EDC Gear
The Best Concealed Carry Jackets: What to Look For
Quick answer: A good concealed carry jacket gives you a fast path to the gun and keeps it covered when you move. Look for side-seam zippers or zippered pass-throughs in the hand pockets, a hem long enough to cover the grip when you bend, and room for the holster. Then test it in a mirror and on the range before you rely on it. Models from 5.11 Tactical and Vertx below have carry features their makers name on their own product pages.
Features that matter
- Side-seam zippers. They open at the hip so you can reach a belt holster without unzipping the front. 5.11 calls its version the Quixip system.
- Hand-pocket pass-throughs. These are zippered openings inside the hand pockets that reach the waistband. They’re aimed at appendix carry. Concealed carry hoodies use the same idea; see our concealed carry hoodie guide.
- A drop-back hem. The back is cut longer so the belt stays covered when you bend or reach.
- Room at the waist. Some makers say they cut jackets to leave space for gear along the waistline.
- Inner lining that resists wear. Vertx adds an abrasion-resistant lining to some jackets to cut wear from gear worn at the waist.
Jackets with carry features, as their makers describe them
Each feature below is quoted or summarized from the maker’s own product page, checked October 3, 2026. We haven’t tested these jackets. Prices and colors change, so check the maker’s site.
| Jacket | Type | Carry feature the maker lists |
|---|---|---|
| 5.11 Tactical Sabre Jacket 2.0 | Softshell, waterproof membrane, hood | Side-seam Quixip system. 5.11 calls it “our most popular concealed carry jacket.” |
| 5.11 Tactical Signature Duty Jacket | All-weather duty jacket, removable quilted liner | “Side-seam zippers provide quick access to your firearm.” |
| Vertx UD2 Jacket | Relaxed-fit jacket | Angled pass-throughs inside the front hand pockets for appendix carry, and a drop-back hem. |
| Vertx Integrity P Jacket | Insulated (80g) | Vertical zippered pass-throughs in the hand pockets and a drop-back hem. The insulation sits on the outside of the inner chest pocket, which Vertx says “prevents printing.” |
| Vertx Integrity Shell Jacket | Rain shell | Two-way side zippers running from the hem to the upper arms, for venting and “quick access to sidearms.” |
| Vertx Women’s Fury Hardshell | Women’s hardshell | Pass-throughs in both hand pockets, plus an inner lining that “resists wear from CCW and EDC gear.” |
| Vertx Women’s Trailhawk Jacket | Women’s fitted jacket | Vertical pass-throughs in the hand pockets. Vertx says the fitted cut leaves “room for appendix-carry gear.” |
Pick by how you carry. If you carry on the hip, look at side-seam zippers like the 5.11 pair or the Integrity Shell. For appendix carry, look at pocket pass-throughs like the UD2, Integrity P, Fury or Trailhawk.
How to choose and use one
Pocket placement
Match the access point to your holster. A side zip helps only if it opens over the gun, so put the jacket on with your real holster and check. Don’t load the inner chest pocket with heavy items. They can drag the front and change how the jacket hangs, so check it in the mirror loaded the way you’ll wear it.
Length that covers the grip
In front of a mirror, raise both arms, bend to tie a shoe, and sit in a car seat. The hem should still cover the grip and the bottom of the holster each time. A drop-back hem helps at the back. A cropped jacket that rides above the belt won’t do the job.
Layering
In cold weather, every added layer is something you have to clear before you reach the gun. Try your full winter setup at home: base layer, shirt and jacket. An undershirt between the holster and your skin keeps the holster edge off your side. Test your access with the jacket zipped and unzipped.
Drawing with a jacket
Your draw changes with every layer, and an open jacket, a zipped jacket and a pocket pass-through each need their own motion. For vests, see our concealment vest guide. Learn them from a qualified instructor. Rehearse with an unloaded firearm, following your range’s and instructor’s safety rules. Do it again every time you change jackets. Keep the gun in a holster that covers the trigger, not loose in a coat pocket.
Beyond the jacket: everyday carry clothing
The jacket is the outer layer. The pants and belt underneath carry the weight. Our concealed carry pants guide covers what to look for in the pants.
- Vertx lists a “CCW-compatible design” on its Trailslacker Pant. It says the Defiance Jeans’ belt loops “fit up to 1.75-inch belts.”
Whatever the brand, check that the belt loops fit a sturdy gun belt and that the waist has room for an inside-the-waistband holster. If you carry IWB, our holster wedge is made to make that carry more comfortable.
FAQ
What makes a jacket a concealed carry jacket?
The makers point to features that give a path to the gun without opening the whole jacket, like side-seam zippers or hand-pocket pass-throughs. They also name hems cut to cover the belt when you move.
Side zip or pass-through: which is better?
It depends on where you carry. Side-seam zippers sit over the hip. Pass-throughs inside the hand pockets reach the front, which suits appendix carry.
Should I size up for carry?
Try it on with your holster first. Some makers cut for it. Vertx says the UD2’s relaxed fit makes room for gear and extra layers, and the Trailhawk leaves room for gear along the waistline.
Can I carry a gun in a jacket pocket?
Off-body carry brings its own safety and legal issues. Learn the law where you live and get trained before you try it.
