found little to critique in terms of functionality. The Roo is highly practical, and we often find ourselves reaching for it during outings. While the random color selection may not appeal to everyone, an all-black option is available. However, keep in mind that Atom Packs is based in the UK, so warranty and service may take longer than with domestic brands.

How We Tested

We used the Roo on several day hikes around the Boise foothills, ranging from 3-8 miles with varying loads. It was tested in multiple configurations: as a classic fanny pack, sling, and worn over and under layers. We also evaluated the fabric’s durability, ease of cleaning, stain resistance, and weatherproofing through simulated rain and brief submersion.

Comfort

 The Roo features an adjustable strap with ample webbing anchors, offering solid support and weight distribution. Its structured design ensures the pack and contents remain stable during movement, making it comfortable to wear both as a bum bag and sling. Despite its mid-range size, the pack remains incredibly light, barely noticeable when carrying a minimal load.

However, there are areas for improvement. While the focus is on simplicity and weight-saving, the pack lacks padding or breathable mesh on the back panel, which could help soften its feel against the body. The 2cm-wide webbing belt, one of the thinnest on our list, offers basic comfort but can dig into the waist when carrying heavier items, such as a water bottle. Although the wide webbing anchors help distribute the weight, a slightly wider, padded strap would improve overall comfort, especially on longer hikes or when carrying heavier loads.

Durability

Constructed from EcoPak and XPac fabric, the Roo strikes an impressive balance between durability, lightweight design, and eco-friendliness.

During our abrasion test, the material held up exceptionally well. Even after exposure to 160-grit sandpaper, the bag showed minimal signs of wear. The abraded section displayed minor fuzzing, visible only from certain angles. The seams, while not taped, are reinforced, and the stitching remains clean and sturdy.

The main durability drawback is that dirt can be difficult to remove, requiring significant scrubbing, particularly along the sewn seam at the top of the bag. A toothbrush was necessary to clean the fabric thoroughly. Even after scrubbing with soap and water, some minor staining remained on both the mesh and fabric.

Overall, this minor issue doesn’t impact the pack’s overall functionality, and a little dirt adds character to the bag without compromising its performance or durability.

Features

Atom Packs, known for their ultralight designs, has clearly integrated valuable trail experience into the thoughtful construction of the Roo. The pack offers practical storage organization, including an internal key clip for securing your ride home.

While the seams aren’t taped, the Roo is crafted with waterproof fabric and features a waterproof zipper, providing excellent weather resistance. In both our rain simulation and dunk test, the pack kept moisture out and our gear dry.

The colorful, stretchy shock cord on the dual zipper pulls reduces strain on the zipper and makes it easy to open and close, even with one hand.

One minor improvement would be adding a strap keeper to manage the excess webbing once the belt is adjusted. With a 15”-48” belt range, this feature would benefit smaller hikers by securing the slack and preventing the strap from dangling.

Otherwise, the Roo offers a reliable, weatherproof solution for ultralight adventurers.

Organization

The 1.5L Roo we tested offers practical organization that’s well-suited for its size. The large main compartment includes an envelope-style security pocket, perfect for storing IDs, bank cards, or other small essentials, along with a convenient key clip. A stretchy outer mesh pocket surprised us with how much it could securely hold, and its rolled seam ensures that items won’t slip out, even during vigorous movement.

For the 2.5L version, the increased capacity may leave some room for improvement in organization. However, Atom Packs cleverly designed the Roo so that the only significant change is the depth of the pack. As long as you’re strategic with your packing, finding your items in either size shouldn’t be a problem.

The thoughtful design of both sizes ensures that the organization remains functional, providing an efficient way to carry your essentials without compromising on performance or accessibility.

Should You Buy the Atom Packs Roo Fanny PAck?

Ultralight backpackers and weekend hikers will find the Roo an excellent addition to their gear collection. Designed for both standalone use and pairing with larger packs, it offers easy access to essentials.

When using it with a larger pack, consider one without a hip belt or be prepared to wear two belts simultaneously. While the vibrant, mixed-color design might not appeal to everyone, the Roo does offer a solid black version for a more subtle look.

Ideal for those in wet conditions, the Roo’s exceptional weatherproofing ensures your gear stays dry. However, its trail-forward aesthetic may make it less suitable as an everyday carry for some.

With a top-notch performance and a mid-range price, the Roo offers great value for ultralight hikers or anyone looking for reliable storage. Whether used on its own or as a complement to a larger pack, it strikes a great balance between utility and cost.

What Other Fanny Packs Should You Consider?

Curious to see the other top-performing fanny packs? Head over to our annual guide to the best fanny packs to see our complete lineup.

LiteAF Featherweight Review: The Featherweight by LiteAF still offers 1.5 L of storage and sheds a whole ounce due to its ultralight material. While not as durable as the Roo, if you’re confident in taking care of your gear and prioritize a low base weight, the Featherweight is a great choice. It also offers straps with Sliqclips to integrate seamlessly with larger, belt-less backpacks. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Review: The Versa holds almost a liter more than the Roo while only adding less than an ounce to your base weight. With the addition of a padded back and backpack waist-belt compatibility, the Versa focuses on versatility in use. Made from Dyneema, this pack also performs high in durability. Considering the premium materials used, expect a higher price tag.

Gossamer Gear Bumster Review: If you’re new to the hiking fanny scene and are unsure about commitment, the Bumster has performance features at an entry-level price tag. Even though it lacks some of the structure and features incorporated in other packs on our list, the Bumster has an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. Its understated design and choice of color options make this fanny functional on trail and as an everyday carry.