Belly holsters have become an especially popular concealed carry method for those who want to keep their firearm on their person during their day to day.
Unlike traditional holsters, belly holsters do not have strong wardrobe requirements to wear. In fact, you can use it while wearing a t-shirt with no hardship!
Learn to pick out the best belly band holster for you in the article below:
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Belly Holsters
If you’re still considering whether to buy a belly band holster over another type of holster, then take a look at the following advantages and disadvantages to decide whether it’s the right fit for you. These pros and cons will be delivered by answering some of the more commonly asked questions about belly band holsters:
Q: Tell me the best way to wear belly bands?
Answer: One of the biggest disadvantages of a belly band holster is the fact that it can be quite uncomfortable to wear in the beginning and most will take a while to get used to it.
However, the positioning of a belly band is not without benefits. Here are just some of the benefits that you can enjoy:
- Added mobility! With a belly band, you don’t have to worry about your posture. You can sit, stand, crouch, etc. without having to remove the belly band holster.
- Easy to access! If worn close to your waist (which is the best position to wear the belly band!) you can enjoy a natural draw experience (whether you prefer open carry or concealed carry).
- Versatility! Of course, if you would prefer more concealment, you can also place the belly band higher up your torso. In this way, you can wear just about any type of clothing without having to worry about the gun printing against your clothes.
To expand on the last point, a belly band holster can be worn around the hips, your midsection, under the breasts (which makes a belly holster a great holster for women), and under the arm.
The best position to wear it will then depend on what you need most! If it’s extra concealment that you’re looking for, then under the breast or under the arm is best, if it’s a more natural draw, then the best option is around your hips.
Q: Are belly band holsters safe for concealed carry?
Answer: It all depends on the material! Let’s clear the air now, most belly band holsters are little more than an elastic band with a pocket for firearms to fit through. They lack the secure retention system required for risk-free concealed carry.
If you pick a belly band holster like what we’ve just described, then you’re really asking for trouble. They won’t work for concealed carry and with the lack of trigger guard protection, there is a higher risk of discharge — it would only take a bit of loose fabric for an accident to happen!
We’re not saying this to scare off people from belly holsters completely. These risks exist for most holster system types. To reiterate, if the belly band holster is made of poor quality, then it is definitely unsafe. However, a high-quality belly band holster system would have taken all these risks into account and should work perfectly fine if worn properly.
The only concern then is learning how to pick out a good belly band holster, which is the subject of our next question:
Q: How to choose a good belly band holster?
Answer: When choosing a belly band holster, you need to consider the following:
- Material: Some materials cause skin irritation while others have a tendency to corrode when exposed to sweat and friction.
- Concealment Ability: If you want to conceal your gun effectively, a holster with a more rigid material would be best for preventing printing under your shirt.
- Fastener: Velcro holster systems work perfectly in the short term, but they have poor durability in the long term, making it best to purchase a holster with a hook, hoop, or snapping system to prolong its use.
- Size: Of course, you should also keep in mind that these belly band holsters can greatly differ in size. You need to find one that will not only fit you, but also your gun. Pay attention to the retention system afforded by the holster to make sure that you’re carrying your gun safely and securely.
Q: Can you really use a belly band holster while working out?
Answer: Although it may be unfathomable to some, a lot of people shop for belly band holster systems over other holsters because it works perfectly as a workout holster.
That’s right. You can actually work out while wearing a belly band holster! To offer some comparison, a lot of people prefer it over IWB (inside-the-waistband) holsters, which are also worn near the belt area but can cause the gun to pinch at the skin while running.
The only issue is that, while it is possible and relatively safe to use a belly band holster for a run, it can still be uncomfortable — never mind the fact that the material of the holster is more likely to be damaged after being exposed to sweat regularly.
Q: Do belly band holsters protect the trigger guard?
Answer: Some don’t, so you’ll have to be careful. You probably already know that having any part of the trigger guard of your firearm exposed can cause negligent discharge, that’s true for belly band holsters as well.
Q: Do belly band holsters print?
Answer: A belly band holster can be worn under a t-shirt without printing so long as the right materials are used. It’s best to pick one that has a harder outer shell so that the firearm imprint will not show through!
Q: Do men wear belly band holsters?
Answer: Although belly band holster systems are more popular with women (because they can be comfortably worn under the breast for more concealment), that does not mean that they cannot be worn by men!
Q: What size belly band holster should I get?
Answer: In the end, all we can give you for advice is the obvious: pick the one closest to your measurements. Most belly band holster systems come in at least three sizes and are adjustable, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one that works perfectly for your body shape.
What Belly Holster Should I Get?
Now that we’ve answered most of the commonly asked questions about belly holsters, we hope that you have a better idea of how to pick one for yourself.
If you’re struggling, then our advice is to start with a credible resource for tactical gear — most will carry a variety of holster systems of good quality! An example of such a source is the online tactical enthusiast store, Point Blank Life. They also sell belly band holster systems, and those should serve as a good reference system for you to start off with.
