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.
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.”
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.
