If you’re like most gun owners, you probably have a box or entire closet of cast-off holsters. You’ve likely also spent time reading holster reviews and product descriptions during your search for the perfect holster to meet your needs. This all means you’ve probably noticed there’s a fair amount of specific terminology related to holsters. We’re here to help by explaining some of the common holster terminology. With this handy guide, you can more readily decipher holster ads and reviews, which hopefully means finding the perfect holster for your needs.
Holster Terms
Active retention: This system involves active features such as thumb breaks or buttons to be pushed, or for the gun to be twisted in a certain direction, for it to be drawn. Active retention systems are usually used by members of law enforcement.
AIWB: This is the acronym for Appendix Inside the Waistband, which is the practice of carrying a handgun inside the waistband positioned at the front (appendix) of the body. This means the firearm is being carried to the immediate right or left of the midline at the front of the body, usually on the user’s strong side.
Ambidextrous: A holster marketed for ambidextrous use is made to be worn on either the right or left side of the body. This is usually accomplished with adjustable or removable belt attachments so the holster can be worn both ways.
Ankle holster: A holster made to be worn on the ankle, whether it’s a wrap or pocket or includes an actual, solid holster shell.
Belly band: A literal band of material of differing width and construction that wraps around the user’s midsection. These bands either have pockets built into them to hold a handgun or are made so an actual holster can attach for carry purposes.
Belt loops: The belt loops on a holster are either a type of plastic or metal that are attached to the holster or are cut into the leather body of the holster to either side, or one side. These loops vary in size and allow certain belt widths to pass through them to secure the holster to the user’s body.
Cant: This term refers to the angle at which the holster holds the handgun, usually meaning the handgun is angled forward to some degree instead of straight up and down. Some holsters have adjustable cant, meaning you can change the angle to accommodate your preferred draw stroke.
Concealed carry: The practice of carrying a handgun on your body in a way that it cannot be seen by the average person.
Concealment wing: There are different terms used to refer to the wing accessory on a holster. What this wing does is shift the way the holster rests against the wearer’s body to better conceal and position the holster. Also called a concealment claw.
Cross draw: This is the practice of carrying a handgun on the off, or weaker side, of the body but with the grip turned so the wearer can still use their strong side hand to draw the gun. The user must reach across their body to draw the gun, hence the term “cross” draw.
Deep concealment: This is a term used to describe the practice of carrying a firearm in a highly concealed way. It usually requires a smaller, easier-to-conceal handgun and means slower access.
Drop leg holster: This type of holster sits on the outside of the user’s thigh instead of up on their hip. It’s most commonly used by people wearing body armor or other gear which makes it a better idea to have access to the handgun at a lower level than usual.
EDC: The acronym for everyday carry. The term is commonly used when talking about the gun someone carries on a regular basis, but it can also be used to refer to the daily use holster.
Hybrid holster: This kind of holster is made from more than one type of material. For example, Crossbreed makes hybrid holsters with a leather back and a Kydex shell at the front.
IWB: The acronym for Inside the Waistband. This term refers to holsters designed to be made inside the pants instead of outside, meaning the gun and holster are concealed rather than outside the pants and readily visible.
Kydex: Kydex is technically a brand name for a line of thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material that can be heat-formed as a holster to the specific shape of the firearm for greater retention. The term Kydex is often used interchangeably when the material in question is actually a different type of plastic blend.
Mouth: When reading a holster review you’re likely to see references to whether the mouth of the holster collapses or remains open (it should stay open for safety reasons). The mouth of the holster is the upper opening where the handgun is inserted.
Open carry: The practice of carrying a handgun on the body but uncovered, meaning it can be seen by anyone and everyone.
OWB: The acronym for Outside the Waistband. This term refers to holsters made to be worn on the belt outside the pants, meaning the gun and holster are being open-carried unless the user conceals them with a sufficient cover garment.
Paddle holster: These are designed with a paddle shape on the body-facing side that slides over the waistband as opposed to using belt loops to secure the gun to the wearer’s body.
Pancake holster: This is a kind of holster traditionally made using two pieces of leather sewn together to create a pouch, or pancake, shape. Pancake holsters can be molded to the shape of the gun or left unmolded depending on the maker. These holsters are meant to be worn snug against the user’s body.
Passive retention: Holsters designed for passive retention are made to hold the firearm in place but allow it to be drawn without much resistance. Drawing a handgun from a passive retention holster doesn’t require undoing a thumb break or activating any buttons or paddles (among other things).
Pocket holster: These holsters are meant to help hold a handgun in your pocket both to protect the trigger and to hold the gun in a predictable spot rather than allowing it to slide around.
Printing: If you are printing, that means the shape of your firearm and/or holster is visible through your clothing.
Reinforced stitching: This means the holster maker has backed up their single row of stitching with another row, or two more rows, of stitching for greater strength (typically done at stress points).
Retention: The retention level of a holster relates to how well it can keep the gun in it. Higher retention level holsters are typically utilized only by members of law enforcement and the military, although you can certainly get one if you want it.
Ride height: How high the gun sits on your waistline. Some holsters have adjustable ride height while others are set at a specific vertical height.
Shoulder holster: A shoulder holster is made to be worn using straps that go around your shoulders. It might have only one holster on one side of the body or a holster on each side. Some shoulder holsters have a handgun holster on one side and magazine pouches on the other.
SOB: The acronym for Small of Back, meaning the practice of carrying a handgun at the actual small of the user’s back. When SOB carry is done the grip typically aims to the strong side for a strong side draw.
Strong side carry: The practice of carrying your holstered firearm on the strong, or dominant, side of the body. Most gun owners carry their handguns on the strong side.
Sweat guard: This is the raised portion on the back, or body-facing, side of a holster that’s in place to protect the firearm from contact with the wearer’s skin, which in turn protects the gun from the corrosive effects of sweat. A sweat guard can also make carry more comfortable because it reduces skin-to-gun contact in general. Sweat guards can be of different shapes and sizes.
Thumb break/strap: This strap goes over the rearward portion of the slide when the gun is holstered and is designed to help secure the firearm. Some have snaps while others rotate up and down.
Tuckable: These holsters are made to be worn inside the waistband but have a gap between the belt loops and the body of the holster that allows the wearer to tuck their shirt in, concealing the holstered gun and leaving only the belt loops visible.
