Best IWB Holster: How to Choose an Inside-the-Waistband Holster

Quick answer: The best IWB (inside-the-waistband) holster is a rigid holster molded for your exact gun that fully covers the trigger guard, has adjustable retention, ride height and cant, and uses clips strong enough to stay put on the draw. For appendix carry, add a claw and a wedge; for strong-side carry, a little forward cant. Put it on a stiff 1.5-inch gun belt. Get those right and IWB is the most concealable way most people can carry every day.

What Is an IWB Holster?

An inside-the-waistband holster sits between your body and your pants, with only the clips and the gun’s grip above the belt. A single untucked shirt covers it, which is why IWB is the most popular concealed carry method. The two main positions are appendix (in front of the hip, roughly 12 to 2 o’clock for a right-handed shooter) and strong-side (on or just behind the hip, roughly 3 to 5 o’clock).

Appendix IWB vs Strong-Side IWB

Appendix has its own guide: see our appendix carry holster guide. Not sure which position suits you? Read about the best carry position.

What to Look For in an IWB Holster

• Molded for your exact gun, including your optic and weapon light if you run them.
• Full trigger guard coverage, so nothing can reach the trigger while it’s holstered.
• Adjustable retention that holds the gun through bending and sitting but lets it out cleanly.
• A mouth that stays open after the draw for safe one-handed re-holstering. Rigid Kydex does this best; see Kydex vs leather holsters.
• Adjustable ride height and cant, so you can set where the grip sits and how it angles.
• Strong clips. The holster must stay on the belt when you draw. Clips that hook under the belt hold best; tuckable clips let you tuck a shirt in over the gun.
• A sweat guard: a raised edge on the body side that keeps the slide off your skin and sweat off the gun.
• A claw (for appendix and 4 o’clock) to tuck the grip in. See holster claw vs wedge vs pillow.

IWB Holsters Carriers Name Most

We don’t make or sell holsters, and we haven’t lab-tested these. These names come up again and again in carry forums and the top holster guides; use them as a starting point, then check each maker’s fit list for your exact gun:

• Tier 1 Concealed Axis Elite: Tier 1’s flagship appendix holster, with an optional magazine sidecar. Pillow fit for Tier 1.
• Tenicor VELO5 and VELO LUX: single-gun appendix holsters; LUX versions are for weapon lights. Pillow fit for Tenicor.
• T.REX ARMS Sidecar and Raptor: gun and spare mag on one platform, or a single-gun option. Pillow fit for T.REX.
• Vedder LightTuck, SideTuck and RapidTuck: Kydex appendix holsters, a version with an attached mag carrier, and a hybrid. Pillow fit for Vedder.

For picks by gun, see our Glock 19, Glock 43X, Sig P365 and Hellcat Pro holster guides.

How to Set Up an IWB Holster

1. Pick your position and put the holster there with the unloaded gun in it.
2. Set ride height so you can get a full grip on the draw without the grip jabbing you when you sit.
3. Set cant: close to vertical for appendix; a slight forward cant (grip forward) for strong-side.
4. Add a claw and a wedge if it prints. The claw tucks the top of the grip; a wedge low on the holster pushes the muzzle out and tips the grip in. Our wedge placement guide shows where it goes.
5. Size your pants: IWB takes up room in the waistband; many people go up a size or a couple of inches.
6. Tighten the belt a notch and wear it for a week before judging it.

Your Belt Matters as Much as the Holster

An IWB holster tips outward and sags on a soft belt. A reinforced 1.5-inch gun belt keeps it tight to your body. We carry Kore ratcheting gun belts, which adjust in quarter-inch steps, so you can snug up when you put the holster on and let it out when you sit. See our guides to ratchet belts and concealed carry belts.

Making an IWB Holster Comfortable

The biggest comfort complaint with IWB, especially appendix, is the bottom edge of the holster pressing in when you sit. That’s what we built the Cloudster Pillow for. It’s a soft, adjustable-fill memory-foam wedge that velcros to the back of almost any IWB or appendix holster, cushioning the edge that digs in and tilting the grip toward your body so it stops printing. Add or remove fill to tune it for your gun and build. To pick a size, check the size guide on the product page or just ask us. For more, see the most comfortable IWB holster setup.

Shop the Cloudster Pillow →

Quick Answers

What is the best IWB holster?
The one molded for your exact gun that fully covers the trigger, holds the gun securely, lets you adjust ride height and cant, and stays on your belt on the draw. For appendix carry, add a claw and a wedge.

Is IWB or OWB better for concealed carry?
IWB conceals far better under everyday clothes; OWB is more comfortable but needs a cover garment. See our OWB holster guide.

Do I need bigger pants for IWB carry?
Often, yes. Many carriers go up one waist size or a couple of inches to fit the holster comfortably.

Kydex or hybrid for IWB?
Kydex is slimmer and easiest to re-holster; hybrids spread the load with a soft backing. Many people use Kydex plus a wedge for comfort.

What’s the best IWB holster for a bigger build?
Often a strong-side position with some forward cant, or appendix with a larger wedge. See the best holster for bigger guys.

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.