Finding A Holster That Doesn’t Move Out of Place While Hiking
It is important to protect yourself as you hike. Whether you hike alone or with a group, you will be deep in the woods. Many hikers prefer the best holster for hiking when they go out of the house. These holsters are specifically designed for the hiker.
Holsters come in many shapes and sizes. There are the outside the waistband holsters (OWB), inside the waistband holster (IWB), pocket holsters, shoulder holster, ankle holsters, pouch holsters, purse holsters, you name it. The list goes on and on. But, so many choices can become a little overwhelming.
Most people who carry a firearm do it in many different situations. You may already have a number of the holsters mentioned above. However, hiking is different. The top holsters for hikers will allow for complete freedom of movement. It is not fun to go hiking when your holster is digging into your skin.
Although finding the “right” holster is a very personal journey, we’re provided six great products in this article. We’ve done the testing to narrow down your choices. All you need to do is choose which holster of the six reviewed is perfect for you.
How Did We Pick The Holsters For Hiking
You can’t test out a hiking holster at the range. It should be put through its paces hiking on a trail, hiking with a backpack, and hiking with hunting gear.
In our field tests, we looked for several features. The top holsters were comfortable, lightweight, hold multiple types of firearms, and didn’t impede movement. The test was conducted on the same half-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, N.C. We made sure to use the same path so that each holster could be compared accurately against the others.
The trail had both flat and incline sections and multiple terrains. This allowed us to judge each holster on hills and different landscape types. We hiked the trail in both directions while wearing each holster and a Ruger GP100 Standard .357 Magnum Revolver. We also included common hiking gear such as a phone, backpack, first aid kit, etc. In all, we treated the test scenario as if we were going on a long hiking trip. Each holster was put through its paces.
Best Holster for Hiking Reviews 2020
Of the many holsters we tested, the following made the final cut.
Chest holsters hiking
Hands Down the Best Holster on the list is the
GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster
Heres a great Video to Check out and below the video is a info and links to Amazon to find out more.
- Not only Designed for, but exceptional for hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, other outdoor activities.
- The harness is made to made to Stay Dry
- Made to be adjustable for many sizes of people
- Made in the USA
First off, at the time of reviewing this product, there was not one review on Amazon that was either a 1 or 2-star review. Secondly, if we were to use our own rating system this product deserves a 9 out of 10.
Why not 10 for 10, the price. This is one expensive holster. Sure it’s the best at what it’ made for, but the price makes it unobtainable for some. Find Pricing and Models HERE
Next Up, If your looking for something more affordable than these next options are for you.
Blackhawk Serpa Sportster Holster
Blackhawk’s Serpa Sportster Holster is our number one pick. It is made of polymer blend plastic. The use of a high-quality plastic means that this holster is made to last. You will have to choose the exact size of the holster for your firearm. Currently, Blackhawk offers the Serpa for Glock, Colt, Beretta, Sig, Springfield, H&K, and S&W pistols. You can also choose from right or left-hand orientation.
The Serpa Sportster is an OWB holster. Make sure you can legally open carry before using it while hiking. You will love how easily and securely the holster fits on your belt. It is small and lightweight, which makes it perfect for hiking. You will never have to worry about constriction with this product. Gunfightersinc Make some quality products, you just have to pay a premium price.
DTOM Concealed Carry Fanny Pack Nylon Holster
Don’t Tread on Me Conceal and Carry Holsters (or DTOM) provides a great fanny pack holster. The Concealed Carry Fanny Pack Nylon Holster is lightweight. It will fit up to a 42-inch waist. DTOM also offers belt extenders. If you have a larger than the 42-inch waist, you can still purchase this holster.
The holster straps are very comfortable. They fit securely on a waist but are not too tight. They will also not rub as you hike up inclines. This holster is ideal for smaller firearms like the Glock 26. You may struggle to fit a standard size or large handgun into the pouch. If fanny pack holsters are sounding good, here is a buying guide. And We Have 15 Models of Fanny Packs Recommended Here
Bianchi Tan 5Bh Thumbsnap Holster
If you prefer a leather holster, then you need to check out the Bianchi Tan 5Bh Thumbsnap Holster. This is a beautiful leather product. The inside is lined with suede so that your firearm does not get scratched. The steel-reinforced thumbsnap is easy to use, but it will not unsnap as you hike. We checked for that issue specifically.
It is the perfect size to fit 4-inch and longer barrels. A wide range of handguns will fit in this holster. That includes the Colt King Cobra, Python 4-inch, many S&Ws, and the Ruger GP100 4-inch. You may struggle to fit a firearm with a Novak sight. Only rear sights will work with this holster. Bianchi Holsters are Make in various areas around the world.
Hazard 4 Covert Escape RG™ Holster
If you prefer a holster that carries multiple items as you hike, you need the Hazard 4 Covert Escape RG™ Holster. This holster is great for hiking. It is also a wonderful “bug out” bag for emergencies.
The unique harness system on the Covert Escape RG™ makes it stand out. You can choose from several carrying styles. You can even adjust the harness to fit your unique body. The interior of the Covert Escape RG™ will hold small items like AA batteries, cables, a cell phone, a knife, etc. You can put a GPS, camera, and other large items in the water-proof removable shuttle bag. For an all-in-one harness, try the Hazard $ Covert Escape RG™.
Active Pro Gear Chest Holster for Concealed Carry
Many hikers prefer to chest carry instead of hip or belly carry. Chest carrying provides good access to your firearm and is very comfortable. For hiking, chest carrying is ideal. The hostler goes in front of your body while the backpack goes on your back. The Active Pro Gear Chest Holster for Concealed Carry is a great example of a chest holster. It conceals the outline of your handgun. It also will not bounce as you hike, which prevents chafing.
It is made of high-quality Cordura nylon. The nylon is durable, very comfortable, and so lightweight you can forget you’re wearing it. The holster includes pouches for small items. The Chest Holster for Concealed Carry also comes in x-small, small, and large sizes. You should have no problem finding one that fits comfortably.
5.11 Tactical Select Carry Standard Pistol Pouch
The 5.11 Tactical Select Carry Standard Pistol Pouch is a belly band holster. It is made of lightweight nylon. Don’t let the material fool you. This fanny pack style holster will last a long time. 5.11 uses 1050D, heavy-duty nylon. It will not tear or rip easily. Believe us, we tried to rip it during our field test, and it just wouldn’t.
The Tactical Select Pistol Pouch holds any standard size pistol. This feature increases the holster’s versatility. You can choose from multiple pistols when you own this holster. The strap is fully adjustable and comfortable. It will not constrict your stomach as you hike. The secure gun pouch and integrate magazine slots make carrying your pistol easy and safe.
How to Select the Best Hiking Holster
When you look for your hiking holster, you need to keep a few things in mind. These will help you narrow down your choices and find the top product for your body.
Decide on the firearm
The first and most important decision you need to make is what type of firearm you plan to take hiking. Pistols are preferred to carry because they are small and lightweight. But, the caliber you choose is up for grabs.
Consider the threats you may encounter when picking your hiking firearm. If you anticipate problems primarily with animals, that will determine the caliber you need. If you are taking the firearm to protect against human threats, the caliber may be different.
For self-defense, small, semi-auto calibers are preferred. These include, but are in no way limited to, the 9x19MM Parabellum,.40 S&W, .380 ACP, and .45 ACP. These calibers are great for self-defense because they are inexpensive and have enough stopping power to provide you an easy escape.
However, if you believe that animal threats are more likely while hiking, you will need a larger caliber. A 10MM or .40 Super will take down most medium game. You will need something like a .50 AE or .45 WIN MAG for large game. The handguns that use these larger calibers will likely require their special holster. Thus, you can see that the firearm you choose to bring will determine your choice of holster.
Do a field test
Yes, we have done an extensive field test. You need to do your field test as well. Everyone’s body and carry style are different. Try any holster you are interested in. Make sure it is light enough to carry a long way. It should also be comfortable and fit snugly on your body.
You can use the guidelines we followed during our field test. Even trying the holsters on at the store would be better than nothing. It may take a couple of tries, but by performing your own field test, you will find the holster of your dreams.
Look for extras
Most people carry multiple items when they go hiking. On short hikes, you may not want to carry a whole backpack. That is were your holster could come in handy. If you are a runner or hiker that likes to keep things light, then you need a holster that will hold more than your handgun.
Some holster operates more like small backpacks or pouches. They have pockets for phones, wallets, cameras, keys, etc. These holsters will be larger and heavier than the ones only designed for a firearm. However, they reduce your need to carry other items. Keeping your possessions and person safe no matter where you are is important. If this sounds like the holster you need, keep an eye out for those types of extras.
Final Notes
Any of the six holsters reviewed in this article will work well for hiking. As you can tell, they are all very different. Concealed and open carry holsters are represented, as are holster of all different materials. You should have no trouble finding the holster style that you prefer from our list.
If we had to choose one, we would recommend the Blackhawk Sherpa. This holster has everything you need for hiking, plus it is fairly affordable. It is specifically molded for many different handguns. For security, comfort, and usability, try the Blackhawk Sherpa first.
