AllOutdoor Review – The Best IWB Holsters (for the Money $$$) in 2023
Travis Olander 08.03.23
We’ve covered the important stuff when it comes to buying a new holster, but once you grab a proper gun belt and you’re dead set on going with an IWB (Inside-the-Waistband) setup, where should you start? We are going to cover the best IWB holsters (Inside-the-Waistband) for 2023 so you can make the most informed purchasing decision possible when outfitting yourself for personal defense.
Bravo Concealed LINKed (Best Appendix IWB Holsters)
We like the LINKed AIWB Holster from Bravo Concealment so much, we wrote a standalone review for it. This appendix-carry holster-and-mag combo provides everything you need for comfortable daily carry: Double belt clips, a normally conforming fitment across the stomach, plenty of space between your pistol and magazine for easy access, a solid, flexible, and surprisingly comfortable polymer bucket, and a concealment wing.
The magazine carrier is adjustable or removable, and the retention clip can be adjustable to fit wider or narrower belts. The LINKed includes a simple but effective sweatguard behind the backstrap, and drawing is intuitive. Its svelte size and orientation provides arguably the best concealment of any IWB setup. The only drawback the LINKed suffers is its right hand-only configuration. Sorry, fellow lefties. We’ll need to look elsewhere.
Beyond left-handed prejudice, you get all this for around $70. That makes the LINKed our top pick for those who want an effective, affordable appendix-carry IWB holster.
Safariland Schema (Best IWB Holsters For Subcompacts)
Safariland’s new-ish Schema IWB Holster is the perfect companion for those who want something small, light, and minimalist to match their favorite daily-carry compact or subcompact shooter. The Schema’s skeletonized bucket provides excellent airflow and reduces hot spots and sweat, while a single wide, flat belt paddle replaces conventional belt clips without sacrificing retention or concealment.
The Schema’s small enough for appendix or hip carry, and its paddle sports a height- and angle-adjustable bolt. Just loosen it up with a Philips, and dial it in to your preferences. The low bucket and raised clip provides plenty of clearance for slide-mounted optics, and rounded, beveled edges reduce pinching and scratching during all-day carry.
The Schema’s been molded to accept dozens of the most popular compacts and subcompacts from the likes of GLOCK, Sig, S&W, and Springfield — so chances are high your favorite palm-sized pistol is on the list. Safariland’s kind enough to offer the Schema for left- or right-handed shooters at around $40. Check out our in-depth review of the Safariland Schema to see how well it wears.
Crossbreed SuperTuck (Most Comfortable IWB Holsters)
It’s not only one of the most comfortable IWB holsters, maybe ever – the SuperTuck from Crossbreed is a legendary pistol pouch with tens of thousands of units sold. The wide leather backing and soft, rounded edges provide complete separation between you and your handgun, while a per-model, angled Kydex bucket and two belt clips provide solid retention and excellent weight distribution.
The powder-coated steel clips are fully adjustable for cant angle and height, providing further customization and allowing you to dial in the perfect fitment specifically for your frame and pistol. The Kydex bucket’s low height and open bottom provide ample clearance for both optics and iron sights, and the raised, extended sweat guard easily accommodates any full-size hammer gun.
Although the Kydex bucket’s molded specifically to each handgun, you needn’t worry – just about every modern pistol under the sun is compatible with the SuperTuck. Additional cuts are provided for lights and lasers, and left and right-hand draw with or without a combat cut makes the SuperTuck about as custom as it gets, without visiting a bespoke leather shop. The SuperTuck rides along at around $80 at the time of publication.
Galco Summer Comfort II (Best All-Leather IWB Holsters)
This writer’s a big fan of leather holsters. I’ve happily carried my big, heavy 1911 Gov’t in an original Galco for years. The leading name in leather gun buckets has improved their game with the Summer Comfort II. This all-leather, double clipped setup provides a small but beautifully cut, stitched and dyed holster with adjustable cant angle. The Summer Comfort’s thumb-studded retention strap doubles as a sweat guard and reduces pinching at the rear of the slide, too.
The Summer Comfort II’s available for ten of the most popular handgun manufacturers, with dozens of models available therein. The standard 1.75″ belt clips can be swapped out for 1.25″ and 1.5″ options to ensure you’re getting a snug, stable fit. At publication, the Summer Comfort II’s available for about $120.
Rounded Gear Classic KYDEX (Best Budget IWB Holsters)
The Classic KYDEX Series of holsters from Rounded Gear provides arguably the best bang for your bucket. At around $42, these handgun-specific, single paddle IWB holsters provide all the features you want, without costlier bells and whistles.
The Classic KYDEX provides a simple mold sporting a matte black or carbon finish, adjustable cant to between -5 and +20 degrees, posi-click retention, optic cuts… and that’s it. What else do you need? Sure, there might be more comfortable holsters out there – like the SuperTuck – and there may be more complicated, difficult-to-don and -doff holsters that provide super concealment. But maybe you don’t care about all that.
You just want a small, simple, reliable, cheap holster that gets the job done. We think the Classic KYDEX handily lives up to that name. They’re available in left- or right-hand configurations, and Rounded Gear offers each model with 1- to 2-O’clock, 10- to 11-O’clock, or Small of Back carry.
Check out the available options here.
DeSantis Super Stealth (Honorable Mention; Best Minimalist IWB Holsters)
The Super Stealth is an excellent holster for the budget-minded daily carrier who wants comfort and simplicity. At around $57, the ripstop nylon-fashioned Super Stealth provides a simple but effective IWB solution for most compact and subcompact models.
The Super Stealth boasts a substantial list of compatible pistols, and its ambidextrous. While it sports few features beyond the holster, belt clip, and a basic retention system, it’s still a great choice for all-day carry. Its minimalist design and size provide high concealment, while its fabric construction reduces sweat and hot spots. Check out our review of the DeSantis Super Stealth.
