As the saying goes, everyone has an opinion. Choosing the best holster is a very important part of concealed carry. There are a variety of different holsters on the market, but not all are comfortable ways for concealed carry. If the gun is at home, it’s not doing any good.
What’s the most comfortable and easy holster for concealed carry, and how to choose the best that suits your demands?
Pocket Holsters
Pocket holsters have quickly become one of the favorite ways for concealed carry as they are perfect for grab-and-go concealed carry. There are a variety of pocket pistols available that are easy and comfortable to carry as a pocket pistol, such as the Ruger LCP, Glock 42, Kimber Micro, Sig P238, Kahr P380, S&W Bodyguard, and many others.
The nice thing about pocket pistol holsters is that it’s as easy as grabbing your wallet and your pocket pistol holster before you leave the house. Simple and comfortable. This is the best option for small pocket guns.
Shoulder Holsters
Traditional leather shoulder holsters are very similar to what you see in the movies, with a detective wearing a shoulder holster with a variety of straps to hold the gun in place. The benefits of the shoulder holster are that you are not weighing down the belt line and pants. The downside of traditional shoulder holsters is that you have a variety of straps in order to secure the gun.
Crossbody Shoulder Holsters
Crossbody shoulder holsters allow a single strap across the body that wears like a messenger bag. This solution provides secure retention and comfort. Many people love crossbody holsters and believe it is the best shoulder holster on the market. Crossbody holsters are very comfortable to wear underneath a shirt. You can wear one under a short sleeve button-down shirt and find it the best way to conceal carry all day.
Inside the Waistband Holsters
Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters offer a great way to keep the gun close to the body and limit the visibility of the gun. The downsides are that you are inserting another inch to two inches into your waistband. This means your pants may no longer fit, and the gun also often also be rubbing up against your skin which can sometimes be uncomfortable.
Also, another downside is that any holster attached to the belt will weigh down your pants. These holsters are somewhat comfortable until you actually put a gun in them. IWB adds girth to the waistline and also about a pound or two in a single focused point on your belt. Another complaint from people wearing IWB is that sitting down ultimately ends up putting focused pressure between the gun and your body increasing discomfort.
Outside the Waistband Holsters
Outside the Waistband (OWB) holsters usually attach to the belt or clip over the belt and allow your gun to rest in the holster outside the waistband. With the gun outside the waistband, you alleviate the issue of adding inches to the waist. One of the downsides to OWB holsters is that they are potentially more visible if you are trying to conceal your gun. Also, another downside is that any holster attached to the belt will weigh down your pants in a focused area without distributing the weight of the gun.
Small of Back Holsters
Small of back (SOB) holsters are somewhat comfortable until you sit down. Just imagine a piece of metal resting up against your spine while sitting down. Also, SOB creates the same issues as OWB and IWB, that you have a focused weight of the gun in one place on your waist without distributing the weight of the gun.
