The importance of the second amendment is finally beginning to be apparent to some who did not see the value in carrying a weapon to protect themselves or others around them. Unfortunately, this is because they feel that their lives are threatened by those who wish to do harm. Galco Gunleather has made a simple and convenient way to carry a firearm for personal protection without the discomfort from hiding it under clothing, and without the unwanted extra attention of a visible holster. Meet the Fastrax PAC; it’s a waist pack that can carry a handgun in a readily-deployed manner.
What is the Fastrax PAC?
The Fastrax PAC is a fanny pack that was specifically designed for carrying a concealed handgun. With the typical fanny pack, you would need to dig around in search of your handgun. But this new one from Galco features an internal pivoting holster that is activated with an external ripcord. To access the handgun, simply unzip and pull the cord to stand the gun up for easy and quick access in the most intense situations.
This hybrid waist pack/holster is configurable for right and left-handed shooters and fits most compact or subcompact handguns. This includes semi-auto and revolvers alike. Presently, Galco Gunleather is even releasing larger packs to fit larger handguns as well. Some added features that make the Fastrax PAC a viable EDC item is a separate zippered front pocket with a headphone access port, an adjustable elastic 50″ waist strap, and a back panel outfitted with Galco’s Comfort Cloth which keeps the wearer cool and sweat-free.
Why the Fastrax PAC?
The beauty of this product is its simplicity and effectiveness. The most important thing about carrying a concealed weapon is to keep it concealed. What better way to hide a leaf than in the forest? AKA: hidden in plain sight. As throwback clothing accessories continue to become increasingly fashionable, the fanny pack with a gun will be a source of compliments on your attire as well as a center of safety for the wearer. Either of the two genders can wear this product. I’d even argue that a man wearing a fanny pack would feel less embarrassed than one who has an ankle holster, or god forbid — a bra holster.
My Experience
Okay, all joking aside, I spent some time walking around with the Fastrax PAC on my waist while going about my daily activities. I filled it with spare change, mags, and a Sig Sauer P365. Throughout the day, I got more than a few remarks from people that approved of my fashion choice. Little did they know that it was not a fashion choice, but a lifestyle.
As I continued to use the Fastrax PAC, I found that it begat a few advantages. I no longer needed to choose a stall over a urinal out of fear that I could drop my holster off of my belt while trying to be discreet with the firearm (appendix carry issues). I was also able to easily move the fanny pack around for comfort while I transitioned activities such as going from walking to sitting without brandishing my weapon from lifting my shirt. The other big bonus to this system is the ability to carry spare mags easily and discreetly. No more large stick bulging through a pocket and no more extremely bulky gun/mag holster combos.
After practicing the action of drawing my handgun from the Fastrax PAC, I was able to commit the task to muscle memory and complete the task quickly and efficiently. Galco’s instructions show the user pulling the ripcord straight up, but I found that pulling the activation cord at a variety of angles worked… some just with more resistance than others. Still, I trained pulling the cord up vertically, putting my hand near the gun as I drew it from the holster.
Overall, I really enjoyed the time that I spent with the Fastrax PAC. I found it to be a viable method of concealed carry that proved comfortable and quick to access. I would definitely recommend the product to anyone who thinks that it would fit their lifestyle.
Specifications And Features
- Ballistic nylon and neoprene construction
- Comfort Cloth backing
- Nexus buckle
- Offered in multicam, gray/black and black leather options
- 50″ elastic belt
- limited warranty
- additional phone storage pocket with headphone port
- configurable for right/left-handed shooters
- $79.00 MSRP
Every fanny pack I see has a gun in it. This one has an overly complicated method for extracting the firearm. Anyone who chooses to use it for concealed carry better practice, practice and practice some more because in the moment of need they will be all thumbs and unable to manipulate a zipper and then find the cord.
What a stupid article. “Deadliest fanny pack,” is like “best snail race.” Fanny packs are the slow, obvious, lazy, and stupid way to carry.
Note: I had one question, so decided to look of the Galco Website. The zipper on the main compartment can be unzipped from the right or left. Because of that, it appears that one could unzip the right side just enough to slide your hand in and pull out a one handed surprise.
I don’t agree with the negative attitudes about fanny packs, but some people have nothing better to do than be negative. I’m a former Marine and have also studied martial arts for over 35 years. I’ve carried a 1911 in a fanny pack and so have some of my Marine bro’s. Heck one of my Marine bro’s wore a fanny pack and the Marine Corps emblem in the front of it. As you long as you carry safely, the firearm is concealed, and you are able to draw it when you need to, that’s what is important. I also find it interesting that some people who put down others for how they carry haven’t developed the empty hands skills that I know from experience are necessary to create the distance to draw and use your firearm effectively. I train with a knife as much as I do with my firearm. I think we should keep all our carry options open. And I agree with the poster about the macho attitude needs to go. My wife is a former Army Medic and a nurse and she frequently keeps my Marine ego in check…and I love it. God Bless You and Yours
Take a look at Sneaky Pete holsters. Been using them for more than a decade and only got questions or quizzical looks three times. Two times it was a cop and a third time a civilian. All said they’d seen them advertised and asked me how I liked it.
The old desantis fanny pack holsters had a big ole tab that you grabbed and ripped with your support hand. That peeled away the front of the pack revealing your gun. Simple, quick.
Don
Everything old is new again.
I owned both a DeSantis and a Galco fanny pack holster back in the 80s. Ha.
I’ve since moved on.
Don
I’ve had this item on back order for over a month!
A few years ago, I bought a “belly band. This is made from stretch material developed for military amputees and has a pocket for a handgun. The band will stretch tight and fastened with velcro. This material will absolutely not drift dawn and is very cool in the summer heat. My 92F Beretta is very well hidden under the arm and with one shirt button undone, access is very easy and quick. Inserting the weapon back is a little slow, but I love this item.
Slim … I guess Big Al 45 is accustomed to wearing “Fanny Packs” and has some super dexterity in rapidly pulling multiple cords and then the weapon. I completely agree with your assessment …. the whole idea of concealed carry is to ‘ Conceal The Weapon’ WITHOUT encumbering rapidly and safely drawing the weapon and engaging the threat. This looks like a train wreck in the works. By the time one pulls the zipper open, the cord to elevate the internal holster and retrieve the weapon, the threat has most probably had enough time to engage the victim. This method of carry DOES NOT appear to offer the level of unencumbered, fast, safe deployment most experienced, trained, “EXPERT” concealed carriers would even consider. There ARE by far many much better ways to conceal carry in comfort, speed and safety.
So, you agree with Slim who is an obvious sexist? Or at the least, a Macho ‘Man’ who doesn’t like “girly” things?
Or did you miss his very evident Misogynistic language?
Gentlemen, do any of you realize how many women are now into firearms?
And since he brings up the Eighties, I would point out this is the 21st Century, so I suggest some come into that Century and leave your old worn out language and female denigrating ways behind.
It wasn’t about the Fanny Pack, it’s about his attitude, evident in his language, that makes us all look like Neanderthals.
I’m 60 years old, I got the message a long time ago. I wonder why so many other men haven’t?
And as a side note, the comments on this very article and subject is why I’ve often said that the firearms lifestyle has more ‘experts’ than any other endeavor.
I’ll wager most have never even tried a fanny pack, but that sure doesn’t keep ’em from offering up an ‘expert’ opinion on it.
The word ‘Sophomoric’ comes to mind.
I knew people sometimes used the “fanny pack” for CC and never really thought that much about it the issue but I would NOT totally rule it out. Mostly I thought a jogger or cyclists could use the “fanny packs.” I would image that ladies would be better off with CC in a “fanny pack” then in a purse.
Big Al 45 …. I apologize if you got the wrong impression from my comment. No offense. First of all I am in your age group and am VERY experienced in weaponry. Yes, I was agreeing with Slim’s assessment about the Fanny Pack’s “unholstering” method of the pull cords, ONLY, but NOT with his comments about the ‘girly as can be’ and the other girly statements, I repeat, I was agreeing ONLY with theq method of pulling cords for weapon removal in a ‘situation’. I didn’t feel the need to comment on his OBVIOUS machoistic remarks as I feel anyone would see right through them as being pretty lame. I only made the comment about you being experienced in fanny packs and having some ‘super dexterity and speed’ in pulling multiple cords to retrieve a weapon from it since I have tried similar packs sans the cords as have many of my cohorts (military, LE and competitive shooters) and the general consensus is they are too cumbersome and slow in a fast and furious situation even without having cords to pull for weapon release. Yes, your are very right, there are many females shooting nowadays compared to just a few years ago, however; most of them – in our gun club and the circles I move in anyway – opt for a different method of concealed carry. To each their own as EVERYONE has a right to choose and use whatever THEY like. I was only offering my observation of what appears to me to be a not too bright way of releasing a concealed weapon.
Many years ago I was in a Truck Stop, I went into the restaurant for lunch. I was setting at the counter when another driver came in and set down a stool or two away. He seen I had on a fanny pact and said, “that’s a good place to keep your purse”, Hey where do you keep your gun at. He turned white as a sheet , got up and left. I had got the idea from a off duty cop that was at a UPS warehouse during a strike guarding the site. Nobody thinks your a sissy if you pull a “Governor” from your bag!
After I retired from law enforcement, I drove interstate trucks for a few years. There you will meet the good and the bad, and all in between. A female drove up and parked in front of the TS restaurant, and on the front of her vehicle was a tag that read, “I am from Miami, I’m out of estrogen and I have a gun”. Needless to say, truckers tiptoed around this broad. LOL
This is dated 15 Aug 2020, probably close to the release by GALCO. How long will it take to notice comment….
“Either of the two genders can wear this product. I’d even argue that a man wearing a fanny pack would feel less embarrassed than one who has an ankle holster, or god forbid — a bra holster”, no matter how tongue in cheek the authors creativity in holster concepts.
is GALCO prepared to generate models for the other ~24 new “gender identities”? I hope not.
Personally, I never owned a fanny pack. IWB works were I live, but less viable when hot weather eliminates most outerwear. Worn in front, isn’t a fanny pack, it won’t print, or interfere filled with other EDC.
There’s a much better reason for using a stall instead of a urinal besides dropping your weapon. If you are attacked while using a urinal, you are going to have a long reactionary gap before responding. (“Hey, what are you doing? Can’t you see I’m takin’ a leak? Get away! Oh, s**t!! He’s attacking me and I’m standing here with my — in my hand!) ALWAYS use a stall instead of a urinal and close and latch the door behind you. If anyone tries to enter the stall it will give you more time to react and will leave no doubt in your mind as to their intentions, and there’s probably not a jury on this planet that would convict you for defending yourself in a toilet stall.
No fanny packin! Not for me, or my firearm, if you please. Thank you, carry on.
Hate to say it but fanny packs are coming back. I honestly don’t know why but they are. Hopefully they will disappear really quick. My money will go elsewhere. I had a fanny pack in what the 80’s/90’s and that is where they should have stayed. I see people from young to old wearing them now. Sure some dad or grandpa is saying something along the lines of I am finally cool again.
I guess it would depend on what people were wearing in your neck of the woods. Where I live no residents male or female wear fanny packs. It sticks out like a sore thumb and screams dude from out of the area carrying a gun. Small back packs are quite popular here with the younger crowd say 30 and under but I haven’t seen a local with a fanny pack. All that said I applaud Galco for giving people one more option for carrying a firearm. Galco makes good holsters.
Wait, don’t shoot me…. I need to unzip my girly as can be fanny pack and then pull some super long cord that goes above my head since it’s so long and ONLY THEN I MIGHT be ready! What a dumb invention! And what girly man where’s a Danny pack these days as it’s not the eighties anymore and even back then were as they always will be the clueless tourist look with a girly twist! It’s a man purse! Amazimg the crap people make and worse that people will actually buy this get you killed fanny pack!
Your opinions are obnoxious. You must the worlds foremost expert on everything.
Just tell the robber “hold on, I have a coupon I can give you “ as you unzip your fanny pack and start to dig around and pull string. The robber may just leave in disgust.