Hill People Gear Kit Bag Alternative?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have the HPG Recon Kit Bag, which I really like. The setup in the video looks ok, but the draw seems as though it would be too slow, as shown. Have you watched the video on the Kit Bag product page that shows drawing from the bag? I can draw pretty quickly by leaving a gap between zippers at the corner, pulling it open from there and drawing.
 
I’ve hiked with small chest packs and I know several hard-core hikers that have tried the bigger ones for their camera gear- all abandoned due to the heat. I have sweat running down my back on most ascents due to the non-breathability of the backpack; the thought of wearing one up front is not feasible. I won’t mention that it looks ridiculous as well.

I’ve been carrying for over a decade in a Bianchi M12 flap holster. My gun stays clean and it’s accessible. Unless you live in one of the few states that bans OC on the trails, you might consider the M12.
 
Any chest rig that does not secure the weapon against a tumble downhill is a poor design. The old Blackhawk Sahara Strider incorporated a secure holster so you could carry the weapon along with mag, flashlight, knife, and some minimal other kit. It did so securely.

These things that don't design the weapon carry system either integral or as an accessory aren't any more suitable for our uses than sticking a gun into a camera chest rig.
 
Kifaru makes a nice bag similar but the inside is velco to mount the firearm in a more secure fashion.
 
i feel like its a better option than carrying my gun in my pack. I cant wear it on my hip while backpacking because of my waist strap so this is the best alternative option.
 
Perhaps, but it isn't a better option than a chest rig actually designed to secure the weapon in place or one with an option to mount a holster.

UrbanStrider1SM.jpg

http://www.concealedcarrypro.com/co...st_carry_handgun_holster_pack_by_magills.html
 
Last edited:
wolverine_173 said:
i feel like its a better option than carrying my gun in my pack. I cant wear it on my hip while backpacking because of my waist strap so this is the best alternative option.
Click to expand...

The Bianchi Quik-Lock (or whatever they call it) goes over the pack's hip belt and secures, instead of threading through like a typical holster. That's why it works with a backpack.
 
Am I the only one to notice that you're likely to 'sweep' yourself when drawing from these rigs?

I don't think it's wise to violate the four rules of firearm safety; I want to live to a ripe old age. :cool:
 
I don't see it as being any different than a shoulder holster. You could make the same argument for one of those, but at the same time should holsters are a widely accepted form of carry.
 
hso, I don't know about you, but that straight up and down position of the gun in the rig you linked too looks far too clumsy/unergonomic, and therefore far more likely for the gun to be mishandled/dropped/etc while drawing than a system like the HPG product.
 
Ohhh, I agree that the orientation isn't good on that in that position. I'd probably drop the whole rig down several inches (if I could keep it from resting on the shelf of my gut) to get a better grip angle. Any chest rig is going to be something of a compromise (and they're all going to probably be so hot you won't tolerate them very long).
The best chest carriers are those holsters mounted at an angle for a smooth draw. Next, secure, but less convenient draw. Least, is insecure which automatically has the unfortunate poor draw problem as the weapon shifts about.

No one that I've seen makes a good setup that is secure, presents to a good draw, and that isn't going to make you sweat.

The "best" isn't concealed, unfortunately, because it is a secure holster in the open on a chest carrier.

chest%20holster.png

Wonder if you could mount that holster, or any holster, inside either of those chest rigs?
 
Last edited:
I have two Kit Bags, an Original and a Runners. Overall I think they're going to work better than the cheaper one. First off the Kit Bags don't get as hot as you might think since they have good airflow under them (kind of like the back of an Osprey pack). I think the harness is a lot better, too. The KB has an elastic bungee that's you cinch it down while allowing it to move (like when you breathe!).

I would be very leery of carrying a gun in a chest rig that doesn't have a dedicated gun compartment. With the Kit Bag you're not gonna have anything get to the trigger. To really understand it you'd probably have to watch a video of it. The KB is going to be faster and smoother to draw from, too.

Apropos of nothing what is with the upside down knife carry? That's kind of mall ninja. What is supposed to gained from that?:rolleyes: I can understand it with a neck knife since it have a holster/sheath designed with the idea of retention when hanging upside down. But the video guy is one snap away from losing his knife.
 
I take my comment back. I ordered a bunch of stuff to make a similar pack, but it failed miserably. I ordered a kit bag, though (Recon), and it works marvelously.
 
its upside down because its easy to access. If it was right side up id would be hitting myself in the face to draw it
 
I can't say for sure, but having that little knife on a spring loaded retraction seems like a good way to whip yourself in the face with that blade if you lose your grip on it when you have it at arm's length/full extension.

Seems awfully dangerous to have any blade at all on a retracting tether.
 
its not strong enough to do that, I tested it before.

same idea as a sling with coil bungie cord on a single point sling.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Hill People Gear Kit Bag info needed
Replies
24
Views
1K
Zerodefect
Z
Dave Markowitz
  • Locked
Hill People Gear Kit Bag
Replies
8
Views
2K
Mainsail
Mainsail
wiiawiwb
  • Locked
Chest holster
Replies
7
Views
3K
johnandersonoutdoors
J
rhweb32
  • Locked
Hill People Gear Kit Bag
Replies
3
Views
1K
EVIL
E
wiiawiwb
  • Locked
Glock 40 MOS and SERPA
Replies
3
Views
3K
wiiawiwb
wiiawiwb
Back
Top