The cross-body bag, otherwise known by us 90’s kids as a bum bag or a fanny pack if you’re a bit fruity! These bad boys have come back in fashion alongside mullets, baggy jeans and chunky trainers. As someone who was there the first time around, I am fully on board with reliving the good times of my pre-teen days (which of course involves getting back into collecting Pokemon cards!)
But a lot has changed since those neon green bum bags of the summer of 96!
These days a cross body bag is an essential bit of kit for any traveller offering the perfect place to keep your phone, wallet and passport close at hand. Whether you’re packing light or accessorising, everyone seems to be rocking one.
With so many options out there, it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. So, in this post I look at whether the Tomtoc Aviator lives up to the hype.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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About The Tomtoc Aviator T33 Cross Body Bag
Before getting to the nitty gritty of this review, I should point out that I had both the 1.5l and 3.5l bags and there is also a 2.5l bag available fitting neatly between the sizes I had.
Put simply the Tomtoc Aviator is a sleek, compact and comfortable chest rig that works well either as a stand-alone cross-body bag for those super lightweight travellers or alongside a larger bag set-up.
Right then, let’s have a closer look.
- Dimensions – 8.26’’ x 4.5’’ x 2.5’’ (210mm x 115mm x 65mm)
- Weight – 0.47lbs (216g)
- Capacity – 1.5L
- Price – $35.99
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Join REI Today!Size, Weight and Capacity
The Tomtoc Aviator T33 comes in three sizes: 1.5l, 2.5l & 3.5l. The larger bag is a meer 0.69lbs (315g) and the smallest only 0.47lbs (216g). These bags are compact, lightweight and never feel uncomfortable to wear even if you’ve got a large backpack on at the same time.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Storage, Packing and Access
Both of these cross-body bags are deceptive in their storage, especially the 3.5l bag. I’ve easily managed to fit inside my larger headphones, a spare T-shirt, my compact camera, phone and wallet inside it without it feeling too bulky or unwieldy.
What is interesting about these bags is that both the 1.5l and 3.5l have pretty much the same storage and organisational features, which is pretty rare.
Both have large zippered external pockets on both the front and the back meaning you can keep things like your passport out of sight whilst other items like travel passes and keys (using the secure attachment) close at hand.
The large main pockets on each also contain several dividers and zippered mesh compartments to keep all your gear organised and maximise storage.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Materials, Durability and Aesthetics
Primarily constructed from nylon these bags are super durable whilst also being amazingly lightweight. The outer material also offers a good degree of water resistance as well as RFID protection.
These cross-body slings also utilise chunky YKK zippers and robust Duraflex Stealth Warrior clips that feel like they’re built to last.
Aesthetics wise, the bags offer clean lines with a minimalist vibe. Offering three colours: gray, black and brown. They are simple, sophisticated and sleek. Maybe a little too much for those of us who like things a little more vibrant, but when it comes to keeping my valuables safe, I’m down with it!
Carrying Comfort
These bags are pretty minimal when it comes to things like padding. Whilst the shoulder webbing is smooth and wide enough to balance a moderate load, I would suggest not overloading with heavy items.
Having said this, that’s not what they’re designed for and when used appropriately, they’re very comfortable and the strapping, crucially, sits flat enough to be worn alongside other bags or clothing.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Best Uses
Personally, I utilise these bags for a few different situations.
The smaller one is usually found across my front when I am travelling from place to place, it contains things like my phone, cards, passport, wallet and AirPods. I can wear it alongside both of my larger backpacking bags with ease.
The 3.5l bag I wear more often as a stand-alone. I’ve taken it to music festivals, gigs, work and whilst exploring a city on the days when I want to leave my larger camera back at my accommodation. In this capacity, I often wear it on my back and love being able to swing it around quickly whenever I need to grab anything.
Price and Value
Coming in at $46.99 for the 3.5l, $41.99 for the 2.5l and $35.99 for the 1.5l these bags are not the cheapest, especially for the size. That’s for sure!
Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remember that it’s not 2013 any more and I can no longer buy a 24-litre backpack for $35! Having said that, I’ve always believed in investing in good quality gear and I do feel that the quality of these bags means you’ll get your money’s worth over time.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. These Tomtoc Aviator bags offer travellers great versatility when it comes to carrying their gear. Whether you decide to use them as standalone packs for those minimalist days or as a compliment to a larger set-up, they have become an essential part of any trip I take.
Have you jumped back on board the fanny pack revolution!? Ok ok, crossbody bag for you cool kids!
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