Atom Packs Hipbelt Pocket Review

Overview

The Hipbelt Pocket is a small zippered pouch from UK maker Atom Packs that attaches to the company’s padded hipbelts. It puts a phone, snacks or a GPS where a hand can reach them without stopping. The headline trade-off is simple: it weighs almost nothing and does the job well, but it works only with a narrow slice of Atom’s own gear and offers no weatherproofing.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	35 g / 1.24 oz
Material	Robic
Width	17.8 cm / 7 in
Height	10 cm / 4 in
Depth	5 cm / 2 in
Closure	Zip
Attachment	Removable; fits Atom Packs padded hipbelts
Not compatible with	Size A or B hipbelts; webbing hipbelts
Price	$29

Performance

Capacity. The pocket measures 17.8 × 10 × 5 cm, which works out to a little under a litre of volume. That is enough for a large modern phone, and owners say as much: buyers report a big phone slides in easily, with room left over for a snack bar or two. One reviewer runs a pair, with a phone in one and a GPS in the other, so both devices stay in reach. Reviewers of Atom packs who have used the pockets describe them as roomy for their size. The pouch stays shallow at 5 cm, so a pocket of bars and a phone is about the limit, not a place for a puffy or a water bottle.

Attachment. The pocket is built as a purpose-made add-on and clips to loops on the hipbelt. Owners describe it as attaching easily and securely, and because it is fully removable, it can come off for a day when the hipbelt pockets aren’t needed. One long-term Atom+ owner who carried a pair on the PCT did have a set replaced beforehand because the elastic cords holding the pockets to the belt were showing minor wear. Atom Packs has since switched to a non-stretch cord, and that owner reported no wear on the newer set.

Fabric and weather. Robic is a nylon with a reputation for abrasion resistance well beyond its weight, which suits a pouch that rubs against the belt, trekking-pole handles and elbows all day. It is not waterproof, though. The most pointed criticism in the pocket’s customer reviews comes from an owner who rated it 9 out of 10 and said it would be a 10 if the pouch were waterproof. On a wet day, a phone should go in a small zip bag first. The pocket does fine for snacks and sunscreen regardless.

Weight. At 35 g (1.24 oz), a single pocket is roughly the weight of a few tent stakes. A pair adds 70 g, and in return replaces the stop-and-shrug-off-the-pack routine every time someone wants a snack. By comparison, a standalone fanny pack is a heavier and more fiddly alternative, though also more versatile.

Owner satisfaction. The product carries a 4.6 out of 5 average across 40 reviews on the maker’s site, with 31 of those at the top rating. The praise is consistent: well made, the right size, useful for the things reached for most. Several buyers returned for a second pocket for the other side of the belt after trying the first. That is a more credible signal than the star rating.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 35 g, so a pair weighs 70 g
• Fits a large phone with space for a snack or two
• Robic fabric is tough for its weight
• Removable, so it can come off when not wanted
• Secure attachment, with a non-stretch cord on current versions
• Owners frequently buy a second for the other side

Cons

• Works with Atom Packs padded hipbelts only
• Incompatible with Size A and B hipbelts and webbing hipbelts
• Not waterproof
• Shallow 5 cm depth limits bulky items
• $29 each, so a pair costs $58

Who Should Buy This

Atom Packs owners with a padded hipbelt, such as Prospector, Pulse or Atom+ users, who want a phone, GPS or snacks within reach should buy these, and most will want two. Thru-hikers who eat on the move will get the most use out of them. Anyone with an Atom pack that has a Size A or B hipbelt or a webbing belt should look at the company’s Roo fanny pack instead, which Atom Packs recommends for those belts. Hikers with other brands’ packs should look at their own maker’s pockets, since this one is not designed for them. Anyone who needs a waterproof pouch should use a dry bag inside it, or buy something different.

Verdict

The Hipbelt Pocket is a small, well-made accessory that does one job well at almost no weight cost. Atom Packs owners with compatible belts should buy it without much deliberation, and buy two. Everyone else has no reason to take a look.