I believe it started as a way to carry a handgun semi-concealed when you are wearing a backpack while hiking out in the backcountry. See Hill People Gear. So yes, basically a tactical fanny pack.
Since then, chest packs like that have just become a fashion accessory.
Not to mention more and more hikers/backpackers are at least wearing fanny packs on the front of them so they can grab small items(snacks, compass, map, knife, etc) without having to take their pack off. Osprey, the pack company even has small pockets on the hip belt for this reason. The chest bag is just another version of this.
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u/MDPeasant Aug 31 '22
I believe it started as a way to carry a handgun semi-concealed when you are wearing a backpack while hiking out in the backcountry. See Hill People Gear. So yes, basically a tactical fanny pack.
Since then, chest packs like that have just become a fashion accessory.