Holster Comparisons, Holster Wedge Guides

Cloudster Pillow + Tier 1 Concealed: Axis, Xiphos & Sidecar Fit

Posted on by Cloudster Pillow
Cloudster Pillow Tier 1 Concealed

Quick answer: Yes, the Cloudster Pillow works with Tier 1 Concealed holsters; our customers run it on the Axis Elite, the Xiphos Elite and T1C sidecars. It attaches with hook-and-loop to the body side of the holster; start low toward the muzzle and adjust to taste. Tier 1 also sells its own foam wedges, in sizes S, M, L and XL. Tier 1’s are fixed-size foam wedges. The Cloudster Pillow holster wedge is one pillow whose thickness you set yourself, with a fabric cover against your skin. For a Glock 19, or any Tier 1 sidecar, the Deluxe or the Monster.

Cloudster Pillow Tier 1 Concealed
A white Cloudster Pillow wedge installed on a Kryptek-camo sidecar holster with an integrated mag carrier and a Glock — cushioning the wide body-side panel.

Does the Cloudster Pillow Fit Tier 1 Concealed Holsters?

Yes. The pillow mounts with hook-and-loop on the side of the holster that faces your body; start low toward the muzzle and adjust to taste. Loop strips and an alcohol wipe come with the pillow, so you have what you need for the first install. Our customers run it on the Axis Elite, the Xiphos Elite and T1C sidecar holsters (see their reviews below).

Tier 1’s AXIS ELITE is its flagship appendix carry holster, with the firearm and magazine joined by shock cord so they flex independently.

Cloudster Pillow vs. Tier 1 Concealed Wedges

Tier 1 Concealed sells its own foam wedges: single wedges, a Sizing Pack with all four sizes and a Single Size Pack of four wedges in one size, in sizes S, M, L and XL, plus a 2.25-inch-wide wedge. Tier 1 calls it a “soft wedge” and says it is “Designed to push your holster system into your body for even better concealment.” The Cloudster Pillow is a fabric pillow filled with shredded cooling gel memory foam. I have used all the other brands. After months of daily-carry testing, the Cloudster Pillow is the best holster wedge for all-day comfort, and here is why on a Tier 1 holster.

Thickness you set yourself

Each Tier 1 wedge size has set dimensions, from 1.0 × 3.00 × 0.50 for the 1-inch Small to 1.5 × 4.00 × 1.25 for the 1.5-inch Extra Large, so to change the feel you change wedges. The Cloudster Pillow is one pillow whose thickness you set yourself: open the hook-and-loop closure and add or remove shredded cooling gel memory foam until the tilt feels right.

Soft fabric against your skin

Tier 1’s product descriptions list no cover. The Cloudster Pillow has a soft fabric cover between you and the holster: bamboo on the White, a cotton blend on the Dark and 100% cotton on the Camo.

Fit, and moving it later

Tier 1 says its wedges are “For IWB And Certain OWB Holsters” and, for people without a Tier 1 holster, that they “will fit on most Kydex IWB systems”. The Cloudster Pillow mounts to any IWB or AIWB holster with hook-and-loop and is repositionable anytime.

Tier 1 Concealed wedges Cloudster Pillow
What it is “soft wedge”; no cover listed Fabric pillow filled with shredded cooling gel memory foam
Thickness Set dimensions per size, from 1.0 × 3.00 × 0.50 (S) to 1.5 × 4.00 × 1.25 (XL) You set it by adding or removing fill
Sizes S, M, L, XL in 1.0″ and 1.5″ widths; singles, a Sizing Pack (all 4 sizes) or a Single Size Pack (4 of one size); also a 2.25″-wide wedge Mini, Standard, Deluxe, Monster
Cover None listed Bamboo (White), cotton blend (Dark), 100% cotton (Camo)
Holster fit “For IWB And Certain OWB Holsters” Any IWB or AIWB holster; repositionable anytime
Warranty / returns Not stated in the product descriptions Lifetime warranty; free 30-day returns

Comparing Tier 1’s wedges with other wedges? See our holster wedge comparison.

Which Cloudster Pillow Size for a Tier 1 Concealed Holster?

Your setup Size
Any Tier 1 sidecar (the AXIS ELITE, or any holster with the mag carrier attached) Deluxe or Monster
Glock 19 Deluxe or Monster
Sig P365 (no light) Standard or Deluxe
Other micro and subcompact 9mms (Hellcat, Glock 43/43X, Shield, P365X) Standard or Deluxe
Full-size (Glock 17, P320 Full Size, M&P) Deluxe or Monster
Any gun with a weapon light Deluxe or Monster

Shop the sizes in this table:

The choice between the two sizes is yours. For larger body frames we recommend sizing up: a larger pillow can always be made to feel smaller by taking some fill out, but a smaller pillow can’t be made to feel bigger. Not sure? Tell us your gun, holster and carry position and we’ll help you compare the two.

You can also use our size finder.

How to Install a Cloudster Pillow on a Tier 1 Concealed Holster

  1. Unload and remove the gun from the holster.
  2. Take off any Tier 1 wedge that’s on the holster now.
  3. Clean the body side of the holster with the included alcohol wipe and let it dry.
  4. Stick the loop strip on the body side, starting low toward the muzzle end; adjust to taste, since there is no fixed spot.
  5. Press the pillow on. Our adhesive reaches full strength after 24 hours, so give it a day before heavy use if you can.
  6. Wear it and check standing, sitting and bending. The grip should tuck in, and the holster’s bottom edge should be cushioned instead of pressing into you.
  7. Tune the fill. More fill tips the grip in further; less fill is subtler. Our wedge placement guide has the details.

What Tier 1 Concealed Customers Are Saying

“I have them both on T1C Xiphos elite holster and I want to make it clear… THESE MAKE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE! The amount of comfort achieved is night and day, I am a customer for life!”
— Yoav K. — Boca Raton, FL

“I’ve been carrying appendix for years now. And I’ve struggled with hot spots. I have spent a small fortune on different holsters and every wedge/pad you can think of, even the ‘top tier’ ones. I finally got an axis elite holster and that helped a lot, but still had a hot spot. Then I got the Cloudster Pillow. This thing is a game changer!”
— John G. — Menifee, CA

“Works great very comfortable used it to replace the wedge on my tier 1 holster!”
— Weiland M. — Roseville, CA

“The Best! I purchased the Standard (Bamboo) Pillow. This thing is the best pillow/wedge/etc. that I have ever used. I have the most experience with Tier 1’s wedges, and I’m telling you, this pillow is easily more comfortable and conceals better for me than those (or any other for that matter).”
— Kyle H. — Jerry City, OH

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tier 1 Concealed make a holster wedge?

Yes. Tier 1 sells individual foam wedges, a Wedge Sizing Pack with all four sizes and a Single Size Pack of four wedges in one size, in sizes S, M, L and XL, plus 2.25″-wide wedges.

What size Cloudster Pillow for a Tier 1 sidecar?

The Deluxe or the Monster, whatever gun you carry in it.

What size for a Glock 19 in a Xiphos Elite?

The Deluxe or the Monster. The Monster gives more coverage.

Does it fit a Tier 1 holster with a weapon light?

Yes. It mounts on the body side of any holster, including light-bearing ones. For a holster with a weapon light, choose the Deluxe or the Monster.

Can I keep my holster’s concealment wing or claw?

Yes. Experiment: if you like the wing or claw, leave it on. The pillow cushions the muzzle end.

Can I move it to another holster later?

Yes. Peel it off the hook-and-loop and use a new loop strip on the next holster; extra strips are sold separately.

Related Guides

Cloudster Pillow

Cloudster Pillow makes the Cloudster Pillow, an adjustable-fill holster pillow for IWB and appendix carry. Questions about anything on this page: cloudster@cloudsterpillow.com.