People carry a variety of concealed handguns for many different reasons, but they all share a need for good equipment. An individual’s clothing will have a major impact on whether they can keep their weapon hidden as they go about their day, and it can also play a role in preventing accidents. A good concealed carry jacket is one of the best tools at the average person’s disposal, since it provides both protection from the elements and a safe, discrete place to keep a weapon. There are a lot of different jackets to choose from, but it’s easy to make a good choice as long as you look at a few important factors.

Climate

It’s important to remember that a concealed carry jacket is not a holster. It is a piece of clothing, and you need to make sure that it suits your local environment. If you don’t pay attention to the weather, you’re liable to end up with something that is so uncomfortable that you won’t want to use it.

Starting by making sure that the jacket won’t be too warm or too cold. Some suppliers will provide guidelines with the jacket, but that isn’t universal. If that kind of guidance is unavailable, try to compare the concealed carry jacket with a traditional jacket that you have worn before. If you have one that you know is comfortable, try to find something that is made of the same material and has a similar thickness. If you want a jacket that is suitable for every season, look for something with several removable layers. When in doubt, err on the side of something light. It’s easier to add a layer and make things a little warmer than it is to do the opposite.

Climate concerns don’t end with temperature. Water resistance is also an important factor, since many guns function poorly if they get exposed to too much moisture. Finding a water-resistant coat is normally easy, but they can also cost a little bit more than the alternatives. Look at the frequency of rain in your area, and then think about how likely you are to spend long periods in it without shelter. If that’s a common occurrence, then water resistance is almost certainly worth the cost. If rain is a rare problem, it won’t be too important.

Finally, some jackets will have a UPF rating. This refers to the amount of protection that it offers from ultraviolet light, and it’s comparable to the ratings that show up on containers of sunscreen. Most clothing offers too little protection to matter, but concealed carry jackets are often tough enough to offer significant security against the sun. This won’t have a huge impact on the jacket’s comfort or on a concealed firearm, but it’s a fringe benefit and choosing the jacket that offers more protection can break ties when choosing between similar options.

Durability

A good concealed carry jacket is a big investment, so you want to make sure that you are getting something that will last. The best way to do this is to check for any reviews that complain about frequent or rapid damage, but looking at the jacket’s material can also provide some useful information.

Leather is popular for its appearance, but it also offers a lot of durability. It is especially resistant to abrasion, which is going to be one of the biggest risk factors for the average jacket. People who don’t like leather should look for artificial materials, such as nylon. They tend to be mixed with cotton or other natural materials, and even a small amount will make for a tough jacket.

Materials aren’t the only concern. Almost any material can make a strong jacket if it is put together properly, and poor construction can lead to damaged seams long before the fabric gives out. There are two rules of thumb to remember when looking at construction quality. First, you should trust your instincts. Most people have spent enough time with clothes that they can estimate quality just from looking at a garment. It isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough to spot basic problems. Second, remember that you get what you pay for. It’s possible to find a cheap, high-quality jacket, but you should always do your research if a deal looks like it might be too good to be true.

Capacity

Cargo capacity makes the difference between a concealed carry jacket and a conventional piece of outerwear. People buy these jackets because they offer a place to keep a weapon where people won’t see it, but that isn’t the only type of cargo space that you need to look at.

You should also look for external or internal pockets. They will allow you to keep extra ammunition or other useful tools that relate to your firearms in one place, which makes it much easier to keep track of everything in an emergency. A special compartment for documents can also be valuable, especially if you live in a jurisdiction that requires you to carry a concealed carry permit at all times. The special compartment will make sure that you don’t misplace it or forget to bring it with you, which is perfect for preventing inconvenient discussions with law enforcement.

You also check the holster’s position in the jacket. They can show up in a few different places, and they each need a different motion to draw the firearm. Being able to draw and fire quickly is vital in an emergency, so you should make sure that you can quickly comfortably reach the holster.

Appearance

The final factor to consider is how the jacket will look once you put it on. This is mostly a matter of person taste, but there are a few things that you should consider carefully as you make the choice.

The first thing to consider is the formality of the jacket. Some jackets are designed to look like hoodies or biking gear, while others are designed to look like flannel jackets and other relatively formal clothing. If you only plan to wear the jacket as you go shopping or to other informal places, you can choose anything that looks comfortable. If you intend to take it to restaurants or other events, you might want to choose something that will match the dress code. You’ll have trouble finding a jacket that you could wear to a black tie event, but a relatively formal jacket will still get you into plenty of places.

Subtlety is also an important concern. Bright colors, unusual styles, or anything else that stands out will draw attention. The more people that look at you, the more likely someone is to notice that you are carrying a weapon. Anything that clashes with the rest of your outfit will also draw attention. Try to pick something that looks good with your normal wardrobe to avoid drawing attention specifically to the concealed weapon.

A Few Options

There are dozens of jackets out there that can meet almost any person’s needs. Even so, there are a few especially popular options, and those are the best place to start the search.

Rothco 3 Season Concealed Carry Jacket

This is a good choice for people who are after a casual and versatile jacket. It’s a little light for use during the winter in most areas, but it’s perfect for the rest of the year. Two concealed pockets that are suitable for handguns and four pockets for magazines give it more than enough space for most people, while the external pockets provide some extra space for your wallet or anything else that doesn’t need to be hidden. This jacket is made of two layers, with the inner layer made of polyester and the outer being made of cotton, so it offers a reasonable mix of durability and comfort.

5.11 Tactical #48038 Tactical Fleece Jacket

This fleece jacket is one of the most casual options available, but it’s also one of the most comfortable. Side zippers allow you to open up the jacket to stay cool in warm weather, while hand warmer pockets can help keep out the winter chill. which makes this a very versatile choice. Internal provide space for your weapon, and an additional sleeve pocket provides a little bit of extra storage space. It’s compatible with some of the brand’s other offerings, so this is one of the best choices for people who want to leave plenty of options open.

Rivers West Full Metal Jacket

This waterproof fleece jacket is meant to accommodate a variety of shooting styles. Notably, it is designed to enable cross-draw or strong side-draw for both right and left handed shooters. This leaves most wearers with a few extra pockets, which can be used for magazine storage. The jacket is suitable for a range of moderate temperatures, although many people find that it can be a little too warm in the summer and a too cold in the worst parts of winter. Be aware that it has a tendency to run large, and keep that in mind when choosing your size.

The Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol) was announced in 2008 and intended to be easy-to-carry as a backup pistol for LEOs or a civilian self-defense choice. Easy to carry is a target that Ruger hit dead center, with a fully-loaded weight of only 12 ounces, and at less than 5-1/4″ long and less than 3-3/4″ tall, it will fit easily in any carry position that I can think of.

Without any safety mechanism, protecting the trigger guard area is an important function of the holster, but all of the holster makers seem to understand this, so it won’t be hard to find one that does that job. What the choice of holster for this pistol comes down to is where it will be carried, how securely the holster retains the pistol, and how easy it will be to draw the pistol when it’s wanted in the hand.

With a pistol this size, concealment should be easy, and there should be no reason to go with a holster that’s difficult to mount or dismount. Adding the holster to your clothes in the morning should be as easy and automatic as putting your wallet in your pocket or purse.

This leaves us to divide the options between carry positions.

Pocket Holsters

The Ruger LCP comes new from the factory with a branded pocket holster that is perfectly serviceable, but improvements are certainly possible. What is wanted in a pocket holster is good coverage of the pistol to break up the silhouette, a reliable anchor to keep the holster in the pocket when the pistol is drawn, and good protection for the pistol from pocket lint and other debris. Some will carry other pocket items in the same pocket as the pistol, but I consider that a poor choice, because they could interfere with drawing the pistol.

Ace Case Ruger LCP Pocket Holster

While this holster is advertised as being specifically for the Ruger LCP, I’m a bit skeptical. It fits okay, but there are enough minor differences in size to make me believe that this was a general-purpose pocket holster re-branded to match the popular LCP.

That aside, this holster does the job nicely. The LCP fits into it nicely, even if the pistol is fitted with a Crimson Trace Laserguard sight. The profile is just a touch narrow, but not enough to make the pistol print easily. It is fitted with 2 stripes of rubberized material to keep it secure in the pocket on the draw, and lined with a soft, velvety material that offers no resistance to the draw. It is stiff enough to prevent the activation of laser sights in the holster, and solid enough to mask the shape of the LCP.

Talon Concealed Carry Wallet and Cargo Pocket Leather Holsters

This is a nice little leather holster anchored to a firm rectangle of leather to give the silhouette of a wallet in your pocket. The out-side of the leather panel is the rough side of the leather, which may not have enough friction to anchor well in your pocket. This could be corrected at home with an uneven application of rubber cement to the panel to increase its stickiness.

The right-hand model is properly oriented for front pocket carry, but back pocket carry with the silhouette panel toward the outside would mean a palm-in draw, which is more awkward than the usual palm-out draw from a back carry position. Right-handers who want to use this in the rear pocket may want to consider getting the left-hand model, and vice versa.

Ace Case “Gripper” Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP Sticky Pocket Holster

This neoprene holster has a sticky finish on the exterior to anchor the holster into your pocket when you draw the pistol. It doesn’t entirely cover the grip, but breaks up the profile of the gun enough to make the print harder to identify. Ambidextrous, it will work for front and rear pockets for shooters who use either hand.

Ankle Holsters

An excellent choice for concealment, but one of the more awkward positions to draw from. There is no way to get a speedy draw from an ankle holster, so you have to balance the concealment against the long time it will take to get the pistol into your hand. Practice helps some, but don’t expect to out-draw anyone with one of these.

Because of the motion of the ankle in walking or running, holster retention becomes paramount, and a holster that won’t slide down and need adjusting is just as important.

Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Kodra Nylon Ankle Holster with Retention Strap

This ankle holster from the people who pioneered nylon holsters is intended to be worn on the inside of the off leg; right-handed people will carry their pistol on the inside of the left leg, and vice versa. According to their website, the proper size to order for the LCP is size 10.

With an above-the-calf strap to prevent this from sliding down and a hook-and-loop retention strap for the pistol, this is about as secure as any ankle holster is going to get. People with sensitive skin are going to want tall socks when wearing this.

Creatrill Neoprene Ankle Holster with Padding for Concealed Carry

This neoprene holster is very comfortable against the skin, even for people with sensitive skin, and the plush padding just adds to the comfort. The holster itself is an elastic pouch that will hold a variety of gun shapes in this general size.

Because the holster isn’t particularly shaped, it will work for inside or outside of the leg carry on either leg; the only difference is whether the built-in magazine pouch is at the front of rear of your calf.

Yosoo Health Gear Ankle Holster

Again, neoprene makes for a comfortable experience against the skin, and this has a calf strap to help prevent the holster from sliding down. The elastic holster fits the LCP nicely, and there’s a magazine pouch that rides just behind the pistol when it’s worn on the inside of the left leg. As above, this can be worn on either side of either leg.

Belly Band Holsters

Belly band holsters tend to be comfortable, secure, very concealable, but the draw will be slowed down a bit with a tucked-in shirt. Belly bands can usually be worn to present the firearm at any position of the waist, and can be used higher on the body if desired.

LIVEBOX Adjustable Elastic Band with 2 Magazine Pouches

This ventilated elastic belly band is 6″ high and has several velcro bands at the closure for a customized fit. The surgical elastic gun pocket is near the right hip with the velcro at the front centerline; once on, spin it around your body until the pistol is presented exactly where you want it. The 2 magazine pouches are on the opposite side from the gun pocket.

Concealed Carrier Belly Band Holster

This neoprene belly band is 5″ high and adjusts to fit up to 44″ around, so it may be a bit snug worn high for underarm carry. The surgical elastic gun pocket has a definite pistol orientation, but it comes in Right and Left hand models. It has a spare pocket for magazines, a phone, cash, etc.

IWB (Inside the WaistBand) Holsters

The most common choice for concealed carry, an IWB holster for the Ruger LCP should be easy to place comfortably at any waist position.

Black Jacket Holster IWB KYDEX Holster

This Kydex holster has retention adjustable with a Phillips screw, and is available for either hand, in black or carbon-fiber finishes. It has a strong belt clip for 1-3/4″ belts, and the manufacturer will swap out for shorter if you like. Some report that the clip works fine without a belt. There is no adjustment for cant.

Don’t Tread On Me Combination POCKET/IWB Holster

This Armadillo Nylon IWB holster also doubles as a pocket holster when the removable clip is taken off, and is designed to mask the profile of the pistol. It comes with 2 clips, so you can adjust how high it rides out of the waistband (still pretty low, practice drawing is recommended.

The clips will get a fair grip on a waistband for no-belt use, and some cant adjustment is possible this way. There is a smooth lining for easy draw, with very good retention. In IWB use, the grip of the pistol is against your skin/shirt, so sweaty weather could make cleaning the exterior of the pistol necessary. This is also available in a left-handed version, which also works for right-handers who want a palm-out draw when the gun is positioned at the back.

The Glock 26 is in an odd place these days- the single-stack G43 has taken the concealed carry world by storm, offering more punch than the .380 ACP G42. It’s sleek (as a Glock can be), it’s slim, and it’s the hottest new thing… unless you want more than six rounds of 9mm. If you’ve bought the old double-stack instead of jumping on the hype train, we can tell what you might want when looking for a holster. If you’re a police officer on duty looking for a backup, you’ll want an ankle holster. If you’re in a hot or humid climate, Kydex might suit you better than leather and you’ll want to make sure you keep printing to an absolute minimum since you can’t rely on jackets and overshirts to keep concealment. If you carry mostly in the great outdoors you’ll want something that you know will stay on your belt, while urban environment users might want something that can accommodate a flashlight.

That’s a pretty tall order! But thankfully, there’s more holsters out there these days than fish in the sea. Comparative shopping has never been easier, though you might be spoiled for choice- so let’s have a look at a few options.

Concealment Express IWB Kydex holster

Starting off on the tacticool end of things, Concealment Express’ offering for the Glock 26 can be had in can be had in either black Kydex or “Carbon Fiber” (which is most likely just a hydro-dipped finish). Kydex may not be as flexible as leather, but it also won’t degrade when exposed to sweat- an important consideration if you live in a hot and/or humid climate and plan to carry inside your waistband. Kydex will however, stick to your skin in these conditions- so comfort might not be this holster’s forte. However, the minimalist design ensures that printing is not an issue, and accommodates most aftermarket sights. Any safety concerns about Glock’s trigger safety are alleviated due to the fact that the Concealment Express Kydex covers the entire trigger. Like most IWB designs, the belt clip does require an actual belt, and won’t work with the waistband of your pants.

Alien Gear Cloak Tuck

On the other end of the scale, the Cloak Tuck from Alien Gear seeks to maximize comfort by giving a wide surface area against the wearer’s body- a spring steel boning is wrapped in neoprene on the inside and the company’s proprietary “alien skin” coating on the outside, to prevent your pistol from shifting around inside your waistband. One particularly interesting feature is that the kydex shell holding the G26 against this backing can actually be swapped out, letting you use the same holster with different pistols (so long as you pick up shells for them too). Very cool. While the dual belt clips don’t let the holster go loose, you might want to put some loctite on them from doing just that- reviews have mentioned the screws can loosen over time. All things considered, the Cloak Tuck seems an exceptional value at it’s price point and this is reflected in it’s status as ConcealedNation.org’s 2016 Holster of the Year.

Clipdraw GS-B (and Glock Tech MIC holster)

Calling the Clipdraw a “holster” might be stretching it- it’s literally pocket clip that attaches directly to an included replacement slide cover plate. It simply doesn’t get any more minimalist than this, and if you can’t abide bulk or weight then you might want to consider the Clipdraw. However, this design is slightly alarming for a previously mentioned reason- with Glock’s Safe Action design, the trigger safety is the only safety. One solution to this problem would be to combine it with the Glock Tech MIC (Minimal Inside Carry), a tiny kydex holster that only covers the trigger and guard. It can also be used alone, though the only thing keeping your CCW from moving around is the cord you tie around your belt, which is used to pull the holster off during the draw. Together, these two could combine Voltron-style into an interesting, super-minimal holster system that addresses individual weaknesses. However, you’ll still run into the fact that you essentially have a bare pistol with no padding against your body.

ComfortTac Ultimate Ankle Holster

Ankle holsters might be uncommon for the average CCW holder, but those who are already carrying a service sidearm and want a backup might consider one (especially if their service pistol is also a Glock). ComfortTac’s offering in this area is nylon, but before you boo and hiss, they have made some thoughtful considerations in the design- it’s got a neoprene backer and foam padding making it much more comfortable to wear on your ankle, next to skin. Retention is provided by a metal snap, offering a much quieter draw than Velcro. As this is in fact a universal holster, it will accommodate underbarrel lights and lasers.

Blade Tech Phantom

A few things about the Phantom separate Blade Tech’s otherwise standard holster design- first is the top-snap belt loops, allowing for quick and easy removal from waistband carry. The somewhat minimal Kydex design incorporates a full-length “sweat guard” so you don’t have metal-on-skin like with many minimalist holster designs. One interesting quirk is that it does tend to ride high- this can cause some printing, but allows for a more positive draw grip. If you’re willing to make the trade off between concealment and speed, the Phantom provides an exceptional value given its low cost and ease of use.

DeSantis Sof-Tuck

Kydex may be the new hotness these days, but don’t consider leather completely “old and busted” just yet. Where Kydex is hard and inflexible, leather has a tendency to mould to the wearer’s body over time. DeSantis seems to be one of the few larger holster manufacturers still offering leather solutions, and their Sof-Tuck is one of the most popular Inside Waistband models around. The top end is reinforced with a strip of high-end saddle leather for rigidity, so you can re-holster in the dark without having to fumble around holding the opening like you’re trying to make a toddler spit something out. Always a plus. The leather is a fairly hard suede that will benefit from some breaking in, and the belt clip is adjustable for height with a single screw. The Sof-Tuck shows that leather can definitely keep up today, offering a solution with minimal to no printing at a very affordable price.

DSG Arms Alpha

On the more tactical end of things we have the Alpha holster from DSG Arms, which can double as both OWB and IWB. The adaptability doesn’t stop there- the Alpha is adjustable for height, retention, and cant. Other thoughtful details reflect this holster’s higher price, like extra-thick Kydex with chamfered and bonded edges. Where this holster really shines though, is accepting weapon accessories- in addition to an available version which will accommodate the popular Streamlight TLR-1 weapon light, the Alpha holster is also designed for use with pistol red dot optics. As red dots are quickly gaining acceptance in the handgun world over iron sights (especially in the Glock community), this is a handy feature. This holster does sit a little high, even at the lowest setting, but the contoured close-to-body design and small size of the Glock 26 should keep concealment from being an issue.

Outlaw Holsters NT Hybrid

Choosing between Kydex and leather can be tough. So don’t! The NT Hybrid from Outlaw Holsters seeks to get the best of both worlds, and does a pretty good job of it. A thick cowhide backing molds to your body for comfort, while Kydex molds to your pistol for the best retention. The belt clip is an extra-wide design which will do a great job of distributing weight (always a plus if you like using extended magazines on your G26), though it does add bulk and ride high- not so great with extended magazines for concealment, though it can help with getting a full grip on the draw. With subcompact pistols, this can certainly make a difference.

Sticky Holsters MD-4

One of the more oddball designs on the market is the Sticky Holster– while the Clipdraw’s minimalist design eliminates everything but the clip, the Sticky Holster eliminates everything but the shell. That’s right, no clip, just a fabric cover between your waistband and hip. The only retention here is that pressure and the friction of the material. The strength of this design is it’s versatility- you can carry however you want, even in your pocket. Comfort is another definite plus since the Sticky Holster is lightweight and has no hard, rigid parts at all. This keeps printing almost unheard of- even when carried as a pocket holster! If you can get over the weirdness of not having any sort of clips or straps, then the Sticky might just be ideal.