A few months back, I went backpacking in Pennsylvania and was on my own in terms of defending myself, should a black bear have come around. Now, with the Flying Circle Pecos Backpack, I have a better option available. This military-grade tactical pack is a sturdy day pack that has a concealed-carry compartment that is big enough to handle a full-size 9 mm, my defensive handgun of choice. Because the gun would be riding right next to your back, there's really no problem with weight distribution.
The design of the Pecos makes it ideal for multiple purposes. For hiking and camping, it has room for a three-liter hydration pack (though I tested it with only a two-liter water bladder), with exit ports for the drinking tubes. With adjustable sternum and waist straps, it’s easy to get a secure fit so you can tramp through the mountains without having the pack bouncing all over or fitting so badly that you wake up the next day with a backache.
Want to use it as a travel bag? It has a divided pocket set off for electronics gear, like a tablet or a laptop, so it can be used as a carry-on. And there are enough smaller compartments to allow you to keep keys, eyeglasses, identification and other things separated from the main storage area. And, with its grab handles on the top and side, you’re not confined to wearing it as a backpack when you’re going through security or meandering through the airport.
The Flying Circle Pecos Backpack retails for $84.95. Check out flyingcirclegear.com for full specs and color choices.
