Best Concealed Carry Holsters [Hands-On Tested]

What’s the best holster for the money?

After buying your gun…deciding on which holster you’re going to buy is one of the most important decisions you can make.

There are a lot of different kinds and styles of holsters on the market right now. Sadly, many of them are not ideal for concealed carry. 

But no worries…we’ll clear up what makes a good holster, the types of carrying (inside waistband, ankle, etc), and personal recommendations for each type.

Complete with tons of hands-on pics, videos, and even standalone reviews.

*UPDATED* 2022: More holsters and personal experiences…and videos!

Best Concealed Carry Holsters

1. Best IWB (Hybrid): Hidden Hybrid Holsters
2. Best IWB (Value): Rounded Gear
3. Best IWB (Kydex): Tenicor
4. Best IWB (Unique): Urban Carry G3
5. Best IWB (Custom): 1791 Ultra Carry
6. Best OWB: Safariland
7. Best OWB (Retention): Alien Gear RapidForce
8. Best OWB (Leather): 1791 Gunleather
9. Best Bellyband: Crossbreed Belly Band
10. Best Ankle: Sticky Holster
11. Best Shoulder: Galco
12. Best Gun Belt: Kore Essentials, use code “PEWBELT10” for 10% off

Why Have a Good Holster?

Let’s think about some of the things the holster is supposed to do:

• Protect and hold the firearm.
• Prevent discharge.
• Provide quick access.
• Prevent theft or loss.

So, maybe instead of the original question, we should ask things like: What goes into a great concealed carry holster?

First and foremost is the concept of safety. You’ve likely heard the safety rules by now, but in case you haven’t, here they are:

1. Treat every weapon like it’s loaded.
2. Don’t point your gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
4. Know your target and what’s beyond it.

They’re all particularly important but for right now, let’s concentrate solely on number three…keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.

I want to expand on it even more and say that nothing should touch the trigger, including clothing or any part of the holster itself. Your trigger could get caught, pulled, and cause a discharge.

That’s a bad oopsie…

Trust me when I say the last thing you’re ever going to want is for your gun to go off unintentionally. And, guns have gone off when being holstered because something got caught and pulled the trigger.

What Makes a Great Concealed Carry Holster?

As I stated earlier, there are a lot of different kinds and styles on the market. But a lot of them are not ideal for concealed carry because they are dangerous.

When you pick out a holster, make sure it has the following:

• Total trigger coverage
• Sturdy material
• Good retention
• Good concealability
• Handgun protection
• Skin/body protection
• Positive grip

Let’s take a closer look at these requirements…

Trigger and Material

There are a lot of holsters on the market where the trigger is not covered or is covered by a flimsy material.

So that you’re as safe as possible, it’s best to have a holster that is made of a sturdy material that covers the trigger. You want to do all you can to prevent the possibility of a discharge.

A good example of a sturdy material could be Kydex or leather. Both do an excellent job of protecting the trigger.

Kydex is basically nothing more than a polymer composite material formed to the shape of your gun with a bunch of properties that help it do its job.

Some holsters will have both materials in the form of a Kydex shell on top of a leather backing. 

There are countless companies making good-quality holsters out of this material. You can’t go wrong here.

Good Retention

Another way of saying retention is that your gun needs to “stay put.”

A good test…if you stick your gun in your holster and turn it upside down, will it fall out?

If it comes out, the retention of it needs to be adjusted (usually via a screw) or you need a different method of carrying.

It needs to be strong enough that it keeps your firearm in place until you tug it out on purpose.

Concealability

Unless you’re carrying openly, you’ll want your firearm in a discreet position where it cannot be seen.

IWB, or Inside the WaistBand, holsters offer a better level of concealment than does OWB, otherwise known as Outside the WaistBand (more on this in a minute).

And, as far as IWB holsters are concerned, generally speaking, appendix IWB offers the most concealment.

Think of appendix carry as starting directly in front of your belly button and ending on your pelvic bone.

Keep in mind, it depends on body type, and my body is different than yours. What conceals better for me, may not be a good option for you.

The best thing to do is to play around with it a bit, to find a balance between comfort and concealment.

Protection

Your holster needs to protect you and your gun.

Some of the harder materials can cause rub marks on its finish over time, so keep that in mind too.

At the same time, some of the stiffer holsters may rub your skin the wrong way. While not generally that big of a deal…if it isn’t comfortable, would you carry it every day?

As a bonus while on this topic, holsters can also damage clothing and furniture if you choose the wrong type.

I’ve used metal clips on holsters before that eventually wore holes into my shirts. Plastic clips, while not as strong, do their job quite well and are gentler on clothing than their metal counterparts.

Grip

This is very important.

If your holster doesn’t afford you the ability to have a FULL combat grip on your gun when it is drawn, you need a different holster. Meaning you’ve got a high grip, can deactivate safeties, and can shoot one-handed.

You should be able to draw and fire, from any position, including directly off-body if an attacker is on top of you. I’d even suggest a holster/position where you can reach with your weak hand as well.

Again, because it bears repeating…if your holster doesn’t allow a full combat grip, get a new one.

Different Types of Holsters

There are a few different types of holsters out there for men and women:

• IWB
• OWB
• Belly Band
• Ankle
• Shoulder
• Those designed specifically for women, which I know nothing about…but good thing one of our writers does.

Let’s tackle each of these, along with their benefits.

IWB

Otherwise known as Inside the Waist Band, these holsters are great for concealing a gun.

They go in between your pants and your underwear and they are excellent because they keep the gun so very close to your body.

Because it is so close to you, people won’t notice it as much as some of the other options on this list. They also don’t “print” as much as some of the others do.

Printing is when the outline of the firearm/holster can be seen on the shirt.

This is bad because the point of carrying a concealed gun is to hide the fact that it’s there.

One of the drawbacks to carrying like this is that it’s harder to get that positive combat grip from the draw. It’s possible, but you’ll have to practice that much more to get it right.

There’s a couple different types of IWB but we’ll get to that in the actual holster section!

OWB

OWB, or Outside the Waist Band is when the gun/holster rests on the outside of your pants.

It is usually anchored to you by the belt, though some of them may attach differently.

It’s obviously not very covert unless you’re wearing a jacket.

However, it is a very comfortable method of carrying because there generally isn’t anything poking you in the side.

Finally, it affords a better grip on the draw because it sits further off the skin allowing you to get your entire hand on it in the right position.

Belly Band Holsters

These are pretty self-explanatory…it’s a band that goes around your belly. For those times when you’re not wearing a belt…

Make sure to choose one that completely covers the trigger and remember that you might get a little sweaty under there.

Shoulder

Shoulder holsters generally wrap around the shoulder. The part that actually holds the gun usually sits on your support side’s rib cage. 

The support side is the hand that you don’t squeeze the trigger with. It helps to stabilize, or support, the strong hand. The strong hand is the one you do squeeze the trigger with.

This method of carrying a concealed gun is great for people who wear a jacket and is also commonly employed by undercover and off-duty police officers.

But it’s not all looking cool…

• The guns tend to fall out much more likely than other holsters
• You’re muzzling the person behind you
• When you unholster it’s easy to sweep a couple people in front of you too
• Your shirts will get gross sweat marks from the holster
• When you take off your jacket the gun is no longer concealed

Ankle

This method of carrying a concealed gun is great for deep concealment, or for times when a backup gun is needed.

In this case, there is no printing unless you’re wearing tight pants.

Nobody will know you’ve got a gun on you unless you pull your pant leg up and show them.

The drawbacks to this method, are that your gun can be hard to get to, and it can be uncomfortable to the point that it can pull your leg hair out and rub your skin unless you wrap it around a boot.

Without any further ado, let’s get to some specific examples!

Best IWB Holsters

I’m a fan of “hybrid” holsters for IWB where the gun shell is Kydex and the backer is either something synthetic or leather. Here are a few of my favorites.

But don’t worry…we’ll go into pure Kydex IWB holsters too!

Hidden Hybrid Holsters

Our editor’s current favorite hybrid holster is from Hidden Hybrid Holsters and here’s our full review.

Not a very creative name…but they work!

They are a small company from OH that uses Amish leather down the road from their shop.

The leather they choose and the suede backer make all the difference in comfort.

The thickness/rigidity is Goldilocks right…and the suede feels better than raw leather against your skin.

I’ve tried out a couple of their options and love their single clip Appendix Carry.

Here it is in action during our review of the Springfield EMP.

It keeps things hidden…

And I’d definitely recommend getting the “claw” attachment which pushes the holster more into your body.

Have something bigger…or a light/laser/RMR?

They got you covered with an option that let’s you go both IWB and OWB (with belt holes).

If you’re down with pistol optics for carry…their version completely covers the optic.

However, here’s a regular G19 in the 4/5 o’clock position since I don’t like it too chunky.

IT’S HIDDEN, IT’S HYBRID.

Ok one more perk…all the holsters I tried give you a full grip.

They also have mag carriers.

I’m not huge so the double double-stack mag carrier was just way too big for me. However the single was perfect and really comfy.

And something for the lols…or if you really need to walk tall and carry a big stick…

Full review here…but so far Hidden Hybrid has my vote for the comfiest hybrid holster I’ve tested so far.

What’s your take on HHH?

Crossbreed Holsters

The Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe was previously our Editor Eric’s favorite since it’s comfy with the leather backing (don’t worry it comes in black too) and allows for a full grip.

Since it’s pretty large it’s used best for a 4-5 o’clock location.

The combat cut is slightly less comfy since the grip is more exposed, but it’s what I prefer since I get a nice “high” draw where the web of my hand perfectly meets the beavertail of the pistol.

Here’s the leather backing:

And for smaller guns that you plan on appendix carrying…yea they have those too.

Here it is in action with a G19 which still fits well.

A great hybrid holster from a reputable company!

Alien Gear

The Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 is a great IWB holster for the money if you’re not a fan of leather.

The lifetime warranty plus a 30-day no-questions-asked trial period can’t be beaten.

Plus, they are comfortable with a neoprene-like backing (“alien skin”).

Check out our full review where the holster survived months of use and a multi-day CCW course.

And now with some video from John:

Rounded Gear (formerly Concealment Express)

Looking for something AIWB (appendix) that’s super light (less than 3 oz) yet effective and still comfortable.

We’ve been recommending Concealment Express for years and they continue to win us over with new updates. The latest being a rebrand to Rounded Gear.

Check out Concealment Express in action with a Glock 19.

They even have tuckable holsters…

And a “claw” accessory to further lower the profile of your CCW…although for them it was never really a problem.

Check out our full review on them and all their styles and attachment options.

Tenicor

Want the Ferrari of kydex holsters?

Check out Tenicor which brings a concept that’s so “why didn’t I think of that” to the table…

Molding the holster to what a normal human is like at the…groinal triangle (our term, lol).

They only have a few models for their Velo above but if you’re packing something popular (Glock, Sig Sauer, or M&P), they’ve got you covered.

So is it comfy?

You bet…I put on the holster without the clips and wiggled it around until felt very natural. Then I installed the clips and set the height.

Here it is in action before I go into it more:

Now the clips…there’s a couple options but I went with the most aggressive hold with the T1 clips.

They take a little longer to put on since it will snag your belt and pants…but wow they feel they will never come off even in a tussle.

Here’s another angle…and you can also see the raised “camming bar” near the top left. That works like the “claw” in other designs that helps rotate the holster more inwards.

There are two other options like snap buckles for your belt or permanent loops where you thread your belt through. Less retention but easier to get on/off and won’t scratch stuff as easily.

Got a light?  They’ve got the Sagax Lux model…

It honestly felt the same in my pants as the regular Velo since it’s not that much bigger. For now, it’s only a G19-sized Glock option with TLR-7, XC1-B, XC2, and APLc lights.

Plus it doesn’t use the light for retention so you can use it without one too.

Here’s another angle…just a little more material to disappear into your “groinal triangle.”

For the comfiest appendix carry pure Kydex option yet…check out Tenicor.

They are definitely at the high-end of the price spectrum with the Velo at almost $80 and the Sagax over $100. But if you’re a serious appendix carrier who needs comfort and extreme retention…it’s probably worth it.

I’ll have a full review coming up soon!

Urban Carry G3

This holster deserves to be in its own category since it melds IWB & OWB…the Urban Carry 3 ($69) offers some distinct advantages over other holsters.

It’s the third generation of holster and has a host of upgrades compared to its previous iterations.

It allows for carrying with your shirt tucked in…plus even if it prints a little it shows up as something in your pocket.

And allows for an easy grip (although slightly higher than other traditional holsters).

Another new feature of the G3 is their “LockLeather” which clicks around the front of the trigger guard…preventing the gun from moving or flying out when pulled.

However, one negative includes having to have your belt a little looser since your gun sits underneath. And potentially some technique modifications for…bigger guys.

N8 Tactical

A newcomer (at least for me) is N8 Tactical which has a unique hybrid holster that allows multiple handguns to fit in the same holster.

Their Original Holster is large but super comfy with a nice backer. Though it’s recommended for compact guns I had no problem fitting my full-size M&P 2.0 in there.

The now have some newer and smaller versions like the OT2 Micro which easily fit a few of my sub-compacts.

It’s a comfy and easy introduction into holsters at $39…especially if you haven’t made up your mind on what gun to carry.

My one complaint for the Original and OT2 is that you can’t easily get a nice draw grip with the extra material there.

Thankfully there’s the combat version of the OT2 Micro which cuts out some material blocking full access to the grip.

1791 Gunleather Ultra Custom

The Ultra Custom takes a unique approach in that it can be custom-fitted to whichever gun you want to carry. We tested an IWB model and found it to be a great option.

This holster is leather but features a section of thermoplastic within. Users heat the Ultra Custom according to instructions, then mold it to the gun they want to carry.

After it cools, the result is a high-quality, leather, holster, with Kydex-like retention properties. The gun clicks into place when being holstered.

The Ultra Custom comes with a low-profile clip that can be adjusted for cant angle.

One of the best features of this gun is it can be re-heated and re-formed for a different gun.

There are a few holsters that can carry many different guns, but this one offers a custom fit to each!

Best OWB Holsters

Safariland

Eric’s favorite no-nonsense OWB holster brand if you’re looking for a paddle holster that can also be added to a belt.

Great for carrying or for competition use. And a favorite of law enforcement for their duty belts.

Tons of models so you’ll be sure to find your pistol, hand, and flashlight combination.

Backing allows the use of a paddle or other belt attachment systems (Tek-Lok, QLS, ELS, etc).

Plus the paddle is well-designed to hug your hips.

Specific models we like since they have so many:

• Model 7378 Paddle Holster

The site is a little complicated but here’s what we found works:

1. Choose your holster options (color, draw hand, finish, material)
2. Press “Check Fit” at the bottom to go to the Holster Finder
3. Choose “Find by Firearm Type” and fill out
4. Choose “Any” Security Mechanism
5. Choose options for slide mounted optics and light
6. It will show results for your gun

Concealment Express OWB

Our favorite no frills Concealment Express has branched out of IWB and into the world of OWB.

First off with their paddle holsters.

Easy to take on and off although I would recommend thicker belts to make sure there’s not too much movement.

Here it is in action!

Not digging the paddle style and want a little more security? Belt loop holsters to the rescue.

Alien Gear Rapid Force Duty

Looking for a quality OWB holster that has retention? Our resident retired police officer reviewed Alien Gear’s Rapid Force holster and loved it.

It’s built tough and has Level II or Level III retention to keep your handgun safe until needed.

Plus it’s adjustable for hand size with differently sized thumb switches.

And of course it can accompany popular pistol lights.

Check out our full review here.

1791 Gunleather

Looking for a simple (and beautiful) leather OWB holster? Look at 1791 Gunleather’s options.

I went with the “vintage” color and wow is it pretty.

I may have to pick up some cowboy shooting soon!

However…I went with a little more modern P320 to try it out. It was tough to get in the first time but after reading the instructions on how to make it fit better…it’s great.

Easy draw, no fear of it falling out, and not too much effort to get it in there.

Belt attachment is great too…I like the angle of how it conforms to my hip.

One more kicker? It’s reasonably priced for something made out of nice leather. My setup cost around $57.

Best Belly Band Holster

Brave Response Holster

My top choice for a belly band holster is the Brave Response Holster ($70) which is universal for most guns since there’s no hard Kydex shell. This makes it very comfy too.

Plus it has the added benefit of having three mag pouches already sewn in. It might be a little hard to reach them since it is on your strong side, but it’s good to know they are there with you.

Crossbreed Holsters

The Crossbreed Belly Band ($70) adds some extra safety with a Kydex gun-specific shell that covers the trigger. They also have a sewn in magazine/phone/flashlight pouch plus the ability to add in magazine holsters.

Best Ankle Holster

Sticky

For that extra deep concealment ($33). You can even fit an extra mag or knife next to your gun with this adapter.

Remember to add their holsters which use a rubbery material to stay in place.

Best Shoulder Holster

Galco

For those times when you’re wearing a suit and tie, but also feel like being prepared.

Being like James Bond ain’t cheap though…

Best Gun Belt

With most of the holsters, you’ll likely get…you’ll need a great gun belt.

One that doesn’t scream “look at me” but is sturdy enough to not flex under the weight of a fully loaded gun and even extra mags.

My favorite is the Kore Essentials with X7 Buckle ($60) which meets all the requirements and has an awesome “clickable” adjustment system. See it in action:

It allows me to loosen when I’m sitting down or getting into the car, and then quickly tighten when I’m back up again.

There’s various colors of their nylon tactical belt (what I like) and even some leather options too.

And by slightly shifting the buckle to the side it blends in pretty seamlessly with your wardrobe.

Remember to use code “PEWBELT10” to get 10% off at Shall Not Comply. And check out our shirts there as well!

Or if you prefer direct…use code PEWPEWTACTICAL at Kore for the same.

I have a complete review of them here or also check out Best Gun Belt options for more traditional ones too.

Conclusion

No matter which method of concealed carry you choose, you need to practice your draw and re-holster often to make sure you master it.

As for holsters?  Sometimes it takes trying out a couple to see which one fits and feels the best.

Not yet a concealed carry pro?  Check out 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Concealed Carry.

And how that you’ve gotten the perfect holster and gun…what happens if you have to use it in a defensive shooting?

Check out my review of USCCA Membership which has tons of education:

• To avoid getting into trouble
• To know what to do during a deadly encounter
• What to do in the aftermath

Plus each membership gets personal liability insurance as an added perk. I’ve been a member since 2017. Check it out and also get a free Pew Pew Tactical course.

So…what holster did you end up getting? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you’re a lady and need tips for concealed carry, check out our Definitive Guide to Concealed Carry for Women.

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