Every now and then I see or hear about a product that makes me think, "This is the answer to a problem that doesn't exist." In other words, the product sales pitch is exactly that: sales pitch. When I saw the Safe Direction products that was my first thought. Then I did some research. Let's take a look at ONE statistic and its implications: Glock handguns are carried by approximately 2/3 of the law enforcement professionals today (according to Glock). EVERY Glock, to be field stripped, has to be dry FIRED. You have to charge it (in clearing it), point it in a safe direction, and pull the trigger. Look back… see those words? SAFE DIRECTION. It meant more than I knew.
The two products I received to test were the Academy Pad and the Waist Pack. Before I even carried or shot either test item I took a look at them and compared them to whatever competition they might have. What I quickly realized is that there really isn't any comparable product. Sure, there are lots of fanny packs / waist packs out there, but how many have a ballistic panel built into them specifically designed for the safe clearing of your handgun? As to the Academy Pad, how many companies make a three-ring ballistic insert that fits conveniently into a notebook? And although we may not see the applicability, it seems like I see a three-ring notebook in the control tower every time I go to the range.
While the three-ring insert may not seem necessary, I invite you to consider the ease with which it will fit into a work clipboard, hydration panel pocket on vests, etc. If YOU don't see the need to put it into a notebook that doesn't mean you can't think of a place where it will fit and serve you well. The waist pack is even easier to figure out. I know plenty of cops who still wear fanny packs as a primary means of carrying their service weapon off-duty. The picture to the right actually shows the back of the SafeDirection Waist Pack (because we don't want that clear target on the outside). The ballistic panel provides a nice stable platform and the gun pocket has a velcroed in holster with a snapping thumb strap. The strap is adjustable as is the position of the holster. There is also an outer pocket for carrying handcuffs, spare magazines, a folding knife, OC Spray, etc. The gun pocket has two zipper pulls with sewn in pull cords at each corner. It's equally useful for right handed or left handed people and it pulls open clean. It doesn't drag or snag - at least not yet in the several dozen openings I've tested it through.
The nylon waist strap is adjustable from VERY big (I didn't measure it but it would almost go around my 36" waist twice) to as small as you need it since you can simply cut off the excess nylon once you adjusted it down. The ballistic panel does add some weight that we could probably do without, but everything is a trade off. If it wouldn't look so totally goofy I'd recommend carrying the waist pack across the chest so that the panel covered your heart.
Of course, the ballistic panel adds to the cost of the unit. A quick online search found me a SafeDirection Waist Pack for $235. I also saw retail pricing on it as high as $345. Take your time in your search and I'd recommend handling one before purchasing it. Make sure it's for you, although the versatility of the unit makes it an obvious value.
