Over the last few weeks, I’ve gone over my personal setup and various ways to carry on the body. Carrying on the body is by far the most secure way to carry but a number of people messaged and commented about off-body carry. Since someone brought it up a few weeks, I have been rattling around the idea of carrying off body along with taking a look at how it can be beneficial in certain situations. In my eyes, there are a number of things that can be carried off body that really give you more options. Let’s dive deeper into what and what not to carry off body.

Carrying A Gun Off Body

Carrying a firearm off body has never been my favorite style of carry. Having your main defense tool in a bag off your body never really gave me comfort. Bags are fairly easy to steal compared to having a firearm inside your waistband. Depending on the bag as well, off-body carrying can be very slow to draw your firearm especially if you carry in a traditional backpack. With enough practice, someone can definitely be proficient but it takes a ton of practice to really master.

The only time I’ve personally found off-body carrying to be effective is if I’m heading to the gym or I’m out hiking trails in the summertime. In both situations, I’ll typically carry a single-strap backpack with my gun inside a holster in the backpack. Having a holster secured inside your backpack not only keeps your handgun secure but also keeps your handgun in a consistent spot which makes drawing from your bag more consistent. If you can get away with carrying on your body, I would highly suggest that but in rare situations, off-body carry is fairly useful. In the grand scheme of things, it’s important to understand the disadvantages of carrying off body and deciding if it’s worth the risks.

Carrying Medical Gear In A Bag

One of the most important things you can carry on your person is medical gear. The odds you will need to help someone in an emergency is typically greater than being in a self-defense situation. Whether it’s a medical emergency or a bad car accident, medical supplies can be extremely important. The problem with medical gear though is the overall bulk and size of the supplies. A well-put-together medical kit isn’t usually a small piece of kit. Of course, there are different products on the market to carry a medical kit on your ankle but it’s still rather bulky. The easiest way to carry a good medical kit for me is to throw it in the bag I carry around daily.

Certain individuals will say the problem with carrying a medical kit in your bag is the risk of not always having it around when you need it most. While that’s an honest risk, I think it’s important to be realistic and look at what is the best way to consistently carry medical supplies. For me, it’s definitely off-body carrying with the benefit of having a couple of tourniquets. With the addition of a bigger bag, you can carry chest seals and everything else you may need. It’s not just about self-defense but being prepared for helping someone who may have a medical emergency. Carrying medical supplies in a backpack or bag may not be the perfect solution but it’s the best option for my daily life.

Carrying Spare Ammo Off Body

During certain times of the year, it can be difficult carrying a spare magazine. In the summer months, having a spare magazine in your pocket or on your belt can be cumbersome or even uncomfortable. In an effort to save pocket space, I will oftentimes carry a spare magazine in my everyday bag to keep things simple. The chances you will need to reload in a self-defense situation are rather small but it’s always good to have reassurance for yourself.

Keeping a designed pocket just for a spare magazine is one of the easiest ways to carry a spare magazine. I have a specific pocket just for my spare magazine so there’s nothing else bouncing around with your spare magazine. In a self-defense situation where you may need to reload, it’s easy to open up the pocket and grab your spare magazine without fighting the clutter of other items.

Overall Thoughts

When it comes to off-body carrying, I think it’s a great option for accessories or medical supplies. As far as carrying a handgun in your bag, I definitely think having the gun on your body is a better option but having bigger bulkier items in your bag is a great way to have extra gear without cluttering up your pockets. What do you guys think of carrying off body? Is it a good idea or is it more of a liability? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you guys have to say about it. If you have questions about concealed carry or firearms in general, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there.

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