Non-tacticle ccw

[Schattenjager]

I am just about sick of the 'tactical' world. Hell, there are tactical writing pens for goodness sake! I do not want to advertise my mindset nor potential cargo when out and about. While I have several Maxpedition bags that I love and work well for me, they scream 'something cool inside.' One of my tan Colossus is a camera bag. As I was walking home with it over my shoulder a cop walked along side and asked 'Is that Maxpedition Tac bag? I saw you coming up the street and thought I would look at it if you don't mind.' He was just curious about it, but nonetheless recognized it from a far.

So I'm exploring good alternatives. I just found a brand new previous generation camel Back MULE in olive and tan. It's a bit small in storage, but long in hydration and has a great CCW spot for ease of access and near invisibility. This seems like a great solution, gives me a way to meter my daily H2O intake and blends in with the millions of other back pack toting folk. It's just a bit awkward now, perhaps I will acclimate to it, but I can see where this will not always be a good idea.

Vests al a adventure / photography seem like a GREAT solution as well. Cool even on the hottest summer days, pocket rich - too rich actually for my simple daily carry gear, and the longer length is really nice for ccw. Problem is these are not exactly en vogue except for the antediluvian crowd and they too can look tactical. I can get over the fashion statement pretty easily and am thinking that a subtle NIKON / CANON etc. patch on the back or front breast pocket would diffuse suspicion pretty easily. Again, not always ideal, but very convenient all around.

So there are two options that can fit a great many needs. The vest, while my favorite option, has a couple draw backs as does the MULE.

Any ideas on non-tac appearing means of easily hauling your daily gear and a ccw?

Maybe I should velcro a flowery peace sign on the maxpeditions??

[jamgeorge13]

i don't see any issue in having a maxpedition bag identified by a leo it's obviously an individual of the same mindset as you and other ccw people. no matter what there is and will be some tell tell sign to people of the same mindset be it the clip of your tacticool pocket knife or a shirt you wear. the slight sag of your pants on one side or the other.
the vest on the other hand aren't called shoot me vests for nothing

[Saiyan66]

Neon yellow fanny pac works every time! But you have to rock the socks w/sandals thing to pull it off.

[K2ZJ]

5.11 Tactical makes Covrt bags. <-- that is spelled right. I don't know anything about them, I spotted them while researching bags.

[irish_11]

My friend and I have Timbuk2 messenger bags as our EDC/Bug out bags. They blend into the crowd like a standard messenger bag and have a ton of good features. I would look into that route as well if you are interested in changing up the bag. Mine has molle like webbing on the inside as a factory option.


Maxpedition makes a great bag and I dont see any issues carrying one. It does look tacti-cool, but it has a ton of useful features. Most of the general public wont even notice the bag. But those who are in the know will. I work in security so I do my fair share of overseeing scanning crowds and bag searches. People who know the brand will often just give a nod to those who are carrying it (given they do get searched anyway) but its like being in a club kind of.

[keezer37]

I'd recommend a Rothco Canvas Messenger Bag if you want to go that far down the food chain. It's a good bag. Cheap at twice the price. I use one for laptop/textbooks and for day hikes in the winter as I tired of slinging my daypack off my back every time I wanted something.
People would never know you're not indigent.

[xcmountain80]

A friend and I were having this exact discussion. I was looking just like you for something not obvious. I have an older Marmot (man purse as my wife calls it) fanny pack that looks like any other. I also like the mountain smith stuff. I considered installing a kydex holster or one of the Velcro types from Maxpedition into our diaper bag (Arc Teryx pack that has been serving us for nearly a decade). I think you’re on the right track, I like the durability associated with the tac stuff but LEO's aren't the only folks who recognize that kind of thing. I prefer to be part of the scenery not the lone pine in the middle of the field.

So in short find a civilian pack you like (love Timbuk2 packs) and rivet in some Velcro or a thin holster if you like.

Side note: when I see maxpedition packs (I have a couple) I think gun.

[BIGdaddy]

I use a victorinox laptop bag as an everyday bag/man purse/diaper bag. It has a padded rear area meant for a laptop that excellently swallows my XD9 tactical without ever looking anything like a CCW bag. Great for everyday use. I've had two maxpedition bags, and while they're super tough, and useful, i find that the trade off is that they're heavy, and very abrasive on my hands for daily use. I'm probably going to be looking for another daypack style bag that I can take camping and to theme parks, etc, as my maxpedition condor II is now our main household earthquake/bugout bag.

I've got a Duluth day pack in my jeep as my car-based B.O.B, and though also a bit heavy, it's very comfortable and swallows ton's of gear. They're very much worth the price you pay, and tend to blend very well with most outfits.

Good luck looking.

[1911]

Where I live, a fisherman/photographer's vest just screams "I'M CARRYING", I guess it's been over done here.

A good inside waist-band holster and belt from one of the several semi-custom makers (not a mass produced one like Galco, etc.) is the most comfortable and discreet method I have ever found and I have tried most methods. I carry a full-size .45 semi-auto all day, every day that way, most often with nothing other than an un-tucked t-shirt as a cover garment. I literally forget that I have it on, once I got used to it.

[Schattenjager]

Expanding the thinking a little here after considering some of the fine recommendations above: If not a vest, then I think a back pack style is more advantageous and less attention getting than say a messenger bag. Not that the bags don't have a place in this thinking, but I can't see them walking into a theater, mall, etc. in casual weekend garb and not collecting at least sideways glances from our judgmental neighbors. A small pack, like the aforementioned MULE is innocuous enough to fit most any environment more so than a messenger bag. I'm open to ideas on this, however.

Every solution is a compromise, yes? My concern is heading out the door with the pack and the day evolving into a scenario where it is not practical. I don't want to just leave that gear behind nor been seen throwing it in the back of the Cruiser's whimsy Action Packer.

Perhaps the solution would be to have a second means of getting around in the truck with me. If the pack becomes cumbersome, then perhaps the vest comes into play. Just thinking as I type here. Please keep the good ideas coming!