Top 5 Brands For The Best Suitable Concealed Carry Holsters

Published by 
MaxBlagg
Last updated: 
December 22, 2023

Buying a gun in itself can be a tedious and consuming task considering the variety of guns and ammunition available in the market. And even after you have made the choice and purchased one, your work doesn’t stop there.

The next step to select the best suitable holster to carry your firearm, and to avoid being overtly conspicuous, you should opt for a concealed carry holster. There are multiple types even within concealed carry holsters. For instance, there are IWB (inside the waistband), OWB (outside the waistband), ankle holsters, belly bands, shoulder holsters and more. Each of them has their own pros and cons, as we’ll see in the list below.

What Makes A Good Carry Holster

holster

Before you get to choose the ideal concealed carry holster for your gun, you need to know what makes a carry holster the best. Here are certain aspects you should look for in a holster while making your decision:

  • The holster should be made of a robust material, like leather or Kydex, and it should cover the trigger to prevent any unintended discharge.
  • The holster should be sturdy enough to not let the gun fall out of place. In other words, it should have solid retention.
  • It should be good at concealing the gun since you don’t want to be out on the road with your gun being on public display. The best concealed carry holsters are usually IWBs, but make sure that it is not uncomfortable.
  • The holster should have a strong combat grip. You should be able to reach your gun easily and fire it instantly in case of an attack.

Types Of Concealed Holsters

[amazon link="B06XSZ3RGX" title="IWB" /]

[amazon box="B06XSZ3RGX"]

The IWB, or inside the waistband, carry holsters offer the best concealment since the gun is essentially extremely close to your body and fully hidden from public view. It does seem a little less comfortable since you will obviously feel the gun poking, but with the right material and placement you can carry it off with ease. The appendix holsters, among the IWB ones, offer the best concealment.

[amazon link="B00L744O7I" title="OWB" /]

[amazon box="B00L744O7I"]

The OWB, or outside the waistband, is the type of holster that stays on the outer side of your lowers. It is not very concealing since the holster is outside but it’s a lot more comfortable since there is nothing pinching you inside. The OWB holsters also have a better grip on the gun since they are on the outside and provide unrestricted access to your hand to reach the fun. They usually take the support of the belt to stay in position.

[amazon link="B01MZ54IH9" title="Ankle Holsters" /]

[amazon box="B01MZ54IH9"]

When you need to have a gun as a backup firearm, ankle holsters can be your savior since they are as they are named, placed at the ankle and completely concealed thanks to your trousers or pants. No one can make out that you have a gun unless you raise your trousers to show them or if you are wearing super tight pants that show the holster’s outline. However, they can be really uncomfortable and hard to get to in case of emergency.

[amazon link="B01ED1UP8I" title="Belly Band Holsters" /]

[amazon box="B01ED1UP8I"]

In case you do not wear a belt, belly band holsters can be an option. As the name suggests, they come with a band that wraps around your belly and holds the gun. With this type of holster, though, you need to make sure that you buy the band that covers the entire gun and does not make your body heat up.

Apart from the above, there is a shoulder holster too that you might have seen some law enforcement agents in the previous years wear.

Top 5 Concealed Carry Holsters

Let’s take a look at the best concealed carry holsters available in the market today.

[amazon link="B00SZ23B9W" title="Alien Gear Holsters Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB Holster" /]

[amazon box="B00SZ23B9W"]

This is one of the best-selling concealed carry holsters. It is an IWB holster made using neoprene and conforms to the shape of your gun. The holster offers great and adjustable retention to make sure your gun stays put. In fact, the retention shell is customized as per the gun you want to carry in it, so there is no question of not fitting.

Here’s what you can expect from the Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB Holster by the American brand:

  • Adjustable retention.
  • Made from waterproof neoprene backpad.
  • Adjustable belt clips for ride height and cant angle to get the perfect carry position of the holster.
  • Zero break-in time needed due to a firm yet flexible base.
  • Thermoelastic polymer top surface that keeps the gun in place but also looks good.
  • The retention shell is customized according to the pistol you carry in the holster.
  • Lifetime warranty by Alien Gear along with a lifelong supply of retention shells.
  • Right and left-hand orientation.

The Alien Gear carry holster is available in multiple sizes to suit whatever gun you possess. Also, the brand offers a 30-day test drive facility. In case you want to return the holster within 30 days of your purchase, the seller will buy it at the same price.

The Alien Gear Holsters Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB Holster comes at an affordable price, available for purchase on Amazon at $. It is comfortable and offers great concealment, along with good grip and retention.

[amazon link="B01DMMKUE8" title="CYA Supply IWB Holster" /]

[amazon box="B01DMMKUE8"]

CYA Supply Co. is a reputed and popular name in the industry. The CYA Supply IWB Holster is designed to fit the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9MM/.40 S&W gun and for right hand draw only.

Made from the Boltaron thermoplastic, the holster has good friction and retention to ensure that the pistol stays in place securely. The material is also highly durable and sturdy, along with being resistant to chemicals and wear and tear. Here’s what you should know about this best-selling concealed carry holster:

  • Built using durable Boltaron material which works better than Kydex in protecting against impacts.
  • Cant angle adjustable to 0 to 15 degrees using the Allen key that comes with the holster.
  • Adjustable retention using the Allen key to adjust the screws in the trigger guard.
  • Only suitable for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9MM/.40 S&W guns.
  • Sweat guard that covers the side of the holster.
  • Comes with an audible retention lock for better protection.

Made in the USA, the CYA Supply IWB Holster comes also offers 4 different colors - flat dark earth, carbon fiber, black and teal blue. The holster is available on Amazon for a minimum of $, which makes it a great buy if you possess the suitable gun.

[amazon link="B06XR7KGJ8" title="Houston IWB Gun Holster By Eco Leather" /]

[amazon box="B06XR7KGJ8"]

This IWB holster by Houston is highly popular due to the quality it packs along with being extremely cost effective. Available for a right-hand draw as well as left-hand draw, this eco-leather holster has a suede lining that is resilient to frequent wear and tear.

The holster has good retention and allows for a quick and easy draw with a strong grip. It is lightweight and fits most of the compact size pistols, while usually used for the Glock guns. Here’s what you need to know about the Houston IWB Gun Holster:

  • Fits most sub-compact guns, including Glock 19, Springfield XDs, CT9 BERSA Thunder 9mm / .40 Caliber / .45 Cal and more.
  • Available for both right and left-hand draw.
  • Waterproof and sweat proof.
  • Comfortable enough thanks to its lightweight and compact size.
  • Durable and resilient to wear and tear.
  • Uses passive retention system for a prompt draw and easy handling.
  • Suede lined interior and eco leather exterior for better protection of the gun.
  • Has a strong, flexible metal clip to ensure the gun is securely placed.

The Houston IWB Gun Holster is a highly comfortable concealed carry holster. It is double stitched to ensure greater durability. However, it is not suitable for larger sized guns but can be used for almost all types of sub-compact pistols.

The holster is available on Amazon for an extremely low price of $, for either of the left or right-hand draw. If you are looking for a holster that is compact and lightweight, easy to carry but offers maximum concealment for your sub-compact gun, the  Houston IWB Gun Holster is a great option.

[amazon link="B071DKLBF5" title="XL Concealed Carry Belly Band Holster By Thunderbolt" /]

[amazon box="B071DKLBF5"]

Thunderbolt holsters are known for their comfort and sweat-free material. The Concealed Carry Belly Band Holster by the brand is made using the military-grade neoprene that prevents overheating and irritation due to sweat. It is highly comfortable, for both men and women.

This concealed carry holster wraps around your waist easily, or even anywhere else you want to. It has minimum print, i.e, does not let itself be outlined against the clothes you wear and is constructed in a way that it can carry almost all types of guns.

Here’s what you need to know before opting for the Concealed Carry Belly Band Holster  by Thunderbolt:

  • Elastic strap waist wrap that hugs the body comfortably and keeps the gun in place.
  • The wrap is comfortable enough to be positioned on the waist, the hip or the abdomen, whatever the holder prefers.
  • Made using sweat-free and breathable military grade neoprene.
  • Fits both men and women up to 50 inches in waist size and can be adjusted in case of reduced waist size.
  • Uses a Velcro loop to hold the wrap tightly and prevent the gun from falling out.
  • Extra pockets to carry spare clips.
  • The band offers additional back support when positioned on the back.
  • Elastic snap fastener retention system for a quick and easy draw.
  • Fits compact and full-size handguns as well as several sub-compact sized pistols.
  • Both right and left-hand draw available.

The concealed carry holster can be worn on the back, hip, waist or abdomen and works well to prevent the body from heating due to the holster. It is available for purchase on Amazon for a highly affordable price of $.

[amazon link="B076GVP88M" title="Blackhawk SERPA CQC Concealment Holster" /]

[amazon box="B076GVP88M"]

Built using the patented SERPA automatic lock system, this Blackhawk holster is made to ensure maximum protection for your gun and avoid any misfire. It is structured to allow drawing out the gun with maximum ease and promptness.

The SERPA concealment holster has an extremely strong grip along with a passive retention system with adjustable screws. The handling is smooth and the holster comes with the belt loop and the paddle platform.

Take a look at the specific features of the Blackhawk SERPA CQC Concealment Holster:

  • An amazing master grip that allows quick drawing.
  • SERPA auto-lock for enhanced protection of the trigger.
  • Audible click on re-holstering the gun to ensure that the gun has been securely placed.
  • Easy and smooth draw, available for the right as well as left hand.
  • It fits Glock 17, 22 and 31 pistols.
  • Adjustable cant angle for comfortable carrying.
  • The package includes belt and paddle attachments.
  • Instant retention on holstering back the gun.
  • It can be positioned on the shoulder and other tactical positions.

The Blackhawk SERPA CQC Concealment Holster is made to fit certain types of guns, as mentioned above. It has a great fit and is highly durable and comfortable as well. It does feel a bit bulky, but the advanced grip and the excellent retention make up for it.

The holster is available in multiple colors, including black, coyote tan, foliage green and matte black. The price differs according to the size you buy, with over 60 options of sizes to choose from. This concealed carry holster is available on Amazon at a starting price of approximately $.

Comparison Table

[amazon box="B00SZ23B9W,B01DMMKUE8,B06XR7KGJ8,B071DKLBF5,B076GVP88M" template="table" /]

The Conclusion

Even apart from the top 5 concealed carry holsters reviewed above, there are numerous others that fit the bill depending on your requirement. The main aspect to keep in mind is how well the holster performs and how easy it is to handle in case of an attack. Not to mention the fact that the holster should provide maximum protection to prevent any mishap.

The choice of the holster is highly subjective. The concealed carry holsters mentioned in the list basically cover almost all types of guns and revolvers along with multiple body positioning options, at the same time being cost effective. With every holster, though, you need to practice using it enough to bring fluidity while drawing from it.

Know your gun and do maximum research on the performance and the reliability of the holster before making your final choice.

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