So, you’re searching for the best concealed carry holster, right?
Well, you’re in luck! In this post, you’ll learn what makes a concealed carry holster the best, and how to find the best concealed carry holsters for the money.
Ready to dive in? Good! Because here we go!
What Defines The Best Concealed Carry Holster?
There are a lot of variables that come into play when searching for a concealed carry holster. Some of these variables are material, which is typically kydex or leather, price, color, weight, type of holster, carry position, design, function, and more.
We will touch on what makes the best concealed carry holster within our eyes.
Best Concealed Carry Holster Material
First, we are a HUGE fan of concealed carry kydex holsters. Not only is kydex strong and durable, but it doesn’t have a break-in period. Maintenance is a breeze if you ever get it dirty since all you have to do is wipe it down, and you don’t have to worry about stretching it out. We also like hybrid holsters, but leather can feel a bit weird on your skin if you’re not used to it or live in the south where you’re sweating constantly.
Kydex is our preferred material on all our holsters. While leather is a good alternative, it all comes down to personal preference.
Concealed carry leather holsters come in all different types of leather as well. Not just cowhide anymore, there is horsehide and I have had the opportunity to even see rarer types of leather such as South African elephant leather.
These rarer leather holsters definitely tip the scales when it comes to price, and in our opinion, are just not worth it. You could spend $100 on a well-made leather holster that will provide the same results as a $400 leather holster made from an elephant in South Africa. I do have to admit though that the look, smell, and quality of that holster was superb, but I can’t see myself (or many of you readers) spending nearly 50-100% of the price of your handgun to put into a holster.
Best Concealed Carry Holster Price
The price of the best concealed carry holsters, based on our research, is between $50 and $120. We have found that holsters than sell for less than $50 are typically hand-crafted by one or two people in a basement or garage, and while there isn’t anything bad about that, the quality may suffer as they may lack experience. If materials cost $15 and they sell them for $40, minus shipping and other fee’s, they stand to make a profit of around $20 per holster. A majority of the time these holsters are made of leather since the materials are cheaper as well.
We do not recommend purchasing a cheap gun holster because the quality will speak for itself. If they make a high-quality product, it will sell at a higher price.
We also do not recommend spending more than $120 on a holster, but that’s just us. If you feel the need to spend $400 on a holster when your handgun cost less than $1,200, then go for it.
However, like we mentioned before, our research pulled several key elements which found the best-concealed carry holsters to be within the $50 to $120 range. The quality of the concealed carry holster should be excellent, depending on the company. Another element is the materials they use. Like any material, there is a cheap and an expensive option. Most kydex holsters all use the same thickness and type, so you won’t notice much of a difference unless you have owned many throughout your lifetime.
Made In The USA?
One more thing we look at is if was made in the USA. We like to support our own businesses, so we don’t even think about purchasing a holster that was made overseas for a few dollars and shipped here for a hefty profit.
Be aware of where it’s made if that matters to you.
While we don’t want to completely get into all the elements, we made a simple rule. It’s called the 10% rule.
The 10% Rule
The 10% rule is simple. You should spend at least 10% of the MSRP of the price of your handgun on your concealed carry holster. So, if you purchased a Glock 43 for $489.00, you should expect to spend at least $49 on a holster. If you purchased a Sig P938 for $750, you should expect to spend $75 on a high quality concealed carry holster.
While you can easily select a more expensive and higher quality option, we do not recommend spending any less than 10%, unless of course your handgun is over $1,500. You’ll normally always want to purchase a concealed carry holster within the $50-120 range.
Best Color For Concealed Carry Holsters
When it comes to the color of the holster, this is entirely up to you, just like the materials. We prefer black kydex with a carbon fiber design. The colors vary but should match or look well with your handgun. You also do not want to get anything that draws attention, such as a bright color like pink. You’re looking to purchase a concealed carry holster, not a “Hey, look at this gun I’m carrying in my bright-colored holster that you can see through my shirt.” And no, we wish we were joking.
Best Type Of Concealed Carry Holster
The type of holster, whether it’s inside the waistband (IWB carry holsters), outside the waistband (OWB carry holsters), shoulder, ankle or any other type of holster depends on the type and size of the handgun you have and what works for you.
For the best concealed carry holster, we prefer IWB as it’s easily concealable, comfortable, can be worn in several areas and has a high level of retention.
Examples of Concealed Carry Holsters
So, what are some examples of the best conceal carry holsters? We’re glad you asked! Check out these holsters below on Amazon by clicking the link to see what we mean.
Tulster Holsters – Concealed Carry Holster
First off, Tulster doesn’t pay us or sponsor us. We are simply a huge fan of their holsters. They are designed well, crafted with high-quality kydex, and the price isn’t that bad either. Plus, they sell concealed carry holsters for a majority of handguns.
Another thing to point out about them is their reviews. They have a huge number of 5-star reviews, so that attests to the quality and the number of satisfied customers. You can’t go wrong with any of their concealed carry holsters.
Texas Leathercraft – Concealed Carry Leather Holster
Next, we have Texas Leathercraft. Again, they don’t pay us or sponsor us. If you’re a fan of high-quality leather products, we have not received any holsters from that we wouldn’t recommend. While they are priced a little higher than Tulster above, they still are within the range and their products are high quality.
We could list several companies that have high-quality gun holsters, but it’s up to you to find what makes up YOUR best concealed carry holster.
This concludes our post on the best concealed carry holsters. Do you think we missed any key points or missed something altogether? Do you have anything to add? If so, leave a comment below and we will happily take a look!
So many companies for holsters! What company would u recommend for my Ruger LCR .38 revolver with 1.87 inch barrel?? Tks