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Kit Bags

Kit Bags are our original and most popular item. Kit Bags were born out of the desire to discreetly carry a pistol in a way that doesn't interfere with a full size backpack. Kit Bags are so handy for keeping small items close at hand on the trail (or in the ATV, or in the canoe, or on the stand, etc.) that many folks choose to use them even without a pistol.

All Kit Bags include the following features:

  • Quick access concealed pistol compartment
  • Comfortable mesh backed H-harness allows you to wear the Kit Bag by itself or underneath of a pack
  • Velcro loop and dummy cord loop in pistol compartment allow for various retention options
  • tabs with grimlocs at the top for hanging on another pack, or for use with a Lifter Kit for docking to a host pack
  • tabs on the bottom for attaching to another pack, or for use with the Stabilizer Kit for running with
  • Front zippered access flat pocket with two interior slot pockets with dummy cord loops above them.

There are four different models of Kit Bags; Snubby, Runner's, Recon, and original (known simply as "Kit Bag" -- shown in pictures above). Here is how they compare:

model size

Lifters included?

Stabilizer included? price special features forum discussion
Snubby 8.5"x6"x1" No Yes $85 smallest KB view
Runner's

11.5" x 7.5" x 1"

No Yes $85 optimized for urban runners  
Recon

11.5" x 7.5" x 1"

No No $95 PALS grid on front view
Kit Bag (org.)

11.5" x 7.5" x 2"

Yes No $105 large main cargo compartment view

 

 

original Kit Bag in ranger
docked to a Tarahumara
with lifter straps
drawing from a Runner's Kit Bag
note the proper elbow high method
so as not to cover yourself
Runner's Kit Bag with
included Stabilizer Strap
Recon Kit Bag
Snubby Kit Bag
pistol compartment detail
common to all Kit Bag types
original Kit Bag in ranger green
and Runner's in foliage green
Runner's, Recon, and Snubby
are all same thickness
mesh backed H-harness
common to all Kit Bag types
front zippered compartment
with dual slot pockets
and dual dummy cord loops
common to all Kit Bag Types
large main compartment with
dual front slot pockets
only on original Kit Bag
Lifter Strap docked to pack
works with all types
included only with original
back detail of Stabilizer Strap
works with all types included
with Runner's and Snubby
Using Lifter Straps

The series of photos above illustrate how to dock to a host pack. You wear your kit bag underneath the main pack. When you put on your main pack, just dock the kit bag to it. Before taking off your main pack, undock your kit bag. There are slightly different ways of doing it. Evan wears his sternum strap over the kit bag, Scot wears it under. Neither of us ever adjust the top straps on the Kit Bag (unless wearing over a PFD), but the side straps get frequent adjustments based on docked / undocked and various clothing layers.

The extra slick clips are spares in case of breakage. Stow them inside your Kit Bag and forget them until you need them. It is rare, but you can accidentally break them in the process of opening and closing them. Once fully closed, we've never seen one break. With the use of slick clips, you can attach the docking straps to just about any shoulder strap out there. If that doesn't work with your particular pack, you can also get creative with parachute cord loops among other things. The grimlocks on the Kit Bag itself gives you lots of different options.

Setting Up For the Draw

The video below pretty much covers it. Note that you can get a quicker draw by moving to index with your firing hand at the *same time* you are opening with your support hand (unlike in the video). If it had been done that way in the video, you wouldn't have been able to see what is going on.

 

Loading Your Kit Bag

The best discussion of what to put in your Kit Bag and where to put it can be found here. However, one point is important enough to make it on this page: Keep the heaviest items closest to your body. This is no different than loading an internal frame pack. It will ride more comfortably this way. For example, the concealed compartment might hold your pistol, or 3 rifle magazines (with the top part unzipped), or a .75L water bladder. Lighter items as you move outwards.

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When humans first set foot in a new continent, they came in small groups under their own power, bringing only the gear they needed. Most simply called themselves The People. Over time, those who chose the rougher freer life of the up country came to think of themselves as the Hill People.
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