Kydex is an amazing material. Since being invented in 1965, it has been used for an extremely wide range of applications, finding use in everything from aircraft bulkheads to sheaths for knives. Which is why Kydex OWB holsters are a great choice for the firearms enthusiast.
Kydex is hard wearing, meaning it will both protect your weapon and last for years. Kydex OWB (Outside Waist Band) holsters typically offer more features than IWB holsters, in terms of weapon security and carrying angle, and are therefore a good choice for the conscientious gun owner.
This is one the reasons OWB holsters are preferred by many people, though there are others.
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Are Kydex OWB Holsters Hard to Conceal?
If you are worried that an OWB holster is hard to conceal, you needn’t – there are many ways you can conceal your firearm with these holsters.
But with so many Kydex OWB holsters on the market today, choosing the perfect one can be difficult. That’s where we come in.
After reading hundreds of reviews and talking to some real Kydex enthusiasts, we recommend the R&R OWB Range of Holsters. Available for a really wide range of handguns, these OWB Kydex holsters offer a superior fit on all the weapons we tested, the variable cant on these holsters means they are suitable for a good range of carry styles.
If you are looking for a fully-featured Kydex OWB holster that will be by your side for years, this is the range of holsters to go for.
How to Choose A Kydex OWB Holster
One of the reasons Kydex has become such a popular material for OWB holsters is that it can be molded to almost any shape. This is great when making holsters, because the precise weapon the holster is made for can be used as a template for molding a holster which fits the pistol like a glove.
In fact, Kydex is so easy to work with that you can even make your own holster. This is great if you own an unusual weapon for which finding a good fitting holster can be a problem. For the rest of us, however, getting a Kydex IWB holster specially designed for our particular firearm is not a problem.
Today, we’ll take you through our favorite Kydex OWB holsters. Note, however, that not all the holsters we review today will fit every weapon, and that you should check that your weapon will fit these holsters before investing in one.
Beyond this, when choosing any holster, you should keep in mind the following:
Weapon Security
With any holster, including Kydex OWB holsters, the first thing you should look for is weapon security. The consequences of accidental discharge, or of dropping your gun, can be severe.
Most high-end Kydex OWB holsters now come with fully adjustable retention screws. These mean that it is possible to adjust the tightness with which the holster grips your weapon.
It is also very useful if you are setting up a holster for competition, because you can adjust the level of weapon retention to your purpose. OWB holsters are particularly good in this regard, because they typically offer a greater level of adjustability than their IWB cousins.
Another thing to look for is the trigger guard mechanism. The guard on your holster should ideally cover the entire trigger mechanism, to avoid accidental discharge.
Type of Holster
There are several different positions in which you can carry your pistol – inside or outside your waistband, on your hip, or even in a pocket holster. Today, we are looking at OWB Kydex holsters.
That said, if you are new to carrying a weapon regularly, it is worth reading up on the differences between IWB and OWB, as different people prefer different styles.
Typically, those who like to carry their weapon OWB are looking for draw speed, and we have prioritized this in our reviews today.
Ease of Access
Ideally, you want a holster that holds your weapon securely, whilst also allowing you to draw it really quickly. In the real world, though, there is a slight compromise to be made between security and ease of draw.
In general, though, draw speed is more dependent on practice than on the type of holster you use. Hours spent practicing your draw are more productive in this regard than hours spent looking for holsters which promise a quick draw.
Another feature to look for is variable cant – the angle at which your weapon sits when in the holster. Different people prefer different cants, and you can even adjust this angle depending on the situation.
Concealment
If you carry your pistol concealed, it goes without saying that you want a holster that hides your weapon well. Some people are dubious that any OWB holster can offer a good level of concealment, but read up about how to conceal your weapon and this should not be a problem.
If you live in a hot climate where light clothes are standard, printing can be a problem, where the shape of your weapon shows through your clothes. Though some people worry unduly about this, it can be a problem with any type of concealed carry.
Durability
Last, but of course not least, look for a holster that will provide years of reliable service. If you choose an OWB Kydex holster, of course, this should not be a problem. This material is one of the most hard-wearing available, and can deal with even the most extreme conditions.
Kydex OWB Holster Reviews
| Product Name | Where to Buy | |
|---|---|---|
 | R&R OWB Holsters |  |
 | Outlaw Holsters Kyptek Typhoon OWB Holsters | |
 | Phalanx Defense Systems Stealth Operator OWB Kydex Holster | |
 | Infused Kydex USA Green and Black Holsters | |
1. R&R OWB Holsters
This is a great range of Kydex holsters, and is our recommended choice for today.
The design of these holsters is no-nonsense. This is immediately apparent from the moment ou glance at the holster – the casing is matt black, without the printed designs of some other OWB Kydex holsters.
This is because these holsters are a serious piece of kit, and often used by law enforcement professionals. The fit around each pistol we tested was excellent, offering just the right balance between gripping the weapon securely whilst still being able to draw it quickly.
Whilst these holsters are admirably small, they have not compromised on safety features, and also come with a great range of advantages.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| First and foremost, the comfort on these holster is second to none, even when carrying a bulky weapon. | Whilst these holsters are not available for every single hand gun on the market, the range is huge, and we are sure that most people will be able to find the correct variant of this great OWB Kydex holster. |
| The adjustable cant on these holsters is a great example of why OWB holsters are often preferred by professionals. These holsters offer all angles between 0 and 15 degrees, meaning you can carry your weapon at precisely the angle that suits you. | |
| The holster’s profile is very thin, and the .08” Kydex used here is the perfect thickness for a holster – thin enough to offer good concealment, and thick enough to give a good level of protection for your weapon. | |
| These holsters are also made, from start to finish, in the USA, so you can be sure of a high level of workmanship. |
2. Outlaw Holsters Kyptek Typhoon OWB Holsters
This is a solid range of holsters. They fully enclose your weapon, which in itself has several advantages – this breaks up the outline of your gun, and also means that the risk of accidental discharge is greatly reduced.
In addition, Outlaw Holsters offer holsters for perhaps the largest number of handguns. This means that if you own an unusual weapon, and are finding it difficult to find a Kydex OWB holster that fits, this range of holster is a good bet.
In addition, these Kydex OWB holsters come with some great features.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are extremely durable. The people we talked to for this review reported that they and their friends had owned this holster for years, and that it put up with the worst treatment without letting them down. | This is not the most slimline of holsters, but its range of other features more than makes up for this. |
| This is reflected in the one year replacement warranty on this range of holsters. It is nice to see that Outlaw Holsters put such a level of trust in their products. | |
| The fit on these holsters is great. It is clear that Outlaw Holsters have invested in a wide range of molds for their holsters, because every weapon we tested in this range of holsters fitted extremely well. |
3. Phalanx Defense Systems Stealth Operator OWB Kydex Holster
This is a really good holster, one of the best we have tested, and is only this far down the list because it is not available for such a wide range of handguns as the holsters above.
That said, this holster offers perhaps the best concealment possible on a Kydex OWB Holster. The low profile design means it is easy to conceal your weapon, even though you are carrying it OWB.
In addition, these holsters come with a range of extra features.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The tactical forward cant on this holster is an indication that it is a serious piece of kit. Preferred by law enforcement professionals, this carrying angle, whilst taking some getting use to at first, ultimately greatly improves your response time in dangerous situations. | As we said, these holsters are not available for every handgun out there, but it is worth checking if Phalanx make a holster for your gun, because in our opinion this is simply a great Kydex OWB holster if you are after superior concealment. |
| The lifetime warranty on these holsters speak volumes about the commitment to quality over at Phalanx Defense Systems. |
4. Infused Kydex USA Green and Black Holsters
This range of holsters is a great choice if you are carrying your weapon concealed every day.
The focus with these holsters is comfort, and this really shows through. Even after long periods of carry, you will hardly know you are carrying your pistol, even if you have a large firearm.
In addition, this holster has some great features:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The people we talked to for this review praised the fact that these holsters are so adaptable, fitting a huge variety of handguns and available in both left- and right hand variants. | Like many Kydex OWB holsters, this is not the best holster if you are looking for concealed carry. It sticks out just that but too far to hide your weapon, although if you live in a cold part of the country it should still be possible to attain some concealment. |
| The fit, on the handguns we tested this holster on, is pretty solid. If anything, these holsters fit a little too tightly around your pistol. Whilst this may make your draw a little slower, the positive side is that you can be damn sure that your pistol will not fall out of the holster. |
Best Kydex OWB Holsters – Conclusion
What you should look for in a Kydex OWB holster depends, to a great extent, on how you use it. All of the holsters we have reviewed today offer a good compromise between safety features, comfort, and concealment.
That said, we recommend the R&R OWB Range of Holsters. Available for a really wide range of handguns, these OWB Kydex holsters offer a superior fit on all the weapons we tested, the variable cant on these holsters means they are suitable for a good range of carry styles.
If you are looking for a fully-featured Kydex OWB holster that will be by your side for years, this is the range of holsters to go for.
Recommended Reading
Kydex Holsters For 1911 Pistols
Kydex Holsters For Handguns & Pistols
6 Responses
all these holsters look like trash. Where did you find them, craigslist?
I was digging through your trash bin and found them all! 😉
:-))
Great comeback Chris!
I’ll second the review on R and R holsters. The only one I can use on my G19 with TLR-8. Great fit, great draw, doesn’t activate the light just by holster or unholstering, beats my $200+ custom leather holster. I kid you not.
Lag tactical looks better than all of these
What about Detroit Kydex Holsters? Or Alienware, or We The People?