So, you’ve decided to carry concealed. Great!
Now you just have to figure out how to make that happen. Using a holster is generally your best bet, but there are situations where that just isn’t practical.
One option is to carry your firearm in a bag rather than on your body. This is known as off-body carry, and it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. We’re here with a guide to the best off-body carry bags we’ve personally used.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Backpack
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Best Active Sling
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Best Compact
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Most Versatile
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Best Budget Sling
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Most Low-Profile
Table of Contents
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Off-Body Carry Bag Comparison Chart
| Style | Volume | Pistol Capacity | Colors | Price | |
| Vertx Urban Ghost 20L | Backpack | 20 L | Full size with accessories | Black mountain, shock cord | $127 |
| 5.11 LVC8 | Sling bag | 8 L | Full size with accessories | Black, gray | $95 |
| Eberlestock Bando Bag | Fanny pack | 2.4 L | Compact | Black, cobalt, coyote, gray, green, Multicam | $47 |
| Eberlestock Fade Flex | Fanny pack / sling bag | 3 L | Full size with accessories | Black, olive | $63 |
| Viktos Upscale 3 | Sling bag | 6.9 L | Full size with accessories | Black, coyote, gray, green, navy, brushstroke, Multicam black | $70 |
| NutSac Sling | Sling bag | 5.2 L | Full size with accessories | Black, blue, red, tan | $199 |
How We Tested the Best Off-Body Concealed Carry Bags
To determine which off-body concealed carry bags are the best, I made a short list of parameters:
- They must safely store a pistol in condition one: magazine inserted, round in the chamber, and safety on (if your pistol has one).
- They have to be secure, meaning nobody should be able to walk up and snatch the bag off your body purse-thief style.
- Finally, they should be discreet because there’s no point in carrying concealed if everybody knows what you’re concealing.
The bags you see here are all good at different things, so think of these as situational recommendations rather than a ranked-order list. Keep in mind that these are intended for use with a CCW pistol – bags for larger firearms are an article for another day.
We can’t test all the CCW bags out there, but all these have proven themselves in our hands-on testing. If you have more suggestions, share the wealth in the comments!
Best Off-Body Carry & CCW Bags
1. Vertx Urban Ghost 20L Backpack – Best Backpack
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Large CCW compartment
- Modular internal storage options
- Discreet appearance
Cons
- More colors would be nice
Specs
- Style: Backpack
- Volume: 20 L
- Pistol Capacity: Full size with accessories
- Colors: Black, mountain, shock cord
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
Fanny packs get all the attention, but there are some great CCW backpacks out there, including the Vertx Urban Ghost 20L Backpack. This handy piece of gear has earned a spot on the backs of more than one of us here at Pew Pew Tactical.
The hidden CCW compartment sits close to the back with a semi-rigid panel between you and your pistol to avoid jabbing and hot spots. There’s plenty of room for a full-size pistol with all the bells and whistles — even my bedazzled PDP fits with room to spare.
Elsewhere, you get regular backpack functionality. There’s a padded laptop sleeve, loop panels to add Vertx storage accessories, and a front compartment with all the zippered pockets, open pouches, and elastic loops you could want.
On the water-resistant exterior, there are elastic water bottle holders and low-vis carabiner points on each side. Vertx builds a funky grab handle onto the face of this backpack, and I find it surprisingly useful. It’s easier than trying to grab the usual top handle.
Unlike a lot of tactical, mission-focused backpacks, this one is perfect for the daily routine. Pack your laptop, a change of clothes, and your favorite carry gun. Move confidently without making a scene. This is the way.
Want something a little smaller? Check out the Vertx Urban Ghost 10L Sling!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. 5.11 Tactical LVC8 – Best Active Sling
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Four compartments
- Enough space for full-size pistol
- Multiple sling positions and secondary strap
Cons
- Reduced color options
Specs
- Style: Sling bag
- Volume: 8 L
- Pistol Capacity: Full-size with accessories
- Colors: Black, gray (sorry, blue is discontinued)
- Country of Origin: N/A
Looking for a CCW bag that can keep up with your hiking, biking, or otherwise fast-paced lifestyle? The 5.11 Tactical LVC8 will carry everything you need and keep you comfortable while doing it.
There are four compartments in the LVC8. There’s one for your wallet and phone on the front, a fleece-lined sunglasses sleeve on top, a roomy main compartment, and a CCW compartment with a hook-and-loop retention strap. Fitting a full-size pistol is no problem, and there’s enough cushioning that you’ll never feel it.
The main area has a zippered mesh pouch big enough for a Goal Zero Flip 36 and a set of Walker’s Silencer BT earbuds, a large laser-cut MOLLE panel made from hook-and-loop material, a row of small open pouches, and a padded pocket that’s perfect for a tablet or anything else that requires extra protection. It’s ripe for customization.
The LVC8 might be a little larger than you want to carry all the time, but it’s built to handle extra weight without becoming cumbersome. You can position the sling a few different ways, and there’s an underarm strap to cinch the bag to your body nice and tight when you pick up the pace.
You’ll be surprised how much gear you can fit in this bag. Its ability to keep everything organized is impressive; 5.11 really thought this one through. I turned mine into a fly fishing bag because it’s such a capable backcountry companion.
I just wish they still offered this awesome blue color!
3. Eberlestock Bando Bag – Best Compact
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Separate CCW pocket for firearm
- Buckle on the side for extra security
Cons
- Can only hold pistols Glock 19-sized or smaller
Specs
- Style: Fanny pack
- Volume: 2.4 L
- Pistol Capacity: Compact
- Colors: Black, cobalt, coyote, gray, green, Multicam
- Country of Origin: N/A
I held out on the fanny pack trend as long as I could, but the Eberlestock Bando Bag is what eventually won me over.
Even though it’s very small, this fanny pack still separates the CCW compartment from the main area, so you can use it for everyday items without flashing your pistol every time you need to grab something.
There’s a small front pocket for a set of keys, and the main compartment has a zippered mesh pouch and two open pockets. That’s enough for basics like a small EDC flashlight, folding knife, phone, and very basic first-aid items.
One small detail I love is the placement of the buckle. It’s located alongside the bag rather than in the back, so you don’t have to worry about someone unclipping it.
This is a fairly minimalist setup, but it’s well-designed and far better than cramming everything into your pockets. Keep in mind that Eberlestock builds the Bando Bag for pistols like the Glock 19 or smaller. During testing, a Springfield Hellcat Pro with a flush magazine and a Vortex Defender-CCW maxed it out.
4. Eberlestock Fade Flex – Most Versatile
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Pros
- Wear it as a fanny pack or sling bag
- Room for a full-size pistol
- Outstanding belt design
- Minimal branding
Cons
- Not great for heavy load outs
- Only available in green and black
Specs
- Style: Fanny pack / sling bag
- Volume: 6.9 L
- Pistol Capacity: Full size with accessories
- Colors: Black, olive
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
If the Bando Bag has you wishing for something a little larger and more versatile, Eberlestock has what you need. The Eberlestock Fade Flex is the most adaptable CCW bag I’ve used.
The CCW compartment is large enough for a full-size pistol plus a light and optic. It comes with an elastic retention system and a full loop panel so you can replace it with something else if you prefer. This compartment features the bag’s only T-shaped zipper pull to make accessing your pistol by feel fast and easy.
Up front, the admin compartment has more loop paneling, three translucent pockets, and a zippered sleeve. It’s plenty of room for basic first aid items, extra magazines, or both. I appreciate how smooth the large zippers are, especially in dirty environments.
The party trick is the Flex’s belt. Adjustment takes place inside a rear-facing compartment, so there are no loose ends flapping around when you wear it. And yes, the buckle sits nice and snug to the bag so nobody is going to snatch it.
You can wear the Flex like a fanny pack or throw it over a shoulder like a sling bag. Having it on my waist is great when I’m driving all day. When I load it down with gear and head into the mountains, I find that wearing it across my chest distributes the weight much more comfortably.
Visually, the Flex is fairly discreet (as is the rest of Eberlestock’s Fade collection). It doesn’t stand out unless you happen to spy the color-matched logo and know what it means.
The Flex ends up being my go-to CCW bag quite a bit. It’s convenient and comfortable, while still providing enough room for a fairly capable kit. It’s a great option to pair with a heavy pack so you can split off and stay prepared once you set up camp.
5. Viktos Upscale 3 – Best Budget Sling
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Pros
- Compact but enough space for full-size pistol with red dot
- Padded sunglasses compartment
- Armor inserts available
- Water resistant
Cons
- Branding could be a tip-off
Specs
- Style: Sling bag
- Volume: 6.9 L
- Pistol Capacity: Full size with accessories
- Colors: Black, coyote, gray, green, navy, brushstroke, Multicam black
- Country of Origin: N/A
The Viktos Upscale 3 is one of the smaller CCW slings out there. It makes the most of its space, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its capability.
The CCW compartment spans the bag’s entire footprint. There’s also an EDC compartment about the size of a fanny pack, a slim exterior pocket for your phone and wallet, and a padded sunglasses compartment. Elastic and mesh retention in the main compartment is great for small EDC items like a flashlight, tourniquet, multitool, and extra magazines.
Depending on whether you’re right- or left-handed, some sling bags work better over one shoulder than the other. This makes life easy because the sling can be mounted on either side, and the CCW sleeve has ambidextrous full-length double zippers. You can mount the hook-and-loop holster however you want, and it works with small or large pistols with or without an optic.
You can also get armor inserts specifically shaped for the Upscale 3 from Premier Body Armor and Spartan Armor Systems.
The bag’s design isn’t overtly tactical, but a small amount of branding (Viktos Black Arms Company is printed on the side) could tip your hand. If you’re concerned about that, the black Upscale 3 hides its branding the best.
6. NutSac Sling – Most Low-Profile
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Pros
- Discreet design that looks like a normal bag
- Small exterior pocket for items like wallet and keys
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Firearm storage is in the main compartment so it can be seen if bag is fully opened
Specs
- Style: Sling bag
- Volume: 5.2 L
- Pistol Capacity: Full size with accessories
- Colors: Black, blue, red, tan
- Country of Origin: USA
The NutSac Sling is the most discreet CCW bag I’ve seen. Waxed canvas, a clean exterior design, and minimal branding (an acorn logo but no text) make this bag look like it came straight out of a hipster boutique. The only way to keep a lower profile than this would be to carry inside the waistband.
This bag has one small exterior compartment for your wallet and phone and one main compartment for everything else. Inside the main compartment, there’s an open-top pocket and some MOLLE to keep your gear organized.
NutSac sells holsters for a nice selection of pistols, but I tested mine with a Safariland holster and MOLLE adapter I had lying around. With a full-size pistol in the bag, there’s still room for a multitool, a midsize flashlight, and other odds and ends.
This is the only bag of the group that puts the firearm in the main compartment. It’s easily accessible, thanks to four zipper pulls that let you open the bag several ways, but you can’t grab something out of the main compartment without showing your cards. That may or may not be a problem depending on where you carry; just be aware of it.
While testing this sling, I got caught in a very unpleasant February rainstorm. The precipitation was heavy enough to wet out my Stone Glacier jacket, but the waxed canvas bag stayed bone dry. This sling is not a fashion statement – it’s proof that some old ways still work.
You can always throw some vinyl on your vintage record player and apply a fresh coat of wax to this bag if you want to be super duper hipster.
How to Pick the Best Off-Body Carry CCW Bag
Picking a CCW bag is a lot like choosing a holster — you’re going to end up with more than one. I own all of these bags, and I use all of them in different situations. Here are some general considerations to keep in mind.
Benefits of Off-Body Carry
Carrying off-body is increasingly popular. Whether you have an extensive EDC loadout or don’t like how holsters fit your body, moving your gear to a small bag can be a good alternative to keeping everything on your waistline.
A small fanny pack or sling bag can carry your CCW pistol, a light, a knife or multitool, and a small first aid kit. On top of all that, you can carry things like your keys, phone, earbuds, and a small power bank without stuffing your pockets.
Premier Body Armor even makes ballistic inserts for lots of these bags!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Meanwhile, you just look like another person embracing the fanny-pack revolution.
Risks of Off-Body Carry
The downsides of off-body carry are obvious: you’re attaching a firearm to something that’s not yourself. Want to set the bag down to rest your shoulder? Not an option. There’s no handing it over to your kids so they can grab a snack out of the bag, either. You’ll have to be a lot more careful about your off-body carry bag than you would be about a normal fanny pack, sling, or purse.
It’s also a lot easier for someone to snatch your bag (even if they don’t know what’s inside) than it would be for them to detect an IWB holster, lift your shirt, and grab the pistol.
Finally, you’ll never draw from a bag as quickly as you can draw from a holster. That’s not an excuse not to train, though. If off-body carry is going to be your primary method of carrying, it should be your primary method of training, too.
Other Considerations When Carrying Off Body
Since you’re adding an element of visibility that isn’t associated with an IWB holster, there are some extra factors to consider before putting a pistol in your EDC bag.
This is one situation where tactical gear (or gear that looks tactical) works against you. I found a lot of CCW bags that scream tactical so loudly that you might as well be open-carrying. That’s a non-starter for me.
Likewise, I’ve heard about people who got publicly confronted for carrying because a stranger liked their bag, looked up the name on the logo, and got met with a website full of guns. It’s nice to support the brands we like, but there’s nothing wrong with removing branding from your CCW bag to prevent this from happening.
Finally, since your friends and coworkers might not know you’re carrying, think about how you’ll respond if someone wants to add something to or remove something from your bag. It’s hard to talk to your friends about carrying responsibly after they inadvertently grabbed a gun instead of a breath mint.
Don’t set it down, don’t leave it on the seat of your car while you run errands, and don’t hand it off to someone when you’re sick of carrying it. Firearm safety rules always apply.
Meet the Experts
This article comes to you from Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
Off-body carry can be a responsible, effective way to store your CCW pistol and EDC gear. You just have to use a little extra caution and forethought. If you carry off-body, you can’t go wrong with any of these bags.
What’s your favorite carry method? Share with us below! Need some discreet options to transport your guns to and from the range? We’ve got you covered with the Best Discreet Rifle & Pistol Bags!
Latest Updates
- July 2025: Removed the Vertx SOCP. Added the Eberlestock Fade Flex and Vertx Urban Ghost 20L Backpack. Added a comparison chart and updated supporting content.
- June 2024: Full rewrite of this article with all new products added after extensive testing and wearing of products and new media of testing.
22 Leave a Reply
Good evening all, I have a Beretta 92X and I’m looking for a leather paddle holster for that gun
JDS Bombus! Checked all the boxes for me.
No Hill People gear?
Just an idea wear an IWB and carry a tacticool bag for misdirect.
Is muzzle direction a concern when carrying off body? Can you always be certain that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction?
Shield Arms Junk Sack is the best option. And yes you can draw just as fast as appendix
I have to off body carry because of a medical condition.
I have been using a regular blue non gun fanny pack, my Glock 26 sits in a holster inside. Slow draw time but does not scream gun and is not large enough that would warrant a look inside if a place checked inside bags, thinking of a business or store that may check bags, not a security check.
Ideal bag for me would be big enough for a Glock 19 size gun with a zippered pocket in front for a wallet or phone. Also must not look tactical.
I have two different bags by Nutsac. The MBD and their 13" satchel. The quality is outstanding.
The only drawback to the Nutsac products is that when it is cold out they shrink and hold less.
Every one of these screams GUN. Any reasonably aware person, good or bad can spot ‘em. The Fanny pack styles always indicate cop or wannabe since the 80’s.
Nutsac is pretty low key.
You missed the Helikon-Tex Rat Concealed Carry Waist Pack. Quick release tabs and another pouch with slats for carrying a knife, flashlight, and a trauma pouch.
Thanks for showing these options on I model. I can see how they would fit . Are these ambidextrous would be my only question.
I switch between my Upper Hand holster and an M-TAC sling. I like my holster a lot but sometimes I don’t want to put it on so I put my M&P 2.0 in it and go. The M-TAC is well made and comfy. You have to buy the internal Velcro holster separately but the Velcro is super gripping.
I like to conceal carry with a sling. I use the Blindside sling from Elite Survival Systems. I've been using it for about six months now, and it's working well.
The 945 INDUSTRIES Q.A.P.S. BAG should also be considered for off-carry. These bags are actually cool, unlike fanny packs.
Thoughts on Maxpedition?
I have a backpack and a sling from Mission First Tactical and they don't look like gun bags at all. Customer service was tremendous after a little mistake. Gonna pair with a crossbreed holster. I did a lot of research and I think my setup is better than anything in this article.
I’m currently rockin a Blue Alpha Gear Fanny pack, it’s super minimalist so there is no room for anything other than the firearm. I mean there is a small pocket on the front that can hold a key fob but that’s about it.
A p365x or a G43x is about the largest gun you can fit in it but it is well designed, has quality materials and disappears under any shirt you would normally use for CC.
My Viktos UPSCALE XL SLINGBAG is great for EDC.
Right on! Plus, it doubles as an IFAC!
Glock makes a great backpack with a built/holster in the front ouch. It’s inconspicuous, nothing on it screams Tactical.
Glad you mentioned the Hill People Gear kit bags, but you forgot about their belt packs (fanny pack)