SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
Many hikers and backpackers like to attach extra accessory pockets to their shoulder straps and hip belts to provide extra storage and help organize their gear so it can be accessed quickly without removing their backpacks. Extra water bottle sleeves, chest packs, fanny packs, camera bags, phone pockets, or hip belt pockets are available and commonly used for this purpose, including ones that come from companies other than your pack’s manufacturer. Most accessory backpack pockets are designed so they can be used on any backpack but it’s important to understand how they’re attached, whether they’ll stay bounce-free and secure, and how easy they are to remove or switch to another backpack.
| Make / Model | Type |
|---|---|
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket | Shoulder |
| Gossamer Gear Shoulder Pocket | Shoulder |
| Chicken Tramper Gear Water Bottle Sleeve | Shoulder |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Fanny Pack | Fanny |
| Counter Assault Cross Draw Bear Spray Holster | Shoulder, Hip |
| Mountain Laurel Designs Pack Pocket | Hip |
| Packback Designs Companion Pouch | Chest |
| Thrupack Summit Bum Classic | Fanny |
| Zpacks Multi-Pack | Chest, Fanny, Top Lid |
| High Tail Designs UL Fanny Pack | Fanny |
Here are the top 10 backpack accessory pockets we recommend.
1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket
| Shop at Garage Grown | Shop at HMG |
2. Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket
The Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket has a three-way velcro attachment system that is compatible with just about any backpack under the sun. It’s available in a medium size that is compatible with most Smartphones and a large size if you want still more storage. Made with water-resistant Robic Nylon, these pockets have a second mesh sleeve on the outside which is great for stashing sunglasses or snacks for easy access. This pocket works well with all backpacks, especially those that don’t have daisy chains on their shoulder straps like packs from Osprey and Gregory.
| Shop at Garage Grown | Shop at Gossamer Gear |
3. Chicken Tramper Gear Water Bottle Sleeve
| Shop at Garage Grown | Shop at Chicken Tramper |
4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Fanny Pack
| Shop at Garage Grown | Shop at HMG |
5. Counter Assault Cross Draw Bear Spray Holster
6. Mountain Laurel Designs Pack Pocket
7. PackbackDesigns Companion Pouch
8. Thrupack Summit Bum Classic Fanny Pack
The Thrupack Summit Bum Classic is a 2.5-liter fanny pack that holds everything you need when transitioning between town and trail. It has a large enclosed compartment with a mitten clip, D-ring, internal sleeves for cash or cards, and an easy-access external pocket large enough to stash a smartphone. Use it to stash liner gloves, earbuds, snacks, a headlamp, a compass, chapstick, or any small essential that you want at hand without having to take off your pack and dig around for them. It comes with a 1″ webbing strap expandable to 50″ to loop around your waist or over your shoulder. Available in waterproof Ultra or EcoPak, it’s more versatile than your pack’s hipbelt pockets and probably much easier to reach too.
9. Zpacks Multi-Pack
10. High Tail Designs UL Fanny Pack
The UL Fanny Pack from High Tail Designs is made with seam-taped waterproof Dyneema DCF fabric to keep your essentials high and dry. Weighing 2 oz, it has one liter of on-board storage with a large main compartment and internal sleeve. A 3/4″ webbing belt is included along with a waterproof zipper. High Tail Designs is known for its wild and colorful designs which are fun if you want to stand out from the crowd.
Backpack Pocket Attachment Systems
There are several different ways to attach extra pockets to a backpack shoulder strap or hip belt. Some of these are universal in that they can be attached to any backpack and some are limited by the anchor points available on the backpack shoulder straps or hip belts such as daisy chains. In any event, you can often overcome these limitations with a small of cord to secure a pocket or prevent it from bouncing too much.
Here are several sample setup videos for the pockets listed above to give you a sense of what is involved and whether it will work with your backpack.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Strap Setup Video
Gossamer Gear Shoulder Pocket Setup Video
Chicken Tramper Bottle Pocket Setup Video
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Fanny Pack Setup Video
Chicken Tramper UL Gear Water Bottle Sleeve Setup Video
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Consider LA Police Gear Tactical Chest Pack Attachment
It’s a halter-style vest with layered pockets varied in size and depth. It drapes across the back of the neck, then’s secured with a 6″ zip front and buckle belt in back. Since the design’s open-back, it doesn’t compound sweating. You can take off the chest pack without having to remove your back/day pack.
https://lapolicegear.com/lapg-bg-chestpack.html
Thanks!
The Chicken Tramper Shoulder Strap Zipper Pocket has worked well enough that I own two (for two different packs). I particularly appreciate the mesh pocket and the front zipper, instead of a top zipper, for rain. The seam sealed version is pretty waterproof. Great to keep my phone handy since I use it for Nav and Camera.
Just got 2 mountain Mike water bottle sleeves. Very well made. Cheaper than CTUG and slightly larger in diameter so they fit a wider variety of bottles – important for those of us across the pond who do t have access to the slimmer smart water store bottles