Do you carry a "pouch" when in the woods or backpacking? Recommendations?

[Macchina]

I have alternated between hiking with a pouch on and not. I have carried a Maxpedition Fatboy a lot as it is light and simple (and carries a handgun well) and sometimes only carry a Safepacker.
I have found that I really like having some essentials at hand so I'm not always digging through my pack. Since the pouch is carried at the same time as the backpack it doesn't add much weight but instead redistributes it.

In the Fatboy I can carry water, a handgun (Sig P239 or Ruger SP101 or KLCR), a few snacks, some bagbalm, a hankerchief, and my pocket knife which can be annoying as it swings in your pocket all day.

I am thinking about getting a smaller pack than the Maxpedition Fatboy, possibly one that would hang from my belt. Does anybody have any suggestions for something comfortable enough to wear all day. I would be happy if I could fit my Ruger LCP and a few essentials in a small pouch and call it good.

 

[Swampdog]

I use a small chest pack made by Hill People Gear, it's very comfortable to wear and keeps my hands free. I like the design because it works great for carrying a handgun up to about the size of a 1911 auto.

 

[BillyJoeBobJim]

I buy most of my pouches at SKD Tactical when they have a sale. My most carried belt pouches are the HSGI small radio pouch and the HSGI Mini EOD. I use pouches attached to a "big" pack's hip-belt for items I use frequently during the day without having to remove the pack.

I use a pouch on my chest sometimes, rigged similar to the Hill People Gear Kit Bags. It all depends on what I'm doing.

 

[hlee]

I haven't found a pouch that carries well, for me, with a backpack- especially a frame pack with a waist belt. If it is something I need regularly, I will put it in a pocket. If it is too big to fit in a pocket then I would rather have it strapped down in a pack- not flopping around in a pouch. Anything too large to fit in a pants pocket is probably best used while stopped anyway. That's my thinking anyway.

 

[Buck268]

Historically I have never really carried an extra pouch. Fenix L0D-ce on the keychain, spyderco and bic in pocket and appropriate clothing. But I'm getting older and now have young one to look out for. My wife and I both carry daypacks with hydration bladders, dog supplies and of course young child supplies. Its a little heavy for a typical couple mile day hike but good for training and since we are hardly at capacity is easily up-scalable for larger outings.

She carries a newer 28L hydration pack with internal frame from High Sierra. I carry the same High Sierra daypack I've used for the past decade for everything from school to bicycle commuting to day hikes. I also have a larger backpack for multi-day outings which I keep stocked as a BOB just in case; forget the model but its a US milspec pack which falls in between the ALICE and the MOLLE systems. I like it, though I have yet to put heavy miles in with it.

 

[Greykilt]

Voodoo Molle pouch

 

[pinnah]

I have alternated between hiking with a pouch on and not. I have carried a Maxpedition Fatboy a lot as it is light and simple (and carries a handgun well) and sometimes only carry a Safepacker.
I have found that I really like having some essentials at hand so I'm not always digging through my pack. Since the pouch is carried at the same time as the backpack it doesn't add much weight but instead redistributes it.

In the Fatboy I can carry water, a handgun (Sig P239 or Ruger SP101 or KLCR), a few snacks, some bagbalm, a hankerchief, and my pocket knife which can be annoying as it swings in your pocket all day.

I am thinking about getting a smaller pack than the Maxpedition Fatboy, possibly one that would hang from my belt. Does anybody have any suggestions for something comfortable enough to wear all day. I would be happy if I could fit my Ruger LCP and a few essentials in a small pouch and call it good.

Interesting question.

I've switched to wearing an Outdoor Products fanny pack backwards, so it hangs dead center and just below my hip belt buckle. I also carry an "essentials" organizer in my pack for my 1st aid, repair and survival gear.

Some philosophy of carry...

I don't buy into the keep your survival gear on your person idea. I can see the merit in a combat situation but I don't hike in a combat situation. I rely on having my entire pack available to me to survive.

With this in mind, my fanny pack (more like a loin cloth pack) is all about convenience. I only carry those things I use most often when on the trail and the pack is on or putting around camp. The contents include:
- Lighter
- Leatherman PS4 Squirt
- Bug dope
- Sun screen
- Hand sanitizer
- Ibuprofen
- Iodine
- Whistle
- LED light necklace (I put this on my neck at dusk and wear it till morning)

To my great surprise and delight, the buckle of the fanny pack doesn't bother me when it is worn back by my butt. I may try the Mountainsmith fanny pack, which puts the buckle next to the pack.

The Outdoor Gear fanny packs has a good amount of room and may have enough to take a small pistol. I could easily see carrying mace there.

I've moved most everything else to my "essentials" bag. It comes out of my pack on if there is a first aid need or repair or when I'm in camp. The exceptions are my knife and toilet paper bag, which both go in a pocket on my pack.

The Outdoor Gear fanny packs make nice organizers too. Just use a sharp knife and cut off the straps.

They only cost about $10 at most *Mart stores. Cheap experiment.

 

[Herlock]

Hi! That’s exactly my standard carry when on one-day hikes (when I don’t have the hiking baby carrier on my shoulders ): a Maxpedition Fatboy and a Defcon 5 gearslinger (10 litres ca.).

Having basic gear at hand, without taking off and on the ruck-sack, when in the need for something, it’s a feature I really appreciate. Knife, multitool, flash-light, sunglasses, carabineer, wallet, coin pouch, Band-Aids, disinfectants wet-wipes, tissues, cell phone, home/car keys, lighters, etc. go into the Fatboy. Poncho/Gore-Tex jacket, wind-breaker pile sweater, tarp, hat, spare socks, gloves, etc. plus some food supplies, go into the gearslinger. I have attached an additional canteen pouch to the gearslinger and I have placed another one for the more "serious" first aid inside the gearslinger’s front zipped pouch, both from Tasmanian Tiger brand. They have quality products at a fair price level, in my opinion.

The two (Fatboy and gearslinger) “balance” themselves pretty OK when walking, for my way of carrying. I end up removing the back-pack only during the long stops for snack, rest or lunch. With kids asking for this and that every 2nd minute, it's a very good set-up . I have also a Thermite from Maxpedition but ended up unused, I didn’t like the thing hanging and bouncing forth and back on my thigh while hiking. Yes, it has a thigh strap, but mine comes loose very often while walking. Suggestion can be to try out something cheap of the kind, just to understand how it fits you and then, if you’re fine with that, upgrade to something good or, if it doesn’t, you can give it away with no big remorse.

 

[fishiker]

My setup is similar to the one posted by Greykilt. I have a Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organizer that I carry on my belt when hiking or hunting. I use a tac-tie as a drop loop to put the pouch below the belt of my pack. It holds a flashlight, SAK, ferro rod, compass, whistle, paracord, and a few other misc items. I've tried many other small pouches and found this to be the smallest one that carries the items I want to have with me.

 

[Greykilt]

My setup is similar to the one posted by Greykilt. I have a Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organizer that I carry on my belt when hiking or hunting. I use a tac-tie as a drop loop to put the pouch below the belt of my pack. It holds a flashlight, SAK, ferro rod, compass, whistle, paracord, and a few other misc items. I've tried many other small pouches and found this to be the smallest one that carries the items I want to have with me.

Theres an old scot proverbial yarp that theres three sizes in Alba.
Wee
Bigger than Wee
Huge
I hope I understood the op correctly when he says "pouch". IMO a maxpedition fat boy is just a wee bigger than well....wee. But it is smaller than a North Face Excursion. In my case I wanted a small kit that I could grab and go. When woodmeandering I typically am in overalls. So no belt most of the time. I have a solder rig with a Condor Golok and a Council Farm hatchet. The pouch is attached to that most times.

 

[HJK]

I generally don't like pouches but a kifaru e & e is very versatile

 

[neeman]

I always want instant access to my point and shoot camera so I wear it on a soft web belt that goes under any pack hip belt

I wear a small satchel extra-small Timbuk2 messenger bag or something a little smaller
(very neutral to look at)
They are great satchels with all sorts of inner pockets at about $50

I wear it on my right side that goes under my pack
I carry binoculars, 1/2 liter sipping bottle and a notebook, and a sweat towel ect
Sometimes this gets slung on the top of my pack

Sometimes it become my main carry for walking out
It takes the 10 essentials with a poncho, umbrella and packable jacket and some sandwiches/food

 

[JoberSeven]

you could probably find something at your local hardware store if cost is an issue. i carry a small tool pouch at work that i'm considering taking on my next hike. there's slots for pliers and stuff on the outside that wouldn't be used, but the main compartment would do a pretty good job as a dump pouch. i think i paid $15 for it.

 

[pinnah]

I always want instant access to my point and shoot camera so I wear it on a soft web belt that goes under any pack hip belt

I wear a small satchel extra-small Timbuk2 messenger bag or something a little smaller
(very neutral to look at)
They are great satchels with all sorts of inner pockets at about $50

I wear it on my right side that goes under my pack
I carry binoculars, 1/2 liter sipping bottle and a notebook, and a sweat towel ect
Sometimes this gets slung on the top of my pack

Sometimes it become my main carry for walking out
It takes the 10 essentials with a poncho, umbrella and packable jacket and some sandwiches/food

Neeman, I would love to see a shot of that rig. I can't picture it but it sounds interesting.

 

[Wicked Sharp]

Anything with decent capacity (room to carry only what you need) will work as long as it is comfortable. I use a flannel, lined possibles bag I picked-up on the clearance table at my lgs. I paid eight bucks for it, and it will carry a revolver, extra rounds, flashlight, extra batteries, fixed blade, folder, binoculars, cordage, fire kit, first aid, and signaling. Everything you may need hunting....., nothing you don't IMHO.

 

[smith357]

I have been carrying my man purse for some 20 years while in the woods, it has performed flawlessly and can carry a lot of needed gear.

 

[steve-in-kville]

I have one of the original Versipacs from Maxpedition. Its been tossed around in the closet for the last number of years and I recently discovered it. I am putting together such a "pouch" for general woods bumming.

 

[neeman]

Neeman, I would love to see a shot of that rig. I can't picture it but it sounds interesting.

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag X-Small
http://www.timbuk2.com/classic-messenger-bag/116.html?dwvar_116_color=1119
I have never bought at thier list, always wait for their sale prices
The bottom right in grey is $59

Next to an unloaded Kelty Redwing 50


Loaded with EDC stuff like journals, pills and water


Marmot Calder Jacket


Marmot in stuff sack


Marmot in the bag


Anorak


Anorak folded in bag


Poncho, Anorak and Umbrella


And knives
SAK Tourist and Classic in translucent Blue
Covered picnics and food prep, and First Aid and hygine
The Tourist ended up a gift to a little kid at the end of the trip


Enzo Necker in Sandvik and kydex
Very good and small for personal protection in strange places

 

[pinnah]

Neeman, thanks for posting. That Timbuktu isn't small.

I'm curious how you carry it with your pack. I'm guessing you put the strap over your head and on your strong side shoulder and the slide the messenger bag to the front on the weak hand side (11 or 1). Then you put on your pack and run the hip belt UNDER the messenger bag, so the messenger bag rides outside of the belt and you can access contents in a cross draw sort of way?

If I'm right, this makes sense to me for travel and how I integrate my Redcloud and my Mountsmith Tourlite, which can be used as a shoulder bag.

My question is do you use this combination in the backcountry and if so, is it comfortable for a day of hiking?

I'm finding that for backcountry, a smaller fanny pack worn low at 12 is working out well. I keep just the things I regularly need on the trail: glasses, map, bug dope, sunscreen, iodine....

 

[neeman]

For backpacking the bag only carries what you see in the picture "Loaded with EDC stuff like journals, pills and water"
Then it has almost no volume or weight and sits very easily on a right sling over my left shoulder hanging on my right side
For my Kelty Redwing 40, I carry the pack high so the satchel sits easily towards the back
For my Kelty Redwing 50, it goes over the hip belt

For a day walk, I cinch the satchel all they way up into the small of my back and carries unnoticed

It is satchel not a pouch at 549 cu in / 9.0 lt

I also have a X small Messenger bag for my painting sketch bag