When choosing a concealed carry holster, there are many factors to take into consideration. Whether you choose a waist, ankle, or shoulder holster will depend quite a bit on the pistol you’ve chosen to carry, your concealment wardrobe, and your own personal style.

Along with style of draw (hip, kidney, cross-body), you will need to consider the material of your holster. The three most common choices are leather, nylon, and Kydex.

Kydex is popular as it’s rigid, impervious to water or sweat, scratch and scuff resistant, and as close to no-maintenance as a holster material can get. However, Kydex holsters need to be form-fit to your model of pistol, and won’t be available for every model out there.

Nylon is durable, hand washable, and actually more flexible than Kydex, but will also pass sweat through to your pistol in warm weather.

Leather is pretty and traditional, but requires occasional cleaning and oiling. If it is well-oiled, it will repel sweat to protect your gun, but keep in mind that leather is the least wear-resistant option of the three.

Function

A holster has many functions. The relative importance of each function is a matter of opinion, determined by your circumstances.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Comfort

Comfort is at the top of many lists for importance, and it’s not just about the holster. The gun you’re carrying, and where you’re carrying it, can greatly influence your comfort level. For example, no matter where you decide to carry a Beretta Nano 9mm it will be more comfortable than to carry a full-sized 1911, though with the right equipment, both can be carried comfortably enough.

Keep in mind that comfort is not just a luxury. People with an uncomfortable carry system are more likely to leave their gun at home than those who have a comfortable carry option. As the saying goes, the .380 in your holster is far more powerful than the .50 BMG Desert Eagle that was left at home.

Concealment

This article is about concealed carry, after all. In many jurisdictions it’s against the law to carry firearms in an obvious and noticeable way. The main objective of concealed carry is to keep the sidearm hidden from the general public around you.

Printing, or the shape of the pistol showing through your clothing, is the major concealment challenge. Of course some placement options are much better for concealment than others, but there are additional factors to take into consideration.

Accessibility

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to draw your firearm, spending 45 seconds getting it out of concealment is not ideal. Unfortunately, some of the best-concealed firearms can be slow to deploy.

Practice certainly helps, but holster choice and placement are important considerations to enhance accessibility. The best sidearm, even if invisible to the rest of the world, is completely useless if you can’t get it to your hand when you need to.

Security

Security is an important part of holster selection; by this we mean how well your holster keeps the firearm in place and prevents others from easily drawing it. Few things are more embarrassing and dangerous than the clatter of a concealed pistol falling on the floor at an inopportune moment.

This is an important feature of holster design not only to provide concealment, but to protect your firearm from damage. The ability of a holster to keep your pistol snug until it’s drawn is often referred to as retention.

Carry Choice

The wide array of carry options can be narrowed down depending on your everyday dress and activity. If you always wears a jacket or coat, shoulder carry may be ideal, but if your daily wardrobe consists of running shorts and a t-shirt, a shoulder holster is not an option.

Women’s fashion brings a particular challenge to concealment; there are several holsters designed especially to address these challenges. Under-skirt or bra-mounted holsters are not gender-neutral. Women can adjust their wardrobe to use any of the gender-neutral options, but people should fit their holsters to match their personal style, not their style to accommodate their holster.

Aside from the location of the firearm, it is also important to take into consideration the angle at which it’s carried. This is called the cant of the holster. For example, a long-barrelled pistol carried in a shoulder holster is likely to be carried with the barrel pointing down, but a shorter-barrelled pistol can also be carried with the barrel horizontal, pointed straight back, or at an angle in between.

With some holsters, this is not adjustable at all, while with others it’s very easy to adjust to your preference. Finding the proper cant for carrying your pistol will have a positive effect on how easily you draw, and will often be an important part of overall concealment.

Inside Waistband Holsters (IWB)

Inside waistband holsters, or IWB, are some of the most popular choices. They tend to give good concealment, reasonable comfort, and easy access. Retention is rarely a problem if a good holster is chosen.

IWB carry is possible without any holster (sometimes called Mexican Carry), but it is often not secure, and concealment is not nearly as easy. Printing is much more likely without a holster to anchor the pistol in place.

All waistband carry choices bring an additional choice with them: positioning in the waistband. This is usually denoted by a clock-face analogy, with 12:00 being just at the navel, 3:00 located at the edge of the right hip, 6:00 being even with the spine, etc. For right-handed shooters, 2:30, 4:00 (or kidney), and 11:00 for cross-draw are popular choices. Experiment with these to see which you prefer.

Again, this is a matter of individual choice based upon your typical daily activity. People spending most of their time in the driver’s seat of a car are unlikely to be as comfortable with 6:00 carry as they would be with a well-canted 11:00 position.

Depending on physique, many people are more comfortable buying clothes with an extra inch or so of room for IWB, though this is not universal. If this is your choice, you’ll need to experiment with your wardrobe and adjust to suit yourself.

Belts are another important factor. If you are expecting your belt to support your firearm, you’ll soon find that the average dress belt does a poor job. There are many options among belts that are constructed to be firm enough to do this job, and almost all of them are multi-layered leather. They’re more expensive than the average dress or casual belt, but they can usually be expected to last much longer. Some belt-makers offer a lifetime warranty for their products, with good reason. Of course, not all IWB holsters hook to a belt.

Hanks Extreme Gun Belt For CCW – Handmade 17oz. Leather

This CCW belt is unusual in that it’s not made of multiple layers of leather, but crafted from a single massive strip of 17oz bullhide. They give a 100-yr replacement guarantee if it ever breaks.

The one downside to this belt is its bulk. The left front belt loop on your pants will have to handle 3 layers, which won’t be easy, and might be impossible with some pants.

PROS

• Concealment — This is easier with IWB, but not ideal; you still need to be careful to avoid printing when bending or stooping.
• Customization — This can be used at any location along the belt-line, and cant is often adjustable.
• Retention — Retention IWB is often better than with OWB, which often wants a thumb-break strap for sufficient security.

CONS

• Comfort — This is not often as comfortable as OWB carry in the same position.
• Wardrobe Versatility — For some, this will work best with a wardrobe 1″ larger in the waistline than they would wear otherwise.

The Ultimate Suede Leather IWB Holster by Relentless Tactical

This handcrafted suede IWB holster fits medium frame guns, such as the Kahr CM9, MK9, P380, P9 Kel-Tec P-11, PF-9, Kimber Solo Carry DC, Ruger LC9, and Sig Sauer P938. The suede construction and low profile lend comfort and concealment, and is backed by Relentless Tactical’s lifetime warranty.

Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster: fits GLOCK 26 27 33

This Kydex IWB holster is made for Glock models 26, 27, or 33, and features adjustable cant and retention. Cant is adjustable from 0 to 15 degrees, and retention uses their Posi-Click audible adjustment. This 2.5oz holster has a single 1.5″ belt clip and is designed to protect your firearm from moisture, though sweat will make it stick against bare skin.

The thin (0.08″) material and low-riding design make this holster very concealable. Search ‘Concealment Express’ for models to fit your carry piece. Available for both right and left-handed carriers.

Sticky Holsters Pistol Holster

These holsters have a non-slip exterior for use as either IWB or Pocket holsters. Clipless, they’ll work without a belt, and rely on pressure from the waistband to stay in place and retain the sidearm.

They stay in place well during a draw, and can be adjusted to any position or cant. They work equally well for right and left-handed use.

Outside Waistband Holsters (OWB)

Outside waistband holsters (or OWB) are attached to your belt, outside of your waistband. While this is more comfortable for most people, it is usually avoided because of the difficulty of concealing it. It’s very easy to print or display a gun carried this way.

PROS

• Comfort — This is generally one of the most comfortable carry methods.
• Accessibility — This is also one of the more accessible options, offering quick deployment of your defensive pistol.

CONS

• Concealment — Without a jacket or sport coat, this is difficult to conceal, and printing is easier with this option than almost every other choice.
• Security — Many OWB holsters have to include a thumb break strap to ensure firearm retention. This is more of an issue for some carriers than others, but OWB is one of the least secure styles of carry. If you thump your sidearm against something as you’re brushing past it, the odds are you’re carrying outside of your waistband.

Multi Holsters Elite OWB Paddle Right-Hand Holster

This paddle holster anchors your handgun with a wide paddle on the inside of your waistband, so you can put it on or take it off easily without adjusting your belt. The cant is adjustable, either with 0 cant or the FBI-standard cant.

The Kydex construction is thin, adding little bulk for minimal printing. Retention is adjustable, and is centered on the trigger guard.

OUTBAGS USA OB-30L Nylon IWB Conceal Carry & OWB Open Carry Combo Holster

This versatile nylon holster comes in right and left-handed models, has a removable clip for IWB/OWB use, and a belt loop for OWB use.

Whether OWB mounting is concealed or open carry will depend entirely on the clothing worn with it. This model is intended to fit compact semi-autos, such as the Ruger LC9; other sizes are available.

Shoulder Holster

This is a popular choice for comfort, particularly with larger handguns. With a properly-adjusted shoulder harness, the weight of the gun is evenly distributed across both shoulders. This choice makes a sturdy gun belt unnecessary, though a jacket or coat is necessary. There is usually enough room for the larger guns along your side, too.

PROS

• Comfort — This is one of the most comfortable carry options available.
• Accessibility — With the concealing jacket open enough to permit access, there are few places easier to draw from. Weather or fashion may call for a closed jacket, and that will reduce this option.
• Security — Shoulder holsters are usually very good at keeping your firearm just where you want it regardless of your activity.
• Concealment — Printing is still possible with a lightweight jacket, but concealment is generally very good in shoulder holsters.
• Practicality — Shoulder holsters can be used with larger guns.

CONS

• Wardrobe Flexibility — A jacket or coat is usually necessary, and this becomes a problem in warm weather or in other wardrobe sensitive occasions.

ActiveProGear DeepConcealment Shoulder Holster
This shoulder holster is designed to conceal under a pullover or dress shirt, holding a smaller-frame 1911 easily. The elastic construction fits your body snugly, and is fully adjustable. It incorporates 2 magazine pouches and a firearm retention strap.

While it conceals admirably, the deep concealment will slow deployment. Other shoulder rigs will afford a quicker draw, but few conceal well without a jacket.

Under Control Tactical Shoulder Gun Holster for Concealed Carry
This horizontal-carry shoulder holster is highly adjustable for the perfect fit to most frames. It features belt straps on both sides to eliminate swing, and the waterproof holster fits most pistols with up to a 5-1/2″ barrel. Straps on the holster let you fit it precisely to your sidearm. Off-carry side holds 2 magazines or flashlights.

Ankle Holsters

Ankle holsters work well with small, lightweight guns. Concealment is excellent, as few people will focus on your ankles. A holster that doesn’t tend to slide down your calf is important, as it’s hard to be unobtrusive about adjusting one in public.

PROS

• Concealment — These are usually hard to spot, even for people looking for them.
• Comfort — The applied pressure keeps these from pressing uncomfortably into your calf.

CONS

• Accessibility — This is one of the slower, more awkward places to draw a pistol from.
• Firearm Choice — A small or mid-sized pistol is essential to ankle carry. This is not an ideal option for larger guns.
• Security — Because of the weight swing from walking, a thumb break strap is recommended to ensure retention.

TufForce Padded Concealed Ankle Holster

This nylon ankle holster is anchored with an upper-calf strap to prevent it from riding downward, and is fully adjustable for calf, ankle, and the height of the connecting strap. The elastic holster will fit almost any small or mid-sized pistol, and there’s a velcro retention strap to ensure that your gun is held securely in place.

Cheng Yuan Ankle Holster with padding for Concealed Carry with Elastic Secure Strap Fits for Small to Medium Frame Pistols

This simple ankle holster wraps around your ankle and has an elastic holster and retention strap for secure carry. It’s padded, but not remarkably well. It should be worn just above the ankle bone, to give it little room to ride down.

The Velcro must be carefully placed, as the hook side faces the skin and will abrade if not completely covered with the loop side.

Pocket Holsters

Pocket holsters are a popular choice due to comfort and concealment. While these are possible without a holster, they are much safer and more reliable with one. A good pocket holster will shield the trigger guard against accidental discharge and anchor the pistol into the proper position to be drawn, as well as break up the profile to prevent printing.

PROS

• Convenience — There are few holsters as easy to place properly as a pocket holster.
• Security — It would take extraordinary circumstances to cause a pistol to fall out of a pocket holster.
• Accessibility — Unless the hammer or sights catch on something, this is an easy, reliable position to draw from.
• Comfort — This is the carry choice for people who never find another option that they’re happy with.
• Wardrobe Flexibility — You can wear this with anything that has pockets.
• Unobtrusive Draw — You can have your hands in your pockets with your hand on your gun without being obviously ready to draw.

CONS

• Pistol Selection — A pistol for pocket carry should be chosen with that in mind. External hammers and high-profile sights should be avoided, and there are size limitations as well.
• Accessibility — One of the drawbacks to pocket carry is that it’s easy for the pistol to catch on the pocket during the draw. A streamlined pistol helps, but practice is strongly recommended.

Allen Concealed No-Show Pocket Holster

This holster fits compact pistols and has a suede-like outer surface to stay in place in your pocket when you draw from the smooth interior. It alters the profile of your gun, rather than trying to not print; it will look like a wallet in your pocket.

‘Smart Carry’ Holsters

These consist of a belt and gun pouch made to be worn under your pants or skirt. The pouch carries the gun at your lower abdomen, and there’s usually a pouch for left-handed carry. The unused pouch can carry spare magazines.

PROS

• Concealment — These holsters work under gym shorts or sweatpants, or a skirt. No part of the gun extends beyond the waistband unless you adjust it to do so. No belt is needed, and after some care with adjustment, printing is minimized.
• Comfort — Properly adjusted, these are very comfortable to wear.

CONS

• Accessibility — Because they are so well-concealed, they’re not handy at all for a speedy draw.
• Security — The pouch may let the gun shift. There is no retention, thus no good way to keep the pistol at any desired angle. Falling out is unlikely, unless the wearer falls down just the wrong way.

Second Generation Deep Concealed Crotch Carry Holster

This holster wraps around your hips with an elastic belt adjusted to fit with velcro and holds your pistol below the belt-line, just to the side of your navel. There is a gun pouch for left and right-hand carry, with the unused pouch suitable for extra magazines.

Belly Band Holsters

Related to Smart Carry holsters, these are holsters built into an elastic girdle worn around the stomach. They are often infinitely adjustable for gun position, and just as adjustable for how snugly they ride on the abdomen.

PROS

• Comfort — This is one of the least noticeable options for the handler.
• Security — The gun is securely held in place.
• Concealment — A loose shirt is all that’s needed to cover this holster, and printing is easy to avoid.

CONS

• Accessibility — A speedy draw is possible with practice, but raising the shirt out of your way with the other hand may be necessary.

ComfortTac Belly Band Holster for Concealed Carry

This belly band is designed to carry your pistol under your pants without a belt to anchor it. The neoprene material adjusts nicely to hug your body, and presents the grip just over your waistband at the hip. This style is intended for 3:00/9:00 carry, and is available for left or right-hand carry.

Pack Holsters

Pack holsters come in several styles such as fanny packs, chest packs for joggers, messenger bags, purses, and briefcases. An otherwise innocuous accessory has a holster built in to carry your gun, separate from the usual storage capacity of the accessory.

PROS

• Concealment — These completely enclose the firearm, and printing is extremely rare.
• Accessibility — These are specially constructed to make access easy, for anyone who knows how to open the gun compartment.
• Security — Until they’re opened for drawing, they hold the handgun securely in place.

CONS

• Security — If someone snatches the pack/purse, they’ve also disarmed you, and that may be a mugger’s first action.
• Availability — With a worn pack, this isn’t so bad, but with carried packs like the purse and the briefcase, your tendency is to set them down, disarming yourself.

Roma F.C. Genuine Leather Pistol Concealment Purse with Buckle

This fashionable leather purse features a hidden compartment that conceals your pistol. The compartment is accessible from either the right or left, and has locking zippers for security. This versatile purse can be worn off the shoulder or cross-body, offering hip or cross-body draw for right and left-handed shooters.

Concealment Clothing Holsters

There are a number of choices of concealing clothing holsters for men and women. Undershirts in various styles for men and women and shorts and sports bras are available with holsters built into them.

PROS

• Concealment — These hold the gun firmly against your body to minimize printing.

CONS

• Laundry — For everyday carry, you’ll need several clothing items, or to do laundry frequently.

5.11 Tactical S/S Holster Shirt

This spandex shirt is designed to support a pistol in underarm carry position without sagging. Use the appropriate holster pocket to carry even a full-sized pistol, and the other to carry extra magazines.

Specifically For Women

Bra Holster

This option mounts to your bra, between or below the bra cups. Although rarely a first choice, they are the only useful option with some fashions.

PROS

• Concealment — In looser clothing, these conceal the firearm well.
• Accessibility — Again depending on the right top, it should be easy to draw from.
• Comfort —The softness of the surrounding area should make these comfortable to wear.

CONS

• Concealment — If the gun does print, this is a noticeable area.

THE FLASHBANG Holster

This holster has a loop and snap that goes around the strap between the cups, with the pistol riding horizontally just below. The holster is kydex, so be careful when shopping to make sure your gun will fit securely inside.

Garter Holster

These holsters wrap around your thigh, just like any garter, but has a small to mid-frame handgun and latex bands to keep it from slipping down. In an evening dress, it may be the only possible option other than a purse holster. Try wearing the gun on the outside of the thigh with a full skirt, or on the inside of the thigh for sleeker, closer-fit dresses.

PROS

• Concealment — With some fashions, this is the only feasible option, but they work well.
• Security — Depending on the brand/fit, these can be just as secure as any other carry option.

CONS

• Discovery — This keep the firearm just where it might be discovered by an overly-friendly person.

Garter Holster- Can Can Concealment Women’s CC Thigh Holster

This holster is reported to stay in place nicely, even through dancing. A strong magnet helps hold the pistol in place without a thumb break strap for easy draw. It has pockets for inner or outer thigh carry, plus a pocket for a spare magazine.