• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

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
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Holsters

Why I’ve gone back to leather holsters

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

Why I’ve gone back to leather holsters

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

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
  • Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
    Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
  • War of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
    War of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Jared Mize on The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: A Commando Blade That Changed Special Forces Forever
  • GomeznSA on MAC-10: The Wild History of America’s Most Iconic (and Overrated) Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

History

Hitler’s Last Walther

Op-Ed

The Bolduc Brief: The Evolving Dynamics of Israeli Security in the Middle East

News

Morning Brief: Israel Strikes Syrian Military Headquarters After Sectarian Bloodshed in Sweida, Russia Strikes Four Ukrainian Cities as Trump Sets Peace Deal Deadline

News

Evening Brief: Syria, Druze Leaders Announce Ceasefire; Stampede at Gaza Aid Site Leaves 20 Dead; Trump Hosts Gulf Leaders at the White House

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers