With concealed carry becoming increasingly popular and with so many people getting their permits every day, finding the right gear and equipment has become extremely important. Comfortability, affordability, and functionality are the most important factors to consider, but with so many models available today, choosing the best OWB holster is no easy task.
It is incredibly difficult to find a flexible and well-retained holster that will fit every pair of pants you have. To help you find a unit that best suits your needs, we’ve compiled detailed reviews of the best OWB holsters, the aspects to consider before purchasing one, and tips on how to conceal your weapon. So, stick through till the end before you make your decision!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for OWB Holsters
Comparison of the Best OWB Holsters
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What is an OWB Holster?
As the name suggests, OWB holsters enable users to carry their holstered weapon on the outside of the waistband. Commonly known as an ‘Open Carry,’ it’s the perfect unit for shooters who want an unobstructed draw.
Relentless Tactical Ultimate Leather Holster
This model eliminates the need for adjusting or untucking clothing, allowing wearers to grip their weapon and draw it smoothly from the holster. Since the entire firearm is positioned outside the wearer’s pants, it’s not as good in concealing the weapon as an IWB holster.
How to Choose an OWB Holster
Buying the right unit is an incredibly personal decision and one that is not easy to make. To ensure you don’t end up wasting your money on an inferior quality holster, here are some aspects you should consider before you finalize your decision:
Good Retention
Whether the unit is Kydex or leather, it should be able to retain the pistol’s weight when it is placed upside down. Quality models are usually designed with a retention device that puts pressure around the trigger guard, ensuring the firearm stays in place.
High-Quality Material
Premium models are often designed with Kydex or leather. It’s advisable to purchase Kydex holsters that have at least 0.93” of thick Kydex. This ensures durability and reliability. However, if you choose a leather holster, make sure it’s manufactured with genuine leather. This will prevent deterioration and allow continual use. A well-made unit will also not have any sealed screws, attachment points, or sharp edges.
Adjustability
Since every person has a different body build, it’s important that you find a unit that conforms to your body. Whether it’s designed with adjustable materials or features adjustable belt loops or clips, make sure it’s designed with the ability to fit your wearing preference.
Review of the Best OWB Holsters
An over the waistband holster makes conceal carrying your gun quite easy. This is why you must get the right one for you. Here is a complete review of our favorite OWB holsters to help you choose one.
Best Overall:
Relentless Tactical Ultimate Leather Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers reported having a great time using this OWB holster due to its ultimate tactical performance. They found it great when it came to its leather construction as well. This has a longer life and does not look flimsy like nylon holsters. It has 2 slots, and the users liked it too.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list as the best overall OWB holster for a reason. It has a nice outer finish that feels soft against the skin. It does not have any sharp edges which might dig into your skin to make sitting hard. Furthermore, the sweat shield in it makes it a safer option as it keeps all moisture away from weapons.
Who Will Use This Most
This is useful for all professionals like policemen and security personnel who need to be on guard all the time. It helps in drawing the gun easily and has a secure grip. This makes it great for those who are on the front for most of their work time.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this OWB holster is that it has some amazing features and easily wins overall appreciation. The sweat guard and leather construction are the most attractive aspects. So, if you value these as much as us, then you must go for it.
Runner-up:
Bravo Concealment
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who used this OWB holster recently had quite a positive review. They liked it for its enhanced concealment options, which helps maintain secrecy. It also became so liked by buyers due to its forward cant placement. This made them keep it in its fixed position without having to worry about finding the perfect angle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us with its robust injection molding belt loops the most. They make it have an easier fitting and adjustment on your belt. It also has a BCA light-bearing, which improves its draw. This not only helps in taking out the gun in an emergency but also in re-holstering it.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for people who want something reliable and practical. The Kydex construction helps the holster in providing you a durable use with its 0.8-inch thickness. Moreover, it has an easy draw and a quick replacement gun, so it is great for self-defense carrying.
Bottom Line
Summing it all up, it is one of the most liked OWB holsters on our list. It has the right size for most guns and does not let the Kydex make you feel uncomfortable. It enables you to conceal carry your gun with much more ease than others, so you should get it.
Best for the Money:
R&R Holsters
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This OWB holster hit home with the recent buyers because of its low price and high-quality. They reported having a better experience than they expected due to its low price. They loved the 0.8-inch thick Kydex construction of this holster along with its warranty. The one-year replacement warranty made them trust it even more.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has become one of our favorite OWB holsters due to its widely adjustable Cant carry angle. This allows for an adjustment between 0 and 15-degree angles. This, in addition to its partial sweat guard, makes it much safer and easy to use.
Who Will Use This Most
This holster is perfect for people who live in warm areas where it is hard to avoid sweating. The Kydex material does not let much moisture into it. Moreover, the partial sweat guard provides the right additional protection that it needs.
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is the best OWB holster that you can find at such a low price. It feels light on your pocket and even on the waistband. But, it certainly outweighs other holsters on the market when it comes to delivering a quick draw.
Best OWB Kydex Holster:
Concealment Express Paddle Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This holster got a mixture of responses from its recent buyers. Most of them loved it for the attractive Kydex making, which has 0.8-inch thickness. They also like it for its custom fitting, which they could adjust according to their weapon. Still, there were some who did not like it for not fitting thin belts. But, using such belts is just not recommended for concealed carry.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The unconditional lifetime warranty of this Kydex OWB holster makes us like it the most. This makes it more trustworthy to both the buyers and us. Moreover, the variability of the Cant carrying angle from -5 to +2 degrees is just amazing. This makes for a perfect holster with the ABS paddle. The paddle also has a fiber reinforcement, making it stronger in return.
Who Will Use This Most
If you carry a gun all the time and want to have something lightweight, then this holster is just right. It weighs only 3 ounces, and this makes it much more comfortable. This is also great for those who want something that looks as good as it works.
Bottom Line
Keeping all this in mind, we can say that it is a great choice for both novices and experts. The size of the holster makes it ideal for conceal carrying weapons even under light fabrics. So, you should go for this one if you want something well worth your money.
Best Leather OWB Holster:
Winthrop Holsters OWB Pancake
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyers found this leather OWB holster incredible with its lightweight construction. They found it very easy to keep around for a full day daily. The cowhide material not only makes it feel good against the skin but also improves its appearance. This made the buyers like it even more.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The holster stands out to us with its sleek construction and appropriate size. It allows most guns to fit into it without feeling too loose or too tight. This is because it’s easy to adjust both the fitting of the holster and its carry angle. Its wet molding makes it much more useful in accommodating different guns.
Who Will Use This Most
This is going to suit you the most if you are looking for something light and of a standard size. It goes with all the standard sized belts with a width of 1.5 inches. This, along with a weight of 7 ounces, only makes the holster even more suitable for daily use.
Bottom Line
The final word on this is that it is one of the best over the waistband holsters on the market. Its leather construction makes it look great and also have greater durability. It also has a very affordable price, which is another great reason to choose it over others.
Best OWB Holster for Concealed Carry:
KAOS Fusion 2.0 Minimalist Boltaron Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who invested in this OWB holster recently found it to be of great value. They liked the minimalist design, which focuses more on their comfort than on the style. They also prefer using it because it has such an easy and safe retention.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This holster stands out to us with its positive retention system. This helps you secure your weapon more easily and safely than other holsters of the same league. It has a lightweight construction with high resistance against moisture too.
Who Will Use This Most
This is going to be most useful for the people who keep shifting between an IWB and OWB conceal carrying. This depends on both the weather and the kind of action you will be getting on a particular day.
Bottom Line
All in all, it is an amazing holster for people who want both practicality and comfort. It has a highly adjustable cant that you can position according to your comfort. It is also great for both right and left-handed draw, so choose it if you want something reliable.
Best OWB Holster for Glock 19:
HQDA OWB Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyers have had a great time using it as it has such impressive features. They found its size perfect for their Glock 19 models, whether they were new or old. Buyers also liked it due to its tactical use, which does not need much care.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This holster grabs our attention with its lightweight frame. It weighs 5.8 ounces and is almost non-existent when you holster in a gun. The index finger release on it makes it a safer option. It also has reliable retention, which makes it even safer with the trigger guard.
Who Will Use This Most
You will love using it if you prefer the safety of your weapon and those around you the most. The retention helps in keeping it securely inside the holster all the time. The ergonomic index finger release on it allows for better control on holstering and drawing your weapon.
Bottom Line
The final word on it is that it is one of the safest holsters to conceal carry a weapon. It has amazing features in place to keep the gun secure and draw it easily when needed. The best thing is that the additional security features do not make it hard to draw the gun quickly.
Best OWB Holster for M&P Shield 9mm:
TEGE S&W M&P Shield 9MM/40 Paddle Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who bought this holster liked using it for the most part. They liked its shield, which fits most barrels. They also found its auto-locking system quite impressive as it enhances its security. But, they had complaints regarding the unavailability of the left-hand draw version.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This TEGE holster distinguishes itself from others on the market with its tough high-grade polymer construction. This helps the holster in serving you for many years without any damage. The Cant carry angle adjustment from 0 to 60 degrees is another great thing about it.
Who Will Use This Most
This is useful for people with right-hand draw preference only as it does not support a left-handed draw. It also fits up to 2-inch wide belts, making it great for a wide range of users.
Bottom Line
Considering this description, the TEGE holster is a nice addition on our list, which comes highly recommended. It has a reliable construction of high-grade polymer, which does not even need a warranty. So, get it if you want ultimate strength in your holster.
Best 1911 Holster OWB:
1791 Gunleather Combo
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People who bought this over the waistband holster lately gave positive feedback mostly. They found its leather construction to be super useful and stylish. They also commended the holster for its simple yet reliable handcrafting. This makes the holster even more safe and reliable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It impresses us with its American Steerhide construction the most. It has not only very light in weight, but also has an attractive finish. The exterior has a nice molding to provide more firm retention of your weapon. This increases its safety and also makes sure that you can draw it quickly.
Who Will Use This Most
This holster is best for 1911 guns, which has a unique construction and does not fit in every holster. This is even better suited for guns that have 4 or 5-inch barrels as it has the right length. It is also great for those who want a tactical holster as it works so well.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this OWB holster is that it is one of the most sought-after holsters for 1911 guns. The separate magazine carrier is another great feature that makes it more likable. So, go for this if your gun fits its size specifications.
Best SIG P365 OWB Holster:
CYTAC OWB Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The recent buyers of this amazing OWB holster found it very helpful. They like its retention system the most as it has a small button, which ensures a greater surface. The button is easy to access and press with the index finger even when you are not looking. This and the construction of the holster impressed the buyers a lot.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us with its free rotation of 360 degrees. This makes the holster easy to put into Cant carrying mode and even in parallel carry easily. It is also good due to its wear-resistant frame, which lasts for a very long time.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for those who love to have clean and well-organized stuff. This holster does not have a Kydex or leather construction, so you can even wash it with soap. The black holster fits in with almost every belt and makes conceal carrying even better.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this OWB holster certainly has potential, and its users love it. The sleek and practical construction is so useful that you can use it relentlessly. Moreover, the Cant carry angle is fully adjustable, which helps you in positioning it the way you like.
Advantages and Disadvantages of OWB Holsters
Now that we’ve covered what an OWB holster is and the factors to consider before purchasing one, let’s look at its advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
Although OWB holsters are not as good in concealment as IWB holsters, they do have some advantages. Some of these include:
Comfort
These units are exceptionally comfortable and enable users to carry much thicker and heavier guns than normally possible. Since they’re designed with adjustable retention, they can be positioned to your specific style of drawing, making them perfect for bigger individuals as well.
Faster Draw
Because these models are positioned outside the waistband, they’re faster and easier to draw, fire, and re-holster. This further makes them an effective and simple substitute for people with arthritis or disabilities.
Wide Range of Designs
These units have very small differences when it comes to drawing the weapon, allowing manufacturers to develop more styles and designs. This ensures that you’ll always find a unit that suits your needs!
Disadvantages
However, no product is perfect. Some disadvantages of this unit include:
Poor Concealment
OWB holsters are worn outside the waistband, making them harder to conceal. They’re also a bit heavy, which can be a problem if you’re planning on carrying it around all day.
How to Wear an OWB Holster
There are several different ways to conceal a weapon, but it’s commonly done with an IWB or inside the waistband holster. However, you can also conceal your firearm with an OWB or outside the waistband holster. Here are some steps you can follow for a concealed carry with an OWB holster:
1. Select a carrying location that you find comfortable and can conceal the bulk of the holster and weapon. While carrying the unit at your hip is an excellent choice for open carrying, it’s not suitable if you want to conceal your weapon. It’s better if you position the holster in a place where your body curved inward, such as your kidney or appendix.
2. Make sure the holster sits tight and is positioned high against your waist.
3. Buy a quality gun belt.
4. Wear a shirt or any other outer garment that is long enough to hide the holster. You can choose a longtail button-up shirt, or simply purchase a shirt in ‘tall size.’
Conclusion
Whether you’re concealed carrying with an OWB holster for the first time or have just switched to an OWB holster after countless years of experience, this is a wonderful carry method for all. All the aforementioned products are excellent quality models, but make sure you read all the reviews to find one that best suits your specific needs and situation.
People Also Ask
Choosing an OWB holster can be an extremely confusing and technical decision. To clear away any doubts you might have, here are some frequently asked questions that will certainly help you make an informed decision:
Can You Conceal OWB?
While it is harder to conceal carry with an OWB holster, it is possible. In fact, professionals have been using OWB holsters for concealed carry for a long time. You just need to wear a loose-fitting or untucked longtail shirt to conceal your weapon. However, OWB concealed carry is a bit difficult in the summer.
Is IWB or OWB Better?
Since an OWB holster positions the entire weapon outside the pants, it’s not as good in concealment as an IWB holster. However, it is more comfortable than an IWB because the carry belt doesn’t pull the entire unit against lightly protected skin. Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on your needs and preferences. It’s advisable to purchase both types, so you have your options open.