I decided I wanted to write something a little lighter this week for you guys. Also, my fellow camp counselors are super into fanny packs right now. I actually texted my mom to mail me a fanny pack from home (she came through with a FANTASTIC vintage red pleather fanny pack that was my grandmother's at some point)! I've included links to five different awesome fanny packs under each reason why you need one!

1. They hold surprisingly more than you think they would.

When I don't want to carry my backpack around all day, I just stash first-aid essentials (princess band-aids, antiseptic ointment, and alcohol wipes), pens, and whatever else I need for the day. And it all fits! My favorite thing about mine is that there's a zipper in the back that can hold money and a debit card. It's close to my body so I don't have to think about it falling out or getting stolen.

This super cute fanny pack (excuse me, 'belt bag') comes from Modcloth.

2. Fanny packs are lightweight.

It's easier on your back and shoulders especially when you are running after unruly campers, er, energetic ten-year-olds.

I really like this one from Serengetee.

3. There are so, so, so many different patterns to be found.

I have a couple different fanny packs that I switch in and out for different camps. My co-counselor and friend Monica has one with donuts on it and my other friend Rainy has literally the most amazing fanny pack ever with unicorns on it.

Find Rainy and Monica's fanny packs on Amazon!

4. I used to wear them to hold my cochlear implant in; they bring back memories.

Maybe it'll spark feelings of nostalgia in you too! Back in the late 90s, cochlear implants came as a large box that had a cord running up to your ear where the hearing-aid part was. Many parents of deaf kids used fanny packs as a solution to keep their kids' implants safe and from bouncing around. Mom usually stuck a few extra batteries in the front pocket so I could change them myself at school.

An epically 90s fanny pack from Amazon

5. They can even hold a water bottle to help you stay hydrated.

Several counselors here at Army Lake have hardcore, industrial fanny packs that have TWO water bottle holders as well as a million different pockets that probably hold military secrets and microchips. These are great for when we have outdoor activities and we don't want to carry a lot of different things or keep having to refill our water bottles.

Get your super decked out fanny pack at Walmart! Save money!

Maybe you've gone and bought your own after reading this article. Show me what you've got (or already own)! Let's bring fanny packs back into the mainstream!