I have been using pocket-belts, or hip pouches, or whatever you want to call them, for a while now (never fanny packs!! NO!). Used to be, I sort of made my own out of a small purse that I would adapt the strap of to become a belt, and have it hang down off of my waist at an angle and then add small pouches that have belt loops attached to the "belt".

A few years back, I realized that people were making them and selling them... better than any of the home-fashioned ones I'd done. I have two others from Lakhays, both are leather, though, and more designed to be belt-like, where this one is more pouch-like or hip-bag style. Those two are at least 5 years or so old, and I use them regularly (alternating between the black one and the brown one). This is my first foray into a cloth one (summer is coming) and hopefully it is as sturdy as it seems. Seeing as my two others from this brand have lasted so well (albeit leather tends to last better than cloth, overall), I do have confidence that it should do fairly well over time.

It is well made. No snagged seams, no funky smells, no anything one might complain about. It has a little pocket pouch right out front - perfect for my small wallet, which is really just a card holder, and some other small items (lip balm, for example). The larger pouch has three compartments. First, under the flap is the smaller of the three. It can fit my cell phone and glasses case, with room to spare. The other two (you can see the zipper above the flap) are a little taller, but more compressed (no gusset). That zipper is the second compartment. On the inside of the belt, just on the reverse of that zipper that you can see, is another zipper, that is the third pocket/compartment of hip-pouch part. It's basically identical to the front zippered one. So, these two can hold taller items, but don't expect them to hold thick ones. It is also surprising how easy it is to fit my hand all the way down into either of those zippered compartments, even when the front one with the gusset and flap has items in it.

The belt itself is adjustable, so it should fit a wide range of folks, but it is not unlimited in its adjustability - it is not a one-size-fits-all type thing, more like a one-size-fits-many. I do prefer buckles (like on my leather ones), but the snaps are strong and the fabric doesn't seem like it will give out around them too quickly.

I don't like shoulder bags. I carry very little stuff with me (this product is actually more space than I need, but hey, it looks good!). Women's pockets are just a joke. So... these things are very handy. And this one is really cool looking to boot.