Hiking and Hunting Carry: How to Wear an OWB Holster With a Backpack
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Short answer: for hiking and hunting, the main problem with belt carry is your backpack hip belt, which lands exactly where a strong-side holster sits. You can solve it three ways: move the holster slightly forward (about 2:30–3 o'clock) or back (4 o'clock) so it clears the hip belt, raise the ride height, or switch to a chest holster. A rigid OWB holster with adjustable cant and height, like the TACFENDER Universal Holster PRO, makes the first two options easy.
"Hiking holster," "best holster for hunting" and "backpack and holster" are growing searches as more people carry on public land where it's legal. Chest holsters from Kenai, Diamond D and Hill People Gear are popular answers, but plenty of hikers and hunters prefer to keep a familiar OWB setup. This guide shows how to make belt carry work with a pack, what the trade-offs are, and when a chest rig is the better call.
Key facts at a glance
| Setup | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| OWB, moved forward (2:30–3 o'clock) | Clears most hip belts; familiar draw | May press on the thigh when climbing |
| OWB, moved back (4 o'clock) and higher | Stays out of the hip belt's path | Harder to reach with a pack strap in the way |
| Chest holster | Totally clear of the hip belt; good when seated or in a stand | A different draw to practice; less concealable |
| OWB with pack hip belt left unbuckled | Quick fix for day hikes | The pack carries worse on long miles |
Step-by-step: setting up OWB carry with a pack
- Put the pack on first, loaded as you'll carry it, and buckle the hip belt where it's comfortable.
- Find the gap. Feel where the hip-belt padding ends on your strong side. That's where the holster can't sit.
- Position the holster just in front of or just behind that padding, with an unloaded pistol.
- Adjust ride height up so the grip clears the hip belt and pack straps.
- Adjust cant for a straight wrist in that new position. See our cant and ride height guide.
- Test the draw 10 times with the pack on, standing, kneeling and seated.
- Walk a mile around the neighborhood with the unloaded setup to find hot spots before you hit the trail.
Why an adjustable OWB holster works outdoors
- Adjustable cant and height let you tune the position around a hip belt.
- Positive retention: the pistol stays locked while you climb, scramble or cross logs.
- Full trigger-guard coverage protects against brush and branches.
- Rugged polymer shrugs off rain, mud and dust better than leather.
The TACFENDER Universal Holster PRO brings all of that, fits 50+ pistols, is ambidextrous, and has a lifetime warranty. If you carry a different pistol in the field than in town, keep an extra adapter on each one with the X2 Holster TRX Adapter.
Trail and field habits
- Check the holster's adjustment screws before each trip.
- Clean mud and grit out of the holster after the hike. Grit wears retention surfaces.
- Know the carry rules for the land you're on: national parks follow state law, but federal facilities like visitor centers are off-limits. State wildlife areas and hunting seasons can have their own rules.
- For hunting, follow your state's regulations on handguns in the field.
Quick answer FAQ
How do you carry a handgun with a backpack?
Move a strong-side OWB holster slightly forward or behind the hip belt, raise the ride height, or use a chest holster that stays clear of the pack.
Is a chest holster better for hiking?
It stays completely clear of the hip belt, which is great for long hikes and seated hunting. Many hikers still prefer an adjusted OWB setup, because the draw is familiar.
Can I carry a gun in a national park?
Firearm possession in national parks follows the laws of the state the park is in, but firearms are prohibited in federal facilities such as visitor centers and ranger stations.
What holster material is best outdoors?
Rigid polymer or Kydex handles rain, mud and temperature changes better than leather and keeps its shape for safe reholstering.
Related: what really damages a holster · why passive retention works · free guide: Backcountry Logistics Vol. I
Disclaimer: TACFENDER does not sell firearms or ammunition. Brand names are mentioned for comparison only. Follow all federal, state and local laws, including hunting regulations, for the land you're on.