A crossbody is the best shape for a concealed carry bag, because it is the one you never set down. The strap goes over the opposite shoulder, the bag sits at the front of the hip, and both hands are free while the gun stays within a hand's reach. This guide covers the crossbody bags we sell with a real concealed carry compartment, from a six-ounce nylon mini to a leather Smith & Wesson, and how to wear one for the draw.
The bags
Elite Survival Systems Microguard Mini Crossbody, $43.46
8 by 6 by 1.5 inches, 6 ounces, nylon with metal hardware and YKK zippers. Concealed compartment with an adjustable ambidextrous holster and magazine loops. For a compact pistol and a phone, worn to the front. Unisex.
Cameleon Darcy, $119.99
Structured vegan leather, 13.5 by 8 by 5, adjustable crossbody strap that converts to a handbag. Compartment in the middle under a top zipper, padded, holster included, big enough for a full-size pistol.
Cameleon Lissa, $119.99
Hourglass vegan leather with a gold buckle, carries crossbody on the attached handles. Rear compartment with side access and a second entry through the interior pocket.
Cameleon Emma, $119.99
Spacious vegan leather with gold hardware, shoulder or crossbody on detachable straps. CCW pocket on the back, accessible from left or right, padded and hook-and-loop lined, holster included. Pink or burgundy.
Smith & Wesson Slim Crossbody, $179.99
Leather, slim, with a rear ambidextrous CCW zipper pocket and phone pocket, magnetic front pocket, zippered compartment, and a leather holster included.
Cameleon Sophia, $209.99
Vegetable-tanned leather saddle bag, adjustable crossbody, accordion design, hidden magnetic snap. From the Maia VT series.
Wearing a crossbody for the draw
- Strap over the support-side shoulder, bag on the strong-side hip.
- Strap short enough that the bag sits at the front of the hip, not behind it.
- Compartment zipper facing your strong hand.
- Support hand steadies the bag, strong hand opens and draws. Practice dry.
Off-body carry has one rule that outranks every feature: the bag stays on your body. A gun in a bag on a chair, in a cart, or on a car seat is a gun someone else can pick up. The second rule is that the gun lives in its own compartment, in a holster that covers the trigger, and nothing else goes in there.
Frequently asked questions
Is a crossbody better than a shoulder bag for concealed carry?
Yes. It stays on, it sits in one place, and both hands are free.
Which is the smallest?
The Microguard Mini at 8 by 6 inches and 6 ounces.
Which fits a full-size pistol?
The Darcy and Emma; the S&W Slim Crossbody fits compacts.
Does the bag come with a holster?
Every bag listed here includes an adjustable hook-and-loop holster inside the concealed compartment.
Can I put anything else in the gun compartment?
No. The gun and nothing else, so nothing can get into the trigger guard.
The bottom line
The Darcy for a purse-sized crossbody that takes a full-size gun, the Microguard Mini for the smallest thing that still has a real holster.
Related reading
Best concealed carry purses
Best EDC sling bags
Concealed carry for women: why a dedicated purse
