Kydex Gun Holsters: OWB or IWB

When you’re searching for a suitable concealed carry holster, there are a variety of options available. OWB and IWB holsters are popular among gun owners, balancing concealability, comfort, and accessibility. While leather holsters remain common, newer, more advanced materials like Kydex have gained a foothold. It’s worth investigating materials and carry methods to find the best holster to meet your needs.

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Kydex Holsters

Kydex is a durable thermoplastic — an  acrylic-polyvinyl chloride composite — developed in 1965 by Rohm and Haas, a Philadelphia-based chemical manufacturer. Prized for its resistance to moisture, impact, abrasion, and chemical contamination, Kydex has many industrial and tactical uses. Kydex is durable, stiff, and impervious to water and cleaning solvents when used as knife sheaths, gun holsters, and magazine pouches.

Holster manufacturers thermoform Kydex sheets to the external dimensions of firearms, ensuring a custom-molded fit every time. Once you’ve decided that Kydex is the holster material you need, you can choose your preferred carry method.

IWB Holsters

You can carry waistband holsters in  one of two different ways: OWB and IWB. If you want to carry a concealed handgun, the standard is inside the waistband or IWB. You wear IWB holsters between the waistband of your pants and your body for a snug, discreet fit. IWB holsters attach to your gun belt using clips, which evenly distribute the weight.

IWB holsters have several advantages when compared with the alternative.

Superior concealment

IWB allows for deep concealment as you hide your holster and firearm inside your pants. In addition, tuckable holsters allow you to tuck your shirt’s fabric over and between the holster and the belt clips. The result is a highly discreet and versatile option.

Improved retention

Disarming a gun owner carrying an IWB holster is difficult. As the holster is held snugly against the body, less of your weapon is available for an unauthorized user to grip. The criminal cannot exert the same degree of leverage against your concealed carry firearm, allowing you to resist their efforts.

Wardrobe versatility

IWB holsters don’t limit your clothing choices in the same way that OWB holsters can. You can wear practically anything with an IWB holster. However, you may need to adjust your pants size due to the increased bulk.

IWB Holster Drawbacks

While popular and effective under many circumstances, IWB holsters have their downsides.

Uncomfortable

Nestled snugly against your hip, ribs, or abdomen, some gun owners find IWB holsters less comfortable than OWB holsters. Kydex IWB holsters are less compressible than leather and have less give. If you are struck or fall, a Kydex holster provides less cushion between you and the hard surface.

Increased risk

IWB holsters, especially when worn in the appendix position — between 12 and 2 o’clock — can pose an increased danger to the shooter. As the holster is worn tightly against the body, the muzzle is more likely to point at vital areas. You need to be aware of this when you practice.

Requires more diligent practice

To reliably access your concealed firearm, you need to practice sweeping aside or lifting clothing to expose your weapon. Many gun owners find that IWB carry requires more practice to draw the firearm reliably than OWB.

This also applies to re-holstering your weapon without losing your danger scan. You should also practice re-holstering your weapon slowly and methodically, as a negligent discharge can be more injurious when the holster is firmly pressed against you.

OWB Holsters

OWB holsters are designed to be worn either openly or concealed, attaching to the gun belt via loops.  OWB holsters have several advantages over IWB holsters.

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Improved comfort

Many gun owners regard OWB holsters as more comfortable than their IWB counterparts because the holster is not pressed firmly against the body. There is no pressure between the body and the waistband, and your gun won’t dig into your ribs or hip.

Superior access

Although this depends on the holster design and whether it uses active or passive retention, OWB holsters can allow for a more rapid draw stroke than IWB holsters because of their more exposed position. You will still need to practice sweeping your covering garment aside to gain access to your weapon. However, this can require less time to perfect.

OWB Holster Drawbacks

OWB holsters do have their drawbacks, so you’ll need to decide for yourself which method is more suitable for your concealed carry needs.

Increased vulnerability

OWB holsters, whether worn openly or concealed, are more exposed to criminal assailants. If you carry an OWB holster, you should consider choosing an example that has an active retention fastener or locking mechanism.

More difficult to effectively conceal

OWB holsters are not as concealable and require a covering garment to hide effectively, such as a jacket. This limits your wardrobe choices and can render OWB holsters less comfortable to wear during the summer.

Your choice of gun belt is more important

A high-quality gun belt is important to both IWB and OWB carry; however, OWB, placing the weapon outside the pants, requires a more rigid and durable belt to support the weapon’s weight, preventing it from canting.

Find the Right Kydex Holster for Your Carry Style

At Incognito Concealment, we manufacture high-quality  custom Kydex holsters for concealed and open carry. If you need a quality holster that’s safe to carry, durable, and resistant to water and abrasion, we offer a range of options custom-molded for specific firearms. Give us a call at (586) 333-4240, and we’ll help you find the perfect match for your requirements.