Category Archives: Holsters and Gear Recommendations

Alien Gear’s guide to carrying in shorts says shorts “aren’t actually much of a barrier,” and “What makes the biggest difference in concealment are the top one wears and the gun belt”. This page works through those two items first, then the holster types that suit shorts, gun size for hot months, and whether dedicated […]

Quick answer: A sweat guard is the part of a holster that rises behind the gun, between the slide and your body. CYA Supply calls it “the raised section of holster material that sits between your body and the slide of your handgun.” Guards come full, mid or low; more guard means more coverage and […]

Quick answer: Most patrol officers carry a handgun, spare magazines, handcuffs, a radio and less-lethal tools on a duty belt. Police1 says the belt “holds items such as a firearm, handcuffs, radio, TASER, pepper spray, baton, and spare magazines,” and that “Duty belt gear may vary by agency policy and assignment.” What’s on a Police […]

Quick answer: The best EDC knife, multitool and flashlight are the ones you’ll actually carry. Outdoor Life tested more than 50 EDC knives and named the Kershaw Bel Air its best overall folder; its multitool pick is the Leatherman Skeletool CX and its flashlight pick the Nitecore EDC 29. Picks, criteria and test dates are […]

Quick answer: A holster shirt is a compression base layer with built-in holster pockets, worn under a regular shirt. Alien Gear describes it as “a fitted, athletic-style compression shirt with an integrated holster pouch, typically positioned in a shoulder or cross-draw configuration.” It says holster shirts suit carriers whose clothing fit, “not draw speed, is […]

Quick answer: A MOLLE mag pouch threads into the webbing on a plate carrier, chest rig or battle belt. Bulletproof Zone’s rule: match the pouch to “retention system (open-top for speed, bungee or flap for security), material (500D-1000D nylon for most plate carrier setups), and MOLLE/PALS compatibility with your carrier’s row spacing.” MOLLE and PALS, […]

Quick answer: Pancake and belt slide holsters are outside-the-waistband (OWB) designs that thread onto your belt instead of clipping or using a paddle. The Concealed Carry Society says pancake designs “put belt slots on both sides of the gun,” so the holster “pulls the gun flat against your hip.” A belt slide is a smaller, […]

Quick answer: Concealed carry in a suit depends on three things one holster maker names: “holster position, gun size, and suit fit.” Pick the holster by whether the jacket will stay on, wear a stiff gun belt instead of a thin dress belt, and tell your tailor you carry so the jacket and trousers can […]

Quick answer: An EDC belt pouch is a small pouch that rides on your belt and holds everyday tools: a multitool, flashlight, pen, keys and similar items. They come in leather, canvas and coated nylon, and attach with belt loops, clips or MOLLE straps. Check the pouch’s belt-loop size against your belt width before you […]

Quick answer: Holstering means putting the gun back in the holster, and the sources here treat it as the draw in reverse, done slowly. Bring the support hand to your chest, keep your finger off the trigger, and watch for clothing or anything else in the holster mouth. An NRA blog post puts it in […]