Holsters and Gear Recommendations
MOLLE Holster Guide: How MOLLE Mounting Works and Where to Use It
Quick answer: A MOLLE holster mounts a handgun to MOLLE webbing, the grid of nylon straps on plate carriers, vests, chest rigs, battle belts and packs, instead of to a pant belt. There are two kinds: soft holsters built to weave onto the webbing, and adapters that put a rigid holster on MOLLE. Neither is a concealed carry holster.
What Is MOLLE?
MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. Holster maker Alien Gear explains that “MOLLE is the framework for a military specification of a load-bearing design that NATO armed forces use to carry equipment.” The webbing itself is “a grid of interwoven nylon strips that MOLLE-compatible gear loops or hooks onto,” and it shows up “on apparel like backpacks, belts, range bags, vests and so on.” Gear makers often name it alongside PALS; Condor, for example, describes leg rigs built for “compatibility with military gear systems such as MOLLE or PALS.”
A MOLLE holster uses that grid as its mount. That’s what makes it modular: the same holster can move between a vest, a belt and a bag.
Types of MOLLE Holsters
| Type | How it mounts | Maker example (their words) |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated MOLLE holster | Straps woven through the webbing; often a soft wrap-around holster with a retention strap | Condor HT Holster: “Designed for horizontal mounting on any MOLLE platform, its wrap-around design fits pistols with laser or flashlight mounts, accommodating barrels up to 5 inches.” |
| MOLLE adapter for a rigid holster | A plate or fork threads through the MOLLE loops and the holster bolts to it | Safariland TMA: “designed to fit many Safariland® holsters and accessories” and “Threads directly through MOLLE loops.” |
| Modular holster with a MOLLE base | A MOLLE base locks onto the webbing; the holster shell swaps between bases | Alien Gear ShapeShift MOLLE: “a MOLLE Lock that slips onto the end and locks the MOLLE Holster base onto the webbing wherever it is on or off the body.” |
| MOLLE panel holster | Mounts to a MOLLE panel, such as one inside a gun safe door | Wilde Custom Gear sells a “MOLLE Gun Safe Door Panel Organizer Pistol Holster.” |
Where Do People Mount a MOLLE Holster?
- Vests and plate carriers. Safariland says its adapter fork “allows for easy, secure attachment to pouches and holsters to vests.”
- Chest rigs. Any MOLLE-equipped rig works the same way; our chest holster guide covers chest carry for hiking and the backcountry.
- Battle belts. A battle belt’s outer belt carries MOLLE rows; see the Kore notes below.
- Packs and range bags. Alien Gear lists backpacks and range bags among MOLLE-equipped gear. For bags with a loop panel instead of MOLLE, see our velcro holster guide.
- Gun safe doors, using a MOLLE panel.
For a holster that sits below a plate carrier rather than on it, see our drop leg holster guide. To hold an AR-style rifle or pistol on MOLLE, see our AR-15 holster guide.
How to Choose a MOLLE Holster
- Fit to your gun. A molded holster fits one model; a wrap-around soft holster fits a range. Condor rates its HT for pistols with lights or lasers and barrels up to 5 inches.
- Retention. Soft MOLLE holsters such as the Condor HT use a strap; Condor describes its HT retention as “complete with an extra hook and loop strap.” Rigid holsters on adapters keep their own retention; Alien Gear lists “custom retention” for its ShapeShift MOLLE holster.
- Orientation. Some mount one way only (the Condor HT is “Designed for horizontal mounting”). Adapters can allow more: Safariland says the TMA lets accessories “be mounted at various orientations and angles,” and Alien Gear lists “360-degree rotation” and “adjustable ride height.”
- How it locks to the webbing. Look for a positive lock rather than a loose strap; Safariland pairs the TMA with MOLLE Locking System forks, and Alien Gear uses its MOLLE Lock.
- Practice the draw with an unloaded gun from the actual position on your vest, belt or bag.
MOLLE Holsters on a Battle Belt
The Kore battle belt we carry is MOLLE-ready. In Kore’s words: “The 1.75″ outer belt features durable nylon webbing, two rows of MOLLE, a Super-Fiber inner lining, and Kore’s reinforced Power-Core™ center,” with a load rating of “Up to 20 lbs.” It adjusts on “a hidden adjustable track with 20+ sizing positions in precise ¼” increments.”
One caution from Kore that matters for holsters: “Holster mounts are not intended to be inserted through the MOLLE webbing. Doing so can cause premature wear or damage to the webbing.” (See our modular holster guide for mount types.) Kore’s own holster mount follows that rule; Kore says it “is designed to be attached around the outer belt, NOT through the MOLLE.” Use the MOLLE rows for pouches and MOLLE-native gear, and mount a rigid holster the way its maker specifies.
Kore’s MOLLE extender, which we carry, is made for this belt. Kore lists it as “1x MOLLE Extender for 1.75″ Battle Belts” and says it “recovers the “dead space” lost to the tip part of your battle belt” and “provides two full rows of MOLLE for secure attachment while also doubling as a reliable tip keeper.” Kore sells a separate Duty / Patrol Belt MOLLE Extender for 2.25″ duty and 2″ patrol belts. Our guides to battle belt setup and duty belt setup show where each item goes.
Comfort on a Loaded Belt
A battle belt carrying a holster, pouches and a trauma kit can create hotspots where hard gear presses into the hips. The Cloudster Pillow Mini is a small, soft memory-foam pad that attaches with hook-and-loop. Keith, the founder, designed the Mini for mag carriers, tourniquet pouches and smaller gear on a duty belt, and to reduce hotspots along the beltline.
Is a MOLLE Holster Good for Concealed Carry?
No. A MOLLE holster rides on the outside of a vest, belt or bag. For everyday concealed carry, an inside-the-waistband holster on a gun belt is the standard; see our IWB vs OWB comparison.
MOLLE Holster: Questions People Ask
What does MOLLE stand for?
Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, the webbing-based load-carrying system Alien Gear describes as a military specification used by NATO armed forces.
Can any holster go on MOLLE?
Only with a mount made for it. Safariland’s TMA, for example, is “designed to fit many Safariland® holsters and accessories,” not every holster.
Is MOLLE the same as PALS?
The two names travel together; gear makers such as Condor list compatibility with “MOLLE or PALS.”
Can you put a MOLLE holster on a battle belt?
MOLLE-native gear goes on the belt’s MOLLE rows (the Kore battle belt has two). For rigid holster mounts, follow the maker: Kore says its holster mounts go around the outer belt, not through the MOLLE.
Horizontal or vertical?
It depends on the holster. Some are built for one orientation, like Condor’s horizontal HT; adapters such as Safariland’s TMA allow several angles.
Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make the Cloudster Pillow and carry Kore gun, duty and battle belts and Kore accessories. We don’t sell holsters or firearms, and no maker paid to be mentioned here. This is general information, not a substitute for professional training; check the laws and your agency’s policy where you carry.
