Fanny Pack or IWB for Summer CCW

[bear claw]

I am new to ccw and have an XD45 Compact and colt 1911 Government. I bought a Desantis Tuck -This IWB for my XD just to try out something. This rig seems a little uncomfortable for summer use and I am a chubby gun (I know, lose some weight) but am seriously thinking about use of a fanny pack. On other forums a lot of comments how it uncool they look, is a tell to LEO or the BG that you are packin, but why would that be a problem if you are carrying ccw legally in it. Does anyone share my thinking or have another thought. Thanks for input

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[rocky]

Black or OD green fanny packs may suggest gun, but maybe try a Camelbak Goblin or off color fanny pack . I had a Tuck this and found it to be less than useful for my needs.
A good IWB will work better, but wearing shorts and no belt can be a problem too. I sometimes us a belly band holster too, but they can get uncomfortable and too warm as well.

[Brian@ITC]

When I walk of a day I normally carry in my Black Hawk fanny pack. I am not much on belly bands, and the fanny pack allows me quick access to my gun. Yeah, it can "telegraph" that you are packing, but I think that most COPS figure that if you are wearing one, that you have a license. As far as the would be assailant's, if they think that I am wearing a gun, they are less likely to approach me because they are not looking for a fight! They are looking for easy pickin's!!!

[Hagphish]

I am of the thought that if no one knows I am carrying, no one will try to shoot me with my own gun.

A fanny pack seems like purse carry to me. If it is on your body concealed in a very easy possition to get at, it will be less likely to cause problems while on the draw. So, I vote on the IWB carry. If you are wearing a garment that will not allow IWB, then buy a smaller gun for pocket carry. The less obvious you are, the less likely you are to be a "stand out" target.

[semperfi.45]

Friends don't let friends wear fanny packs. I think fanny pack and off body carry is just a plain lazy way to carry.

If you really have to I think the Hawkepak Micro GunPak-1 is one of the more "fashionable" ones.

[P95Carry]

To be honest - if you have some degree of choice over carry garments then an OWB rig would be super comfortable and you could 'hide'' the XD with no problem.

I am comfort driven and because my lifestyle allows plenty of choice for cover garments .. OWB is way I go ..... comfort all the way.

I have fanny packs I can use but gotta say - these days I can't recall last time I used one. I get super hot and sweaty too BTW - but still ... well covered OWB is my choice.

[Bumper]

I have been known to carry a fanny pack at certain times. In Phoenix, it's hot (imagine that) and I wear shorts that don't have enough in the waistband. At times like this I have packed in a fanny pack. But, like Chris, although I have a couple of them I rarely carry with it any more. The last two times I have worn it has been on vacations in Hawaii to just keep my stuff in and out of pockets so you can go in the water without a lot of hassle. Those that assume I am carrying my gun because I have a fanny pack on would now be mistaken.

That being said, I have found my preferred way to carry. I have both an IWB and OWB holster and alternate between them. Either jeans or shorts with a tucked in tshirt and a button-up shirt overshirt, untucked. Even in Phoenix, it's a pretty good way to conceal. If an IWB holster doesn't feel right, the overshirt will cover a full size 1911 on a belt holster as long as it is the type that holds the gun high and tight....

[MNBurl]

When it is really hot and my wife and I are going for a power walk. A non-gun looking waist (fanny) pack works well to hold my gun in the outside pocket and other things on the inside with some water.

I have discovered the joy of linen shirts in the summer and lets me carry OWB and that is much better than IWB for comfort in the hot summer.

[Ben Hennessy]

In my city I have hardly ever seen a male with a fanny pack. So if I did I do not think someone would think you are packing but instead they might think you are a tourist which now might make you a target.

[Thumper]

Another way to go is a Maxpedition Fatboy or Jumbo Fatboy.
There are a few threads here about them.

I wear my VersaMax-II IWB almost all year. In really cold weather I do take a break and use my Galco Concealable OWB though.

[BikerRN]

Personally I don't use a "Fanny Pack" and I carry in the heat too, just down the road from Phoenix. I wear an N-Frame Revolver with a 4" Barrel in either an IWB or an OWB made by a custom holster maker.

The size of the gun you can conceal when you learn to "Dress Around The Gun" and use good leather is remarkable. My OWB is a Del Fatti. I'm waiting on a Garrity IWB, I have a Rosen IWB, waiting on a Sparks IWB and a Delfatti IWB. Good leather is where it's at.

By the way, I'm not a big guy either. 5'06" and 140 pounds soaking wet. Today I concealed wearing Cargo Shorts and a Polo Shirt with my Delfatti OWB.

Biker

[wedoada]

I carry regularly using a safepacker. It looks like a gadget or PDA bag not a fanny pack and can be carried on a belt, shoulder strap, fanny pack style or even just in your off hand like a pda.

I think the safepacker is another good option for anyone and especially for me in my wheelchair and is far from a lazy choice.

[MattInFla]

Down here in central Florida, there are fanny packs everywhere, so it's not really that much of a tell-tale.

Matt

[havegunjoe]

Both! I use both depending on my mode of dress, where I am going, weather conditions. They both have their place.

[LoveLeather]

Personally I don't use a "Fanny Pack" and I carry in the heat too, just down the road from Phoenix. I wear an N-Frame Revolver with a 4" Barrel in either an IWB or an OWB made by a custom holster maker.

By the way, I'm not a big guy either. 5'06" and 140 pounds soaking wet. Today I concealed wearing Cargo Shorts and a Polo Shirt with my Delfatti OWB.

Biker

I think this requires picks....I'm only an inch taller and a few pounds heaier and there is no way I could hide an N-frame without a mumu...