Thoughts on the Hill People Gear Kit Bags?

[LSP552]

I am pondering one of these. Appreciate any experience or thoughts.

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/InDetail/KitBags/tabid/922/Default.aspx

Use will be primarily wandering around in the woods, including Alaska this summer. I'm looking for something that allows me to carry a full-size handgun (not open carry) and a chest rig looks like it would work well in conjunction with a small day pack.

Looking for feedback on this or similar products.

Thanks.

Ken

[LSP552]

They've come up in a number of threads. Here's one from a few years ago:

http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?535

Thanks Tom.

Ken

[Dagga Boy]

I have several. For what they are for, they are excellent. I usually carry a snub 45 Colt Vaquero in mine, or a small revolver in the little bag.

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Love mine. You do have to watch your draw. One of my favorite pieces of gear, though.

Sent from my SGH-I317M using Tapatalk

[Adam]

I have several friends that really like them. They're using them in the woods primarily.

[JHC]

I have a Recon which is the Runner's size with the molle loops. I wear it hunting and running. The extra storage is just barely adequate for wallet, phone, spare mag and keys. BARELY. Thinking of getting the standard model too. But I would not be without one anymore.

[tmoore912]

I have a Recon which is the Runner's size with the molle loops. I wear it hunting and running. The extra storage is just barely adequate for wallet, phone, spare mag and keys. BARELY. Thinking of getting the standard model too. But I would not be without one anymore.

I have the Runners model and it's perfect for running, hiking, mountain biking and hunting. JHC is right about the storage space, so if you need to take more than he described then you better get the full size one.

[rjfleming]

I use a Hill People Kit bag when out riding my ATV in the woods and carry a S&W 2.5" M-19 .357 in the pistol Compartment and 2 or 3 speed loaders in the middle compartment. On some Ambulance runs ( I'm a volunteer Paramedic on a rural Ambulance) I wear it with a Walther PPQ & Two extra Magazines. I also have a minimal first aid kit & CAT tourniquet in the front pocket. Its a product that I'm totally satisfied with.

[B.K.]

I have the standard kit bag and it's a great piece of gear, perfect for just about any woods excursion. Great way to carry a gun and other gear in a very handy location, especially if you're wearing a pack with a belt. The Kit bag is great for fishing too (when wearing waders) as it offers a high and dry place to keep a gun, with enough overflow storage for a couple fly boxes and other misc. gear.

I also have HPG's Tarahumara backpack and find that and the kit bag together are a perfect combination for day outings. I haven't done so yet but I've been thinking about picking up the smaller snubby kit bag too, so I'd have a lower footprint/profile option for mountain biking, etc.

Anyway, the Hill brothers seem like good guys and their stuff is certainly durable and high quality.

[GJM]

Good kit, I have three of them. A Raven Vanguard 1, or Fricke equivalent, is a good addition inside the kit bag if you carry a Glock style pistol.

[BobM]

I've had an original KB for a while and rarely go into the woods without it. Works well with a backpack. I recently picked up the Snubby size. I carry a G-19 or M&P40c in it while jogging. There's barely room in it for my badge wallet and iPhone Otterbox. They've been talking about a limited run Snubby with a bit extra capacity.

[LSP552]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Looks like I need two, the big one for the woods and the smaller for running.

Ken

[pangloss]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Looks like I need two, the big one for the woods and the smaller for running.

You won't be disappointed. I have the Recon and added a small Tactical Tailor pouch and an ESEE Izula II to the front of it via the webbing. I've used it on several overnight or multinight hikes. I carry a G26 + a G17 mag in the pistol compartment, survival kit in the second compartment, and flashlight and a little bit of food in the add on pouch. It works really well for me.

[Rick Finsta]

I'm excited to get mine, as they are doing a limited run of the Runner's Kit Bag in a sporty-looking gray material. I'm just waiting for the email to say it is on the way...

[Irelander]

I've been drooling over their kit bags for a while now. My b-day is coming up in a couple of weeks and I will be purchasing one then. I too think I need the full size kit bag and the Snubby. The Snubby would be great for runs and the full sized would be used for hiking and backpacking. I think a Tarahumara and/or Umlindi pack are also in my future. Tons of good reviews on their gear all over the web.

[Drang]

The kit bags look cool.

I really like the look of their Mountain Serapes...

[delkancott]

What does recommend for a holster when using the kit bag? The one HPG have in their web site or something else?

[Irelander]

I've been running/hiking/boating/backpacking with my HPG kitbag for a couple of years. I never saw the need for a holster but if you need one look at the Fricke Zacchaeus (https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/zacchaeus-concealment-holster/). You can actually get one right from HPG.

https://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/8/ProductID/35

[McD]

What does recommend for a holster when using the kit bag? The one HPG have in their web site or something else?

I use the Vertx holster, which attach to the inside of the bag via hook and loop. Works great!
https://vertx.com/multi-purpose-holster-full

[LJP]

What does recommend for a holster when using the kit bag? The one HPG have in their web site or something else?

I use the HPG holster offered by Contact! Concealment. Only caveat is that there was significant lead time when I ordered mine. Having said that, I prefer it with its Velcro attachment as opposed to the dummy corded Zach holster sold by Hill People. The dummy corded holster, in my experience, requires the gun to be drawn significantly further away from the bag to disengage the holster as opposed to drawing the gun from a more conventional holster secured with Velcro inside the bag. Not a big deal when carrying AIWB with a minimalist holster secured to the belt, but more so when the holster is essentially dummy corded to the center of my chest. I’ve written about both the HPG Kit Bag and the Contact! Concealment Holster on my blog...

https://wp.me/p6gwfx-12o


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FOG]

The Maxpedition Sneaky Holster works well in the original size kit bag.

[Nocturnalis Discipulo]

One advantage of the Zach holster with the HPG Kit Bag, is increased safety when reholstering. It makes it much easier to keep the gun from pointing at your arm or chest compared to a more regular holster in the pocket.

[RoyGBiv]

I finally decided to try the SAR V3 version of the HPG Kit Bag (https://5col.com/products/sar-kit-bag-hill-people-gear?variant=13375308431402). I've been bicycling a lot recently and have not had much luck with fanny packs or other methods of concealment on the bike. It's a great bag, I'm sorry I waited so long to buy one. The size is perfect. So far the only thing I'd like to see changed is to have some sort of quick pull on the gun pocket.

LOVE the PALS for hanging a radio on the front. I was pleasantly surprised how stable the bag is without having to cinch it too tightly. I can still get air flowing between the bag and my chest when leaned over, but without any bouncing and zero chafing (over a t-shirt).

I picked up a cheap-o Kydex trigger guard on eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kydex-Trigger-Guard-for-Glock-19-23-Multiple-Colors-To-Choose-From-Just-Ask/254199107356?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649) (solid build, lots of colors, $10 shipped out the next day). Ok... maybe the second thing to tweak is putting two tie-downs on the outer corners of the gun pocket, instead of one in the middle. It would make for a shorter draw pull using the trigger-guard-on-a-string. I'll keep looking for other pocket/Velcro holster options.

Even in red it still looks tactical enough to get me 3 passes from the local Constabulary on my Saturday morning ride. Things are slow around here. :cool:

[JHC]

The Maxpedition Sneaky Holster works well in the original size kit bag.


Huh. Never seen that. Just one click ordered one more $10. Thanks

[pastaslinger]

When I see these bags they scream gun to me much more than a fanny pack

[krax]

When I see these bags they scream gun to me much more than a fanny pack

You're not wrong, but I wouldn't wear mine in an urban environment. In the outdoors, and especially when worn with a pack, they blend into the environment more.

[javemtr]

You're not wrong, but I wouldn't wear mine in an urban environment. In the outdoors, and especially when worn with a pack, they blend into the environment more.
Kanye West disagrees with you!
https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-rocky-wore-the-same-man-bag
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-alyx-bag-pre-order-available/
$600 ;)

[RoyGBiv]

You're not wrong, but I wouldn't wear mine in an urban environment. In the outdoors, and especially when worn with a pack, they blend into the environment more.
I made the conscious decision not to try and blend. Bright red, with a CERT patch and HAM radio clipped on the front.
I figured if I wasn't going to be able to blend, may as well make it look like something with a non-gun purpose.


Kanye West disagrees with you!
https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-rocky-wore-the-same-man-bag
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-alyx-bag-pre-order-available/
$600 ;)
I look forward to what my wife says about this, after the sideways look she gave me first time we rode together wearing mine.
Maybe I'll have something to post in the Deep Thoughts thread.... ;)

ETA: Via text.

Me: Look, I'm fashion forward (included both links).
Wife: That is scary

Not very deep, but I'm still laughing. :o

[Clusterfrack]

I got a HPG Original Kit Bag v.2 for my recent hiking trip to Alaska. It's very well made, and I was able to access my G20 quickly in practice. But in the field, I found it to be hot, sweaty, and it didn't interface easily with my day pack straps.

[krax]

Kanye West disagrees with you

That made my day.

Who wore it better, Kanye or Evan Hill?

[pastaslinger]

You're not wrong, but I wouldn't wear mine in an urban environment. In the outdoors, and especially when worn with a pack, they blend into the environment more.

The times I've seen them have been hiking and I doubt people that aren't into guns know what they are or what they're actually used for but was pretty obvious to me

FYI an interesting solution is using a pack and carrying with the waist belt pockets... Can fit a doublestack subcompact on one side and a couple mags in the other... Much more discreet.

[flyrodr]

You're not wrong, but I wouldn't wear mine in an urban environment. In the outdoors, and especially when worn with a pack, they blend into the environment more.

I use mine some for a quick fishing trip. Stuff in a couple of fly boxes, tippet, fly floatant, etc, and there's still room for a compact semi. With waders and fly rod, I pretty much look like any other fly fisherman, "Standing in a River Waving a Stick", as one of John Gierach's book is titled.

But it'd look out of place for a walk in the neighborhood. A few folks wear fanny packs, but I've never seen a chest pack. And, except for school kids, even the occasional walker with a day pack usually draws second, and third, glances. And I can't explain them.

Gray is good!

[krax]

I use mine some for a quick fishing trip. Stuff in a couple of fly boxes, tippet, fly floatant, etc, and there's still room for a compact semi. With waders and fly rod, I pretty much look like any other fly fisherman, "Standing in a River Waving a Stick", as one of John Gierach's book is titled.

But it'd look out of place for a walk in the neighborhood. A few folks wear fanny packs, but I've never seen a chest pack. And, except for school kids, even the occasional walker with a day pack usually draws second, and third, glances. And I can't explain them.

Gray is good!

For fly fishing, it helps that there are drab-colored, fly fishing-specific chest packs on the market. Which reminds me that I need to order another HPG kit bag to have dedicated to fly fishing.

[Grouse870]

I wear mine (runners kit bag) in runs around town and I’ve never gotten a second look. I need to get one of the bigger ones though either the heavy recon or the original as the runner gets maxed out quickly.

[Crazy Dane]

I have the original v2 that I added the recon harness to so I could carry a water bladder. I have had several people ask about my hydration rig and not one has caught on to it hiding a gun until I point it out(I haven't shown everyone that has asked). Because I go alone, I keep all(in addition to what's in the main pack) of my "survival" gear in it. Fire, folding twig stove, first aid, some second aid, protein bar or 2, compass, Mora knife lashed to the PALS on the bottom, i'm sure I missed some stuff and I would have to dump it for full inventory.. If I ever have to ditch the main pack it has all of the essentials to survive a night or so. I removed the shock cord from the Recon harness and it rides very flat under my pack. I also carried it last year elk hunting and my GP100 .44 with a 5 inch barrel just barely fits.

[Grouse870]

Just got a v2 original and found out 2 7 round shotgun cards fit perfectly in the 2nd pocket with the Velcro panel 42639

[GJM]

67465