Holsters and Gear Recommendations
Pancake Holster and Belt Slide Holster: How OWB Belt Holsters Work
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, often open-muzzle version.
What Is a Pancake Holster?
A pancake holster is a flat, two-piece OWB holster with belt slots on wings beside the gun. The Concealed Carry Society explains why that matters: “Pancake and wing designs put belt slots on both sides of the gun, spreading the attachment points so the holster pulls the gun flat against your hip. Paddle holsters and single belt-loop designs tend to stick out and print.” It adds that “Two-piece pancake designs are available in both materials,” leather and Kydex.
Holsterama, which sells Masters pancake holsters, says they “keep the gun close to the waist with smaller print than other OWB styles,” and that “Pancake style is our most popular, highest selling OWB holster.”
What Is a Belt Slide Holster?
A belt slide is a minimal OWB holster: little more than a belt channel and a sleeve around the gun. The best-known is the Yaqui Slide. Guns.com calls it “essentially the Bikini of the holster world,” and quotes a 1978 American Handgunner review: “It is neat, compact, comfortable, fairly secure, concealable, offers good gun hand contact, and it is as fast as any waistband holster, and better than most.”
Galco, which has made the modern Yaqui Slide since 1992, describes it this way:
- Fast and vertical: “The minimalist design and near-vertical carry angle make the Yaqui Slide very fast to draw from.”
- Open muzzle: “The open-muzzle Yaqui design is a favorite of those who own multiple barrel lengths of the same gun model.”
- Adjustable: Galco added “a set of independent tension screw adjustments, allowing for a custom fit to the firearm.”
- Belt fit: “Constructed of premium steerhide, the Yaqui Slide fits belts up to 1 3/4″.”
Not every belt slide is vertical. Bianchi’s P.I. Belt Slide “features a heavy 30-degree cant to accommodate for draw angle.” For more on angles, see our holster cant guide.
Pancake vs Belt Slide vs Paddle
| Style | How it attaches | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Pancake | Belt slots on both sides of the gun | “pulls the gun flat against your hip” (Concealed Carry Society) |
| Belt slide | One belt channel; often open at the muzzle | “very fast to draw from” (Galco, on the Yaqui Slide) |
| Paddle | A paddle inside the waistband | “tend to stick out and print” (Concealed Carry Society) |
Our paddle holster guide covers paddles, and our OWB holster guide covers concealing any OWB holster and reviewers’ best OWB picks.
Leather or Kydex?
Both styles come in either material. The Concealed Carry Society: “Kydex holds its shape, keeps retention consistent and makes re-holstering easier because the mouth stays open.” Leather holsters “are quieter and conform to the body over time, but need care and can soften around the mouth with age.” Its rule: “choose the design first and the material second.” More in our Kydex vs leather guide.
The Belt Under a Pancake or Belt Slide
These holsters hang from the belt, so the belt has to fit the slots and hold the weight. Check the holster’s belt width first; Galco’s Yaqui Slide takes belts “up to 1 3/4″.”
The leather Kore belts we carry are 1.5″ wide and 5mm thick, rated by Kore for “Up to 6 lbs. • IWB, OWB or Appendix,” with a “Power-Core™ Center for Added Stiffness and Support.”
- Kore Black Buffalo Leather Gun Belt 1.5″: “uncoated Buffalo Leather” that Kore says has “a natural look and feel that develops character with use.”
- Kore Black ArmorTek Leather Gun Belt 1.5″: “the premium look and feel of traditional leather with 2X the durability,” per Kore.
See all Kore gun belts, or read how to choose a gun belt.
Carrying Inside the Waistband Instead
If you move to an IWB holster, the Cloudster Pillow holster wedge mounts to any IWB or AIWB holster with hook-and-loop, angles the grip into your body, and has memory-foam fill you can add or remove to set its thickness. For a traditional western rig instead, see our western holster guide.
Pancake and Belt Slide Holsters: Questions People Ask
What is a pancake holster?
A flat OWB holster with belt slots on both sides of the gun. The Concealed Carry Society says that design “pulls the gun flat against your hip.”
What is a belt slide holster?
A minimal OWB holster built around a belt channel, often open at the muzzle. Galco’s Yaqui Slide is the classic example.
Can you conceal a pancake holster?
Holsterama says pancake holsters suit “Open Carry as well as concealment,” with “smaller print than other OWB styles.” Like any OWB holster, it needs a cover garment.
What belt width does a pancake holster need?
Whatever its slots are cut for. Check the listing; Galco’s Yaqui Slide takes belts up to 1¾″.
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.
