Holsters and Gear Recommendations
Open Carry Holster Guide: Types, Retention and Belt
Quick answer: An open carry holster is any holster worn where the gun stays visible, usually outside the waistband on a belt. Because people can see and reach the gun, retention matters more than concealment: Alien Gear strongly recommends Level II or III for open carry beyond private land. Add an exact fit to your gun and a stiff 1.5″ gun belt.
What Makes a Holster Right for Open Carry?
Visibility changes the priorities. Holster maker Alien Gear puts it this way: “While concealed carriers may rely on passive retention alone (the friction or pressure that holds the gun in the shell), open carriers should assume that retention failure equals gun loss.” It calls retention “the most overlooked yet most critical component of any open carry holster.”
Whether open carry is legal, and where, depends on your state; our page on concealed carry vs open carry covers the differences between the two.
Types of Open Carry Holsters
| Type | Alien Gear’s view for open carry | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| OWB belt holster | Shines “in general-purpose open carry,” but “without active retention features, these holsters may not be ideal for public carry in urban environments.” | OWB holsters |
| Paddle holster | “best suited to controlled environments like the range or static security posts, rather than public open carry on the street or in crowded places.” | Paddle holsters |
| Drop leg holster | For “Tactical environments, vehicle-based roles,” with “Level II or Level III strongly advised.” | Drop leg holsters |
| Chest holster | For “Hiking, backcountry, horseback or ATV carry.” | Chest holsters |
| Duty holster (Level II/III) | For “Public open carry, law enforcement, security.” | Duty holsters |
| MOLLE holster | “For civilian open carry, these holsters are generally unnecessary unless the user is training with full kit or involved in security roles.” | MOLLE holsters |
Retention: How Much Is Enough?
Safariland rates retention by “the number of hand movements required to clear the security mechanisms before the firearm can be drawn,” and notes that “At Safariland, passive retention is not considered a retention level.” Alien Gear’s guidance for open carry is direct: “Level II or Level III retention systems are strongly recommended for any open carry done beyond private land.”
It ties the choice to where you carry: “If you’re in a permissive environment on private land, Level I may suffice. But if you’re carrying in public or anywhere interaction is possible, invest in retention like your life depends on it.” Our guide to holster retention levels explains each level.
Fit, Ride Height and Cant
- Fit to your exact gun. Alien Gear: universal holsters “have their place—in range bags or as backups—but for serious open carry, they introduce more risk than benefit.” See our universal holster guide.
- Ride height and cant. “Both influence your draw stroke and how well the holster integrates with your body, clothing, and gear.” Alien Gear gives one example: “a strong-side OWB holster with a 15-degree forward cant offers a more ergonomic draw for those who carry just behind the hip.”
- Material. “Kydex holsters offer rigid structure and consistent reholstering, ideal for duty or tactical use.” See our Kydex vs leather guide.
The Belt Holds It All
Alien Gear: belt-loop holsters “offer the most secure attachment when paired with a purpose-built gun belt—something at least 1.5″ wide and reinforced for load-bearing.” The Kore gun belts we carry are 1.5″ wide; the Kore Black Tactical Nylon Gun Belt is rated by Kore for “Up to 10 lbs. • IWB, OWB or Appendix,” with a “Power-Core™ Center for Added Stiffness and Support.” For a full duty rig, see our Kore duty belts.
Open Carry Holster: Questions People Ask
What retention level should an open carry holster have?
Alien Gear strongly recommends Level II or III for open carry beyond private land; Level I may suffice on private land.
Can I open carry in a concealed carry holster?
You can, but check its retention. Of OWB belt holsters, Alien Gear says that “without active retention features, these holsters may not be ideal for public carry in urban environments.”
Is a paddle holster good for open carry?
Alien Gear rates paddles best for controlled settings like the range, not public open carry, unless they add a locking mechanism.
What belt do I need for open carry?
A purpose-built gun belt at least 1.5″ wide and reinforced, per Alien Gear.
Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make the Cloudster Pillow and the Cloudster magnetic mag carriers, and carry Kore belts. We don’t sell holsters or firearms, and no maker paid to be mentioned here. This is general information, not legal advice or a substitute for professional training; check the carry laws where you live.
