A new kind of Fanny Pack

[JimConway]

Today, in the mail, I received 2 fanny packs from Rob Pincus for evaluation. These packs are made in Europe and are quite different. I must say that I have had no use for a fanny pack, in the past and did not consider them to be a viable way to carry. In light of the past fifteen minutes of playing with them, I suspect that i will have to change my mind. The first thing that hit me is that the packs do not scream "GUN" and do not look big enough to even conceal a gun. Believe me, they are plenty large enough, even for a full sized 1911. Construction wise they are made of heave duty nylon and are all made in two colors. The ones that I have are tan and black and the other is black and OD.
Mike Nastek and I will be using them for the next few weeks and will report back when we have finished our evaluation. The reason for the evaluation is that Neshooters, LLC is considering them as an item that we may sell to the public.

[Vermonster]

Jim,
I'd be interested in how it compares with the Hawkepak Micro.
http://hawkepaks.com/prod.itml/icOid/133

http://hawkepaks.com/products/full/133.jpg

With a toddler, I've found it convenient to CCW and carry the necessary kiddie crap in the side pocket.

The Hawkepak is a the best setup I've seen. The compartment appears small, but will hold a full-size auto by using a hidden area behind the accessory pocket to house the barrel.

I don't think it screams gun--especially with kid in tow.

[JimConway]

The concept is similar to the Hawkepak Micro, but is not as bulky. The fact the pack that we are evaluation is made with two colors tones down the gun aspect a lot

[Chris]

If they are European, they should be called "Bum Bags". The term "Fanny" is a slang term for a female's privates and likely get you slapped.

(^_^)


Still, looking forward to a review (and pics)

[Vermonster]

Thanks Jim. Looking forward to your evaluation.

[jar]

I liked the look of it when you showed it to me yesterday. I agree that it doesn't look big enough to hold a gun. I was expecting you to put a little j-frame or something in it. When you put a full size gun in it, I was amazed. Looking forward to the evaluation.

[d3adeyes]

any chance of a pic or two or do you need to keep it under wraps ?

[Garys]

This might be a solution for the person who asked about a way to carry while running. It might work for biking too, for that matter.

I didn't know that Hawke made a holster bag. I guess I do now.

[Boston-Irish]

I too am interested.
I have been using the Camel back Goblin with great success.

[packingungal]

This is interesting, Jim. I will be eager to hear your eval as well.

[JimConway]

So far there is only one thing that I would and did change. I added a lanyard to make access easier. Here are three photos. The gun shown is a Browning Hi-power

[dwarven1]

Looks nice - does the fact that the barrel sticks into the side make it look kind of odd, since it's not following the contour of the human body?

[Bob P]

How does the comparment open? Zipper or is that velcro?

[JimConway]

The gun compartment is secured by a zipper. I added a lanyard to the zipper tab to make it easier and faster to open.

dwarven1 For me the pack works well with it carried on my left front, sort of in a cross draw position. For those with other body shapes, your mileage may vary, but I doubt that it will be a problem

[rep308]

Are these going to be available to people on this board and is there a left hand version? I am very interested.

[Rob Pincus]

Jim,

Thanks for taking the time to play with these... I haven't had much time for the project this year!

One note, I should've pointed it out but you figured it out yourself: The design is right or left handed. The idea is that you attach a carabiner, keys or some other such fob to the plastic D-ring on the appropriate side to ease opening. Again, this was seen as a lower profile way to set up easy opening, instead of a "tactical" release strap or other more typical set-up.

-RJP

[packingungal]

I like the looks of it.

[JimConway]

Rob Pincus has offered me all of the bags that he has in stock. He thinks that he may have about ten. Two are assigned to other people. I will announce a group buy for paid members of Northeastshooters.com as soon as I get the inventory list and color combinations from Rob. The price for the pack, that Rob Pincus plans to sell at $50.00 to $60.00, will be only $45.00 plus any shipping that you need.
The sign up list will begin when I list the quantity and available color combinations the we can get.

[wahsben]

It looks interesting and I would be interested when you get these.

[M.Nastek]

Jim and I have had these for about a week now and mine has been relieved of my custody. Denise is happy with the way it works for Walking and at the Gym. It is very discreet and yes it does hold everything from a snubby to a 1911.

If your interested lets us know and we will put this order together.


Great product from Rob Pincus.

Mike Nastek

[weerwolv]

I'm in.. Just let me know colors.

This will work great for walking the kids and begin able to carry my M&P 45 instead of my J frame I do now..
-Chris

[Garys]

I'm interested. Thanks.

[JimConway]

Mike
How could you allow this?
I know that we have to be nice BUT this is too much

[bmac]

These are really great I had a chance to play with the 2 Jim mentioned. They have plenty of pockets, and are really discrete. I think I will use mine like Denise does, but the biggest reason is when Im on vacation, these packs look very much like the camera packs they sell for your waist.

Jim, do you think you could draw a reload quick enough if it is stored in the pack?

[JimConway]

The fanny pack is not designed to carry a spare mag, but our leather pocket mag holders will handle that nicely. (Andy Langlois makes them using our design http://www.andysleather.com/) We will also be offering the Pocket Mag Holder in Kydex shortly, for those that want them at about the same price

[bmac]

yeah! thats what I figured. Have you tried the Kydex ones? If so are they as comfortable as the leather?

[JimConway]

I have and do use both and do not see or feel any real difference.
In fact, the kydex one was my first design

[JimConway]

The fanny packs work equally for both right and left handers

[d3adeyes]

i am interested in one of these Ill keep my eye on the post for updates

[Hanwei]

Hi all. This looks interesting... and I have one potentially silly question.

Looking at the photos... there doesn't seem to be a retention aspect to the fanny pack at all.

For instance... with the fanny pack on my waist... once I pull the cord to open the pack... it looks like the firearm will just fall right out. There doesn't seem to be any kind of "holster" device to keep the pistol secured while the flap is open.

Is there a holster device not pictured that the gun is secured in, which then gets velcro'd to the inside of the fanny pack?

[grin]

[JimConway]

Hanwei
That is a very good question.
I have used the fanny pack only with a Browning Hi-Power.
The Hi-Power is held in place by the tension on the barrel and
seems to stay in place with the zipper open.
There is also a velcro strap the can be located wherever you desire for a even more security
I have not had to use this strap, so far

[hedgehog]

id like one

[Rob Pincus]

Jim,

I just sent yo a PM.... there are only a few of these left, which I'm sending out to you today. Based on the interest, I am going to try to get some more imported pretty soon.

Thanks Again.

-RJP

[JimConway]

I just bought all of the fanny packs that Rob had in stock and there are only 4 on the way. I think that one of them is spoken for. The colors are Blue & Gray and Tan & Gray, but i do not know how many of each color.

The cost will, as I said before, be $45.00. plus $6.00 shipping, if you need it
you can pick up your pack directly from me on Sunday afternoons at the Westford Sportsmen's club, if you let me know.

If you want one, please email me at jim@neshooters.com about which color you prefer right NOW.

Please do not send any money until I email you that I have a fanny pack for you. This has to be First Come - First Served

You can pay me with PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account) or by check

James Conway
PO Box 688
Brookline, NH 03033

[JimConway]

If you do not get your fanny packs this go arround, there are more on the way

[JimConway]

They just arrived. I have only 2 black and Grey that are not spoken for. I will start mailing them out on Monday

[BR636]

Jim, I will take one of the black and gray ones. pm on the way

[JimConway]

They are all sold, pending funds, until I get the next shipment