HPG Kit Bags keep essentials and pistol discreetly front and center

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.A better way to carry concealed with a large pack is what first drew me to the Kit Bag. I typically appendix carry at 11 o'clock -- yes I'm a southpaw. When climbing or rock scrambling the muzzle ends up poking me in the business. In winter I might carry outside the waistband, under a jacket, but that still presents a problem because it interferes with a pack belt. The Kit Bag allows comfortable carry with any pack, anytime.[gallery ids="21806,21830,21831"]The rear, lightly padded compartment of the Recon Kit Bag has ample room to fit even my full-size Glock 17. At the bottom center of the compartment is a lash point, perfect for anchoring a Raven Concealment VanGuard holster with 550 cord. The pouch's symmetrical design means a pistol can be oriented for left- or right-handed draw.This video shows how to draw from the HPG's original Kit Bag. The method is the same across their entire line. It's an intuitive draw, but I would suggest a few dry runs to make sure you aren't flagging your own arm.[HTML1]I haven't had any problems on the draw, but I plan to make a slight modification by sowing about 1.5 inches of webbing inside of the top left corner of the rear pocket as a pull tab. It could be tucked inside when not needed, but left protruding from between the zipper pulls to make drawing smoother -- especially under stress.The Recon Kit Bag is 11.5" x 7.5" x 1". It has a large footprint, but a more streamlined profile than the original 2-inch thick Kit Bag. I settled on the Recon because it seemed to strike the right balance between size and scalability. While it is smaller than the original Kit Bag, the PALS across its face is perfect for attaching small tools, radio pouches or extra mag pouches, making it useful for those working wilderness search and rescue, some law enforcement or even military with the latitude to use non-standard gear.In addition to the Recon's main rear pouch, it has a zipper compartment across its face. Inside are two lash points to attach important items like keys and two open-top pockets to its rear that are perfect for keeping a magazine or two, a compass and other small items from getting jumbled up.

Other Kit Bags in HPS's line are smaller, like the Snubby which measures 8.5" x 6" x 1". It costs  $85 and is perfect for runners or bicyclists who may want to carry a subcompact pistol.All their Kit Bags can be augmented with load lifter straps and/or stabilizer straps which are each $7.50.The load lifter straps attach the Bag to the main straps of a larger pack, transferring all the weight. The straps can easily be detached again should you want to drop your pack while keeping your essentials near at hand. This is especially nice if you want to wander away from camp without lugging everything around.The stabilizer strap is a bungee cord that attaches to the bottom corners of a Kit Bag holding it snugly to your torso to prevent it from flopping during vigorous movement.The Kit Bag can also be seamlessly integrated into a one-piece system with most of HPG's packs using their $45 Runner's Harness which involves removing the Kit Bag's H-harness and attaching it directly to a pack. I haven't yet had the opportunity to give one a try, but plan to soon.I'd normally only carry something like the Kit Bag on a hike, but to put it through its paces I've taken it for a few three-mile runs loaded up with a Glock 17, extra magazine, wallet, keys, chap stick, a 3.5 inch folder, multitool, a snack bar and a small light. Even full, the Recon Bag which is one of the company' larger, stayed put. It bounced, but not intolerably as the H-harness with mesh back and attached stabilizer straps kept it snug. It remained comfortable and out of the way during crunches, pushups and pullups.With a few Grimlock carabiners, the pouch can also be strapped to the exterior of a larger pack making it a potentially useful organizational pouch.My impressions have been extremely positive so far and I expect the 500 denier nylon used for the body to hold up over time. The only thing I'd like to see is the addition of a few safety colors -- red, green, blue, yellow, etc... Even the smaller kit Bags without PALS look "tacticool" in coyote brown, ranger green or foliage and draw occasional attention on the trail. I struck up a conversation with another hiker who inquired about my Kit Bag half way up Old Rag Mountain in Virginia. He was intrigued and while the Kit Bag doesn't scream "gun" to everybody, he said it "looked military." That is fine for those who go into harms way, but some other options for hitting the trail on weekends would be appreciated.(Photos by James K. Sanborn/staff.)