Carrying a handgun brings on a lot of responsibility and, quite frankly, discomfort. It’s like they are designed to inflict pain both for the carrier and the person on the receiving end. That’s why finding the best concealed carry holster is very important. It will improve safety, prevent accidental falling and firing, and enable comfortable carrying.
Pay attention to the weapon type you own, where you want to carry the gun, your body type, and the area of use to find a perfect fit. To help you out, we’ve selected some of the top-rated concealed holsters, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling the internet.
Best Concealed Carry Holsters
Concealment Express IWB Kydex Holster
Price from $39.95
Pros
- Allows quicker draw thanks to the adjustable retention
- Features reinforced stealth belt clip compatibility
- Made in the USA
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- You need to be careful with the adjustable retention. If you screw the holster too tightly, you can scrape the gun when drawing
Design & Compatibility
This is a minimalist holster, and the basic model fits Kimber, Ruger, Colt, and Springfield 1911. However, you can order it in many other sizes – the company offers holsters for more than 200 popular handgun models. The manufacturer has molded each holster specifically for one model, ensuring a snug fit. What’s even better, like with all best concealed holsters, you can even choose between left and right-handed models.
Features
Thanks to the slightly undercut trigger guard and adjustable retention, you can choose between a quicker draw or increased safety. There are also other interesting customization options. Namely, you can tilt the holster from 0 to 15 degrees (up to -5 to 20 degrees on some models).
This means that, after finding that ideal carrying position, you can reduce reaction time even further. This model has a full-length sweat guard in addition to a rear sight shield that will protect your gun from sweat. This makes it the best iwb holster for users in hot and humid areas.
Comfort
The manufacturer used high-quality 0.8-inch KYDEX and the holster weighs just 2.5 oz. In addition, the 1.5-inch ABS belt clip is fiber-reinforced. In general, we can say that the holster fits like a glove around the gun. The small size and weight make it very comfortable to carry, and possibly the best concealed carry holster for women. Of course, if you own a larger handgun, the size and weight of the holster will increase.
What we didn’t like
There is no soft inner lining. As a result, if you adjust the retention screws to be tight, drawing can cause scratches on the gun. That’s not really the holster manufacturer’s fault, as you wouldn’t expect Kydex to scrap metal, but the coating on modern guns is often very gentle.
Our verdict
This is a very durable holster with a lifetime guarantee, easy to conceal, and comfortable to wear. We can recommend it to anyone looking for these qualities.
CERTUM3 IWB/AIWB Concealed Carry Holsters For Glock
Price from $23.99
Pros
- Mid-ride shirt guide
- Dual tension screws ensure security
- It features a useful height adjustment
Cons
- It is a little pricey
Design & Compatibility
The slim and lightweight holster is a champion in versatility. Namely, it has so many options for adjustment it’s impossible to find your ideal carrying position. The design is high-tech and totally in line with the gun it’s intended for.
Due to the design and lifetime warranty, this is probably the best concealed carry holster for a Glock 19. Besides the Glock version, the company also makes it for various models of Sig Saurer, S&W, Walther, and 1911.
The holster has an IWB/AIWB marking. That means you will be wearing it inside the waistband, and the A stands for the appendix. It’s a carrying position where the gun is in front, just around that part of your body.
Features
You can choose between three types of belt attachments. One of them is a T1 belt clip that allows security as well as durability with vertical adjustment slots. With a minimalist design, the holster is simple and unnoticeable, making it one of the best IWB concealed carry holsters.
Comfort
The holster comes in right and left hand designs. Both are very slick and lightweight, as they are made from high-quality 0.093 inches thick thermoplastic. The belt clips have a 1-inch height and 30 degrees of tilt adjustment. In combination with standardly provided adjustable camming bars, it is easy to find the ideal carrying position.
What we didn’t like
The holster looks and feels durable and high-tech and comes with a lifetime warranty. However, as one of the best IWB holsters, it doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it is almost two times pricier than some of its competitors.
Our verdict
Excellent choice for people who want versatility, comfort, and safety. And are willing to pay for it.
ShapeShift Ankle Holster
Price from $82.66
Pros
- Full trigger guard protection
- Very comfortable holster base
- Allows excellent airflow
- Interchangeable parts with other ShapeShift Line products
Cons
- Like all ankle holsters, the straps make it bulky and more complicated to put on
Design & Compatibility
This is the most comfortable concealed carry holster for people who don’t want excess weight on their waist or shoulders. However, due to their small size, ankle holsters are more suitable for holding backup weapons. A large gun would be conspicuous and awkward to walk around with. Nevertheless, the company does offer holsters even for larger models (more than 70 in total).
The ShapeShift Ankle Holster features both vertical and horizontal support with its two-piece design. In addition, the height is fully adjustable, so you can wear the holster with most types of footwear, even boots.
Features
What makes this one of the top 10 concealed carry holsters is that the whole system is designed with interchangeability in mind. That means you can swap different shells the manufacturer offers. So, if you get another gun, you don’t have to buy the whole strap system – you can just replace the shell. It is something like interchangeable batteries with power tools.
This really adds to the versatility of the whole system. In addition, this holster is fully made in the USA and comes with a 30-day Test Drive trial period.
Comfort
It’s very probable that this is the best concealed carry holster for subcompacts like Glock 26. But ankle holsters, in general, are not very comfortable because there are a lot of straps and belts. They need to be wrapped around the bottom of the foot and above the ankle. Furthermore, they also have to be tightened well so the gun wouldn’t move around. That, however, induces sweating.
Fortunately, the manufacturer made the straps from elastic, adjustable, high-quality Coolvent neoprene. It is a highly breathable and sweat-wicking fabric, protecting your skin and the weapon from excess sweat.
What we didn’t like
The upper strap is just above the ankle, great for comfort and slip prevention. But it has one drawback. Namely, it is made with smaller guns in mind, and it’s not exactly the best 1911 concealed carry holster. Larger guns may lean backward due to the excessive weight of the buttstock and the high center of gravity.
Our verdict
High-tech and reliable ankle holster for smaller handguns. If you need one and you are on a budget, this is the best you will find.
Kryptek Typhon Kydex OWB Holster
Price from $17.47
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Suitable for different handguns
- Sleek and modern design
Cons
- The printed pattern fades away quickly
Design & Compatibility
This is a high-quality holster that comes in 135 variants for different handgun models. It is designed to fit on the outside of the belt—one of the most popular types of holsters for concealed carry. One of the best things about this model is its modern and fashionable design. It comes in standard black, but also a variety of different colorful prints.
Features
Unfortunately, the holster doesn’t allow you to change the tilt. However, the manufacturer partly makes up for it by offering a wide array of clips that have angled holes. It comes with standard closed belt loops, but you can choose between speed clips, paddle back, and leather loops.
You can also get longer versions that cover the muzzle completely, have an opening for threaded barrels, laser dot sites, etc.
Comfort
It’s made from KYDEX, which makes it pretty lightweight and small, making it the best concealed carry holster for S&W Shield, and guns of that size in general.
Also, the holster is much more comfortable than IWB holsters since you will carry it on the outside of the waistband. However, It is more visible than the “inside the waistband” counterpart.
What we didn’t like
Some cuts are a bit sloppy, and sharp edges may scrape your hand when taking the gun in and out. That’s not really a big problem because you can file them down with a nail file. But it raises the question of why they didn’t bother doing it in the factory. Also, the pattern fades away quickly.
Our verdict
This is a minimalistic and affordable holster. It is the best concealed carry holster for compacts like Glock 43. It won’t let you down, and that’s what counts.
Combat Master Belt Holster
Price from $78.41
Pros
- Features an excellent old-school design
- Made of high-quality leather
- Very comfortable and sits nice
Cons
- Angle of carrying is un-adjustable
- Doesn’t fit all gun models
Design & Compatibility
The last holster on our list is a celebrity family member. Namely, the company which produces it also makes the Miami Classic model. If it’s not the best concealed carry shoulder holster, it’s certainly the most famous one. Galco holsters are very often featured in cop shows and movies. It all started with Miami Vice in the 80s, and Galco products remain very popular in Hollywood.
However, the Combat Master Belt Holster is designed to be worn on the outside of the waistband. But it shares some of the values with its bigger brother. For instance, this holster is an excellent combination of modern design and old-school materials.
The high-quality leather looks elegant, making it one of the best concealed carry holsters for suits. Thankfully, the creators didn’t put form over function. As a result, this is a very functional holster, providing a snug fit, good concealment, and quick draw.
Unfortunately, it comes in only 11 model variants. It covers most of the popular brands and models, but it is still less than the competition’s portfolios.
Features
The holster is 100% leather. In addition to the high-quality material, it has double-stitched seams for added security. Each holster is molded to the specific gun model and provides a snug fit. The holster has a butt-forward cant which provides quick draw and better concealment under the jacket, even for larger handguns. Many users say that these features make it the best 1911-size leather holster.
Comfort
Leather holsters are much more comfortable than their Kydex counterparts. The material is hard enough to hold the gun in place, but it still has flexibility and conforms to the body nicely.
What we didn’t like
In short, we didn’t like the price. But, given that this is a high-end product made from top 2% quality leather, it is justified.
Our verdict
Premium product with a premium price. If you are willing to spend top dollar, you will be satisfied.
Our Methodology in Choosing the Best Concealed Carry Holster for 2022
While reviewing these gun holsters, we were focusing on the following areas:
Quality
The build quality is essential because it affects every area of use. It is not just about the longevity of the holster. For instance, if the materials lose their initial qualities over time, the holster becomes wobbly, can’t hold the gun properly, the holster becomes uncomfortable to wear, the clips can’t hold the holster, etc.
Range of models and extras
You would want your preferred holster manufacturer to offer a wide array of holsters if you buy another gun. Likewise, you would want to be able to choose different ways of belt attachments and ammunition pouches to go with your best gun holster. The bottom line is that an extensive product portfolio instills trust in the company.
Price
Gun holsters are extremely important because they enable the safe transportation and use of lethal weapons. But they shouldn’t cost more than a gun they are protecting. Some of the models, even though undoubtedly good, are ridiculously overpriced.
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing the Best Concealed Carry Holster
Design – Wearing Position
When and where are you going to carry a gun? Is it just for a couple of hours or an all-day use? There are several different ways to carry a gun holster:
- OWB (outside the waistband). This works great if you wear a jacket or coat covering the holster. It offers a quicker draw than IWB but is harder to conceal.
- IWB ( inside the waistband). This is the right choice if you’re wearing well-fitting clothes. The upside is excellent concealment, and the downside is that the draw is slower. The best inside waistband holster should provide a compromise between stealthiness and quick access.
Each of these ways has additional variants, appendix (wearing the holster in front), cross draw, small-the-back carry (wearing the holster in the back).
Other most popular ways of carrying are:
- Over the shoulder. This is the famous holster from cop shows. The good side is that it offers a fast draw when you are sitting down (in a car and with a seatbelt on, for instance). It is the best concealed carry gun holster for security staff and professional drivers. Also, it takes the weight off your belt, and you won’t have to pull your pants up all the time. The downside is that it requires an extra layer of clothes to cover it.
- Ankle holsters. This is a forced solution that is only useful for backup pistols. It has no clear advantages over the previous ways of carrying gun holsters.
- Pocket holsters. Again, one is not a very practical solution, as it works only for the smallest handguns. In addition, the gun also collects dirt and lint in the pocket, which reduces its reliability. Therefore, you should view even the best pocket holsters for concealed carry as a last resort.
Materials
Two of the most popular materials are leather and Kydex. The latter is thermoplastic. It enables the manufacturers to create high-precision molded holsters for each model specifically. The good side is that your gun will fit in perfectly, but the bad side is that it is not suitable for other models, even if they are similar in size and design. In other words, your best concealed carry holster for PT 1911 may not be a good fit for your Colt Delta Elite, for instance.
Leather, on the other hand, can’t be molded so precisely as Kydex but is much more comfortable to wear since it has some flexibility. Also, in some cases, you can use the same holster for different models with similar size and design.
Retention and draw ease
These demands are directly opposite. For instance, the tighter the fit – the harder it is to get the gun out. So it is no surprise that only the best concealed carry holsters can accomplish both. Some holsters have screws that allow you to adjust the retention level until you reach that perfect balance.
Conclusion
Owning and carrying a gun is a big responsibility, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. Just as lethal weapons need to be stored in gun safes at home, they need to be adequately taken care of when you have them on you. And getting a high-quality gun holster is a good start. You should keep in mind that there is no universal best concealed carry holster. However, there is one that’s best for you specifically.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great products on the market. Still, the important thing is not to be led by how awesome or mean the holsters look. Instead, your primary focus should be on your needs and the conditions you will be using your gun and holster in. After taking that into account, you can make the best choice.
People Also Ask
There are many holsters that are both useful and comfortable. One of our favorites would be IWB (inside waistband) holsters. They are comfortable and allow a fast draw. Still, the best way to conceal a weapon depends completely on yourself and your needs. For example, some people prefer belt holsters because they find them more comfortable. On the other hand, some like ankle holsters, while others consider them too heavy.
There is no most accurate way to carry a weapon. Rather, you should find the most suitable way for you that allows maximum comfort as well as a fast draw. Further, it is important to find the most suitable carry holster material. Some people prefer classic materials such as genuine leather, while others prefer modern-day materials that are similar to plastic, like Kydex.
This also depends on your personal needs, your body figure, as well as the way you like to dress. For example, if you like to wear tight clothes, it is possible that you won’t be able to find an appropriate IWB (inside waistband) holster. Still, IWB and AIWB (appendix) holsters would be our first choice. They aren’t easy to spot and allow for a fast draw.
Comfort depends on the wearer. Factors such as body type, material preference, and gun model all play a role in the comfort of a holster. Always choose holsters that allow your skin to breathe, such as genuine leather. There are also many artificial materials that are both comfortable and allow your skin to breathe that are a bit cheaper. Whatever you decide, the best concealed carry holster for your comfort will be one that hugs the body, secures your gun, and allows for a quick draw.
