I am continuing to watch reviews on gear and keep being intrigued with the Ribz Gear. My fear is the heat of course and I wonder how it wears if it is not zipped up to allow some heat out?

 

There are a bunch of different ways to handle this, none of which are perfect. But the best for you depends on whether you do more hiking or camping.

The HPG bag is about the best overall solution. If you're not hiking far, a small pistol in the pocket is probably the easiest method. If you're only hiking a short distance to a campsite, I'd just wear either an IWB or OWB holster and let the pack ride over the top of it. It won't be that big a deal for a short hike.

I tried hooking up a shoulder holster for a larger, heavier gun to the pack straps so the weight would be carried by the pack. It worked out great, extremely comfortable, and could even be sort of hidden when I met people by leaving my right arm down over it and turning to the side slightly. The obvious problem was when I took the pack off, I was disarmed.

I have also used a molle holster on the waist belt, and for concealed purposes a pouch the pistol can fit into but easily accessed. Very comfortable with a stout waist belt, but again, no pistol at hand when the pack is off.

I've also tried carrying a small buttpack for use around camp and for summiting and putting the pistol inside. But for the most part, I usually just carry on the pack waistbelt and put in my pocket if I carry a compact, or carry another holster for use around camp.

The chest bag idea is the best, but it does add some heat and it looks odd and out of place when you're not hiking, like if you go into town or something. And it's getting pretty well known that it's for carrying a pistol as I've had a couple people ask me what gun I had in it.

Az

 

There are a bunch of different ways to handle this, none of which are perfect.
Az

Thanks for the experiences. It's a bit agonizing trying to find what works. You hit upon an issue I've gone through when having a smaller pistol in my belt zip pocket thing and that's when I put my pack down, I don't have my pistol. I can't see myself transferring it over and over which presents a problem.

In certain parts of Kentucky my concerns are snake, meth heads and a distant black bear. Varied loads needed and small caliber isn't called for. Bear spray works with meth heads and bear (best can be anyways) but always having bear spray hooked to my body isn't happening either.

I'm going to continue listening, reading and looking. Whatever I find I'll say and give a review after some use.

 

I may be thinking a little out of the box here, and it has been some time since I have done any long back packing. More recently I carried openly in Alaska, and either in a shoulder rig, or a high cross draw chauffeur's holster on the belt.

I would buy or make a small bag "First Aid kit" size-and secure it on the top of the left shoulder strap of your pack right by the side of your neck (I don't know the exact configuration of your rig, but I have a medium pack which has a loop, and two D rings in this position. This bag, would have overlapping velcro on the front, where you can reach up and open the velcro, and grasp the grip of the pistol in one motion. This puts the piece in the clear, no increase bulk on the sternum area, or increase heat. The underneath of this small bag/would have secure velcro to secure it on a strap on the top of the shoulder strap, and also the same velcro would hold this on your belt, (any place), as you go around your tasks in camp--or a day hike. The key is small, doesn't look like a holster, is always easily opened, no matter where your pack is (on shoulder, or set down as you take it off.

Visualize the draw as putting your hand on the top of your shoulder, flip the velcro flap up with your first two fingers, as you grasp the butt of the grip with your thumb and these two fingers.

 

I can see what you are saying. The only issue I have with that is when my pack is off, so is my weapon. If I was willing to also have a rig to carry when my pack was off then it would work.

Thanks for the idea and I will certainly keep that in mind.

 

This weekend myself and my friends were at a state campground just for a quick gathering and an individual from another campsite had joined us earlier and took a disliking for my friend. We aren't really sure what the root of the issue was, it just happened. He left and later he returned and fired into the ground and was targeting my friend. We were able to ease him out of that and eventually he made an error and set the pistol down and raised his hand like he was going to scratch his head and as I was closest I was able to deal with him.

If I was open carrying and he had true intentions of shooting someone I would have been the natural first target and there would have be no chance of a resolution where none of our group was harmed.

Holy moly, brandishing a firearm AND firing a round!
I'm surprised you did not shoot him. I'd have done my best Tiger imitation, "Stop. Drop the weapon." Bang, bang. 3 seconds.

 

I didn't shoot him because I wasn't carrying. Foolish, right? More so because I didn't have a good way to address the situation in my OP. Obviously this has changed my outlook on the situation, and life in general, and I'm taking care of that now.

This was a car camping situation but other than food and food prep I use what I backpack to sleep and such. Therefore I left my firearm at home. Again, foolish.

The exact charges they got him for were:
Three counts of Aggravated Menacing
Using Weapons While Intoxicated
Heaving Weapon Under Disability

In the end we were fortunate enough that a bit of conflict resolution allowed me to be in a position to secure him. I could have EASILY not gone that way.

I did take the occasion to tell some of my co-workers that oddly enough he wasn't legally allowed to have a firearm so how is it POSSIBLE he had one? Didn't he read the rules? Maybe if they would take away MY firearms he wouldn't have had any either, somehow?

Then I just chuckled because I already knew the answer.

In the end, I was not 100% prepared, and it could have cost dearly.

 

So ScrewLoose could have shot anybody or all of you before anyone could have cleared leather. Concealed is one more slow down to overcome.

If you all are open carrying then ScrewLoose has to figure the odds as in are you going to just stand there and whistle Dixie or pull your pistols.

 

Yes, if we were ALL open carrying. I can tell you that I would be the only one to have been open carrying. Normally I am, when in Kentucky and in the forest. Where we were it is off-season and I let my guard down and wasn't prepared. So yes, he could have walked in and if he was a bit lucky he could have put a round in all of us.

 

After looking at all the options and taking into account other activities that I could use this for, I am going to go with the RibzWear FrontPack. The HPG was an attractive solution as was all the suggestions that were given.

The RibzWear will allow me to wear just it while day hiking, will give me a secondary "essentials" pack for my vehicle, and the deciding factor of it works well while I am commuting by bike to work and back.

When I get it and put it through its paces I may find I've made a mistake. Or not. Either way I'll give my honest opinion on it here in the forum so maybe someone else can use it to help in their decision.

I'd like to thank you all for chiming in and giving alternatives and thoughts. Aside from the question of which item to buy the most important thing was that I wasn't carrying when my friends (and my family at home) needed me to. It doesn't matter if THEY were carrying, I wasn't, and I know better.

 

The Ribz is not a bad choice, I have an older version and my only issue was slow access. If they have changed the design I would be interested. Still, it can be worn like a vest to cover up an OWB holster if needed.

Most of your previous links show my preference to the HPG kit bag. I do have a 3 ounce belt slide holster I can switch to if we run into town...but the majority of use is on the trail with a pack. I can wear the kit bag while camping and have grown use to it. It comes in quite handy holding most of my typcal EDC items.

CCW often means slightly slower access and draw times, but as with any carry method, practice can really reduce that time. I would recommend you take your Ribz to a range where you can practice with you pack and under various scenarios.

ROCK6

 

I have the Ribz pack and it works great. I got mine a couple of years ago on a black friday or cyber monday special of buy one get one so be sure to see if they have any deals this week.

 

I went ahead and ordered it as I want to take it with me when I go n+1 pistol shopping. I overspent on that but I'll have some time here soon to take it with me to make sure things will work with what I currently have as well as a new revolver.

 

I carry all the time , I like to drop a sig p238 380 in my front pocket in a pocket holster .
I like a Kimber ultra carry 1911 with a belt clip on my right side .
I have a spring field xds 3" 45 acp with a clip on right side or in right front pocket in pocket holster .
Some times I have both the sig and a larger side arm .
pocket works for me .

 

An additional requirement I have is snakes. Snake loads don't work well in non-revolvers. I can certainly get a smaller revolver and that would work for the snakes & meth heads. Then again when I am in in snake & meth country I open carry on my thigh when I'm wearing a pack.

 

I'm surprised the nutjob who shot one into the ground was allowed to walk away undamaged. At the very least, he should have ended up in the emergency room with four broken limbs while waiting for LE to formally charge him. People like that are taking up space and valuable oxygen.

 

I agree. I don't take kindly to people threatening me, especially with a deadly weapon.

Az

 

It must be put in a place where it wont be robbed from you before you can pull it out. Backpack, bag, case etc...... I carried mine in my pocket while in Honduras backpacking and it saved MY life, not so good for him.

 

Sounds like a very scary situation. When we camp or hike, both my wife and I open carry using a chest rig. When the kids join us (both adults), they open carry with chest rigs too. I also hang my Marlin 45-70 somewhere near me when camping. That might deter someone from doing what happened to you. I am glad everything ended well for you and everyone.

Edit: and I am glad to hear that charges have been brought against the idiot.

 

I would prefer to open carry. In this situation it could have gone two ways.

- Person noticed open carry and didn't come back into the campsite with a pistol

- Person noticed open carry and shot me as soon as he arrived.

Who knows which it would have been. We have to play the percentages and go with that and live with the rest.

 

Consider a Remora with J-frame S&W shrouded or internal hammer (357, if necessary) - this thing works with nearly any outfit. Front pocket with a hip belt/full pack; IWB 4 o'clock at the campsite; IWB appendix for deep concealment; IWB 4 o'clock with Lycra bike shorts; etc. Weighs an oz or 2? Here's a review.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/02/ralph/gear-review-remora-“no-clip”-holster/

 

Interesting. So it keeps the shape of your pocket and allows it to be handy and not twist around in your pocket? Am I reading and seeing the gist of that correctly?

 

Got an email from ribz this morning. 40% off all packs with code "HAAST".

 

Figures! Mine was already ordered and will be delivered today.

Is that code usable from their online store?

 

I prefer the HPG kit bags. You can get different sizes. And even runners buy them to carry while running. So it is quite comfortable. And not that much heat is generated. IT's also a VERY helpful many purpose item to have all your immediate needs at your chest. I>E> - maps, compass, extra mag, knife, food snacks, water filter, cordage, etc. etc.

Whereas the RIBZ would generate much more heat. Covering a much larger portion of your body. And it's hard to dig around in one for your weapon when you need it. The HPG kit bag is right there in a pretty stationary position. And keeps your side arm at quicker access.

I purchased the Recon in a matching color to my pack. I've never gotten any sideways looks. It just looks like part of my pack out fit. It also has molle on the front for things like knife and pouch placement.

You might also have looked at the Ribz Tactical version. It has molle on the front that you might even be able to carry in a pouch on. Condor makes a perfect sized pouch for this called the GP pouch.

Let us know how it works out.

PS - I thought I saw you mention that an advantage to the ribz was you could wear it alone. You can do the same with the HPG kit bags. In fact the loader straps to attach it to your shoulder straps are extra. It usually rides alone under your pack. Just fyi.

 

The Ribz arrived and I like it. Even before it arrived the thought of the heat it will retain was a concern. I'll use it enough to really run it through its paces and then I'll pick up the HPG since so many are recommending it.

I did notice the tactical version but I opted to go to the standard version so I would resist the temptation to overload it.

 

I use an IWB holster. The way my pack rides, my pistol is still pretty easily accessible. It maybe takes an extra second to unholster it with my pack on. I carry a Taurus pt740 slim, great little .40, extremely concealable with my old faithful holster.

Someone I hike with is a former swat team member...instead of carrying on himself, he puts his pistol in the front pouch (usually one of those quick stow areas that's either mesh or has just a snap deal to open it) of the bag of whoever is hiking in front of him. Not what I'd choose to do but he's a professional.

 

My BIL carries that way. It's an endless argument, or spirited discussion, on the merits of each method to carry. I wouldn't carry in the belt pouch as I can't carry a caliber that is large enough to do what I want. Another argument would be "why isn't it large enough?" and on and on. I like to hear those discussions as it may drive what I do after I try out what I'm currently doing.

 

Much to my chagrin, I live in a concealed-carry state. I use a HPG Original Kit Bag and love it. It can hold a full-size Glock and it can even handle my Ruger SRH 5" Toklat.

If I lived in an open carry state, I would have a chest holster from Diamond D just like the one that hickok45 has in this video. By the way, the gun he has in this video is the same Toklat that I carry in the HPG OKB mentioned above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll--DXOWPyA

 

I was looking at those caliber handguns and would love to have one to play with. If I ever spent much time in grizz country I'd probably carry something with that amount of punch.

 

I use pocket carry of a Sig P938 now, but I plan on buying the Hill People Gear kit bag so I can tote a full sized 1911 with a light when I hike/camp.

 

Carry two pistols. One on the pack shoulder strap, the other Ina thigh rig, or in a pocket. I always had at least two weapons when I was an LEO. They were Glocks of the same Calibre. One was an ultra light, the other the large frame. The full size mags worked on both weapons.
Go Big or Go Home!

 

I have to give another recommendation for the HPG Kit bag. I own the heavy recon kit bag and can’t say enough good things about it. Fast draw, comfortable and holds additional gear. It keeps all my essential gear at my fingertips while on the trail. I wear it under my pack with no discomfort. The added bonus is when I remove my pack I still have all the essentials on me.

 

To burn some vacation days I scheduled a four day, three night solo backpacking trip for next week. Before leaving I will continue to transfer certain items from my backpack to the RibzWear Frontpack and while on the trail will make adjustments. The trip will be between 25-30 miles, possibly more if I decided to do some day hikes after lesser miles going between campsites. Along the way I'll be adjusting and evaluating and will take my camera to capture a video showing what I'm doing and why.