The side bags never got in my once this past year.......not hunting or packing in or out.

One thing I will say is that if you put heavy stuff or bulky items in there the bags swing more when you walk and sometimes clang against the side rail of the stand. I just reach back and hold the bag if it is clanging.

I kept A LOT of stuff in those bags that was heavy or big. Binos, rangefinder, grunt, can, sunflower seeds, 2-way radio, and so on. If the bags are not stuffed to the gills you won' t even know they are there.

I really don' t think I would like the front bag hanging down on my legs all the time. The side bags can hold a lot of stuff and become quite heavy if your not careful.........I found myself carrying a ton of stuff I relly didn' t need just because I could.