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Best OWB Holster: 7 Outside-the-Waistband Holsters Ranked, With Real Cons

By Matúš Koleják, Braňo Hrivňák 22 min read
Best OWB Holster: 7 Outside-the-Waistband Holsters Ranked, With Real Cons
In this guide

The short version

The best OWB holster is one moulded for your exact pistol, light and optic, that covers the trigger guard, locks or holds the gun firmly, and rides close to the body on a stiff gun belt. Of the holsters we sell, the Safariland Solis is the one we would buy first for carry under a jacket or untucked shirt: it locks the gun automatically and is cut for most compact red dots and subcompact lights. The Safariland 7378 is the cheapest way into that lock, with a paddle and a belt loop in the box, the 6378RDS is the one for a pistol with a red dot and a full-size light, and the 6390RDS is for open carry, duty and the range. Of the holsters we do not sell, a Vedder LightDraw is the better choice if you want the thinnest, lightest Kydex holster and do not need a lock, a Bravo Concealment BCA is the budget pick at $39.99, and a Galco Combat Master is the leather classic. Pick the carry position and the retention you need first, then the brand.

This ranking is for people who want to carry a pistol outside the waistband, whether concealed under a cover garment, openly where the law allows it, on duty in plain clothes, or at the range. It compares seven holsters on retention, mount, optic and light fit, cant, price and warranty, and says who each suits and what is wrong with it. We sell Safariland holsters, so we have an interest. Our four are listed first because this is our shop, not because we can prove they are the best, and we say where the others beat them. For most people who only want to hide a gun under a shirt and never need a lock, that is in thickness, weight and price.

What is an OWB holster? An OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster carries the pistol on the outside of your trousers, attached to the belt by a belt slide, a belt loop or a paddle, usually on the strong-side hip. It is the opposite of an IWB holster, which sits inside the waistband between the trousers and the body.

If you own a Glock 19, our best Glock 19 holster ranking goes model by model, including Gen 6 fit. If you are deciding between a paddle and a belt loop, our paddle holster guide covers that in detail. This article is about which OWB holster to buy, whatever pistol you carry.

How we chose and ranked these holsters

  • We started from the OWB holsters that appear on the first page of Google for "best OWB holster" in the US, including the holsters named in Pew Pew Tactical's ranking, plus the Safariland holsters we carry.
  • We have not tested the competitor holsters ourselves. Prices, materials, warranties and fit notes come from each maker's own product page, checked on 29 October 2026.
  • Where a maker does not publish a figure, such as weight or cant, we say so instead of guessing.
  • Reviewer opinion is quoted from named sources, and buyer opinion is reported as "users report", not as fact.

The best OWB holsters at a glance

Ours are listed first. The rest are ordered by how broadly we would recommend them for concealed OWB carry. Prices are US list prices on the maker's site; ranges depend on the pistol, light and finish.

# Holster US price Material Retention Mount Best for
1 Safariland Solis ALS (we sell it) $97 to $102 SafariSeven nylon blend ALS automatic lock Belt slide or paddle Concealed OWB with a lock, compact light and red dot
2 Safariland 7378 7TS ALS (we sell it) $97 to $119 SafariSeven nylon blend ALS automatic lock Paddle and belt loop, both included The cheapest Safariland lock, on and off in seconds
3 Safariland 6378RDS ALS paddle (we sell it) $108 to $232.50 SafariLaminate, suede lining ALS automatic lock Paddle A pistol with a red dot and a full-size light
4 Safariland 6390RDS ALS mid-ride (we sell it) $188 to $279.25 SafariLaminate ALS, duty rated Level I Mid-ride belt loop Open carry, plain-clothes duty, the range
5 Vedder LightDraw OWB From $89.99 .080 in Kydex Friction, adjustable screw Polymer clips The thinnest, lightest concealed OWB without a lock
6 Bravo Concealment BCA OWB $39.99 Polymer Friction, adjustable Belt loops, 10° cant Tight budgets, a range or backup holster
7 Galco Combat Master $132 to $158 Steerhide leather Moulded fit Pancake, two belt slots Leather lovers, pistols without a red dot

What actually makes an OWB holster good

A good OWB holster does five things: it is moulded for your exact pistol, covers the trigger guard, holds the gun so it cannot fall out when you run or bend, stays fixed to a stiff belt, and keeps the grip close to your body so a cover garment can hide it. Brand, colour and price come after those five.

Two empty black open-top polymer OWB holsters with curved paddles side by side on a dark walnut table: a slim holster with a moulded S emblem and a shorter compact holster with a raised bar on its face
Illustration generated from our product photos. Left, the Solis; right, the 7378. Both lock the gun with Safariland's ALS; they differ in shell shape, mounts and what they fit.

It fits your exact pistol, light and optic

An OWB holster is moulded for one pistol, and often for one pistol with one light and one optic. A holster made for the bare pistol will not take a weapon light, and a holster without a red dot cut can push against the optic. Before you order, write down the model and generation of your pistol, the light and the optic. Safariland itself says it "cannot guarantee" its RDS holsters with non-factory optic mounts such as Glock MOS, so check those fits with the seller first.

It holds the gun the way you need

Most Kydex and polymer OWB holsters use friction retention: the shell clicks over the trigger guard and a screw sets how hard it grips. Safariland's ALS adds an internal lock that catches the gun as you holster it and releases when your thumb sweeps a lever as you take your grip. Friction is enough for most concealed carry. A lock matters when someone might grab the gun, when you are on duty, or when you run, roll or climb. Our guide to holster retention levels explains the difference between Level I, II and III.

It is fixed to a stiff belt

An OWB holster is only as steady as the belt under it. A dress belt or a soft nylon belt sags, so the holster tilts out and prints under a shirt. Use a reinforced gun belt of the width the holster is made for, usually 1.5 in for civilian carry. A paddle is quick to put on and take off, but it is held by pressure and a hook, not by a closed loop; our paddle holster guide explains why that matters in a struggle.

It rides close to the body, in the right place

For concealed OWB carry, most trainers put the holster just behind the hip bone, at about 3:30 to 4:30 for a right-handed shooter, with a high ride and some forward cant so the grip tucks in. Straight-drop holsters at 3 o'clock suit duty and the range, where you do not need to hide the gun.

OWB holster carry position and cant
Concealed OWB holsters usually sit at 3:30 to 4:30 with 10 to 15 degrees of forward cant. Duty and range holsters sit straight at 3 o'clock.
Massad Ayoob, a firearms instructor and author, on the pros and cons of appendix, inside-the-waistband and outside-the-waistband carry, published by Wilson Combat. Not sponsored by us.

The trigger guard is fully covered

Whatever the material, the holster must cover the whole trigger guard so nothing can reach the trigger while the gun is holstered, and it must keep its shape so you can holster with one hand. A soft holster that collapses when empty fails both tests. All seven holsters here have rigid shells or moulded leather.

1. Safariland Solis ALS (the one we would buy)

Price: $97 to $102 on Safariland's product page on 29 October 2026. In our shop it is €109 including VAT.
Retention: ALS, which Safariland says "secures your weapon automatically as it is holstered, yet still allows a fast, natural draw with the swipe of the thumb release".
Shell: SafariSeven, a "weather- and temperature-resistant" nylon blend that Safariland says "will not scratch or mar the finish", with an open muzzle end for threaded barrels and debris.
Mount: belt slide or paddle, two separate versions.
Light and optic: "compatible with most compact red dot sights and subcompact lights". It "does NOT accommodate the RMRcc".
Weight and cant: not published.

Best for: anyone who carries OWB under a jacket or untucked shirt and wants a holster that locks the gun, including officers in plain clothes.

Pros

  • An automatic lock in a slimmer shell than the 6378RDS, while still taking a red dot and a compact light.
  • Takes most compact red dots and subcompact lights, so one holster covers a modern carry pistol.
  • TFB's reviewer found the pistol does not wiggle once it is locked in.
  • Costs about the same as a premium Kydex holster.

Cons

  • Thicker than a single-layer Kydex holster such as the Vedder, because the lock sits in the shell.
  • No full-size light. With a TLR-1 or X300 you need the 6378RDS or 6390RDS.
  • TFB found some vertical play on the paddle version even on a tight belt. Choose the belt slide if you want it steadier.
  • No RMRcc fit.

Our verdict: our first pick for concealed OWB carry with a lock. Tell us your pistol, light and optic when you order, because the holster is made for that exact combination.

2. Safariland 7378 7TS ALS Concealment Paddle and Belt Loop Combo

Price: $97 to $119 on Safariland's product page. In our shop it is €99 including VAT.
Retention: the same ALS lock as the Solis, open top.
Shell: SafariSeven nylon blend with "raised interior stand-offs" that let dirt and moisture clear.
Mount: a paddle and a belt loop in the box, so you can switch.
Light and optic: the plain 7378 is for the bare pistol. For a red dot you need the 7378RDS, which Safariland makes in light-bearing versions for some pistols.
Weight and cant: not published.

Best for: people who want an ALS holster at the lowest price, and anyone who takes the holster off several times a day.

Pros

  • Two mounts in one box: a paddle for convenience, a belt loop for a steadier, more secure fit.
  • The cheapest Safariland ALS holster we sell.
  • SafariSeven copes with heat, cold and rain better than laminate.

Cons

  • No red dot cut in the plain version.
  • A paddle sits further from the body than a belt slide and prints more under a shirt.
  • Fits are by pistol model; for some newer pistols, such as the Glock 19 Gen 6, no 7TS fit was listed when we checked. See our Gen 6 notes.

Our verdict: the best-value ALS holster here. If your pistol has a red dot, look at the Solis or the 6378RDS instead. The 6378 is the same idea in laminate for older pistols, at the same price in our shop.

3. Safariland 6378RDS ALS Concealment Paddle (for a red dot and a full-size light)

Price: $108 to $232.50 on Safariland's product page, depending on the pistol and light. In our shop it is €168 including VAT.
Retention: ALS, open top.
Shell: SafariLaminate outside, SafariSuede inside to protect "your firearm's front sight and finish".
Mount: paddle.
Light and optic: "specifically designed for firearms with red dot sights", with versions for full-size weapon lights such as the TLR-1 and X300U on many pistols.
Weight and cant: not published.

Best for: a pistol with a red dot and a full-size light, carried OWB, kept in a vehicle or worn at the range.

Pros

  • Takes the optic and a full-size light together, which the Solis cannot.
  • The suede lining protects the slide finish.

Cons

  • With a full-size light it is a big holster to hide; plan on a jacket, not a T-shirt.
  • Laminate is less weather-proof than SafariSeven.
  • Safariland does not guarantee the fit with non-factory optic mounts.

Our verdict: the paddle to buy for a fully kitted pistol.

4. Safariland 6390RDS ALS Mid-Ride, Level I (for open carry, duty and the range)

Price: $188 to $279.25 on Safariland's product page, depending on the pistol and light. In our shop it is €205 including VAT in black, €259 in MultiCam.
Retention: ALS, duty rated Level I. Safariland says the lock "retains the weapon in all directions with no straps or snaps to manipulate".
Shell: SafariLaminate.
Mount: a mid-ride belt loop "that rides close to the body", which also takes Safariland's mounting systems, such as the QLS quick locking system and leg platforms.
Light and optic: red dot cut, with fits for many weapon lights.
Weight: not published.

Best for: open carry where it is legal, plain-clothes and tactical duty, competition and range days, where speed matters more than hiding the gun.

Pros

  • Pew Pew Tactical names it its best duty holster among OWB holsters.
  • The most mounting options here: belt, drop leg, MOLLE or a battle belt through QLS.
  • Pew Pew Tactical notes the suede-lined interior, which reduces finish wear on the gun over repeated draws.

Cons

  • Not a concealment holster. It is bulky and sits straight, so it prints under anything but a long jacket.
  • The most expensive holster in this ranking. Pew Pew Tactical lists it at $89, but Safariland's own price on 29 October 2026 starts at $188.
  • Level I is not enough for uniformed patrol; for that, see our best duty holster ranking.

Our verdict: the OWB holster to buy if you do not need to hide the gun.

5. Vedder LightDraw OWB (the best Kydex option, and we do not sell it)

Price: from $89.99 on Vedder's product page. Handmade, shipping in 5 to 7 business days.
Material: .080 in Kydex, which Vedder says weighs "only a few ounces".
Retention: friction, with a screw "allowing you to loosen or tighten the retention to your preference".
Mount: polymer clips for 1.5 to 1.75 in gun belts.
Fit: a long list of pistols, an optic option, full sight channels for most suppressor sights up to 10 mm, and an open end for threaded barrels.
Warranty: lifetime, plus a 30-day risk-free trial. You pay the return shipping.

Best for: people who want the slimmest, lightest OWB holster for concealed carry and do not need an active lock.

Pros

  • Thin single-layer Kydex with a full sweat shield, so it hides better and feels lighter than any of our Safariland holsters.
  • Adjustable retention and a 30-day trial, so you can try it with your own belt.
  • Vedder also sells a ProDraw paddle version, from $69.99, with 15 degrees of adjustable cant.

Cons

  • No active lock. A firm pull from any direction can take the gun out.
  • Vedder does not publish the cant or ride height of the LightDraw, and the reviews section on the page we checked was empty.
  • Like any hard Kydex holster, it wears the finish at the contact points with daily drawing. Safariland markets SafariSeven and its suede linings as non-marking for this reason.

Our verdict: if you carry concealed, never need a lock and want the thinnest holster, buy this instead of ours.

6. Bravo Concealment BCA OWB (the budget pick)

Price: $39.99 on Bravo's product page for the Glock 19 version. Pew Pew Tactical lists the BCA 3.0 from $29 at a retailer.
Material: polymer.
Retention: friction, adjustable.
Mount: belt loops with 10 degrees of forward cant. Bravo sells pancake wings separately to change ride height and cant.
Optic: cut for many red dots, including the RMR, ACRO and Holosun 507C, but not the Trijicon SRO or RMR HD.
Warranty: "unlimited lifetime warranty", which Bravo says covers "any type of damage to a holster".

Best for: a cheap range or backup OWB holster, or a first holster while you find out how you like to carry.

Pros

  • Less than half the price of most holsters here, with the broadest warranty.
  • A built-in forward cant, which suits carry behind the hip.
  • Pew Pew Tactical found the fit precise, "with almost no slop".

Cons

  • No active lock.
  • Pew Pew Tactical's complaint is that it uses "quite a bit of material on the outer edges", which makes it bulkier than slimmer Kydex holsters.
  • Fewer pistols supported than Safariland or Vedder.

Our verdict: the best value here. For daily carry we would rather have a lock or a slimmer shell.

7. Galco Combat Master (the leather classic)

Price: $132 to $158 on Galco's product page, depending on the pistol.
Material: premium steerhide, double-stitched, hand-moulded for each pistol.
Design: a high-riding pancake with an open top and a belt slot on each side, with a butt-forward cant.
Belt: the slots take belts up to 1.75 in.
Optic: Galco's page says it is not compatible with red dot optics.
Reviews: 684 on the product page.

Best for: people who carry a pistol without a red dot and want a leather holster that pulls the gun tight to the body.

Pros

  • The two slots either side of the gun pull the holster tight to the hip, the reason pancake holsters conceal well.
  • Leather is quiet and comfortable against the body.
  • A Galco buyer writes that every holster they bought "fit like it was custom made".

Cons

  • No red dot fit, which rules it out for many modern pistols.
  • Leather needs a break-in period, as Pew Pew Tactical notes, and can soften over the years, so check that the mouth stays open for one-handed holstering.
  • The price has risen; Pew Pew Tactical listed it at $67 at a retailer, while Galco's own page now shows $132 or more.
  • One reviewer complained that it did not cover the magazine release on their pistol; Galco replied that this is by design.

Our verdict: the leather holster to buy if your pistol has no optic. With a red dot, choose a polymer or Kydex holster.

Belt slide, belt loop or paddle: which mount?

The mount decides how the holster stays on you, how fast it comes off and how well it hides. It matters as much as the brand.

Mount How it attaches Conceals Security on the body On and off Examples here
Belt slide or pancake Belt through slots either side of the gun Best, pulls the gun tight High Belt must come off Solis belt slide, Galco Combat Master
Belt loop Belt through one loop behind the holster Good High Belt must come off 7378 belt loop, Bravo BCA, 6390RDS
Clips Polymer clips over the belt Good Medium to high Fairly quick Vedder LightDraw
Paddle Plate inside the waistband, hook under the belt Fair, sits further out Lowest Seconds, belt stays on Solis paddle, 7378 paddle, 6378RDS

For more on the trade-off, our paddle vs belt loop comparison has a cross-section diagram.

OWB vs IWB: is OWB right for you?

OWB IWB
Comfort More comfortable, nothing inside the trousers Less comfortable, the holster presses on the body
Concealment Needs a cover garment, such as a jacket or an untucked overshirt Hides under a T-shirt
Draw Easier to grip and faster to draw Grip is closer to the body and harder to reach
Trousers Your normal size Often one size larger
Active lock Common, for example Safariland ALS Rare
Best for Cool weather, jackets, plain-clothes duty, open carry, the range Hot weather, light clothing, deep concealment

We do not sell an IWB holster we would rank, so if deep concealment under a T-shirt is the goal, our Glock 19 ranking names the IWB holsters we would buy elsewhere.

"Holster Selection: Outside the Waistband" from Vortex Edge's Find Your Edge series. Vortex makes optics, not holsters. Not sponsored by us.

How to conceal an OWB holster

Man seen from the right side and slightly behind, face not shown, sweeping an olive overshirt back to show a black open-top OWB holster with a compact pistol on a brown leather belt behind the right hip
Illustration generated from our product photos. An OWB holster just behind the hip, about 4 o'clock, uncovered by sweeping the overshirt back.
  • Wear it behind the hip. At 3:30 to 4:30 the grip sits in the hollow of your back and the holster is covered by your arm when it hangs.
  • Choose a high ride and forward cant. A high-riding, forward-canted holster tucks the grip in. The grip, not the holster body, is what prints.
  • Pick the cover garment first. An OWB holster needs an open overshirt, a jacket or a long untucked shirt that falls below the holster. A shirt that rides up when you reach will show it.
  • Check in a mirror and in motion. Bend over, sit in a car and reach for a shelf. If the grip or the bottom of the holster shows, move it or change the garment.
  • Use a gun belt. Most "the holster prints" complaints are really "the belt sags" problems.

Which OWB holster for which job

You are Our pick Why
Carrying concealed and want a lock Safariland Solis Automatic lock, red dot and compact light, close to the body
Taking the holster on and off all day Safariland 7378 Paddle and belt loop in one box, cheapest ALS
Running a red dot and a full-size light Safariland 6378RDS Fits both together
Open carry, plain-clothes duty or the range Safariland 6390RDS Duty rated, many mounting options
Concealing and never need a lock Vedder LightDraw Thinnest and lightest here
On a tight budget Bravo Concealment BCA $39.99 with a lifetime warranty
Carrying a pistol without an optic, and love leather Galco Combat Master Pancake design pulls the gun tight
A uniformed officer A Level II or III duty holster See our best duty holster ranking

Once you have a holster, the rest of the belt follows. Our best duty belt ranking and duty belt setup guide cover uniformed carry, our battle belt setup guide covers the range and tactical work, and the duty holsters page lists what we carry. If you carry a gun, carry a way to stop bleeding too: our CAT tourniquet guide and IFAK guide explain what to add. For range days, see ear protection for shooting.

Common OWB holster mistakes

  • Buying for the gun, not the gun as you carry it. A holster for the bare pistol will not take the light you add next month. Decide on light and optic first.
  • Wearing it on a dress belt. The holster tilts out, prints and moves on the draw. Buy a stiff gun belt with the holster.
  • Choosing a paddle for a fight. A paddle comes off the body more easily than a belt loop. For duty or crowds, use the belt loop or belt slide.
  • Mounting it too far back. At 5 o'clock and beyond, the draw is slow and the grip prints when you bend.
  • Holstering with something in the way. Clear the cover garment and any drawstring before you holster, and holster slowly, looking if you need to.
  • Never practising the release. With an ALS holster, the thumb release must become part of your grip. Practise with an unloaded, checked pistol until you never think about it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best OWB holster?

For concealed carry with a lock, our first pick of the holsters we sell is the Safariland Solis. For open carry, duty or the range, it is the Safariland 6390RDS. Of the holsters we do not sell, the Vedder LightDraw is the best Kydex option without a lock, and the Bravo Concealment BCA is the budget choice.

What is the best OWB holster for concealed carry?

One that rides high and close to the body with some forward cant, worn at about 3:30 to 4:30 under a cover garment. A belt slide or pancake hides best, a paddle least. The Solis, the Vedder LightDraw and the Galco Combat Master are all designed for this.

Can you conceal carry with an OWB holster?

Yes, if you wear a cover garment that falls below the holster, such as an open overshirt or a jacket. Without one, an OWB holster is open carry, which is not legal everywhere.

Is OWB or IWB better?

OWB is more comfortable, faster to draw and more often available with an active lock. IWB hides better under light clothing. Many people carry IWB in summer and OWB under a jacket in winter.

What is the best OWB holster position?

For a right-handed shooter, about 3 o'clock for duty and range holsters, and about 3:30 to 4:30, just behind the hip bone, for concealed carry.

What cant should an OWB holster have?

For carry behind the hip, about 10 to 15 degrees of forward cant, often called FBI cant, so the grip tilts forward and is easier to reach and to hide. Duty and range holsters at 3 o'clock are usually straight.

Are paddle holsters good for OWB carry?

They are convenient, because they go on and off without undoing the belt, but they are held by pressure and a hook and sit further from the body. Our paddle holster guide covers when that is acceptable.

Do I need a special belt for an OWB holster?

Yes. A stiff, reinforced gun belt of the width the holster is made for, usually 1.5 in, keeps the holster upright and close to the body. A dress belt sags under the weight.

A note on law and safety

Carry laws differ by country and, in the US, by state. Open carry is legal in some places and not in others, and that decides whether an OWB holster must always be covered. Check the law where you live and carry before you choose a holster. Practise drawing and holstering with an unloaded, checked pistol, keep your finger off the trigger until the gun is pointed at the target, and never holster with anything inside the trigger guard.

About the authors

This guide was written by Matúš Koleják and Braňo Hrivňák of Combat Defender in Bratislava, Slovakia. We sell Safariland, Blue Force Gear, HATCH and TCI equipment, including the Safariland holsters ranked here, and supply them to police, military and security customers in Europe. We do not sell the Vedder, Bravo Concealment or Galco holsters and are not paid by their makers.

Specifications, prices and warranties come from each manufacturer's product page, checked on 29 October 2026. We have not tested the competitor holsters ourselves. Reviewer and buyer opinions are quoted from the sources linked below. The illustrations were generated with an AI image model from our own product photos, using Behance photographs only as lighting and composition references, and checked by us; they are not photographs, and none shows a competitor's holster. The videos are by third parties and are not sponsored by us. The rankings and verdicts are our own judgement. If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we will correct it.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

Sources

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