If you thought the bum-bag was a terrible 80s fashion mistake, best forgotten, think again... Trakke are working hard, one bag at a time, to make practical cool again (practi-cool?). Their banana bags banana bags are a great example – small stylish bumbags made to their usual exacting standards from the best materials.
These refined looking bum-bags are surprisingly spacious. The main belly of the bag has just enough room for wallet, phone, keys, FireSteel, pocket knife, old bits of string, feathers, stones, leaves and other bits you've picked up on your adventures. While the flat pocket on the back is perfect for keeping passports, credit cards or vital notes stashed and out of sight and safe and sound. It really is just a perfect little bag for keeping precious things close to you when traveling or at a festival.
The bag itself is incredibly nicely made. Like all Trakke goods, it’s made in Glasgow from British sourced materials. The classic waxed cotton is available in various earthy hues and the Banana boasts sturdy taped zips and a stainless steel buckle. The waxed cotton and taped zips work together to keep your treasures dry and, while the bum-bag isn’t submergible-waterproof, it definitely can withstand a day in the rain without getting your phone damp. The waxed cotton is tough and the stitching strong - it's made to last a lifetime. If one day in the distant future the stitching should come undone (heaven forfend because you tried to stuff far too much stuff in it) Trakke have a great repair programme.
The only downside for me is the buckle. While I appreciate the simplicity of the system and know that it will never break, wear out or start coming undone of its own accord – it is still a faff to open and requires some practice. I really wouldn’t have minded paying a little more for one with, say, a cobra buckle on.
Overall I love the practicality of the bag; the size is spot on and it just looks and feels classy. No mean feat for a bum-bag. If you’re looking for a long lasting travel partner you really can’t go wrong with the Banana. And if you’re still not convinced about the bum-bag life you can do like all the cool kids around here do and wear it like a tiny satchel.
