Carrying while bikepacking - Page 2

nuchie11 · May 9, 2025, 10:22 AM

I tried the handlebar bag setup but didn’t feel comfortable leaving anything valuable in it when stepping away, even for a quick bathroom break. In the end, I used a slim fanny pack that I could strap to my front roll while riding and then clip around my waist when off the bike. Not perfect, but better than worrying about separation from my gear.

Jack Ryan · May 9, 2025, 10:27 AM

I think you are about to get your bike, pack, and gun all stolen from you.

nuchie11 · May 16, 2025, 08:55 AM

Maybe)

If you're still gearing up and want a bag that blends style with utility I've found some fancy coach ones and got one and it's perfect for my casual style. You can see some photos + prices + reviews here - https://coach-bags.co.uk/

Ricklin · May 16, 2025, 01:14 PM

A fanny pack is great. You can strap it to your gear when riding, and strap it you when you are not.
A pistol on body can really put the hurt on you should you go down.

Tactical Jackalope · May 18, 2025, 07:49 AM

Well.. I'd have to see everything in question in order to guide you on this. I actually spoke to my good friend about this yesterday. We both carry AIWB when biking, hiking, and kayaking. But if you're wearing that bicycle clothing (which I don't own, so I can't speak from experience) then I don't know. I would assume one of those EDC fanny packs that have been mentioned as well. I got one from Vertx and I haven't really used it because I haven't needed to. My wife has on her walks for the 19 or S&W Shield. It's well built and seems to carry very well. Maybe give one of those a shot during unofficial time to see how it goes. You might have to move it to one of your sides or even (not a fan) directly behind you. I've seen the serious cyclists get their knees touching close to their chest.

Another option might even be a nice small-ish to medium-sized sling bag. I use the 5.11 LV 10 for the gym. And I know, 5.11 always makes the loud and tacticool looking bags, but this LV 10 is so muted. Very unassuming. That might be the route I'd go if I were you.

First, AIWB.
Second, a sling bag.
Lastly, fanny pack.

Let us know how it goes and DM me if you want photos of anything.

ocharry · May 18, 2025, 11:22 AM

well boys back in the day when i was young and fit i road bikes all the time..a 20 miler was a short trip for me...i lived out in the country as i do now...i had pesky dogs to deal with....i carried a cut off axe handle across the break boots...but most of the time i just tried and succeeded to out run them...lol...there were a couple times it was very close...lol....i even had an Edy to deal with...real bike people know who EDY is

anyway i agree with the post about the pack on your chest...to much wind blockage and YOU are going to over heat on a long ride...a sling pack is going to want to turn down if you are bent over any and get in the way.....also what ever you decide... a hot spot is gona be there...and chaffing is an absolute NO-NO...once it happens you are going to be very uncomfortable the rest of the time...and could cause an infection from sweat and bacteria

i think for extended ride time i would choose and fanny pack designed to carry...and place it in the small of my back...i have a blackhawk bag i really like...it is 8" tall and 10" long and 2" thick...has a velcroed in holster in the gun pouch and another pouch for keys and money clip-bill fold...both zipperd ...i have carried a commander size in it very comfy...this size may be a little too big for your situation but the pack will lay very nicely against the small of your back and be out of the way for riding...thats where i would want the hot spot if i had to have one

also if you go down it is still kinda out of the way...you are most likely to be on your hands and belly and knees...hopefully not your face

i have an early XDS in 45...i think it would be a good choice for this...nice and flat lay right in the small of your back very nicely i think....the 45,9 and i think they made them in 40 are all the same frame size

just my thoughts on a long ride with a big load out...also... today i wouldnt leave my gear un-attended too long as mentioned earlier...it may not be there when you come back...another good reason to carry on body...with your ID....and a couple bucks

anyway.... stay safe and hydrated

**Mal H** · May 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

You guys do realize that ghbucky's bike trip has probably been over for almost two years now, right?

ocharry · May 18, 2025, 11:53 AM

LMAO.....good point Mal....you know i usually look at that but not this time.....LMAOOO...again

HighValleyRanch · May 18, 2025, 12:31 PM

LMAO, maybe he is as slow on his bike as we are in reading he's still out on the road!LOL

Tactical Jackalope · May 18, 2025, 05:20 PM

Oh dear God LOL. I came to page 2 after reading the OP. Dang it... I hope he's okay. Update us with what you did!

doctor j · May 21, 2025, 11:09 AM

I was a road cyclist for lots of miles (>60,000) and years.

Initially, I carried a KelTec P11 in a frame bag which was suspended from the top tube and attached to the head tube.

When I got a carbon fiber bike, I wanted to shed all the weight and non-aerodynamic stuff possible. I got a Ruger LCP.

I put the LCP in a DeSantis pocket holster and put pistol/holster in a zip-lock bag to protect it from sweat/rain. I carried in my right hand jersey pocket. For non-cyclists, there are usually three pockets in a jersey, and they are located on the back of the jersey.

My LCP was not quickly available, but it was there. It was always on my person.

May 9, 2025, 10:27 AM	#27
Jack Ryan Member Join Date: November 9, 2009 Posts: 98	I think you are about to get your bike, pack, and gun all stolen from you. __________________ "No American should ever be subject to warrantless searches with out cause. INCLUDING for property tax purposes." JPR 2025

May 16, 2025, 01:14 PM	#29
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,372	Fanny pack A fanny pack is great. You can strap it to your gear when riding, and strap it you when you are not. A pistol on body can really put the hurt on you should you go down. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

May 18, 2025, 11:22 AM	#31
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 764	well boys back in the day when i was young and fit i road bikes all the time..a 20 miler was a short trip for me...i lived out in the country as i do now...i had pesky dogs to deal with....i carried a cut off axe handle across the break boots...but most of the time i just tried and succeeded to out run them...lol...there were a couple times it was very close...lol....i even had an Edy to deal with...real bike people know who EDY is anyway i agree with the post about the pack on your chest...to much wind blockage and YOU are going to over heat on a long ride...a sling pack is going to want to turn down if you are bent over any and get in the way.....also what ever you decide... a hot spot is gona be there...and chaffing is an absolute NO-NO...once it happens you are going to be very uncomfortable the rest of the time...and could cause an infection from sweat and bacteria i think for extended ride time i would choose and fanny pack designed to carry...and place it in the small of my back...i have a blackhawk bag i really like...it is 8" tall and 10" long and 2" thick...has a velcroed in holster in the gun pouch and another pouch for keys and money clip-bill fold...both zipperd ...i have carried a commander size in it very comfy...this size may be a little too big for your situation but the pack will lay very nicely against the small of your back and be out of the way for riding...thats where i would want the hot spot if i had to have one also if you go down it is still kinda out of the way...you are most likely to be on your hands and belly and knees...hopefully not your face i have an early XDS in 45...i think it would be a good choice for this...nice and flat lay right in the small of your back very nicely i think....the 45,9 and i think they made them in 40 are all the same frame size just my thoughts on a long ride with a big load out...also... today i wouldnt leave my gear un-attended too long as mentioned earlier...it may not be there when you come back...another good reason to carry on body...with your ID....and a couple bucks anyway.... stay safe and hydrated __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

May 18, 2025, 11:53 AM	#33
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 764	LMAO.....good point Mal....you know i usually look at that but not this time.....LMAOOO...again __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

May 18, 2025, 12:31 PM	#34
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,129	LMAO, maybe he is as slow on his bike as we are in reading he's still out on the road!LOL __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

May 9, 2025, 10:22 AM	#26
nuchie11 Member Join Date: July 18, 2019 Posts: 17	I tried the handlebar bag setup but didn’t feel comfortable leaving anything valuable in it when stepping away, even for a quick bathroom break. In the end, I used a slim fanny pack that I could strap to my front roll while riding and then clip around my waist when off the bike. Not perfect, but better than worrying about separation from my gear.

May 16, 2025, 08:55 AM	#28
nuchie11 Member Join Date: July 18, 2019 Posts: 17	Maybe) If you're still gearing up and want a bag that blends style with utility I've found some fancy coach ones and got one and it's perfect for my casual style. You can see some photos + prices + reviews here - https://coach-bags.co.uk/

May 18, 2025, 07:49 AM	#30
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,454	Well.. I'd have to see everything in question in order to guide you on this. I actually spoke to my good friend about this yesterday. We both carry AIWB when biking, hiking, and kayaking. But if you're wearing that bicycle clothing (which I don't own, so I can't speak from experience) then I don't know. I would assume one of those EDC fanny packs that have been mentioned as well. I got one from Vertx and I haven't really used it because I haven't needed to. My wife has on her walks for the 19 or S&W Shield. It's well built and seems to carry very well. Maybe give one of those a shot during unofficial time to see how it goes. You might have to move it to one of your sides or even (not a fan) directly behind you. I've seen the serious cyclists get their knees touching close to their chest. Another option might even be a nice small-ish to medium-sized sling bag. I use the 5.11 LV 10 for the gym. And I know, 5.11 always makes the loud and tacticool looking bags, but this LV 10 is so muted. Very unassuming. That might be the route I'd go if I were you. First, AIWB. Second, a sling bag. Lastly, fanny pack. Let us know how it goes and DM me if you want photos of anything.

May 18, 2025, 11:46 AM	#32
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 17,065	You guys do realize that ghbucky's bike trip has probably been over for almost two years now, right?

May 18, 2025, 05:20 PM	#35
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,454	Oh dear God LOL. I came to page 2 after reading the OP. Dang it... I hope he's okay. Update us with what you did!

May 21, 2025, 11:09 AM	#36
doctor j Member Join Date: March 13, 2000 Posts: 81	I was a road cyclist for lots of miles (>60,000) and years. Initially, I carried a KelTec P11 in a frame bag which was suspended from the top tube and attached to the head tube. When I got a carbon fiber bike, I wanted to shed all the weight and non-aerodynamic stuff possible. I got a Ruger LCP. I put the LCP in a DeSantis pocket holster and put pistol/holster in a zip-lock bag to protect it from sweat/rain. I carried in my right hand jersey pocket. For non-cyclists, there are usually three pockets in a jersey, and they are located on the back of the jersey. My LCP was not quickly available, but it was there. It was always on my person.

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