Another adherent of the MS Tour pack, in a very fashionable, tasteful black (you can only imagine how important that is to me), also with the add on straps.

Is it true that you hike 1.27 miles faster if you are wearing a red pack, compared to the conservative black?

OK, fashion wise the waist pack is seen mostly on tourists at Disneyland; but for a planner/prepper/outdoors person its a simple, out of the way place to carry just the right amount of gear - some even include water bottle holders or a hydration bladder.

Is it true that you hike 1.27 miles faster if you are wearing a red pack, compared to the conservative black?

I used to wear a fanny pack day in and day out. But these days, yes, I will admit that you rarely see them in urban settings except for two circumstances: (1) tourists on vacation, and (2) elderly men with concealed guns in them.

On the trail though, I still see quite a few.

As one of those 'elderly men with concealed guns' I can testify that nobody pays any attention to me or my fanny pack.

I carried in a fanny pack once, seriously didn't like it and went back to a strong side kydex holster on a good belt. I suppose it would work for some firearms, but my G-19 was not one of them.

When I'm camping or hiking nowadays I generally carry my sidearm in a Hill People Gear Kit Bag or Runners Kit Bag. I suppose it says "GUN!" a bit more loudly than a lumbar pack but on the trails it's never garnered a second look. It's super comfortable and surprising about as fast to draw from as IWB. The regular Kit Bag has lots of room, and it carries the load very well. Without really overpacking it I can carry a full sized hangun (even an HK USP45 Tactical with a Surefire X300 Ultra!), spare mag, my Surefire E1B Backup flashlight, a notebook & pen, assorted fire gear and a pair of gloves. When I camp alone in more remote places I sometimes wear my HK P30S IWB and carry an HK USPf9 with an Inforce APL in the Kit Bag.

NOTE: No affiliation with HPG, just really like their stuff.

I'm contemplating the purchase right now of an HPG Snubby Kit Bag. I can wear it with my ruck on my back.

I have two HPG packs, a Runners Kit Bag in OD Green and an Original Kit Bag in Foliage. I really love them both! The only bummer is that black isn't offered; they did a limited run of the Recon Kit Bag in black but it sold out just hours before I went to order one! They're really awesome packs! Very very comfortable and stable. I hardly notice it after wearing it awhile. It's actually not even all that hot. The back part is mesh and front allows some ventilation.

You don't mention whether or not you want to use if for CCW or not. I considered the Snubbie but the smallest sidearm I would ever carry is an HK P30S, and the guys at HPG said they doubt it would fit. I'm actually glad I went larger; you can carry a smaller firearm in the larger bag but not the other way around. If you truly do just plan to carry a snub revolver it would be okay. I think a Glock 19 will fit but there's not much room for an extra mag. Initially I was concerned that it would be hazardous to carry a gun with no safety in a pack without a holster but the inner compartment protects the trigger very well. Even so I carry in Condition One (ie. cocked-and-locked), and there's no way the safety will come off in the bag.

The Original is about 1.5" thicker than the Runners, and it's a bit expandable. In the Runners I can get my sidearm (either a USP or P30S) plus one mag, a small flashlight, my wallet and keys, but really no more. The Original is enough larger that in addition to all that I can also carry a notebook, pen, some fire stuff and a pair of gloves...maybe a bit more even but I don't like to overstuff it.

If you're interested here's a video from a guy I'm acquainted with doing a review of the HPG bag he carries.

Both are good, but I rarely use my Runners KB after getting the Original. It's got more room but if you don't stuff it it's not really bulky. And I've found that I can actually draw about as fast from the KB as I can from IWB (faster if I'm wearing a T-shirt over the gun).

They also sell pack lifters used to integrate it onto a backpack. I've never tried them but reportedly they work well. I've found the KB to work and play well with a regular backpack.

I think the Original KB is the way to go if you plan to use it as a pack without a firearm. You can fit more in it for sure. But both are good. At one point I thought I might add a Snubbie to the mix but really there's no good reason to since the larger ones are very comfortable. But if they ever do another run in Black I'll be getting one.

I don't sweep myself on the draw but I'd say 85% of all shooters I've seen do so at some point in their draw no matter how they carry. Scary!

When I carry I use a strong (right) side kydex holster with a G19. What are people typically doing that causes them to sweep themselves? Are we talking legs/feet or other body parts? Just curious. I did some practice draws and don't see an issue, but then I've always been big on muzzle discipline. TIA