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Top Concealed Carry Holster Brands
What is the most essential piece of kit in your EDC? Your gun, yeah, of course, and your cell phone, but would you believe me if I told you that your holster is one of the others?
Everyone carries a phone, and many people carry wallets, but not everyone carries a gun. Since it’s not normal for everyone, many people get freaked out when they see something poking out of someone’s shirt. And sometimes, they get freaked out enough to make an issue about it.
With the proper holster, you’d be surprised how well you can conceal your gun and even a spare mag. Source
How do you mitigate that? A good holster. This is what you and I are going to discuss for the next several minutes. I’ve tried many holsters and have had some good ones, as well as some horrible ones.
So I’m going to run you down a list of what I believe are the best concealed carry holsters on the market. We’ll also go over what makes a good holster and how you can find the right one for your needs.
What Makes a Good Concealed Carry Holster?
A good concealed carry holster makes the job easier. It needs to be comfortable, or the chances are that you won’t wear it or will be adjusting it all day in public.
They also typically have adjustable retention and ride height, a claw for maximum concealment, secure clips for the belt, and, if you need it, modularity.
It should also be made of a good material. Kydex and leather are the most popular materials you’ll see on holsters, so you don’t have to worry too much about that department. However, you should feel confident that your holster won’t come apart or allow your pistol to fall out while you’re moving. The craftsmanship needs to be evident and proven.
There are numerous manufacturers out there, so you need to ensure that quality, comfort, and concealment are all covered.
Top Concealed Carry Holsters
T-Rex Arms
T-Rex Arms makes the best Kydex concealed carry holsters on the market. Period. Well, at least in my opinion!
They are highly comfortable and extremely modular. In the summer, when I need the ultimate concealment, I run my Glock 19X in a Sidecar holster, and you would never guess that I’m carrying.
Before Lucas left, he dropped some great gear. Source
There are plenty of different attachments that you can choose from as well. You can attach a spare magazine carrier, tourniquet carrier, handcuff carrier, and if you have a suppressor, there’s a carrier for that, too. You can forgo all of these attachments and run another belt clip if you desire as well.
The belt clips can be ordered in metal or plastic, but I highly recommend the former. If you want the ultimate holster, the Sidecar is where it’s at.
Tier-1 Concealment
Tier-1 has been one of the most well-known and popular makers of holsters for quite some time. When I first got into concealed carry, I ran a Glock 19 with a Tier-1 Agis holster and was in love with that setup. Years later, and a ton of updates forward, the Tier-1 Axis Elite remains one of the best.
Tier-1 has definitely left its mark in the concealed carry space. Source
Most notable is the comfort and concealment. With the mid-ride sweatguard, you can move around with this holster without any issue. Bend over, bend backwards, you name it. It stays in its position and does not affect your comfort.
Some would even say it’s the most comfortable holster on the market. I’m able to put on my work boots and drive for hours with this thing on. Sometimes, I forget it’s even there.
And printing? No. Unless you’re wearing tight clothing, no one would ever guess you’re carrying. You can choose from a wide range of Kydex colors, cord colors, and clip options to create the exact holster you want.
Traditional Arms
One of my other favorite concealed carry holsters is the Kimura. This one is also extremely comfortable and conforms to the shape of your body with Tegris material that bridges the magazine holster and the regular holster.
One of my favorite parts of the Kimura is the adjustable retention on the magazine. There’s a set-screw on the side that allows you to tighten or loosen the holster to your desired fit.
And if you don’t want to have a magazine holster at all, you can swap out the Tegris with the additional piece to only run the extra belt clip.
You’ll also find several other holster styles available in a wide range of colors and overlays, from camouflage patterns and flat colors to designer clothing brands. Your Gucci Glock can have a Gucci fabric overlay.
It’s all about customization. Source
StandardCo
If you’ve been around any serious gun groups for a while, then you’ve heard of StandardCo.
Instead of using a blue gun to form the holster, StandardCo uses CNC molds that allow for a perfect fit and a more durable holster that won’t give up on you over time. This process also gives you nice edges and perfect retention.
If these don’t scream quality, I don’t know what will. Source
The Geronimo is a slim option that reduces the bulk and heaviness you find on other holsters. This makes the holster perfect for carrying in more restrictive clothing and during those hot days when regular holsters can be cumbersome.
StandardCo put a lot of time and effort into these holsters, ensuring they will remain as good in ten years as they were when you got them out of the box, so if you don’t mind a little longer wait, you’ll have a holster that is guaranteed for life.
Tenicor
Last but certainly not least, Tenicor is another brand that you’ll also hear mentioned frequently among serious shooters. These holsters are of the highest quality with thick thermoplastic and metal clips from Discreet Carry Concepts that keep the pistol secure and in place, no matter what you’re doing.
The price is low, but the quality is outstanding. Source
Tenicor also made this holster in a way that eliminates hot spots, which cause you to sweat due to the holster being so close to your body. This enhances the comfort you get when carrying, which, if you’ve ever carried on a hot day, you know is important.
Tenicor gives you a lifetime warranty, so if this holster ever fails, you’ll get another one.
Conclusion
I’ve had my hands on all of these holsters and can give you my utmost guarantee that once you’ve read through this and find the one that you want, you will be served with a holster that will make you happy to carry every day.
This is extremely important because if you hate your holster, you will hate carrying your firearm, and that can change your attitude to the point where you stop carrying altogether.
Think of your holster as an investment. Find the one you want, and make sure you have a good belt to boot. With the proper setup, you’ll forget you have it on in the first place.
Be good and take care.
