I’m an unashamed fanny pack enjoyer. Yeah, it might sound a little lame, but fanny packs are incredibly comfortable. For years, I thought they were uncool, but hey, the kiddos made them trendy again. These days, the younger generation wears them as cross-body bags, but we all know it’s just a fanny pack. Kifaru, a company known for high-end hunting gear, recently released its Quick React Fanny (QRF).
The Quick React Fanny (QRF) In Action
The Kifaru QRF does a lot right. Most importantly, Kifaru ensured it doesn’t look “tactical.” It is often a struggle to find a purpose-built bag that doesn’t scream “I have a gun.” While options from Blackhawk and Vertx are great, they can look a bit conspicuous. The QRF, however, doesn’t look tactical at all.
Kifaru’s logo is small, unobtrusive, and doesn’t have that aggressive military aesthetic; the name itself could mean anything. It looks like a normal, everyday, high-quality pack, the kind Nike or Patagonia would produce. But internally, the QRF is ready and willing to house all your EDC essentials.
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It’s not just designed to pack a firearm; it’s a simple option for carrying all your modern needs. It has pouches for nearly everything, including your phone, wallet, keys, and flashlight. I use a fanny pack when I take the kids to a water park, go for a hike, or head to the beach.
It’s perfect for those times when traditional pockets and holsters become irritating. It offers total concealment and security for all my daily goods.
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Breaking the QRF Down
The QRF features three pockets, all secured by zippers. The rearmost pouch is the star of the show: your dedicated concealed carry compartment. The back wall is hook-and-loop compatible, and Kifaru’s pistol holder attaches to the pack and wraps around the gun, securing the trigger guard while allowing for a quick draw.
These gun holders come in several sizes and are adjustable to fit various frames. Opposite the hook-and-loop side are three additional pouches. When the CCW compartment is closed, these pouches invert; when you pull the pack open to draw, they become easily accessible. These vary in size and are perfect for spare magazines, a tourniquet, QuikClot, or any other emergency gear.
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I carried a Beretta 92GTS in this pouch just to see how large a gun it could handle. The 92GTS is a substantial firearm, but it fits just fine. The pistol holder secures it in place and allows you to customize the angle and orientation for an easy draw. The main pouch opens quickly thanks to the large zippers and generous zipper tags.
While I wish there were a “hot pull” tab option to make it even faster, the provided zippers work well. The weight of your accessories actually helps the QRF pop open when you’re accessing the gun. Drawing wasn’t a challenge; while it’s naturally slower than a dedicated AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband) rig, I can draw and hit an index card in about 2.5 seconds with a little practice. Reloading from the pouch isn’t tricky either; you can “run and gun” with easy access to your spare mags.
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Beyond the Gun
The other two pouches provide easy access to the rest of your gear. The front pouch is large enough for a phone, wallet, and keys. The middle pouch is much larger and features a zippered internal compartment.
I like using that internal pocket for my POM pepper spray. It keeps it secured away from my other gear, so it doesn’t bounce around or potentially leak. This main pouch also leaves plenty of room for “dad duties”—which usually means snacks or someone else’s phone, watch, or toy. There is plenty of room for all of it.
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Carry In Comfort
Kifaru made some smart ergonomic decisions. For one, they placed a thick pad between the gun and your body. This pad features strategic stitching to promote airflow and comfort. The waistband is adjustable from 26 to 46 inches.
The strap is also elastic, allowing it to stretch. You want a fanny pack to be tight so it doesn’t slip, but you also need to breathe; this band provides both. I especially like the strap’s width and texture. The width provides excellent support for the weight of a full-sized handgun, while the texture keeps the buckle from slipping.
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Overall, the Kifaru QRF is a discreet, low-profile option for carrying a gun, accessories, and everything else in your EDC. It’s tactical and capable without looking the part, which makes it a winner in my book.
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