As someone who off body conceal carries a lot, I’m constantly looking for the best solution and I think I’ve just found it with the Grab Bag Renegade.
Before we get started, quick disclosure. Grab Bag Gear did send me these bags for free to test out, but they had zero input on this review and this does not affect my opinions in any way. Everything you’re about to hear is my real-world experience from actually using these bags.
If you’re looking into off-body concealed carry, especially something that prioritizes speed, then the Grab Bag Gear Renegade bag has probably already popped up on your radar. After spending a good amount of time with it, I’ve got some strong opinions, both good and bad.
First, let’s talk sizing. There’s a Small and a Large version, and Grab Bag does list recommended firearm sizes on their product pages. That said, I want to share what I actually carry in my bags.
I run a Shadow Systems CR920X, basically Glock 43X-sized gun, in the Small version with an extra mag in the mag carrier that grab bag also sells with no issues at all. In the Large, I’ve been carrying a Shadow Systems MR920 that’s built out to roughly a Glock 17 slide length with a Glock 19-sized grip. The fact that this bag can fit something that size vertically is actually pretty impressive, because most bags in this category can’t do that. So in terms of firearm compatibility, the large bag is a bit more flexible than other options in the market.
In both bags, I’m using a holster with a velcro backing to directly attach to the corresponding velcro in the bag. This is the most low-profile approach but if you don’t want to invest in another holster, Grab Bag does sell an attachment that you can use to attach a holster that you already own.
One thing I didn’t realize from the product photos or even from the nylon material listed in the product description is how the exterior actually feels in hand. The best way I can describe it is it feels like those windbreaker jumpsuits from the 90s. More recently, if you’re familiar with those Lululemon small crossbody bags that a lot of women wear, it’s very similar to that. The material also has a slight satin sheen to it. Honestly, the material is probably my biggest complaint with the bag. The satin sheen takes away from the blackout, low-profile aesthetic and the material itself is a bit slippery, which is a weird choice for a bag that relies entirely on you grabbing the flap and ripping it open.
Prior to getting this bag, I thought that I’d use it by taking my thumb and flipping the lid open, but with this approach, you can easily slip off because you don’t have enough grip to apply the force to do so. The best way that I’ve found to open this bag is to aggressively grab the flap, making sure to break the magnetic seal and pull the thing apart. There are a couple of grip pads on the exterior, but in my opinion, they barely help. They’re not very tacky and they don’t add much friction.
I really think this bag would have benefited from some kind of grab handle. Even a minimal or hidden flap-style handle that folds down would have been perfect. Something you can always index, grab, and pull from without thinking.
Let’s talk about the pockets. The front pocket, in my experience, is pretty useless. Because of how it’s stitched and how the bag fills out once you’re carrying a firearm, you can really only fit very thin items in there. Credit cards, maybe a minimal wallet, something flat. You can stuff thicker items in there, but getting them out becomes slow and annoying, which defeats the purpose. The thickest thing that I keep in there is my car’s key fob. The rear pocket is a bit more accessible, but it’s still thin and small. I have my wallet in there so it’s close to my body and harder to get pickpocketed.
Overall, I was surprised at how limited the outer pockets are, especially considering how large the bag itself is. If I’m already committing to carrying a bag, I’d want to get my keys, wallet, and a few other small items out of my pants pockets. This bag doesn’t really allow that if you’re someone who needs to carry a lot and wants to move those things into this bag.
Another complaint I have is with the strap position of this bag. The straps are sewn in place, so there’s no way to adjust where they sit on the bag. I’ve found that unless I wear the bag very snug, it tends to be front-heavy and wants to lean forward away from my body. That makes it a bit less comfortable over longer periods. I really wish there were some kind of adjustable strap positioning system to accommodate different carry styles or body types.
Now, with all of that said, the magnetic closure system on this bag is absolutely genius, and where it completely redeems itself. I genuinely cannot think of a better way to approach off-body concealed carry than this system. I own other bags that use zippers, and while they work, zippers can snag. I specifically sought out this bag because I’ve had zippers catch on my gun during draws, and that’s a massive red flag. If that happens in a real life or death situation, you’re in serious trouble.
With this magnetic system, there’s nothing to snag. It’s fast, it’s intuitive, and it’s consistent. I trust this closure system with my life more than any other bag I’ve used, and that says a lot. Even with all the complaints I’ve mentioned, this is still the fastest off-body concealed carry bag I’ve ever used. I’m just as fast with this as I am appendix in waistband carry. This is my favorite bag, bar none.
So yeah, it’s not perfect. There are things I’d love to see improved in future versions. But when it comes to what actually matters most for off-body carry, speed, reliability, and access, this bag absolutely delivers.
And I’d love to hear from you. What off-body carry bags are you using right now? Are there any others you’d recommend or want me to check out? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
