Features Every Concealed Carry Holster Must Have.

Every concealed carrying gun owner should know about the importance of a dependable, quality holster. If you’re the sort of shooter who spent a lot of time choosing the right carry handgun, you should give the same level of consideration to your concealment holster.

But what if you don’t know where to begin? Learn about the different features and parts of a quality concealment holster and how to choose the best one for your needs.

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Holster Style

There are three general categories of gun holsters: Inside the waistband holsters (IWB), outside the waistband holsters (OWB), and holsters that do not use the waistband at all, such as ankle holsters, pocket holsters, and shoulder holsters.

Although shooters of all stripes may use any of these as a  concealed carrying holster, not all are equally suitable for the job.

IWB holsters

An IWB holster is a gun holster designed to ride on a gun belt with the holster shell sitting inside the pants, using one or two belt loops or belt clips to secure the holster in place.

Like all waistband holsters, IWB holsters require a good gun belt. With the right combination of holster features, gun choices, proper cover garments, and good concealed carrying habits,  IWB holsters are an excellent choice for deep and efficient concealment.

As a holster riding on the belt, it is easy to configure the holster’s position relative to your body using the holster clock notation system. The most common carry position is, by far, strong-side hip carry, around 3-o’clock for right-handed shooters and 9-o’clock for left-handed shooters.

IWB holsters are the most common type of holster for concealment. Many of them are adjustable or even compatible with modifications, letting the user balance comfort versus concealment to their liking.

OWB holsters

An OWB holster is similar to the IWB holster, except the shell rides outside the pants.

The main advantage of  an OWB holster is that because they ride on the outside of the waistband, they are more comfortable and do not require the user to adapt their pant size to accommodate the holster. It is also easier to carry a full-size handgun (or larger) in an OWB holster.

The main disadvantage is that they are harder to conceal. Unless you wear an additional layer over your body, something long and thick enough to hide your beltline and prevent printing, you effectively cannot conceal an OWB holster. This issue makes OWB holsters very uncomfortable to carry concealed in hot weather.

Although they are not the best choice for concealment, OWB holsters are ideal for law enforcement, military, security, or civilian open carrying.

Ankle holsters

Ankle holsters are, as the name suggests, small gun holsters designed to ride on the ankle. Their primary purpose is to allow a law enforcement officer to carry a backup gun comfortably without taking up valuable belt space.

However, they present many disadvantages. They require long pants to be used as concealment holsters, limiting their usefulness in hot weather. They are also small, imposing a practical limit on the size of your carry handgun.

Most importantly, they require you to stop and either lift your leg or drop a knee to reach, making it impossible to draw while on the move.

Pocket holsters

A pocket holster is designed explicitly for pocket carry, a concealed carrying practice allowing the shooter to carry a gun directly in their pants pocket, without the need for a belt.

Well-designed pocket holsters feature hook or claw-like extensions designed to prevent the main problem of pocket holsters: accidentally pulling the entire holster out with the gun when drawing.

Even then, pocket holsters are not ideal for concealment. Like ankle holsters, they impose a practical limit on your handgun’s size. It is also considered a massive safety hazard not to dedicate the pocket entirely to your holster due to the risk of accidental discharges from snagging.

Shoulder holsters

Shoulder holsters ride on harness-style devices, allowing a shooter to carry a firearm on their body at the chest level.

Shooters who find carrying at the waistband uncomfortable or impractical for one reason or another may find themselves using shoulder holsters often. If you sit most of the day, a shoulder holster can be a great way to carry a gun.

However, carrying it concealed presents additional challenges. The best way to look at the shoulder holster is to view it as an OWB holster for your chest. It’s comfortable in the right circumstances but requires an additional cover garment to conceal effectively, making it less than ideal for hot weather.

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Holster Materials

Today, most holsters available on the market fall in one of four categories: leather, Kydex, nylon, and hybrid.

Leather

Leather is the traditional material for gun holsters, having existed for about as long as firearms have. Many shooters swear exclusively by leather as a holster material.

While high-quality leather holsters are visually appealing and even pleasant to touch and smell, they can be prohibitively expensive.

More importantly, no matter how much money you sink into a holster, all of them will eventually wear out. They require regular care and maintenance to avoid tearing or breaking prematurely. This issue is especially relevant to IWB holsters because of their constant exposure to sweat and body heat.

A worn or damaged leather holster presents significant safety risks; the holster may no longer properly fit and retain your handgun, becoming loose. In the worst-case scenarios, the tearing and damage may deform the revolver and  cause an accidental discharge.

Kydex

Kydex is a thermoplastic material invented in 1965 for use as an aircraft interior material. It was first used as a gun holster material in 1972 by FBI agent Bill Rogers to replace the agency-issued leather holsters.

Kydex holsters employ a specially molded and shaped shell, matching the exact shape of a firearm and ensuring a tight and secure fit, as long as your holster matches your handgun model.

This material is impervious to sweat and heat, does not deform, and is impact-resistant. Although it can be uncomfortable if worn improperly, you can quickly solve this issue by adjusting the holster’s belt position, angle, and ride height.

The cost of typical Kydex holsters falls in between leather and nylon, offering the best value for the money.

Nylon

Nylon holsters employ ballistic fiber materials, making them very lightweight and inexpensive. This material is frequently used in other equipment, such as belts, vests, pouches, and other gear.

Most nylon holsters are advertised as universal, theoretically compatible with a wide array of handgun models. However, the universal moniker comes from the fact that nylon cannot be molded into a particular handgun’s shape.

Nylon holsters can never offer the fit and secure retention of leather or Kydex holsters. They are also the least durable and the most vulnerable to moisture and humidity. You should avoid Nylon at all costs for concealment.

Hybrid holsters

Hybrid holsters are holsters combining leather and Kydex, typically employing a Kydex shell with a leather back panel, theoretically combining the advantages of both.

In reality, they do not offer meaningful advantages over pure Kydex holsters. Your mileage may vary on the comfort level; some shooters prefer the feel of leather against their body, others may not. The back panel still requires care and maintenance to avoid premature wearing, as all leather products do.

Holster Accessories

Depending on the type and intended purpose, gun holsters may feature additional options and accessories.

Belt clips

A belt clip’s primary purpose is to be the interface between an IWB (or OWB) holster and the gun belt. Choosing the right belt clip is essential to ensure safety and secure retention on your gun belt.

Belt clips exist in many forms and shapes. The most common is the FOMI clip, typically compatible with either 1.5” or 1.75” belts. While they are easy to use, secure the holster properly, and are low-profile, most FOMI clips are made of simple plastic polymers and may break under stress.

Instead, opt for metal belt clips, soft belt loops, or one of many proprietary clip attachments on the market. Regardless of your choice, quality belt clips are a must-have for concealment holsters. The right choice can make your holster almost undetectable.

Mod wing

A mod wing, also known as a concealment wing, is an attachment for IWB holsters designed to reduce printing. The mod wing is a piece of plastic typically mounted behind the trigger guard element of your gun holster. The textured part is designed to push against your waistline, using it as leverage to drive your pistol’s grip closer to your body, improving concealment.

Mod wings are a great addition if you prefer to carry larger handguns. They are most popular on appendix carry holsters, but they can also be installed on an IWB holster.

Active retention

Many OWB holsters feature active retention devices. Such holsters are generally known as retention holsters. Active retention devices include thumb breaks, thumb loops, or trigger guard locks.

The operator must manually disable these retention devices to draw the handgun, improving safety at the cost of speed, making them ideal for law enforcement officers or open carrying civilians.

In contrast, IWB holsters generally don’t feature any active retention devices because they are unnecessary for concealment. The concealment itself is the IWB holster’s security device, under the principle that if nobody knows you are carrying, it’s improbable that a potential assailant will disarm you.

The Best Concealment Holsters Don’t Have to Be the Most Expensive

The most common concealment holsters on the market are Kydex IWB holsters for a reason; they provide the most concealment, the most secure fit and retention, and the best value for money.

If you use accessories such as suitable belt clips and a mod wing, your concealment holster can completely disappear under a regular work dress or casual clothing.

You can achieve ideal concealment without the need to break the bank on expensive designs or exotic materials.

Incognito Concealment offers the best selection of 100% US-made Kydex holsters on the market, compatible with a wide range of pistols and revolvers. Our holsters are available with multiple belt clip options, an optional mod wing, right- and left-handed configurations, and a wide selection of colors and patterns.