Kydex was the reviewer’s favorite holster material in the Gun Websites What Holster to Buy series: durable, comfortable and reliable, though no single holster does everything. This entry walks through inside-the-waistband, paddle and light-bearing Kydex designs.
How Kydex holsters are made
- A flat sheet of Kydex is heated, then pressed around a blue gun or metal model under vacuum or foam pressure until it takes the pistol’s shape.
- Better makers fine-tune retention by engaging the trigger guard, or sometimes the slide release or decocker.
Inside-the-waistband options
- One-piece IWB with adjustable grommets: retention by friction on the trigger guard, released with a straight pull, worn with a forward cant. One early favorite eventually cracked at the fold, a known weak point of one-piece designs.
- Tuckable IWB from a local Arizona maker: the clip goes over the pants and under the belt with room for a tucked shirt. All that shows is a small patch of Kydex on the belt. Ideal for deep office concealment.
- Non-tuckable IWB: worn under the shirt with only the clip on the belt.
- Two-loop Blade-Tech IWB: the reviewer’s go-to IWB holster. Rubber belt loops adjust for belt width and let the cant be tuned for driving or standing. Open-bottom versions fit more Glock lengths than closed-bottom ones.
- Lasers and other add-ons need a holster cut for them. On an IWB holster, which side the laser sits on matters for comfort.
Why Kydex for reholstering
- The mouth stays open after the draw, so the muzzle can be guided in and seated with a positive click, one-handed.
Paddle holsters
- Injection-molded paddle holsters, such as Fobus, are fast to put on and take off, and work on a belt or sometimes just on pants. Useful in a range bag.
Takeaways
- Choose open or closed bottom based on how many pistols you want the holster to fit.
- Check retention, cant adjustment and add-on compatibility.
- Inspect one-piece holsters for cracks at the fold.
- See Leather Holsters, Outside-the-Waistband Holsters and Training Gear.
Based on a video from the Gun Websites YouTube channel. Took a class recently? Write your After Action Report and add it to the Training Log.
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