IWB or OWB Holsters Choosing the Best Holster

One of the crucial decisions you’ll make when it comes to carrying is choosing between an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster and an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster. You may wonder which handguns work best in OWB? In IWB? Which holster styles work best with which body types? We’ll discuss the details, advantages and disadvantages of each. Let’s start with the basics. An IWB holster is designed to be worn inside your pants, providing a discreet and concealed option. On the other hand, an OWB holster is worn outside the waistband, typically attached to your belt, making your firearm more visible especially if not wearing appropriate cover garments but easily accessible.

Standard IWB Holsters

IWB holsters are probably the most popular concealment holster design for carrying a handgun along the beltline. When you opt for an IWB holster, you’re choosing a method that keeps your firearm tucked away, minimizing visibility. A wide variety of designs exist today to accommodate an equally wide variety of users and handguns. Order IWB holsters here

DME Holsters Standard IWB holster

Use:
Concealed carry, Non-Tuckable,
Comfort level 7
Concealability 8
(add the mod wing you could push it to 9.5)

IWB holsters offer a snug fit against your body, reducing the chances of printing (when the outline of the gun is visible through clothing). IWB holsters are superior to OWB holsters when it comes to concealment. With IWB, the holster holds basically all but the handgun grip below the beltline, concealed by the pants or shorts. Having loose-fitting concealed carry clothing aids in concealability. For extra concealability you can also order the Mod Wing. The Mod Wing is a piece of concealment enhancing hardware, and it allows a user’s belt to apply additional leverage to rotate the holster and the grip of the gun towards the body. An IWB holster is held in place by one nylon injection molded clips that work best when locked over a 1.5 to 1.75 inch belt. This particular style is not “tuckable. The only part of the holster and gun visible are the clip that are locked over the belt. These can be a dead giveaway to the sharp-eyed observer (unless a cellphone or other object can be strategically placed to obscure the clips). While this style gives additional concealment to the handgun, it does slow access. The shirt has to be pulled clear and kept clear of the pants before the handgun can be drawn. Usually carried in the 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock position on the body. In the 1 o’clock position, it would be ordered with 0° cant in the 3 o’clock position with 15° Cant. You can find a description of IWB attachments here

DME Holsters Standard AIWB holster

Order AIWB holsters here

Use:
Concealed carry,
Tuckable, Comfort level 7
Concealability 8
(add the mod wing you could push it to 9.5)

AIWB holsters offer the same fit against your body as the IWB Holster Above. The only real difference is the attaching for the belt clip it is attached at the bottom of the holster with a small gap between the J-hook and the holster making it tuckable so the shirt can be tucked over the top of the handgun grip and down into the waistband. The standard IWB is not tuckable. Standard AIAWB is generally only worn in the 1 o’clock position, but J-hooks generally have about 5° forward or backwards cant, allowing them to be worn in other positions such as 2 to 4 o’clock. Can also be outfitted with the mod wing for enhanced concealability. As far as IWB holsters go, this is probably the fastest draw at the 1 o’clock position. You can find a description of AIWB attachments here

Pros and Cons of Inside-the-Waistband Holsters

Opting for an IWB holster prioritizes enhanced concealment, keeping your firearm discreetly tucked away inside your pants. This method minimizes visibility and reduces the chances of printing, ensuring a close and secure fit against your body. However, IWB holsters may be less comfortable. IWB holsters work best with small- to medium-sized handguns. Using them with full-sized handguns can make you miserable in short order. The draw can be slower compared to OWB holsters, but they remain an ideal choice for those who value concealed carry.

DME Holsters Standard OWB Holsters

Use: Opened carry,
Range holster,
Duty holster,
Battle belt holster
Comfort level 9,
Concealability 3

Order OWB holsters here A OWB holster conceals less than an IWB holster because the entire handgun is positioned outside the pants. OWB holsters are often favored by those who prioritize a rapid and unrestricted draw, such as competitive shooters. They work great on Battle belt, War belts and Duty belts. The Standard OWB holster has the same design characteristics as the Standard IWB/AIWB holster. The holster looks the same as the AIWB or IWB. The differences are in the belt attachments and material thickness. The standard outside the waistband holster is made out of .093 Kydex/Boltaron when possible. Oh WB Holsters generally have three different ride height positions, depending on what you order as your belt attachment.

Tek-Lok: The firearm rides with the trigger guard on the beltline.
Duty Drop: The firearm rides with the grip on the beltline. This option can include a thigh strap to keep everything in place, making it ideal for duty belts, battle belts, war belts,
Or your everyday carry (EDC) gun belt.
Thigh Rig: Allows the holster to ride just about anywhere on the thigh, providing ultimate flexibility.

With these options, ride height is generally not adjustable but is tailored to specific use cases for optimal performance. Follow this link for the ultimate guide and attachments A Staccato P can be carried more comfortably, although more care will be needed in selecting a covering garment. An OWB holster is vastly more comfortable than an IWB because the carry belt isn’t pulling the entire holster against lightly protected skin. Most IWBs are not as comfortable for all-day carry as OWB holsters. OWB is the only type of carry to be considered when packing a handgun on the trail or hunting. Perfect for Tactical and Duty Use Our Standard OWB Holsters are perfect for duty belts, battle belts, and war belts. The robust design and secure retention systems ensure your firearm is always ready and accessible. Additionally, the customizable features make our holsters suitable for everyday carry, providing the perfect balance of security and convenience.

DME Holsters OWB Pancake holster

Order Pancake Holsters here

Use: Open carry,
Concealed carry,
Comfort level 8,
Concealability 6.5-8.5

The OWB Pancake holster is made out of black .080 Boltaron or Kydex. It’s very strong, has excellent durability, scratch resistance, and good definition. The design is 50/50 split. What does that mean? 50% of the weapon is to the outside with 50% to the inside. Although not designed as a IWB holster with a simple clip/belt loop change (available as a separate purchase) our 50/50 OWB Pancake holster can become a fairly comfortable IWB Holster. The Pancake holster has all the same design characteristics as our other holsters. The difference is that it is not a “taco” holster. The gun is sandwiched between two pieces of .080 Kydex/Boltaron and riveted on the sides. (Maybe it should be called a sandwich holster.) Weight of the gun is distributed over 4 to 6 inches. Our pancake holster design is slightly different than most. The gun is generally straight up and down in the holster. Belt attachments are attached to the rivets. Depending on how many rivets are forward or back of the holster, ride height can be adjusted simply by moving the belt attachment up or down the rivets. Cant is achieved by offsetting the belt attachments. Holsters are shipped with belt attachments offset ¾ of an inch which is about 10° cant. Can be converted to (IWB).

Choosing the Best Holster

Choosing the right holster depends on various factors. Things that you have to consider are your states guns what are they? DME Holsters is based out of Arizona our gun laws are constitutional carry. Every one of us here at DME Holsters use pancake holsters. They are easy to conceal because they ride fairly high and are tight to the body. And they simply just don’t get in the way. Live in California, New York Chicago. You’re gonna have to use an IWB holster. There’s no one size fits all. A holsters that works for one may not work for the other. Carrying a firearm means you are willing to take a life that is a daunting task. As I tell everybody that I work with practice practice, practice drawing and using your firearm has to be muscle memory. Your proficiency in drawing from your chosen holster is crucial your success in a high-pressure situation. Shop all DME Holsters here