Although the pictured GLOCK has a Kydex holster here’s also a Vertx EDC Ready Backpack, a Maxpedition Organizer, and an Urban Medical Gear Advanced IFAK shown. The backpack contains a tourniquet and a Leatherman, among other things. It’s unclear whether the GLOCK is being carried on the owner’s belt or in the bag.

If you carry your handgun in a bag, do you put it in loose – whether in a holster or not – or do you secure it somehow in the interior of the bag? Do you have a dedicated handgun pocket? Velcro to attach a Velcro holster? What do you think the best method is for backpack carry?

39 COMMENTS

  1. My hiking pack has a padded pocket in front that fits my G30 perfectly, no holster. Even though our law says it’s illegal to be armed I take it anyway, cause I’ve seen “Deliverance” and HELL NO! Nope nope, ain’t happening.

    • I always laugh silently when I hear the word “Deliverance”…and end up saying “Guess where I’m from?”

      Filmed here in the UpState…one of the ending scenes is the exhumation of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church graveyard..which still exists at the bottom of Lake Jocassee usually at 130′ full pond. Some of the graves were moved and some are still there and a great dive site. Part of Devils Fork State Park and some of the best clear water diving you’ll find East of Mississippi. Probably a few vids on youtube.

      • Georgia’s beautiful country no doubt, I envy all of you who get to experience seasons. I live in summer all year long, almost february and still mowing the lawn every 2 weeks.

          • Hawaii, the most beautiful gas station in the middle of any ocean you’ll ever find. Or you could just call it the moon, a lot of us here do.

        • Aloha.

          Lived in ‘Pearl City’ as a kid in the late 60’s.

          Just up the hill from the harbor.

          I see your volcano has quieted down a bit. Madame Pele is happy?

          • My bad, that could’ve gone either way though. Most of that movie was filmed in Georgia. I get that it’s right there in the corner of both, either or that whole autumn & fall thing you guys get looks nice.

  2. Depends on the bag. My Exo Mountain Gear pack has a holster on the cummerbund for going out in the mountains. For other bags that I use around town and such I attach the holster to the bag.

    Velcro is out because I haven’t seen a bag that utilizes this kind of system and is what I consider low profile enough. If I’m going to carry a gun in a bag I don’t want it to be the kind of bag that advertises that it has a higher chance of having a gun in it. Vertx makes great stuff but IMHO it’s about as discreet as wearing a pair of 5.11 pants, duty boots and an NRA hat.

  3. A glock 26, glock holster and mag carrier mounted to a lightweight piece of plastic/plexiglass. Cut the plastic to fit the pack, cut out the plastic behind the grip for easier hand access. Low tech and inexpensive.

  4. I recently went on a short hike with my Vertx Sling Bag, with minimal load. Longer hikes would call for a backpack for sure. Though Vertx’s tactigami works great, i’d never off-body carry. Vertx is a lot more discreet than 5.11; google both and see much much pals webing and tactical colors 5.11 bags come in if you are curious. Velcro back organizers keeps things from shifting around inside and makes it easy to reconfigure contents for work and play. IHMO, if you want discreet tactical, Vertx is the way to go. My current bag:
    http://everydaycarry.com/posts/30309/edc-sling

    • I agree that some of these bags don’t get a second look from regular people but regular people also don’t generally steal your bag. The problem, IMHO, is that it’s still got a tactical look to it and a lot of thieves know what they’re looking at since it’s kinda their job. They know their brands surprisingly well. I’ve known a few “robbery boys” and their knowledge of merchandise, it’s value, what a bag means about the owner and ability to spot it is damn impressive.

      I wish a company like Vertx would come out with a line of bags that are tactical on the inside but colored, patterned and cut to look like other types of bags from like North Face, Patagonia, Jansport etc.

      • A good idea, but I doubt it will go anywhere with those companies.

        They value their ‘branding’ so much, they won’t want to make something incognito.

        Now, there might be a market for a company to ‘rework’ a North Face backpack (for example) into something worthwhile…

        • “Now, there might be a market for a company to ‘rework’ a North Face backpack (for example) into something worthwhile…”

          I wonder if this would draw a lawsuit or if you could get away with it as long as you called it “aftermarket”. Personally I would love some tactical stuff from FishPond or Patagonia that looks like fly fishing stuff but on the inside…

          There is a company out there that bridges the gap and would only have to change the way they label stuff on a new line of “tactical on the inside, technical on the outside” gear, which would be Arc’Teryx. They make both kinds of stuff and it’s extremely high quality. But they make the tactical gear as part of their L.E.A.F. (military and law enforcement) line and I’m not sure they’d want to make a “crossbreed”. So far they haven’t.

  5. Dear TTAG,

    What the heck…over.

    The same Glock, knife and flashlight two days in a row???

      • Not they’re not. There are leaves in the background and they added a bag so it’s totally different. You guys need to be more considerate to the contributors or they’ll sensor your comments…..🤣

      • J.B.,

        I wasn’t busting on you…but, on TTAG for showcasing the same carry two days in a row.

        No problems with what you carry or how. You are the best judge of your needs. Each of my vehicles has two tourniquets + IFAK and my range bag has three + enhanced IFAK…as you said in a different comment they are cheap enough…so, why not? Dad-gummed hemostatic gauze is the expensive stuff to buy and carry….you’d think that stuff was platinum impregnated rather than soaked in ground up shrimp shells or kaolin.

  6. If you’re carrying of body weapon shouldn’t be rattling around. Dedicated compartment.

  7. “What do you think the best method is for backpack carry?”

    I haven’t had to do it yet, but if I did, I’d probably stash it in an easily accessible pocket.

    This evening’s micro ‘Digest’ –

    “The Real Resistance: Washington State Sheriffs Refuse To Enforce Unconstitutional Gun Laws”

    “Washington state recently introduced bills for some of the strictest gun laws in the country but they have some very important opponents: the sheriffs. Long thought to be the last line of defense between authoritarianism and freedom, sheriffs are in a unique position. As elected officials, basically nobody has authority over them – not the judges, not the Feds – no one except the people who may or may not choose to re-elect them.”

    https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-29/real-resistance-washington-state-sheriffs-refuse-enforce-unconstitutional-gun-laws

    And we have this –

    “3rd DC Antifa Arrested, Charged With Multiple Felonies In “Ethnic Intimidation” Attack On Latino Marines”

    “The Marines, Alejandro Godinez and Luis Torres, testified in December that a group of 10 to 12 Antifa members called them “Nazis” and “white supremacists” and attacked them on the street despite their denials that they had no association with the right-wing group demonstrating nearby.

    During the attack, Godinez said he shouted “I’m Mexican” at the mob, which allegedly led the attackers to call him a “spic” and “wetback.” -Daily Caller”

    https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-29/3rd-dc-antifa-arrested-charged-multiple-felonies-ethnic-intimidation-attack-latino

    • Am I the only one that finds it amusing that the Washington, D.C. Antifa cell, the very one that calls itself “Smash Racism DC”, carried out a hateful, non-tolerant and non-accepting of others different than themselves attack on someone different than themselves?

      Or is it just me?

      • I think it’s You -) Thanx for the micro digest. I think humans that scream racism might be racist. . . The good news was the Sheriff’s story. Man if these Sheriff’s get behind the 2a and uphold their oath it would definitely bring a lot of people together, what’s the number now? a million gun owners, that they know of, that’s a lot of friends. And who wouldn’t like a cop if he told the “Takers” No!! That’s more then a vote or career talking . II’d even donut to the policeman’s ball and I dont even like cops.

  8. I’m not a fan of carrying anywhere that’s not on the body. None of us is perfect. The temptation to set the bag down is too big. When you set the bag down if its out of arms teach two things happen. First, there is now an unsecured firearm. That’s always bad, but especially if kids at around. Secondly, if you need the gun it’s not there for you. Always carry on the body.

  9. Whoa! Another Glock EDC dump!
    Man! What are odds?
    Good times!

    I carry on body even when carrying a pack or bag.

  10. My bullet proof briefcase has a holster built in. With a tear away access. It’s pretty neat. Though I don’t use it very often.

    • possum says: I’d like a bullet proof briefcase, it would go nice with my thrift shop suitt This city life is killing me. Everytime I sneak out at night to dig in the trash dumpster some human is eating my supper, and if I sniff out some more they beat me away.I don’t know how these alley cats put up with them?

    • because why not? they weigh next to nothing and i have the space for it. The chances of me having to use a TQ are limited sure but at the same time, if I do find myself in a situation where i have to use a TQ what are the odds there will only be one injury? could be multiple gun shot wounds, could be multiple people shot. I like to be prepared. The whole point of that backpack is to be an emergency bag that goes with me in my car everyday.

  11. Unless I’m going to a range or yoga class, my gun is on me, not in a bag.

    If its in a bag, its in a holster. No point in exposing it to undue wear and tear.

  12. This is my carry. I carry the gun AIWB. the bag goes with me but usually stays in the car unless i’m going to be out and about for a long period of time. On occasion i will carry the gun inside the Vertx backpack but i have a separate Velcro holster i carry the gun in when i do that.

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