If you were around at the dawn of shall-issue carry permits, you likely remember the concealed carry fanny pack. Over the years, the CCW fanny pack waned in popularity but has recently made a slow but noticeable comeback. Let’s see if the fanny pack is for you!
There was an era when concealed carry exploded in popularity, but holster design and production were focused on standard OWB options. There wasn’t a huge focus on concealed carry holsters for several years, and the same admittedly goes for concealed carry guns.
For years, there was a drought, and people were toting Glock 19s in fanny packs. They were an affordable option that allowed for excellent concealment. They became popular enough that a fanny pack on a grown man indicated he was carrying a gun.
Then, concealed carry holsters and smaller guns rapidly rose in popularity, and the fanny pack went out of style. The CCW fanny pack disappeared.
Why Is The Concealed Carry Fanny Pack Coming Back?
More people than ever are carrying firearms. The majority of states are now Constitutional Carry states, and more people are looking for carry options for every event.
There is also the rise of the no-compromise carrier, people who carry everywhere they legally can at all times. This has created a need for alternative carry options. Guys like me have a tote full of holsters and options to fit any situation.
It’s worth mentioning that concealed carry fanny packs have gotten even better. They’ve evolved into purpose-built options offering easy access and excellent concealment, making the fanny pack an appealing option.
Finally, the most important reason concealed carry fanny packs are making a comeback is that they just are. The kids call them sling bags and wrap them around their bodies rather than their waists. These are still fanny-pack-sized bags, just worn a little differently.
If you look at many modern concealed carry fanny packs, you’ll notice the ads showing them being worn cross-body. Even though the cross-body method is trendy, some folks are still wearing them traditionally. Every time I go to a gym, I see fanny packs worn in all sorts of ways.
Pros Of The Concealed Carry Fanny Pack
There are many pros to using a concealed carry fanny pack. I use these a lot for trips to the beach, the gym, water and theme parks, fishing, and other activities where my clothing might not facilitate concealed carry all that well. It packs a gun, and the non-gun pockets carry my phone, keys, wallet, and more.
There is zero chance the setup will print or accidentally reveal itself. Zippers keep things shut and prevent that. You can carry a large gun with an optic and light, and no one will ever know.
It’s also a very comfortable way to carry a gun. You can also maneuver the fanny pack to different positions and not reveal the gun. I push my concealed carry fanny pack over my butt while I do deadlifts but to my front when I benchpress.
I can remove the pack and hand it to my wife. She can legally carry a gun, so if I need to ditch the gun, I can pass it off without needing to reveal it, go to a car, or go to a bathroom. It’s handy when it’s my turn to ride the next ride at the theme park.
Downsides of the Concealed Carry Fanny Pack
It’s a very slow draw compared to other carry methods. With just a little training, it’s not that hard to draw from a concealed carry position in less than a second. That’s not going to happen with a concealed carry fanny pack.
Fanny packs also clash with many dress codes and good fashion sense, so they’re an option, but they cannot be the only option for the majority of people.
And finally, the concealed carry fanny pack is a bit bulky and can sometimes irritate.
Are Fanny Packs A Dead Giveaway?
I’ve seen the meme shared amongst gun communities stating that fanny packs are a dead giveaway that you are carrying. That might be true for other concealed carriers, but it doesn’t seem to be the general idea amongst the population.
I asked a dozen people, who are friends or close associates, what they associated fanny packs with. None of them said guns or concealed carry. I have a friend in the police force, and I asked him and his two fellow officers, and none said concealed carry.
In fact, all three police officers agreed that the first thing they thought was, “nerd.”
Outside of the firearms community and social media pages, people don’t seem to associate fanny packs with concealed carry these days.
Setting Up A Concealed Carry Fanny Pack
As a concealed carry fanny pack enthusiast, I thought I might offer you some advice. I’d advise you to pick a purpose-built option for concealed carry. Get a fanny pack designed for concealed carry. I use the Vertx S.O.C.P. fanny pack/sling bag for my carry needs.
It has many pockets, organizers, and a decent-sized pouch for your gun. That pouch can even hold a Premier Armor panel. However, the concealed carry fanny pack still needs a holster.
Vertx includes a holster retainer device. I squeeze my Model 25 pocket pistol into the retainer, keep it tight, and my gun remains protected. If I ditch the fanny pack, I can pop the holster out and put it in my pocket.
For quick access to the gun, I like having a hot pull to quickly defeat the zippered design. Vertx has the quick pull devices, and they are fantastic as well. You want quick access to be sure.
Carrying a larger gun is possible, but I prefer a small, light gun. This keeps the fanny pack from being overly bulky and heavy. I can also pack a second mag.
Like most things in the world of concealed carry, you should practice with your rig. Practice drawing and dry firing, and if possible, get to the range and take it out for live-fire use. Get fast with it, as fast as you can.
The Return of the Concealed Carry Fanny Pack
The fanny pack has made a comeback in the regular world, and it’s not a surprise to see a reinvigorated approach from the concealed carry world. It has a niche use case, for sure, but one that can be extremely handy.
