Concealed Carry Holster Types Explained

Before you can pick a holster, you need to pick a position. The holster type follows from there. Think of the clock positions around your waist: 12 o'clock is dead center front, 3 o'clock is your right hip, 6 o'clock is the small of your back. Most people end up somewhere between 3 and 5 for strong-side carry, or right around 12-2 for appendix.

The position determines how fast you can draw, how well the gun conceals, and whether you'll actually wear the thing every day. A holster that works great for a guy who sits at a desk all day might be miserable for someone who's in and out of a truck.

IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters tuck between your pants and your body, clipped to your belt. Per Source 2, they're typically worn strong-side between 3 and 5 o'clock for right-handers. According to Alien Gear Holsters, IWB is the standard for concealed carry because it offers coverage, concealability, and direct body access.

The trade-off is simple: the gun is inside your pants, so you need pants with a waistband that has an inch or so of extra room. Most people go up a size in the waist when they start carrying IWB. It sounds annoying, but you get used to it fast.

Key Point: IWB gives you the best balance of concealability and accessibility for most everyday situations. If you're new to carry, this is the most logical starting point.

IWB holsters attach via clips or loops. Clips are faster to get on and off — handy when you need to remove the gun before entering a no-carry zone. Loops run your belt through them, which per Source 2 is more secure but means threading your belt every time.

AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband) puts the gun at the front of your body — 12 to 2 o'clock for right-handers. It's the carry position that generates the most questions and the most strong opinions, mostly because the muzzle points toward your femoral artery when holstered.

That concern is real, but manageable. According to Source 2, the concerns around AIWB are addressed by using a quality holster that fully covers the trigger guard, and by practicing safe reholstering — specifically, removing the holster from your waistband before reholstering, rather than fishing around inside your pants with a loaded gun.

Why do people prefer it? Source 2 lays it out directly: faster draw because your hands travel less distance, better concealment on most body types during daily activities, and easier access while seated or wearing a seatbelt. In a close-quarters situation, having the gun in front also makes it easier to defend against a grab attempt.

For larger guys, Source 2 notes that AIWB works — it's about positioning the holster above the gut or around the lower belly, avoiding the belt line where both areas meet.

Safety Note: Never reholster while the holster is still in your waistband unless you have confirmed your cover garment is completely clear of the trigger guard. Remove the holster, reholster, then replace. It's slower. It's also how you avoid a negligent discharge into your own leg.

OWB (Outside the Waistband) holsters mount on the outside of your belt. Per Source 2, they're the most comfortable carry style — especially for larger people — and they accommodate bigger handguns more naturally. U.S. Law Shield confirms that OWB can work for concealed carry when paired with a cover garment like a jacket, sweatshirt, or oversized shirt.

The downside is that cover garment requirement. You can't just throw on a t-shirt and call it concealed. In warm weather, OWB carry means committing to a jacket or a longer untucked shirt. When you bend over or move around, the grip can bulge through a cover garment — what people call printing.

OWB is also the natural home position for paddle holsters — a subtype that uses a rigid paddle slid between your pants and body instead of attaching to a belt. Source 2 notes that paddles are convenient for on-and-off but are generally not recommended for serious concealed carry because they can be pulled free under force.

Pocket Holsters

A pocket holster slides into your front pocket and does two jobs: protects the trigger guard from anything in the pocket, and breaks up the outline of the gun so it looks like a wallet instead of a gun. Per Source 2, they work best with micro-compact pistols.

The critical rule: nothing else goes in that pocket. Keys, a phone, loose change — any of it can find its way into the trigger guard. Source 2 is explicit on this. Pocket holsters have minimal retention, so practice drawing to avoid fumbling. You want a holster that grips the inside of your pocket as you draw, so the holster stays put while the gun comes out.

Ankle Holsters

Ankle holsters strap to your lower leg, typically on the strong side. Per Source 2, they're discreet under pants but have a slow draw time when standing. Where they shine is pulling from a seated position — drawing from an ankle holster while in a chair or a vehicle is actually faster than you'd think. That makes them a solid choice for a backup gun, not a primary.

The reviewer in Source 3 with extensive experience wearing ankle holsters noted a consistent issue: Velcro-secured ankle holsters tend to lose their grip after a couple weeks of daily use. The hook-and-loop eventually wears out. A design with an additional buckled strap around the upper calf significantly improves stability.

Shoulder Holsters

Shoulder holsters suspend the firearm under your arm, requiring a cross-draw. Per Source 2, they're well-suited for people who wear suit jackets regularly and for driving, where a hip-mounted holster can be awkward. The wardrobe requirement is real — without a jacket, you're openly displaying the gun and the rig.

The reviewer in Source 3 with Army and gun shop experience noted that nylon shoulder rigs generate significant heat against the body and that quality varies dramatically. The security is good — the gun stays in place and is difficult to access by anyone other than the wearer.

Belly Band Holsters

Belly bands are elastic bands that wrap around your torso with a built-in holster pocket. Per Source 2, they're the go-to for athletic wear and outfits without a belt — gym clothes, sweats, running gear. They don't need a gun belt at all.

The trade-offs are retention and heat. Elastic doesn't lock the gun in place the way Kydex does, and anything worn tight against your torso all day is going to get warm and sweaty. Source 2 notes that extended wear can get uncomfortable. The ComfortTac belly band reviewed in Source 3 uses neoprene and received positive feedback for all-day wearability with looser clothing.

Thigh Holsters

Per Source 2, thigh holsters fill a specific gap — carry under skirts or dresses. They work for lightweight, compact guns but aren't suited for full-size or heavy firearms due to support limitations. This is a secondary or situational option, not a daily driver.

Apparel Holsters

This category includes holsters built directly into clothing — concealed carry shirts, bra holsters, and similar. Source 2 notes that certain designs (like bra holsters) may only accommodate light firearms, and draw times are generally slower. They work as a casual carry option when traditional holsters aren't practical, but they shouldn't be your only plan.

Kydex

Kydex is a rigid thermoplastic molded to fit a specific gun. Source 2 recommends it as a first holster for good reason. It's waterproof, doesn't absorb sweat, holds its shape for years, and gives you a consistent draw every time. Retention is adjustable via screws near the trigger guard — snug enough to pass the upside-down shake test (unloaded gun, holster inverted over a bed, light shake — gun should stay put), loose enough that you can draw cleanly under stress.

The downsides per Source 2: it's hard, which means it can be less comfortable for all-day wear, it can scuff your gun's finish over time, and it can be noisy when you move. The scuffing is real but largely cosmetic — working guns pick up wear marks.

Source 3 includes multiple hands-on reviews of Kydex IWB holsters. A recurring theme: custom-molded Kydex that fits your specific gun makes a substantial difference over universal-fit options. The POLE.CRAFT Kydex holster was still in regular daily use after 18 months in the Source 3 review.

Leather

Leather molds to your body over time, which makes it genuinely more comfortable for all-day carry once it's broken in. It looks and feels traditional, and it works. The downsides are real though: per Source 2, retention loosens as leather stretches and softens. Leather absorbs sweat and requires conditioning to prevent cracking. Water is a problem.

Two useful tips from Source 2:

• Horsehide is tougher and more water-resistant than cowhide
• Avoid mink oil conditioners — they soften the leather too much and will ruin retention

Breaking in leather means working it gradually. Bend it with your hands, work the retention strap repeatedly. Don't crease it, and don't rush it.

The Relentless Tactical leather IWB reviewed in Source 3 came in very stiff and nearly got returned, but loosened appropriately over time. The reviewer noted quality stitching and a metal belt clip — a plus for people who prefer traditional construction.

Hybrid Holsters

Hybrids combine a Kydex shell for retention with a leather or soft material backing for comfort. Brands like Crossbreed and Alien Gear are widely known in this category. The idea is to get the best of both materials.

Source 2 points out the real-world limitation: the flexible backing can fold over the back of the gun over time, disrupting a smooth draw. Reholstering is less secure because the backing doesn't provide structure. The breathable material doesn't help much when it's sandwiched between your pants and skin. Hybrids also absorb sweat and develop odors over time.

Source 2's recommendation is straightforward — for beginners, stick to pure Kydex or pure leather rather than a hybrid.

What to Avoid

Key Point: Stay away from cheap nylon "universal fit" holsters. Per Source 2, they're floppy, don't provide proper trigger protection, and make drawing inconsistent. This applies to any material at the low end — the holster failing at a critical moment is a real possibility, and no carry gun is worth the risk of a holster that won't do its job.

Holster retention is how securely the holster holds the gun and how much effort it takes to draw. Per Source 2, it breaks into two categories:

Passive retention (Level 1) uses friction or tension — no mechanisms to disengage, just the physical fit of the holster around the gun. Most concealed carry holsters are Level 1. For everyday civilian carry, this is what you need. It's fast and simple.

Active retention (Level 2 and 3) adds mechanical devices — thumb breaks, rotating hoods, retention locks. You have to disengage the mechanism before drawing. Per Source 2, Level 2 is appropriate when open carrying in environments where someone might attempt a grab, and Level 3 holsters are primarily used by law enforcement.

For a concealed carry holster, Source 2 is direct: a thumb break usually isn't necessary. Your cover garment is already providing security by hiding the gun's existence. The extra step under stress is a liability unless you've trained with it extensively.

The holster gets all the attention. The belt makes or breaks the whole setup. Per Source 2, a standard department store belt isn't designed to support the weight of a handgun — it sags, shifts, and makes your draw inconsistent.

A dedicated gun belt is stiffer and distributes weight evenly. Most are 1.5 inches wide. Leather belts can pass as dress belts; nylon and composite options are more rugged. The key quality is rigidity — the belt has to stay flat and in position when the gun is pulling on it all day.

If you're uncomfortable carrying IWB and you haven't tried a proper gun belt yet, try that before blaming the holster.

Ride height determines how high or low the grip sits relative to your beltline. Too high and the grip prints through your shirt. Too low and the draw becomes awkward. Per Source 2:

• Mid-ride is the all-purpose choice — comfortable sitting, driving, walking
• High-ride keeps the barrel from digging in when seated, faster reholstering
• Low-ride provides deeper concealment but can get uncomfortable during long periods in a seat

Cant is the forward or backward tilt of the gun in the holster. Per Source 2, a neutral cant sits straight up and down — natural for open carry at 3 o'clock but tends to print at the grip. A forward cant (the FBI cant is 10-20 degrees forward) tilts the grip away from the pelvis and tucks the gun tighter to your body — the most common choice for strong-side concealed carry. A reverse cant angles the grip toward your pelvis, which aligns better for crossdraw or AIWB.

Sweat guards extend upward from the holster to sit between the gun and your skin. They protect the gun from sweat and keep the hammer or safety from digging into you. Per Source 2, a sweat guard should never interfere with your grip.

Concealment wings and wedges are attachments on IWB and AIWB holsters that use belt pressure to push the grip inward toward your body. Per Source 2, wings (sometimes called claws) attach to the trigger side and lever against the belt. Wedges are foam pads near the muzzle that angle the grip back. Both reduce printing significantly and are worth looking for on any AIWB holster.

If you're new to carry and trying to figure out where to start, here's the short version:

• Get a Kydex IWB holster molded to your specific gun. It will hold its shape, protect the trigger, and give you consistent draws.
• Buy a real gun belt. This single purchase does more for comfort and security than most holster upgrades.
• Start at 3-4 o'clock strong-side. Most people find it intuitive and it's forgiving as you learn.
• Carry at home first. Wear the setup around the house for a few days before you commit to carrying in public. You'll figure out what adjustment you need without the stakes.
• Test retention with an unloaded gun — holster inverted over a bed, light shake. Gun should stay put.

The holster you actually wear every day is the right holster. It doesn't matter how technically excellent a setup is if it's uncomfortable enough that you leave the gun in the safe.

• https://range.gritrsports.com/blog/concealed-carry-holster-guide/
• https://www.topfirearmreviews.com/post/most-comfortable-concealed-carry-holster
• https://aliengearholsters.com/blogs/news/new-gun-owners-guide-to-holsters
• https://www.uslawshield.com/usls-1m-gun-holsters-for-concealed-carry/

Last Updated: March 30, 2026