koala lite setup (v hpg)

[brownbear]

Hi folks

I'm a bit ashamed to admit it, but I've been using an EMS fanny pack to carry my firearm on backpacking trips. Although the packbag is setup nicely, it gets in the way of putting on/taking off the pack, and well, its a fanny pack.

I've been looking at the Hill People Gear and Koala Lite Packs. The HPG look very nice. The seem to ride on the chest, and the harness looks like it would be comfortable under a pack.

I'm a big Kifaru fan. I just purchased a Duplex/High Camp last spring and am enamored with the quality and the business concept. That said, I read mixed reviews on the Koala Lite. I'm a bigger guy, and thing the size would be okay for me. It seems like the Koala Lite rides over the stomach, rather than over the chest.

A bit long-winded for my question so far, but wanted to bring a bit of background. Here goes: Can the Koala Lite be placed over the chest, or is it stomach only? The harness doesn't seem as well-planned as the HPG (but does it work just fine?)

Can anyone share your experiences? Thanks for your advice.

 

[go4thegusto]

Can't speak to Koala but LOVE my HPG harness with a pistol!

 

[LBFowler]

Haven't used a Koala but I can't imagine it working better then the HPG.

 

[justinspicher]

I have both and use both in my chest. With the koala it's about how you attach it and tighten it down to you. I don't like my koala or kitbag flopping around on my stomach so in I just tighted it up at my chest. Makes it a bit more difficult to access a pistol, but with practice it'll become second nature.

 

[brownbear]

I have both and use both in my chest. With the koala it's about how you attach it and tighten it down to you. I don't like my koala or kitbag flopping around on my stomach so in I just tighted it up at my chest. Makes it a bit more difficult to access a pistol, but with practice it'll become second nature.

Based on your experiences, do you prefer one to another? Are there situations where one works better than another for you?

 

[justinspicher]

It'll mainly depend on the pistol I am carrying. If I am carrying my 7" Ruger MKIII, then it's the koala. The koala also has Velcro on the interior which can protect your pistol and utilize the Velcro holster to help it ride better. I use my FHF gear straps for the koala and have considered using it as a bino harness as well. I need to shoot my bow with it on more though.

My HPG kit bag is their snubby model so the kit bag is not as stiff so when I have a pistol in it, but putting anything in the front pocket is tough. I ended up selling it. The larger kit bag is better. The suspension is pretty nice as well.

 

[brownbear]

Thanks, Justin...

I'm leaning HPG Original Kit Bag...

 

[justinspicher]

I like Kifaru, but the original koala I have is like wearing a small toolbox on your chest. The koala lite is much better. Way more slim, like the kit bag.

 

[LostArra]

justin: with either chest rig do you have to decide on binos or handgun? Sure seems crowded with both especially shooting a bow.

 

[justinspicher]

With the original koala I could run both. No issues. Probably be okay with both in the koala lite depending on the size of your binos. The larger kit bag like the recon would probably also work carrying both.

With the koala lite and the recon kitbag, if you run both the pistol and a set of binos you'd be limited on what else you could carry in them.