Anyone use a fanny-pack/waist-pack?

[tobimaru]

Considering I commute/travel on a motorcycle and I'm already decked out with helmet, goggles, backpack, leather gloves and boots; I figured I could add another functional bag.

While riding, I want my firearm(s) SECURE, and not just slid into holsters. Imagine crashing at 60MPH and having your primary carry gun get knocked out of the holster and go flying.

This either meant a holster with a locking strap (thumb break), or having the gun within a bag of some kind. Putting it in my backpack would work but getting to it is slow and tedious. The whole point of carrying is a readily available firearm. I have an ankle holster with a strap that secures a small gun well, but not my primary carry (larger) gun. I actually had several belt and pocket holster options but they just did not secure or hide the gun well enough.

Enter the elusive fanny-pack. There are several marketed towards concealing a firearm but the Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Pack caught my eye. Possibly because I also own a Kabar TDI knife that I've loved and carried for the better part of 10 years now. I'm a thin guy and I wanted something small but capable of carrying the essentials.

KA-BAR Knives, Inc. - Accessories > TDI Fanny Pack - Hardcore Lives. Hardcore Knives.

Unfortunately, it was an internet order as none of my local stores had one. $35 @ Amazon. So, I'm waiting for it to arrive.

Anyone else carry in a fanny pack?

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have a small Uncle Mike's fanny pack holster for my 642 but I've only used it for running. I like it because it doesn't scream "tactical" or "gun inside". I wear it in front. It's got a zippered compartment with a neoprene holster for the gun and a pull cord. It has a semi-rigid backing for support. I grab the pull cord with my left hand to yank open the compartment and draw the gun with my right hand.

 

[B3500]

While it's not motorcycle, I use a fanny pack when riding the mountain bike. It stays on body, secure and has worked good for me.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I actually have two.
I carry my 642 in one and my Kahr in the other.
Both guns are in pocket carry holsters slid into internal pockets.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I carry a fanny pack with a Colt Cobra in it when i walk my dogs. Every time I think about putting a J-frame in there I think, NO! Keep the 6 rounds for dog walking. So I do.

Oh, I wear it if I bike ride, too.

It holds a phone and keys along with the little gun quite nicely.

 

[Doug M.]

It's a niche holster for me, but I do use it for walking the dogs, going to the gym and other settings in which other carry options and firearms are not as well suited. Most of the time I carry a semi-auto of come type, typically a G33 or 17, but the fanny pack has a 296 and 2 speedloaders of the Gold Dot loaded in Blazer aluminum case.

 

[bigsteve113]

I just use a regular old Fieldline camo waist pack from Wal Mart when hiking. I keep a KLCR .357 or 642, 1 speed strip, a Spyderco Endura, a small length of paracord, and a gallon sized ziplock bag in mine. Been working for me for about 15 years now.

 

[tobimaru]

Will be nice for hot days on the motorcycle (or bicycle) when I don't want to wear a backpack but still need storage of some kind. Having phone and wallet and keys in my pocket while riding bothers me after a while and is tedious to get to with gloves on.

USPS says 2-3 more days.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have a fanny pack that I use to carry all the stuff I like to have nearby but don't want to have in my pockets. Checkbook, flashlight, Gerber multi-tool, medication, spare keys, extra magazines, extra pistol (Velcro pistol pocket in the fanny pack). It usually stays in a small locked safe in my truck during the day, then goes into the house with me at night, but I have also used it while riding a motorcycle.

 

[KLYDE]

Been using one for years on the motorcycle. My riding buds rag me about my "man purse". I just look at them and smile. Every few years we take a big Summer trip, (Blue Ridge, Natchez Trace Trail etc) Many times pulling into unknown areas late at night. Comforting knowing it is there.

It serves double duty on the bike because it has several compartments. Main compartment has attached holster and velcro tear away for the gun. My DAO bobbed hammer SP101 rides in there snug as a bug in a rug. Drawing from it is faster than a OWB holster. I keep speed strips in a front dedicated pocket. (nothing else goes in there) and the couple remaining pockets are used for wallet and other small stuff I don't want in my pockets.

The bag originally had a nylon strap with a cheap plastic snap buckle, which was centered in your lower back. I was leery of it because someone coming up behind you could snatch the bag by ripping it off of you from behind. I had a local leather worker cut a heavy leather belt and sew it onto the nylon stubs with the buckle on the front side in my view. Worked out great and very secure.

The rig is so handy I often use it even while not on the bike.

This bag has close to 50,000 miles on it.

 

[Budnjax]

anyone at all street-wise....

seeing a male wearing a fanny pack is going to identify him as packing and if you're eye-balled by such a bad guy you might be his first target of opportunity. I realize you're interested in a fanny pack to make it easier to carry a gun on your bike....but I think you still should consider this fact.

 

[Wyatt p. Tato]

I always used a fanny pack on my motorcycles. Wore it in front. Never wore a wallet in my pants pocket always in the fanny pack. Everything you need is handy right in your lap. Mine was sold by BMW, it has served me well. Motorcyclists also wear vests because they have pockets that come in handy for caring things. I spent 6 weeks touring the U.S. Surviving by my wits and living out of my saddlebags, nice to have that fanny pack at times.

 

[tobimaru]

There is some stigma with fanny packs and carrying, I'm prepared for that. I'll be doing my best to still cover the pack with my jacket while I ride.
There's a mesh front pocket you can stick bandaids and other small tools to possibly dissuade a would-be attacker from assuming right away it's a gun case. I don't mind someone assuming I'm a nerd haha!

Might be here tomorrow and I can test out all the different options with my gear on. Possible picture overload...

 

[Rocket3]

I like the shooting Systems rig (Fanny Pac) I think it’s called a Tailgunner now. I wear on my right side. Very comfortable, easy access and excellent concealment. I carry a Colt combat commander. I’ve road thousands of miles with this setup.
Unfortunately without a ride for now but very soon to remedied.

 

[manyguns]

Don't own a motorcycle but wear a fanny pack whenever I feel like it. It is only the gun wise types who even give you a second look. I live in an open carry state so there are much more blatant things for gun haters to worry about. I never worried about a bad guy seeing me as a "shoot first" person. If they are so intent on mayhem that knowing there may be an armed person nearby doesn't give them pause, then I am out of luck anyway.
I don't like my wallet in my pocket for comfort reasons and the internet opinions aren't enough to make be worry.

 

[tobimaru]

Well its here! Short "review" of sorts.

T-shirt

Ready to draw (exposed pull lanyard)

Lanyard hidden and pocket view

Using the lanyard, the pack zips right open and the gun is ready to draw. Glock 26 with magazine base extension fits absolutely fine. My BG380 simply disappears.

Most of the time the lanyard will be out. You can tuck it in to avoid snagging and make your pack even more discreet.
The pack attaches to your belt and has a belt of its own. VERY secure! Even if you disengage the belt on the pack, it stays right on your other belt. I like that.

Side pockets are useful for keys, spare change, phone cable, or a spare (compact) magazine(s). Stitching all looks good, strong velcro.

As far as "storage" goes, it doesn't have much. This pack hides away nicely, but doesn't hold a lot. I had intended to store my phone and wallet in here but I simply don't think they will both fit with everything else. I don't want things floating around loose in the main pocket with my firearm, so nothing else goes in there.

 

[tobimaru]

Also worth noting, works very well with my Triad holster for the BG380. I prefer using a holster even in the pack as it covers trigger/magazine release/safety and securely holds the firearm in one position.

It attaches via the holsters belt clip on the elastic strap sewn in the main pocket. Video example;

http://vid5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/4W4K3/7ED3E6CB-4A5A-488A-82E8-006AC971217C_zpsbjf2bakh.mp4

Hey look, my 16" collapsible Smith & Wesson baton fits so nicely! Nothing says "stay away" like a baton

http://vid5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/4W4K3/5ACEA1F1-A9D8-4008-88C0-A2165FE46F1C_zpsupag6iev.mp4

 

[KLYDE]

I like the looks of that rig. Appears to be more compact than mine. Mine is on the large size which I like for the bike as I can store all the loose junk I don't want in my pockets. I may look into one like yours for the woods walks and certain other situations. Who is the maker?

You are correct in only storing the gun in the main pocket. Don't want to pull out your cell phone while trying to draw.

Thanks for the review.

 

[tobimaru]

It's made by Ka-Bar, its the Law Enforcement Fanny Pack model.

I'm really liking it so far. Going to go for a test ride with it on and see how comfortable it is. I've been sitting in a chair and walking around the house with it on to find the perfect carry position for me. Front and center works but looks a bit funny on me. Off to the side seems to fit me best and I can lift my legs and sit down without hitting it.

Under most jackets I own it hides away nicely.

 

[Ranger514]

While I'm not an OC guy, I often carry in a well padded Blackhawk fanny pack when riding. I want the security of knowing my gun will stay with me if I'm covering rough country on my dual sport or dirt bike. When I commuted to work on my bike, I used a Maxpedition courier style bag ("murse") with an easily accessible handgun compartment. The "murse" has room for my lunch and a lot of emergency gear. Fanny packs and murse packs also come in handy for keeping handguns protected when working outdoors or hiking.