Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about cool versus capable carry guns. If you happen to miss that article, be sure to click the link here. This week, we’ll start a multiple-part series about various holsters on the market and what's best for you. We will go through what materials are available and what will be best for you based on your needs and what firearm you prefer to carry. Material Matters When it comes to a holster for your carry gun, the material your holster is made of really does matter. Right out of the gate, I will say if you're carrying a cloth-style holster, you should look at absolutely upgrading it to either Kydex or leather immediately. There are countless examples of people having negligent discharges while carrying with a cloth holster because they just don't offer enough support. Now, if you have a small pocket gun and just need something to cover the trigger guard, that's a bit different, but a cloth holster for any type of belt-mounted holster is a big no-no in my book. When it comes to Kydex versus leather holsters, it's really dependent on what you want to do with the holster and your personal preference. Leather holsters take a little bit to break in and become ready to carry a firearm every day, but once they do, they can be extremely comfortable compared to harder Kydex. Leather holsters have a subtle flex or give while remaining rigid, so they are less prone to digging into your body but rather move with you, which helps with fatigue after carrying all day. Kydex holsters are cheaper than most leather holsters and don't tend to wear out like leather holsters eventually do. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard people say that Kydex can scratch the finish of your carry gun, but the reality is that plastic cannot scratch the finish. What really happens is the fact that debris can get into the holster and start rubbing on your gun as it goes in and out of the holster. Some of my oldest holsters that I have carried the most are Kydex and they just don't wear out. They don't become brittle or anything, so if you're looking for a long-term holster option that won't break the bank, Kydex is a fantastic choice. Leather is a bit more expensive typically and doesn't last as long as Kydex, but it does offer a more comfortable carrying experience, so it's certainly a trade-off. At the end of the day, you have to look at what you see as the most important option and go from there. What Style Do You Prefer? When it comes to carry styles, there is a holster for almost every single position, whether it's belt-mounted, pocket holsters, shoulder rigs or ankle holsters. Having the amount of choices on the market can truly be mind-blowing, but it's important to think about it as objectively as possible with your goals in mind. What do you want to carry and what's the best way to make it happen? Personally, I prefer an Inside The Waistband holster with a claw and a large single clip. Others prefer a dual clip hybrid setup as their main carry piece, with leather as the backing of the holster and Kydex to have that positive lockup and click in. If you're carrying a larger handgun and don't want the gun to give you hot spots or rub uncomfortably, having something like a shoulder rig where the barrel points down is a fantastic way to easily conceal something larger. For those of you who want to carry something small just to be armed, having a small pocket holster is a great option that is crazy simple to carry all day without even feeling like you're carrying a gun. I have articles on all these various setups in my profile, so if you're interested in more specific breakdowns of these carry styles, be sure to go check those out in my past articles. What To Expect To SpendWhen it comes to budget, some of you may get frustrated that I advocate spending extra money on holsters. Having a quality holster is one of the best ways to ensure you are comfortable every single day you decide to strap that handgun onto your body. Buying a $20 holster and expecting it to be the end product that beats everything else out is pure insanity to me. Now, I will be practical and say you absolutely don't need to find the most expensive holster. There are plenty of affordable brands that offer high-quality holsters at a reasonable price. The best thing to do is read reviews of some of the best options and go from there. For both leather and Kydex holsters, there are some great options on the market and I can certainly dive into that more in the coming parts. The first step in finding the perfect holster is picking what material and position you want to carry in and then looking for something that you can afford that fits your needs. Overall Thoughts I know how hard it is to find the perfect holster and many of us have a drawer or shelf full of holsters we thought were going to be the perfect fit, but weren’t. My best advice for you is to really think about what you may need out of a holster and then start designing your holster around your needs. Whether that's an IWB leather holster or a Kydex holster with a claw attachment to help you conceal your handgun, every holster has its own benefits for a given situation and that's perfectly alright. What are some of your favorite makes and models of concealed carry holsters? Let me know in the comments below. If you have questions about holsters or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner is brought to you by GLOCK