The Complete Guide To Belly Band Holsters

If you feel more comfortable when your firearm is close to your side, you may be considering purchasing a belly band holster. More and more people are converting from the traditional style of holsters to belly band holsters for many reasons. If you frequently wear clothing that cannot support the weight of a traditional holster, or if you are simply looking for an option that is more comfortable and easier to conceal, then a belly band is a great way to resolve your issues. If you are a firearm-slinging citizen looking for a safe and comfortable way to holster your piece while you are venturing into the general public, then continue reading this guide for information that may be beneficial in your search.

The 411 on Belly Band Holsters

A belly band holster is pretty simple. They may be made with slight design differences depending upon the manufacturer; however, they all serve the same basic purpose: holster your handgun. That is not to say that they are all created equal. The following factors play a role in the quality and durability of the holster and must be considered before purchasing:

Construction
Design
Materials used
Size and fit

Since safety is always a priority, it is imperative that whichever holster you choose, you must not be able to feel the trigger through the fabric. That is a major safety hazard as you could potentially shoot yourself or someone else if your finger accidentally pulled the trigger through the material.

Why People are Switching to Belly Band Holsters

There are many reasons as to why belly band holsters have become so popular among those who carry concealed firearms today. The following list goes into more detail on this subject. Belly band holsters:

Allow you to conceal your weapon better than some other traditional style holsters
Are great for occasions when you may not be able to wear a traditional belt-style holster such as:
- When you are wearing workout clothing
- Hospital scrubs
- Skirts or any other clothing that does not have a traditional waistband with belt loops that can support a holstered firearm
Are more comfortable and less bulky than most traditional style holsters
Can eliminate or reduce the need for additional holsters, which makes carrying a firearm much more convenient
Are generally designed to be worn for long periods of time, so you can feel confident in wearing them all day long
Allow you to comfortably and easily carry your firearm, whether it is concealed or on top of your clothing
Are great for those who live an athletic lifestyle or have a physically demanding occupation
Hug the body for a secure fit that will keep your firearm where it needs to be
Don’t move around, so you don’t have to worry about shifting or that it is not in the right position

Two Main Drawbacks of Wearing a Belly Band Holster

One of the biggest complaints that people have about wearing a belly band holster is that when it is hot, belly band holsters do not wick the sweat from your body. Solution: The way most people combat the issue of sweat is to wear a thin t-shirt or tank top under the holster to help absorb sweat and prevent your band from getting nasty and your firearm from getting moisture in it. The other downfall is that you may have to contend with untucking your clothing to access the firearm, which can sometimes mean life or death if you are not carrying it properly. Be sure that whatever you are wearing is easy to untuck and allows you quick access to your firearm.

Practice Makes Perfect When Carrying a Firearm

One way to avoid clothing malfunctions in the heat of a stressful situation is to practice drawing your firearm and reholstering it multiple times until you are comfortable with the action. By practicing the act of drawing your firearm while fully clothed, you will be better prepared should the need arise. It would be devastating if you could have prevented someone from being harmed but could not get your firearm out because you couldn’t get past your clothing. Most belly band holsters have pockets that immediately close once the firearm has been drawn, so you will need two hands to reholster it.

How and Where to Wear Your Belly Band Holster

You may be wondering how to wear a belly band holster and where you should position it on your body. The how is simple enough because all it requires is that you wrap the holster around your body and cinch it tight enough that it won’t move but loose enough that you can still breathe and move around comfortably. It is similar to wearing a girdle or corset in that way. Where you position the belly band holster is another matter. This is mostly up to the individual wearing the belly band holster. There is not necessarily a right or wrong way to position it. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to easily reach your firearm in whichever position you choose. This relates back to the practice makes perfect section of the article and being sure you are able to react quickly in a bad situation. Belly band holsters can be worn anywhere from the area below the pectoral muscles on a man or right under the breast line on a woman down to the lower waist. Where you choose to wear your belly band holster depends greatly upon:

How concealed you want it to be
The clothes that you are wearing
Which activities you are doing on a particular day such as exercise, work, etc.
Your personal preference as to what feels most comfortable and functional

Pro Tip: If you truly want to conceal your weapon while wearing a belly band holster, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing so the outline of the holster and firearm does not show through.

15 Popular Belly Band Holsters

The following list gives the details of 15 popular concealment belly band holsters. These are all great options. Most can be worn multiple ways and offer additional pockets for extra magazine clips or smaller personal items such as:

Credit cards
Defensive spray
Driver’s License
Keys
Your phone
A small tactical flashlight

AIKATE™ Concealment Belly Band Holster

This inside waistband holster is designed for both men and women. It is comfortable and allows the wearer to easily conceal their firearm as well as an extra magazine clip.

Here are some of the features offered by the AIKATE:

AIKATE offers a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied
Breathable material helps to reduce sweat
Comfortable and easy to use
Designed to fit men and women of all sizes
Extremely versatile, it can be worn in multiple ways and positions
Ideal for runners or everyday use
Quickly and safely draw and reholster your firearm
This holster is made from tactical grade elastic that will hold any size pistol