Best Concealed Carry Holsters 2023

Choosing the right concealed carry holster is paramount to you. It’s not just about comfort and durability; it’s about security and peace of mind.

With countless options—IWB, OWB, ankle, shoulder—finding the perfect fit can be daunting. But don’t worry; we’ve done the legwork. In this guide, we’ll share our top picks, gleaned from extensive testing and your invaluable feedback.

Let’s find your ideal holster.

Key Takeaways

• The team conducted thorough testing of each holster, considering factors such as comfort, concealment, accessibility, and durability.
• Different types of holsters were tested, including IWB, OWB, ankle, shoulder, and appendix carry holsters.
• IWB holsters keep the gun close to the body, reducing printing, but may require lifting the garment to access the gun.
• OWB holsters are suitable for jacket wearers and popular among off-duty or undercover law enforcement, but may point the gun at people behind the carrier and muzzle people in front.

Holster Types and Their Uses

Understanding the different types of holsters and their uses is key to choosing the best concealed carry for you. Each type has its own distinct advantages, whether it’s comfort, accessibility, or concealment.

Let’s unpack these holster types, assess their benefits, and guide you in making an informed choice.

Differentiating Holster Types

Your choice of holster plays a crucial role in your concealed carry experience, so let’s delve into differentiating holster types and their uses.

Inside the Waistband (IWB) holsters are great for concealment, while Outside the Waistband (OWB) holsters offer comfort and easy access. Ankle holsters provide deep concealment but can limit accessibility. Shoulder holsters, preferred by undercover agents, can pose drawing limitations.

Each type has its pros and cons, and the best concealed carry holsters depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Holster manufacturers produce these different types to cater to a variety of needs.

Advantages of Each Type

Each holster type’s unique advantages cater to different needs, making it essential to understand how they can enhance your concealed carry experience. Depending on your lifestyle, comfort level, and preferences, the best concealed carry holster can vary.

• Inside the Waistband (IWB) holsters are ideal for maximum concealment and comfort, making them a popular choice for everyday carry.
• Outside the Waistband (OWB) holsters offer easy access and are typically more comfortable for longer wear durations.
• Shoulder holsters are perfect for those who prefer off-body carry or need to wear formal attire.
• Ankle holsters offer deep concealment and are best suited for backup firearms.

Understanding the advantages of each type helps you choose a comfortable concealed carry holster that suits your specific needs.

Choosing Your Holster

When you’re deciding on the perfect holster for your concealed carry, it’s crucial to consider the different types and their specific uses.

The best concealed carry holster will depend largely on your personal needs and preferences.

Inside the Waistband (IWB) holsters offer excellent concealment and comfort, while Outside the Waistband (OWB) holsters are easy to draw from but less concealed.

Ankle holsters provide deep concealment, ideal for secondary firearms, but accessibility can be a challenge.

Shoulder holsters, while stylish, require practice for proficient use.

In choosing your holster, you must also consider the holster fit. A good fit secures your firearm, reduces printing, and ensures comfort.

Top-Rated IWB Holsters

When it comes to IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters, you’ll want to consider factors such as comfort, concealment, accessibility, and durability. Keep in mind that the best holster for you’ll depend on your personal preferences and carry style.

Let’s look at some top-rated IWB holsters that have received positive reviews from users.

Comfort and Concealment

You’ll find that the top-rated IWB holsters excel in comfort and concealment, making them a popular choice for everyday carry. The perfect blend of comfort and concealment is vital in a concealed carry holster. You need a comfortable holster that won’t cause discomfort even after wearing it for an extended period.

The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck is renowned for its comfort, thanks to the neoprene base that rests against your body.

CrossBreed Supertuck holsters, with their hand-molded shells and leather backing, offer both comfort and concealment.

StealthGearUSA’s Ventcore holsters use a patented, breathable technology, ensuring maximum comfort.

The Galco Kingtuk provides excellent concealment and comfort with its premium saddle leather.

These concealed carry holsters balance comfort and concealment, ensuring a seamless experience for any wearer.

Accessibility and Durability

Often, you’ll find that the most highly-rated IWB holsters not only offer comfort and excellent concealment but also provide easy accessibility and impressive durability. A top-quality concealed carry holster must be robust enough to withstand daily use while ensuring your weapon is readily accessible in a critical situation.

Consider the following table illustrating three top-rated IWB holsters with their respective accessibility and durability features:

Holster	Accessibility	Durability
Holster A	Easy draw, adjustable positioning	Made from rugged materials, withstands daily wear
Holster B	Quick release mechanism, versatile carry options	High-quality construction, resistant to damage
Holster C	Smooth draw, adjustable cant	Durable materials, long-lasting retention

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In numerous customer reviews, you’ve highlighted a handful of IWB holsters that consistently receive high ratings for their superior comfort, concealment, accessibility, and durability. These top-rated concealed carry holsters have made a significant impact on the market, reflecting the value of customer reviews and feedback.

• The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 is lauded for its comfort and adjustability, making it a favorite among daily carriers.
• StealthGearUSA’s SG-V Holster stands out for its breathability and lightweight design, praised by users in warmer climates.
• The CrossBreed Supertuck receives high marks for its secure fit and quality construction, demonstrating its longevity.
• The Vedder LightTuck is noted for its slim design and sturdy clip, proving its effectiveness for concealed carry.

These reviews underscore the importance of investing in the best concealed carry holsters for your safety and comfort.

Best OWB Holster Options

Now, let’s turn your attention to the best options for OWB, or Outside the Waistband, holsters.

We’ll assess comfort levels, discuss some of the most popular brands, and explore various concealment options.

This will help you make an informed decision on the best OWB holster to fit your concealed carry needs.

OWB Holster Comfort Level

When choosing an OWB holster, your comfort level should be a top priority, so let’s explore some of the best OWB holster options that combine ease of wear with effective concealment.

• Bravo Concealment BCA 3.0 Gun Holster: This OWB holster is designed for comfort and quick draw, making it a popular choice for OWB carry.
• BLACKHAWK Serpa Sportster Holster: Known for its high level of comfort, it features a unique design that promotes effective concealment and ease of access.
• Alien Gear Cloak Mod OWB Holster: A comfortable IWB holster that can be converted to an OWB carry, offering versatility and comfort.
• Galco Combat Master Belt Holster: This leather OWB holster is praised for its comfort and durability, making it a reliable choice.

Popular OWB Holster Brands

For your consideration, let’s delve into some of the most popular OWB holster brands that offer the best options for concealed carry.

The versatility and comfort of outside the waistband, or OWB holsters, have made them a favorite among many firearm owners.

When it comes to the best OWB options, brands like Galco, Alien Gear, and Blackhawk are often at the top of the list.

Galco’s reputation for quality leather products extends to their OWB holsters, offering a blend of comfort and durability.

Alien Gear is known for their innovative designs and customizability, while Blackhawk offers a range of high-performance holsters designed with safety and accessibility in mind.

These popular OWB holster brands provide a variety of options to suit your specific needs and preferences.

OWB Holster Concealment Options

In terms of OWB holster concealment options, you’ll find a wide range of top-notch choices that effectively balance accessibility, comfort, and concealment. These best concealed carry holsters are designed to be worn on the outside of your waistband, providing a quick, easy draw.

Here are some excellent OWB holster concealment options:

• Pancake Holsters: These sit close to the body, providing excellent concealment and comfort.
• Paddle Holsters: These offer easy on-and-off convenience and are ideal for those who need to remove their holster regularly.
• Belt Slide Holsters: These slide onto your belt and are typically low-profile, ensuring good concealment.
• Rotating Holsters: These allow you to adjust the angle of your gun for optimal draw and concealment.

Each of these concealment holsters offers distinct advantages to suit your specific carry needs.

Other Concealment Holster Styles

Now, let’s turn your attention to other concealment holster styles that provide unique carry options.

From ankle holsters to shoulder rigs and belly bands, each style has its pros and cons, depending on your carry requirements and preferences.

You’ll need to evaluate factors like comfort, accessibility, and concealment level, as these styles differ significantly from the typical waistband options.

Ankle Holsters: Pros and Cons

When considering other concealment holster styles, you’ll find that ankle holsters have their own unique set of advantages and drawbacks.

An ankle holster can be a good choice for concealed carry holsters under specific circumstances. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of this style:

• Pros
• Deep Concealment: An ankle holster offers excellent concealment, especially when you’re seated.
• Backup Firearm: It’s an ideal location for carrying a backup gun.
• Cons
• Accessibility: Reaching your firearm can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly when standing or moving.
• Comfort: Depending on the design and your footwear, an ankle holster might be uncomfortable during prolonged wear.

Shoulder Holster Considerations

Often, you’ll find shoulder holsters are a popular choice for concealed carry, but it’s important to consider certain factors before deciding they’re right for you. Shoulder holsters, unlike other concealed carry holsters, require more thoughtful clothing choices to ensure effective concealment. They’re often best paired with a jacket or a loose shirt.

When choosing a shoulder holster, you should consider its ease of draw and re-holstering. These factors can significantly affect your comfort and readiness. Additionally, the carry position of a shoulder holster can influence the direction your firearm points when holstered, which is a safety consideration.

Lastly, comfort is vital. A well-designed shoulder holster should distribute the weight of your firearm evenly across your shoulders, preventing discomfort or strain during prolonged wear.

Belly Band Holsters

Moving on from shoulder holsters, let’s delve into the unique and versatile world of belly band holsters, another excellent choice for concealed carry.

Belly band holsters offer a comfortable, secure fit around your waist, allowing for easy access to your firearm while maintaining discretion.

• Comfort: Belly band holsters are adjustable and designed to conform to your body, providing a comfortable fit for extended wear.
• Concealment: They offer superior concealment, perfect for when you need to maintain a low profile.
• Accessibility: Belly band holsters ensure your firearm is always within reach, allowing for a quick and easy draw.
• Versatility: You can position them anywhere around your waistband, offering flexibility to suit your comfort and accessibility needs.

Choose a belly band holster for a convenient, comfortable, and discreet concealed carry holster option.

User Reviews and Recommendations

Let’s consider what actual users have to say about these holsters. They’ve tested them in real-life scenarios and can provide valuable insight into their comfort, durability, and value for money.

Their reviews and recommendations can guide you towards making a more informed choice.

Comfort and Fit

In light of user reviews and recommendations, it’s crucial for you to consider both comfort and fit when selecting your ideal concealed carry holster. Remember, the best concealed carry holsters are made with your comfort and convenience in mind.

First off, aim for holsters that are comfortable to wear throughout the day. This means they shouldn’t chafe, dig into your skin, or cause undue sweating.

Secondly, the holster must have a snug fit. It should secure your weapon without being too tight or loose.

A good holster should also be adjustable to accommodate your preferred carry position.

Lastly, consider the material. Leather and Kydex holsters are popular for their durability and comfort.

Take your time, read reviews, and find the holster that suits your personal needs.

Affordability and Quality

Building on the aspect of comfort and fit, your next consideration should be the balance between affordability and quality, as you definitely don’t want to compromise on either. The best concealed carry holsters offer excellent value for the money, providing quality workmanship at a price that won’t break the bank.

To help you make an informed decision, here is a user-review-based table showing three top-rated holsters, their features, and their cost:

Holster	Key Features	Price
Concealment Express IWB KYDEX	Adjustable retention and carry angle	$37.95
Alien Gear ShapeShift	Versatile, customizable	$99.88
CrossBreed Supertuck	Comfortable, durable leather	$69.75

These holsters have been lauded for their affordability and quality, offering excellent value for your investment.

Holster Durability Feedback

When choosing your concealed carry holster, you’ll want to consider user reviews and recommendations focusing on durability. The best gun for you is worthless if your holster can’t withstand daily wear and tear. Here’s some holster durability feedback from seasoned carriers:

• Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holsters are praised for their long-lasting, sturdy construction.
• Alien Gear Holsters’ ShapeShift series gets positive remarks for its durable materials and modular design.
• CrossBreed Holsters’ Supertuck IWB Holster receives commendation for its premium leather that enhances its durability.
• ComfortTac’s Ultimate Belly Band Holster for Concealed Carry is applauded for its secure Velcro closure and snug fit that withstands intense movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Consider When Choosing a Holster for a Woman’s Body Shape?

When choosing a holster for a woman’s body shape, consider comfort, concealability, and ease of access. Pick a style that’ll contour to her body, won’t print through clothing, and allows quick, easy firearm access.

How Do I Ensure the Proper Maintenance and Care for My Concealed Carry Holster?

You’ve got to treat your holster like it’s your best friend. Regularly clean it using a damp cloth, avoid harsh chemicals, and keep it dry. This ensures longevity and keeps your holster in top shape.

What Are the Legal Considerations I Need to Be Aware of When Carrying a Concealed Weapon?

You’ll need to consider local and state laws, which vary widely. Some require permits for concealed carry. Also, understand where it’s illegal to carry, like schools or government buildings. Always stay informed and respectful.

Can I Customize a Holster to Fit My Specific Firearm if It Is Not a Popular Brand or Model?

Absolutely, you can customize a holster for your unique firearm. There are companies like Savoy Leather that specialize in creating custom holsters to fit any firearm model, ensuring comfort and proper concealment.

What Safety Measures Should I Take Into Account When Drawing and Re-Holstering My Firearm?

When drawing and reholstering your firearm, always point it in a safe direction. Ensure your finger’s off the trigger until ready to shoot. Be mindful of your clothing to avoid accidental discharges. Practice makes perfect.

Conclusion

Just like a trusted sidekick, the perfect concealed carry holster is an extension of you—always there, reliable, and ready for action.

Your choice of holster, be it IWB, OWB, or something more unique, is as personal as your own signature. It’s about comfort, security, and accessibility.

It’s more than just a tool—it’s a symbol of your commitment to personal safety and responsible gun ownership. Choose wisely and carry with confidence.