Appendix Carry, Carry Techniques and Optimization, Holsters and Gear Recommendations
Mastermind Tactics Pillow and Why a Cloudster Pillow Is Better for Conceal and Carry
Mastermind Tactics Pillow and Why a Cloudster Pillow Is Better for Conceal and Carry
If you’re serious about concealed carry, then you know comfort and concealment aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. Painful pressure points, printing through clothing, and general discomfort can quickly ruin an otherwise ideal carry setup. For many, adding a holster wedge or concealment pillow becomes the go-to solution.
One of the better-known products in this niche is the Mastermind Tactics Pillow, a small but helpful wedge designed to rotate your grip inward and reduce printing. But as good as it sounds on paper, a growing number of concealed carriers are now turning to the Cloudster Pillow as the preferred alternative. Why? Because it builds upon the same concept—and does it better.
In this post, we’ll compare the Mastermind Tactics Pillow to the Cloudster Pillow across materials, comfort, adjustability, and real-world feedback to help you choose the right option for your concealed carry setup.
What Is the Mastermind Tactics Pillow?
The Mastermind Tactics Pillow is a minimalist holster wedge designed to alleviate the discomfort caused by IWB (Inside the Waistband) or appendix carry holsters. The concept is simple: a small pillow-like cushion is attached between your holster and body to act as a wedge, reducing pressure points and pushing the grip of your firearm inward to reduce printing.
This product is made from a durable acrylic fabric and filled with a soft, synthetic stuffing—similar to what you’d find inside a teddy bear. It comes in two sizes and only one color—gray.
On the surface, the Mastermind Tactics Pillow is a helpful tool. It provides a noticeable improvement in comfort over bare Kydex holsters or rigid foam wedges, especially for those who carry for extended periods throughout the day.
However, its simplicity also exposes some major drawbacks:
- Difficult to adjust due to a small fill hole
- Synthetic fill sticks to Velcro, making refilling or shaping tedious
- Limited customization in terms of size or color
- May not conform as well to body shapes compared to more modern alternatives
Despite these limitations, many users have found it helpful in their journey to more comfortable concealed carry. But is it the best option out there?
Meet the Cloudster Pillow: A Smarter, More Comfortable Solution
Enter the Cloudster Pillow, a modern and refined evolution of the holster wedge. It was designed for the same purpose as the Mastermind Tactics Pillow—comfort and concealment—but takes a big leap forward in both performance and user experience.
Key Features of the Cloudster Pillow:
- Three sizes: Mini, Standard, and Deluxe for a better fit
- Three color options: Bamboo White, Camo, and Dark
- Super soft bamboo fabric cover
- Shredded cooling gel memory foam filling
- Large fill hole for easy adjustability
- Designed to conform to your body and holster more naturally
Where the Mastermind Tactics Pillow can feel rigid and difficult to adjust, the Cloudster Pillow excels with soft, breathable material and flexible memory foam that molds to your body and holster. Whether you’re sitting in a car or walking all day, the Cloudster provides pressure relief and effective grip rotation without bulk or discomfort.
And it’s not just product specs that make it stand out—the real-world reviews speak for themselves.
Real Users Share Their Cloudster Experience
Many users who started out with the Mastermind Tactics Pillow eventually transitioned to the Cloudster. Here’s what they had to say:
“Best wedge/pillow on the market. I’ve used Tier 1 Concealed and Mastermind wedges in the past and neither compare to how comfortable this pillow is and how well it works as a wedge. Great customer service and well worth the money.”
This user highlights a common journey: trying several wedge options—including the Mastermind Tactics Pillow—only to land on the Cloudster as the most comfortable and functional.
“Best pillow on the market. The Cloudster is by far the best pillow system I have used to date! The Mastermind Tactics pillow was/is a great idea, but the Cloudster is a wonderful evolution of that idea. I seriously can’t recommend it enough, it tends to form over your holster and the comfort level is way better than anything else I’ve used.”
This testimonial perfectly captures the Cloudster’s role as a next-generation improvement over the Mastermind design. The added adaptability of the memory foam gives it the edge in both comfort and concealment.
Key Differences Between the Mastermind Tactics Pillow and the Cloudster Pillow
| Feature | Mastermind Tactics Pillow | Cloudster Pillow |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Acrylic fabric with teddy bear-style synthetic fill | Soft bamboo fabric with shredded cooling gel memory foam |
| Adjustability | Difficult due to small fill hole; velcro snags on fill | Very easy due to large fill hole and non-stick foam |
| Comfort Level | Moderate comfort; tends to develop hot spots | High comfort; conforms naturally to body and holster |
| Printing Reduction | Moderate improvement | Excellent printing control due to formability |
| Sizes Available | 2 sizes | 3 sizes (Mini, Standard, Deluxe) |
| Colors Available | 1 (Gray) | 3 (Bamboo White, Camo, Dark) |
| User Preference | Outdated design, still functional | Frequently preferred over Mastermind |
The Cloudster in Daily Carry: A Better Fit for Real Life
Holster wedges aren’t just about specs—they’re about real-life performance. If you carry every day, especially in the appendix position, you know how important it is for gear to be both reliable and wearable.
“Replaced my Mastermind Tactics pillow. I finally got around to utilizing the Cloudster with my 365 XMacro Tacops. Started out with wedges, upgraded to the Mastermind pillow and think I’m done searching after using the Cloudster pillow. The material the pouch is made of (bamboo) is super soft and comfortable. Usually I develop a hotspot after a long period of appendix carrying, especially in the car. Not bashing my Mastermind pillow, it’s fine, but that bamboo cover of the Cloudster makes it feel like I’m not carrying at all.”
This review touches on an essential issue: hot spots and long-term discomfort, especially when sitting. The Cloudster’s bamboo cover and memory foam filling eliminate the pressure and irritation that traditional wedges (or even the Mastermind) can’t fully address.
What Makes the Cloudster Pillow the Ultimate Upgrade for Concealed Carry
If you’ve been using a holster wedge that’s uncomfortable or doesn’t fit your needs, it might be time to consider the Cloudster Pillow. What makes it stand out is its use of shredded cooling gel memory foam that offers better support and comfort than most alternatives. It’s specifically designed to mold to your body and your holster, reducing pressure points and improving the overall comfort of your carry setup.
Unlike traditional pillows and holster wedges that feel stiff or too bulky, the Cloudster Pillow has a bamboo fabric cover that’s incredibly soft and breathable, keeping you cool even during long hours of carry. Whether you’re sitting in a car, walking, or standing for long periods, this pillow adapts to your movements, offering you both comfort and stability. Its design isn’t just about comfort, though—it helps reduce printing, meaning your firearm stays discreet and hidden under your clothes.
How the Cloudster Pillow Works to Enhance Your Concealed Carry Experience
The Cloudster Pillow isn’t just a cushion; it’s a game-changer for anyone who carries concealed. It works by cushioning the firearm, which eliminates discomfort from pressure points and helps to keep your firearm’s grip inward, reducing printing.
Its memory foam filling has a unique advantage—it conforms to your body shape and holster, offering a custom fit. This means the Cloudster Pillow is not just universal; it can be adjusted to provide the best support based on your body type and carry style. Whether you’re carrying inside the waistband or appendix, this pillow enhances comfort, reduces irritation, and gives you more flexibility than traditional hard holster wedges.
The pillow’s adjustable fill hole ensures you can add or remove foam to customize it perfectly, unlike other options that may not provide that level of adjustability. So, you can be confident that your concealed carry will feel more natural and less cumbersome with the Cloudster Pillow.
The Cloudster Pillow: A Step Ahead in Concealed Carry Comfort and Concealment
In the world of concealed carry, the Cloudster Pillow has quickly become a preferred choice due to its innovative design. Unlike older, traditional carry pillows and holster wedges, the Cloudster is engineered with modern materials and technology. Its cooling gel memory foam doesn’t just provide comfort; it actively cools your body to prevent sweating, even on hot days.
Not only does the Cloudster Pillow improve comfort, but it also enhances concealment. The soft, form-fitting memory foam helps mold the pillow to the shape of your body and holster, which significantly reduces the chances of your firearm “printing” through your clothes. This is especially important for those carrying in the appendix position, where proper concealment is often the biggest challenge.
With three different sizes to choose from—Mini, Standard, and Deluxe— and three different colors to choose from—White, Camo, and Dark—the Cloudster Pillow is versatile and ensures that no matter your body type or carry position, you’ll find the perfect fit. Whether you’re new to concealed carry or looking to upgrade, the Cloudster Pillow offers a practical, comfortable solution that makes carrying easier and more discreet than ever.
Is It Time to Upgrade?
Let’s be clear—the Mastermind Tactics Pillow was an important step forward in making concealed carry more comfortable. It introduced a practical concept that helped many people find relief from pressure points and printing.
But technology and design have moved on. The Cloudster Pillow takes everything the Mastermind got right and improves on what it didn’t. Better materials, more options, easier adjustability, and a smoother carry experience—all backed by glowing user testimonials.
“The Best!! Was previously using the Mastermind Tactics but this is an improvement. Less sweaty and holds its shape better. Memory foam filling is a stroke of genius. Get one.”
FAQs:
- What is the Mastermind Tactics Pillow used for in concealed carry?
The Mastermind Tactics Pillow is a small wedge designed to make concealed carry more comfortable. It’s placed between your body and holster to reduce pressure points and stop the firearm from “printing” (showing through your clothing). This pillow helps by pushing the firearm grip inward, making it less noticeable and more comfortable for everyday carry.
- How does the Cloudster Pillow improve on the Mastermind Tactics Pillow?
The Cloudster Pillow takes the same concept of comfort and concealment and improves it with better materials and design. Unlike the Mastermind pillow, the Cloudster has a soft bamboo fabric cover and shredded memory foam that molds to your body and holster for superior comfort. It’s easier to adjust, comes in multiple sizes and colors, and reduces printing more effectively than the Mastermind pillow.
- Can I adjust the Cloudster Pillow for a better fit?
Yes! The Cloudster Pillow is designed for easy adjustability. It has a large fill hole that lets you add or remove the shredded cooling gel memory foam quickly and without hassle. This makes it easy to customize the pillow to your ideal comfort level and concealment needs, unlike the Mastermind pillow, which is harder to adjust.
- What makes the Cloudster Pillow more comfortable than the Mastermind Tactics Pillow?
The Cloudster Pillow is more comfortable due to its high-quality materials. It uses a soft bamboo fabric cover and shredded cooling gel memory foam, which naturally conforms to your body and holster. This prevents the hot spots and discomfort that many users experience with the harder, more rigid Mastermind pillow, especially during long days of carry.
- Is the Cloudster Pillow worth upgrading to from the Mastermind Tactics Pillow?
Absolutely! Many concealed carriers have found that the Cloudster Pillow provides a much more comfortable and effective solution than the Mastermind Tactics Pillow. With features like soft bamboo fabric, cooling gel memory foam, multiple sizes, and colors, the Cloudster offers better comfort, easier adjustability, and more effective concealment. It’s quickly becoming the preferred choice for daily carry.
Final Verdict: Cloudster Is the New Standard for Concealment Comfort
The verdict is clear. If you’re currently using a Mastermind Tactics Pillow and are experiencing issues with discomfort, printing, or difficulty adjusting it, the Cloudster Pillow is a worthy (and better) upgrade. With multiple sizes, superior materials, and raving customer reviews, it’s quickly becoming the go-to choice for those who carry daily and demand comfort without compromise.
Whether you’re just starting with holster wedges or looking to improve your setup, the Cloudster offers the versatility and comfort that concealed carriers truly need.
