• 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
        • SIG 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?
        • Photoroom_20250531_143432Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
        • image-112d3d00Helwan Brigadier 9mm Range Report
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • 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?
        • PXL_20240209_171721326Pic of the Day, It’s Graduation Time
    • 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

Pure PHLSTER Pleasure – PHLSTER Skeleton IWB Holster Review

What do you think of appendix carry? Well, we can discuss the merits of appendix carry vs. those of kidney carry on another day. Today, let’s just make room for some of you to make funny comments about your belief that those of us who carry in the appendix position have no concern for our, well, uh…“Manhood.”

Now that we’ve all gotten our junior-high-reminiscent chuckle in for the day, allow me to suggest a fine holster option for those considering appendix carry.

The PHLSTER Skeleton IWB is a $47 dollar score. If you price quality custom kydex, you’ll find that that is a value price point—hence the 4-6 week wait. Though the price point is attractive, the most appealing thing about the PHLSTER for me is its well thought out design.

A minimalist design is one thing I look for in an appendix carry holster. Because of the way that the PHLSTER Skeleton IWB is cut and rounded, it is less likely to create “hot spots” (that is, points of discomfort) when seated, bending, or moving. Admittedly, appendix carry is not the most comfortable carry method ever employed but it can be a very effective method for concealment. As several men before me have said: “carrying a gun should be comforting, not necessarily comfortable.”

Are there more minimalistic offerings on the market? Absolutely. Various trigger guard holsters come to mind. However, the PHSLTER Skeleton IWB holster will lock in place in the belt location, per your adjustment, and its non-collapsible structure allows for an easy re-holster. Trigger guard style holsters have their merits, but they often lack the advantages of stability and ease of reholster that the Skeleton IWB features. These are significant practical advantages over the trigger guard design. One-handed manipulations are hindered without these requisite advantages.

The PHLSTER Skeleton IWB holster deserves a look because of three key features:

  1. Its well-rounded edges—I dare you to find a sharp spot.
  2. The unique upward canted cut on the muzzle side. It’s a small change, but it pays dividends in the comfort department.
  3. Its incredibly durable push-the-dot loop. Using a polymer-coated piece of webbing that is far less susceptible to wear than the rubber options used by other holsters in the market.

Loop

Whether you’ve already come over to the “dark side” of concealed carry (i.e., appendix carry), or are considering a move in that direction, the PHLSTER Skeleton IWB is a solid concealed carry holster option. It’s affordable, offers great retention, and its minimal, but well-rounded design allows for reasonably comfortable effective concealment—which can be a challenge for appendix carry holsters. The appealing price point for a custom kydex holster adds to the value of what may be just the appendix carry holster you’re looking for. Search your feelings; you will know it to be true.


Share This

About the Author

Brian (Rev) Norris , in addition to writing for the Arms Guide and talking guns and gear via video, is a pastor (hence the “Rev”) who specializes in mentoring young men in the urban context. If he catches a moment of free time, you’ll likely find him enjoying his family or heading to the range on his motorcycle. Brian has enjoyed the shooting sports since his father introduced them to him as a child. He’s an outdoorsman who enjoys life to the full.

See All Brian (Rev) Norris Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
  • 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
  • Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
    Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
  • Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
    Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • 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
  • Ajita Sherer on The BAR: Browning’s Battlefield Sledgehammer

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Qatar Monitors Gulf Radiation as Israeli Strikes Target Iranian Nuclear, Energy Sites

World

Fordow’s Final Hours? Inside America’s Bunker-Busting Battle Plan

War Stories

Col (Ret.) Nate Slate: Cleptocracy – Rule by Thieves

World

Is Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Picking a Fight He Can’t Win?

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...