The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

Why I’ve gone back to leather holsters

Why I’ve gone back to leather holsters

September 18, 2017 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

With all the kydex and appendix carry rage going on, everybody is repping their favorite blaster carrier. Over the years I’ve owned, trained and carried various kydex brands. Most of them I really enjoyed and found met my needs adequately, some were terrible bulky masses of hard plastic that just didn’t cut it. Recently I’ve jumped on the bandwagon of 12-1 o’clock carry but after several kydex variants, to include several Raven Concealment Systems holsters, I’ve returned to a good old-fashioned leather IWB holster.

Primarily I’ve decided leather is a lot more comfortable than kydex especially when carrying appendix. Not only does it have some flexibility but also given the contact points, it rubs less. This holds especially true when getting in and out of my vehicle or when I have to sit for extended periods of time. Specifically, where the edge of a kydex holster would rub or dig into my leg, the leather holster does not, due to its malleability. It also cushions against contact points where my stomach is. Another reason connected to the aforementioned issues and solutions is that I prefer to carry a full size handgun. Whether it’s a G17, 1911 GI, or some other full size variant they tends to be cumbersome when paired with a rigid holster.

Price is probably a huge factor for me as well, while I can pick up a very nice leather holster for $20-30, a quality kydex holster often costs upward of $60. Sure there are some cheap ebay kydex sellers, and backyard makers out there; and while there are some very talented producers, most do not meet everyday carry standards if the price tag doesn’t add up. The holster featured in the headline picture cost about 25 dollars and is incredibly well made.

As a concealed carry holster, it meets my personal requirements and I find it to be incredibly efficient in this role too. I can throw it into my waistband and it clip over my belt in an expedient manner. Conversely it can be removed with relative ease, but only when I intend since the belt clip has an incredibly positive lockup. It weighs very little and again, not to beat a dead horse, with its flexibility, is a highly manageable method of carry. Drawing the firearm is fast and smooth with enough retention for my day-to-day needs while re-holstering should be done carefully and can be accomplished with ease. All in all, I find it to be a practical solution to concealed carry that meets my needs at a basic level.

On top of everything, leather is stylish. It comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes, plus it can be incredibly well crafted based on the designer’s level of skill. Much of the leather-working and molding is done by hand, all the way down to the stitching; so it kind of has a personal touch that kydex just doesn’t. I’ve come to greatly appreciate what goes into a well-made leather holster.

Of course there are some cons to leather holsters just like anything else. Primarily the biggest problem is wear and tear, leather holsters lose shape and get compressed out of form over time due to pressure and soaking up moisture or sweat. This makes it difficult to re-holster at times, and often times replacing it is the best option. Second, leather holsters tend to be slightly thicker than kydex holsters, because using less material sacrifices rigidity. Overall I find the pros outweigh the cons, and I will continue to utilize them until they no longer suit my lifestyle.

 

*Originally published on SOFREP and written by Kurt T.

c

Share This

Filed Under: Holsters Tagged With: 1911, gear, holsters, kydex, leather, Leather Holsters, Marine, Peshmerga, sofrep

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Ammunition

The Reasons Why FBI Went to Back to 9mm

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

What Do You Really Need in Your Trauma Kit?
Medical Gear

IFAK - What do you really need?

AR Build Kits under $300
Firearms Technology

Peak AR: Davidson Defense AR Build Kits under $300

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers