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:
- Its well-rounded edges—I dare you to find a sharp spot.
- The unique upward canted cut on the muzzle side. It’s a small change, but it pays dividends in the comfort department.
- 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.
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.
