Best Concealed Carry Holster: How to Choose the Right One for You

Quick answer: For most people, the best concealed carry holster is a rigid inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, worn at appendix or on the strong-side hip, on a stiff 1.5-inch gun belt. It should fully cover the trigger guard, hold the gun securely, and have a claw or wedge to tuck the grip against your body. The “best” model is the one that fits your exact gun, your body and your clothes. That’s why people who carry every day often go through several holsters before they settle on one.

Concealed Carry Holster Types Compared

Not sure where on your body to carry? Start with our guide to the best carry position for comfort and concealment, then choose a holster built for that spot.

What Every Good Concealed Carry Holster Has

• Full trigger guard coverage. Nothing should be able to reach the trigger while the gun is holstered.
• A fit made for your exact gun, including your optic and weapon light if you run them. A “universal” holster that fits a dozen guns rarely fits any of them well.
• Real retention. The gun stays put when you run, sit or bend, but comes out cleanly on the draw. Adjustable retention lets you tune it.
• A mouth that stays open. Rigid Kydex, or a hybrid with a reinforced mouth, lets you re-holster one-handed without anything folding into the trigger guard.
• Adjustable ride height and cant, so you can set where the grip sits and how it angles.
• A claw or wing (for IWB and appendix) to rotate the grip in toward your body so it doesn’t print.

How to Choose the Right Holster for You

1. Start with your clothes and your day. Office, jeans and a T-shirt, gym clothes, or a jacket every day? Your wardrobe narrows the choice faster than anything else.
2. Pick a carry position. Appendix and strong-side IWB cover most people most days. Add a second option (pocket or belly band) only for the situations your main holster can’t handle.
3. Buy for your exact gun. Check the maker’s fit list for your model, optic and light. If you’re still choosing a gun, see our Glock 17 vs 19 and Glock 43 vs 43X comparisons.
4. Budget for the belt too. A soft belt lets any IWB holster sag and tip away from your body. A 1.5-inch reinforced gun belt fixes that.
5. Give it a week, then adjust. Most holsters ship at settings that suit nobody in particular. Adjusting ride height, cant and retention, and adding a wedge, fixes more “bad holsters” than replacing them.

Which Holster Is Most Comfortable for Concealed Carry?

Comfort comes from how the holster is set up on your body more than from the brand (our guide to the most comfortable concealed carry holster covers it in depth). The things that make the biggest difference:

• Something soft between the holster and your body. The bottom edge of a rigid holster is what usually digs in when you sit. A padded backing (hybrid holsters) or a foam wedge takes that pressure off.
• The right ride height. A grip that sits too high jabs your stomach or side when you sit; too low and you can’t get a full grip.
• A stiff, snug belt that holds the holster in one place so it isn’t shifting and rubbing all day.
• A gun that suits your frame. A smaller gun is easier to carry all day, but a bigger grip is easier to shoot. Choose the balance that means you’ll actually carry it.

That first point is exactly why we make the Cloudster Pillow. It’s a soft, adjustable-fill memory-foam wedge that attaches with velcro to the back of any IWB or appendix holster. It cushions the edge that digs in and tilts the grip toward your body so it stops printing. You can add or remove fill to tune it to your gun and your build. To pick a size, check the size guide on the product page (it’s chosen by your gun and holster) or just ask us.

Shop the Cloudster Pillow →

Guides by Holster Type

• Appendix carry (AIWB) holsters: what to look for, setup, and safe re-holstering
• IWB holsters
• OWB holsters for concealed carry
• Pocket holsters
• Shoulder holsters
• Ankle holsters

Guides by Gun and Body Type

• Glock: Glock 19 holsters · Glock 43X holsters
• Springfield: Hellcat Pro holsters
• Bigger guys: the best holster for a bigger build
• Women: concealed carry holsters for women

Your Belt Matters as Much as the Holster

An inside-the-waistband holster is only as steady as the belt holding it. We carry Kore ratcheting gun belts, which adjust in quarter-inch steps instead of holes, so you can tighten a notch when you put the holster on and let it out when you sit. More in our concealed carry belt guide.

Quick Answers

What is the most popular type of concealed carry holster?
Inside-the-waistband holsters, worn at appendix or on the strong-side hip. They offer the best balance of concealment and access for everyday clothes.

Kydex, leather or hybrid?
Kydex is rigid, keeps its shape and makes re-holstering easy. Leather is quieter and softer but can soften and collapse over time. Hybrids pair a Kydex shell with a soft backing for comfort. For appendix carry, most people choose Kydex or a hybrid with a rigid mouth.

What’s the best concealed carry holster for sitting?
One set at the right ride height with padding at the bottom edge. Appendix holsters often need a wedge so the muzzle end doesn’t press in when you sit; strong-side IWB can print less when seated if you add a little forward cant.

How many holsters do I need?
Most people are well served by one main holster for daily wear and one for situations it can’t cover, such as a pocket holster or a belly band for workouts.

Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make holster wedges and carry Kore gun belts. We don’t sell holsters or firearms, and no holster maker paid to be mentioned here. This is general information, not a substitute for professional training.