2025 Holster of the Year

The VERTX S.O.C.P. Tactical Fanny Pack was debated between Guns & Ammo’s editors and contributors, but not for its quality, price point or utility. The debate concerned whether a fanny pack qualifies as a “holster.” The practicality of wearing the Vertx S.O.C.P. Tactical Fanny Pack to tote a concealed pistol was not a source of argument, however. In fact, a number of staff are still seen wearing it despite having already reviewed it.

An everyday carry (EDC) pocket dump with the S.O.C.P. Tactical Fanny Pack usually looks like this: a pistol (including those with a full size grip), two or three spare magazines of equal or extended capacities, tourniquet, a smartphone, handheld light, identification, hidden GPS tracking device, pen, lighter, keys, spare battery, and a few small bills for cash transactions.

Worn either around the waist or slung across the shoulder, the S.O.C.P. is immensly useful and configurable. At the range, it proved relatively quick to draw a pistol from. Draws from concealment resulting in an A-­zone hit at 7 yards averaged 2 seconds. Pre-positioning the Paracord hot-­pull tab expedites access to the gun compartment. When equipped with Vertx’s Rapid Access Tab Kit the effort is hastened.

Quality of engineering is found in the details. The external cellphone pocket has a zippered access, but for quick messages and app use, you can use the phone through a touch-­screen window. Inside are mesh and stretch pockets, and a holster retainer in the pistol compartment.

The waiststrap is adjustable for different size people, or wear in the crossbody position. Wing-­to-­wing, the S.O.C.P. Tactical Fanny Pack measures 17 inches, and is 7.75 inches tall. The strap length is 19 inches. Internally, the main compartment is 11 inches corner-­to-­corner, roomy for most full-­size pistols.

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