Owning a gun comes with responsibility. One of those responsibilities is ensuring your gun remains safe at all times whether it’s on you or not. When it’s kept at home, it’s much easier to keep safely locked up out of harm’s way, but when you need to carry it with you it’s a different matter. There are many conceal carry gun holsters to ensure your pistol is kept safe, such as shoulder holsters and ankle holsters that ensure deep concealment but easy reach should it be required. A belly band gun holster also makes a great concealment holster to carry a gun safely. It allows quick access to the weapon while ensuring it’s kept in a safe place at all times.
You may have already made the decision to get a belly band holster, in which case, it’s now just about choosing the right one to suit your needs. Belly band holsters come in all different shapes, sizes, and types, and the one that’s best for you will largely come down to preference. When shopping for a belly band holster, there are a few features that you should check out before making your purchase to ensure it’s suitable for your needs. They are:
Concealability – Belly band holsters provide you with an effective way to conceal your weapon. These holsters are usually made of elastic and fitted with Velcro straps. This ensures everything fits snugly to you while still allowing flexibility at the same time. There’s not really a great deal of variation in belly bands in terms of concealability as they all follow the same general design. However, one thing that does differ between them is the number of pockets the belly band holster has and where they’re located. More pockets means more carrying options are available including cross draw, side draw, or appendix carry.
Accessibility – This is probably the most important feature of any belly band holster. Being able to get to your gun without any obstructions is vital. It could literally mean the difference between life and death. When looking to buy one, you need to make sure you can holster and reholster with ease. If you’re not used to wearing a belly band holster, then it may take a while to get used to. But, once you’ve become accustomed to it, you’ll never want to be without one.
Comfort – Another highly important feature of a belly band holster is how comfortable it is to wear. Some people choose to wear their holster directly on their skin while others prefer to wear an undershirt. Most of them are versatile enough that they can be worn either way so it’s really down to what feels most comfortable for you. One thing to look out for when choosing the right holster is the material that it's made of. Some belly band holsters are made of Neoprene, which is much softer against the skin. So, if you’re not planning on wearing an undershirt, this may be your best option.
Weight/Size – When it comes to belly band holsters, you want to be careful about the weight. Weapons are heavy enough as they are without adding unnecessary pounds through a hefty holster. Choosing a belly band holster that’s light is less of a burden to carry around and will allow you much more flexibility while moving. Belly band holsters come in various sizes to fit all body types. Usually, they will range from S to XL, but this may vary depending on the manufacturer so check the measurements carefully to ensure you get the best fit.
Cost – Investing in a good belly band holster is important, but the cost shouldn’t have the final say. Prices often vary depending on the material that’s used to make the holster, the brand, and its purpose. There are plenty of decent holsters out there that won’t cost you the Earth—you just need to do a little research. And, while cost is a factor, you shouldn’t let that rule your decision.
That may seem like quite a lot to think about, but putting the effort in now will save you time and money later on. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a short collection of some of the more popular belly band holsters available on the market currently to get you started:
Product | Concealability | Accessibility | Comfort | Weight/Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Good  | Ambidextrous design; snap button offers quick release | Made of Neoprene for maximum comfort | Weight = 8 oz. Measures in at 5” x 42” | $ | |
Qipi Concealed Carry Belly Holster with Quick Draw Thumb Break | Good  | Quick draw thumb break; fast pull | Made of Neoprene for maximum comfort | Weight = 7.2 oz. Normal size measures in at 4.75” x 44”. Extra is 4.75” x 53” | $ |
Defensive Gear Premium Belly Band Holster – Adjustable waist firearm holster for concealed carry | Excellent  | Snap button allows for quick and quiet release; option to use as concealed carry or open carry | Made of Neoprene for maximum comfort | Weight = 6.4 oz. Measures in at 5” x 47” | $$ |
Excellent  | Has two ambidextrous slots | Made of surgical-grade, heavy-duty elastic for maximum durability and comfort | Weight = 3.2 oz. Available in sizes XS–3X | $$$ | |
Very Good  | Quick-draw release | Made of Neoprene for maximum comfort | Weight = 5.3 oz. Measures in at 5” x 42.25” | $ | |
Excellent  | Patent pending retention strap enables a smooth, fast draw; ambidextrous design | Made of surgical-grade, heavy-duty elastic for maximum durability and comfort | Weight = 8.3 oz. Available in sizes SM–XL | $$$ | |
Good  | Ambidextrous design; strong snap button for quick and quiet release | Made of Neoprene for maximum comfort | Weight = 6.4 oz. Measures in at 5” x 42” | $ |
By now, you will hopefully have some idea of the type of belly band holster to go for. Just remember to keep these five things in mind when shopping: concealability, accessibility, comfort, weight, and cost. Take the time to consider these things before you make your purchase and you really can’t go wrong.