View Full Version : Small fanny pack?
Can y'all recommend a good fanny pack for a Shield? It is for a female BUT a female who isn't too concerned with molle loops and such. It can look girly, it can look tactical, doesn't matter. Biggest concern, other that build quality, is - (1) the "phone pocket" (if it has one) has to accommodate a Note (2) I don't want extra gun room. I want it big enough for a small auto and that's it.
I've been looking around, online, but without holding them it is hard to tell so I thought maybe some of y'all had some hands on with a few of the more popular brands.
Doesn't matter if it "screams gun" we're an OC state, anyway, so deep concealment isn't a real concern.
I'm specifically looking for input on fanny packs, not whether there is a better method of carry or why they are a bad idea.
I wore one, for a little while, back in '06ish. Handy little thing but don't recall the brand just that the stitching ended up ripping out.
jnc36rcpd
05-31-2018, 02:39 PM
If you check the law enforcement sections of the Hawkepaks website, you'll find several fanny packs of good quality.
BillSWPA
05-31-2018, 02:55 PM
My favorite concealment fanny pack is the original stealth pack from Coronado Leather. They look significantly less like gun packs than almost anything else, and I have used multiple be in a couple of light non permissive environments.
My most commonly used pack is a Tommy’s Gun Pack. This pack has more room for stuff other than the gun. Sign up for their email list and wait for a sale. Their regular prices are outrageous, but the sales are often insanely good.
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Shoresy
05-31-2018, 04:53 PM
Sorry I don't have a good recommendation, but just to add a data point - the 5.11 version (https://www.511tactical.com/select-carry-pistol-pouch.html) will NOT fit your needs. I have one and like it, but it doesn't line up with what you've described (it has a good amount of gun room, not much for a cell phone, barely enough room for a set of keys). Hope that helps.
Chuck Whitlock
06-01-2018, 01:23 PM
Tommy's gun pack is out:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?22368-No-More-Tommy-s-Gunpacks
I agree that the 5.11 is a no-go........worthless for anything other than the gun.
I was about to recommend the Kabar TDI pack, but it looks like it is unavailable as well.
underhook
06-01-2018, 01:51 PM
I use a Mountain Smith fanny pack from REI adapted with a raven vanguard on a dummy cord. I have the 5.11 pack and it's better designed but sort of screams gun to me.
RoyGBiv
06-01-2018, 03:41 PM
Tommy's is still available on eBay... for now..
https://www.ebay.com/usr/tommysgunpack?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
Chuck Whitlock
06-02-2018, 09:15 AM
I have the 5.11 pack and it's better designed but sort of screams gun to me.
The 5.11 is well designed for the gun....but nothing else. It would have far more utility with at least a zippered pouch on the front of the bag that you could carry a smartphone in.
Grouse870
06-02-2018, 11:35 AM
2673326732
I picked up a small fanny pack from Walmart that I use for running it fits my shield perfectly. I carry my wallet and sometimes my phone and keys. So there a little bit of room in it.
I have a general fanny pack question: do I need to cover the trigger guard when the pistol is placed inside?
OP - I had one of these but sold it:
5.11 Tactical Select Carry Pistol Pouch, Charcoal/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MTIQRG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JpUeBbH1QTV1F
It barely had room for my P30SK. And to be honest it looked a bit too Tactical for me.
RoyGBiv
06-02-2018, 02:05 PM
I have a general fanny pack question: do I need to cover the trigger guard when the pistol is placed inside?
Depends on the pack.
If you're using something lightweight and not purpose-built, maybe something made from ripstop, for example... I would definitely use a trigger guard to prevent keys, etc poking the trigger. When using something made for a gun, I'd hope the maker gave proper consideration to material thicknesses to prevent unwanted intrusions into the trigger guard, but, best thing to do is your own safety evaluation before using..
Willard
06-02-2018, 03:52 PM
Tommy's is still available on eBay... for now..
https://www.ebay.com/usr/tommysgunpack?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
there is a thread about those somewhere. The one I have is excellent quality.
jnc36rcpd
06-02-2018, 04:11 PM
Rich, I agree with Roy regarding the holster. I have often carried my off-safe Shield in the main compartment of my Hill People Gear snubby kit bag. The bag is solid enough that nothing is likely to press the trigger. Moreover, I carry nothing else in the main compartment but my pistol. That said, I just put a Raven Vanguard in the bag out of an abundance of caution.
Many fanny packs do come with a Velcro strap that somewhat stabilizes the gun and covers the trigger guard. It isn't the newest Safariland duty holster, but it does serve a purpose.
1942bull
06-02-2018, 04:31 PM
I have a general fanny pack question: do I need to cover the trigger guard when the pistol is placed inside?
Yes, unless you are not concerned about an accidental discharge. Galloway Precision has Kydex trigger guards for many handguns. They tie paracord to it so it can be hooked to the bag or belt in such a way that when the gun is drawn the guard pulls right off
Grouse870
06-02-2018, 05:01 PM
I use a Blackhawk arc holster that has the belt clip removed. It works and it was only like 20 bucks
Bucky
06-03-2018, 05:40 AM
Yes, unless you are not concerned about an accidental discharge. Galloway Precision has Kydex trigger guards for many handguns. They tie paracord to it so it can be hooked to the bag or belt in such a way that when the gun is drawn the guard pulls right off
A gun specific fanny pack should have a rigid, separate compartment that shouldn’t need that.
Depends on the pack.
If you're using something lightweight and not purpose-built, maybe something made from ripstop, for example... I would definitely use a trigger guard to prevent keys, etc poking the trigger. When using something made for a gun, I'd hope the maker gave proper consideration to material thicknesses to prevent unwanted intrusions into the trigger guard, but, best thing to do is your own safety evaluation before using..
Thanks guys.
I used a Dale Fricke Zach on my P30SK:
https://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/zacchaeus-concealment-holster/
I was just wondering if it was recommended. Seemed like a good idea to me, so if I go Fanny Pack carry for my G26.5 I will likely get a Zach for it as well.
Rex G
06-03-2018, 08:21 AM
Take a look at the Safepacker, made by “The Wilderness” dot com. It can be worn on a masculine or feminine belt, as a belt pouch holster, which will make it more secure than, uh, “fanny* pack” rigs, or can be worn with an optional adapter, to be worn in the style of a “fanny” pack. The Safepacker can be hand-carried, with or without a wrist/hand strap, and can be worn on a shoulder strap, or piggy-backed onto a larger bag or backpack.
The Safepacker is stiff enough, so that a Vanguard-type trigger cover is not necessary.
Before AZ had legal concealed carry, the Safepacker was AZ-legal for open carry, which was legal at the time, because AZ did not require that the firearm, itself, be visible, if the holster/case was visible. The Safepacker met AZ’s definition of a holster or case. This may well still be true, in AZ, BUT MAY NOT BE TRUE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
*”Fanny” has a much different meaning outside the USA. I realize that this forum is mostly read in the USA, but I read other forums with a much more international membership, so am aware of this.
2673326732
I picked up a small fanny pack from Walmart that I use for running it fits my shield perfectly. I carry my wallet and sometimes my phone and keys. So there a little bit of room in it.
That one sounds great. How easy it to access, being that it was not designed to be a holster?
Duelist
06-03-2018, 10:39 AM
Take a look at the Safepacker, made by “The Wilderness” dot com. It can be worn on a masculine or feminine belt, as a belt pouch holster, which will make it more secure than, uh, “fanny* pack” rigs, or can be worn with an optional adapter, to be worn in the style of a “fanny” pack. The Safepacker can be hand-carried, with or without a wrist/hand strap, and can be worn on a shoulder strap, or piggy-backed onto a larger bag or backpack.
The Safepacker is stiff enough, so that a Vanguard-type trigger cover is not necessary.
Before AZ had legal concealed carry, the Safepacker was AZ-legal for open carry, which was legal at the time, because AZ did not require that the firearm, itself, be visible, if the holster/case was visible. The Safepacker met AZ’s definition of a holster or case. This may well still be true, in AZ, BUT MAY NOT BE TRUE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
*”Fanny” has a much different meaning outside the USA. I realize that this forum is mostly read in the USA, but I read other forums with a much more international membership, so am aware of this.
No permit required open carry is still legal in AZ, btw.
LtDave
06-03-2018, 01:03 PM
No permit required open carry is still legal in AZ, btw.
So is concealed carry without a permit for that matter. I love AZ.
Duelist
06-03-2018, 01:42 PM
So is concealed carry without a permit for that matter. I love AZ.
QFT.
Grouse870
06-03-2018, 01:43 PM
That one sounds great. How easy it to access, being that it was not designed to be a holster?
It’s not sub second but it’s not bad. Honestly haven’t timed it though but the zipper has a rather large pull thingy.
Radar Love
06-06-2018, 04:26 PM
Might also be worth looking at camera bags, there's some cross over (like the need to quickly access cameras with one hand...for example https://mountainsmith.com/sidekick-medium.html)
taadski
06-07-2018, 10:39 AM
Late to the party, but...
I've had really good luck with Patagonia's "Lightweight Travel Mini Hip Pack." It only sees carry use for me when running and cycling, but it's quite functional. It'll fit a full-sized auto, but I tend to carry a more compact pistol in this role (generally a P239). It cinches down really well to limit bouncing or flopping. And being Patagonia, it's pretty much the epitome of "Hippy-flage". :o
http://www.patagonia.com/product/lightweight-travel-mini-hip-pack-1-liter/888336062011.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=shopping&CAWELAID=120226140000221748&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=shopping%20ad&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20Equipment&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4e6V_O3B2wIVSDqBCh2eogdoEAQYASAB EgItmvD_BwE
J0hnny
06-09-2018, 09:20 PM
I don't think you're fooling anyone with this but it's well made and looks good in grey
https://www.emdomusa.com/Emdom-Recon-Waist-Bag-p/eu047a.htm
JonInWA
06-09-2018, 11:31 PM
Another vote for a small Safepacker. They're durable, somewhat inconspicuous, don't shout "Ugly American"/tourist, and The Wilderness is a great outfit; I've used their stuff since the early 1990s, and all my original equipment from them is still completely functional; they even revelcroed my belts for a very nominal sum when needed. Best, Jon
Mirolynmonbro
09-02-2018, 04:21 PM
I've been using a KG pack at the gym for the last few weeks. Was planning on running it for a while before posting a short review but it looks like their website is down. I hope it's just temporary
http://kgproducts.com/BELTBAGS.html
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