What is the Best Holster for Hunting?
Whether you’re carrying a backup weapon or practicing handgun hunting, pairing your pistol with the right holster is essential for making sure it’s secure yet quick to draw at a moment’s notice.
But what type of holster is best for hunting, and how do you know which is the ideal choice for you?
The best hunting holster should be durable, comfortable to carry, and easy to access when you need it. It should be specifically designed for the backcountry, able to withstand harsh elements and long periods of wear without weighing you down.
In this article, we’ll explore which holster styles are optimal for hunting, as well as share our recommendations on how to choose the best holster for your needs.
What Type of Holsters are Best for Hunting?
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to holsters, and every hunter has different needs depending on their setup and the type of hunt. That said, here are our top recommendations for hunting holsters and why they stand out.
#1: Chest Holster
Chest holsters are by far the best all-around choice for hunting of any kind. Positioned front and center of your chest and secured with a harness, these holsters are both highly accessible and comfortable to wear for long periods.
Chest holsters are positioned out of the way of other gear like belts and backpacks, and are extremely quick to draw. They’re also by far the most comfortable holster option for hunting, whether you’re walking long distances or riding in your truck. This carry position also allows you to maintain a full range of motion while keeping your weapon stable.
These holsters are also highly customizable to your unique pistol and body shape, which allows you to tailor your setup far more than most. If you’re looking for a chest holster specifically designed for hunting in the backcountry, the EverTrek® features a durable Kydex shell, a mil-spec adjustable nylon harness, a breathable mesh shoulder pad for all-day comfort, and a dependable three-buckle system that keeps everything in place. It’s also designed with adjustable retention, cant, and ride height, allowing you to customize its position to your liking.
#2: OWB Holster
Outside the waistband holsters are a solid option for hunting, especially if you prefer traditional waistband carry. These holsters give you more options when it comes to the position you carry your weapon in, which can be helpful depending on your gear and preferences.
Cross draw carry is an especially good position if you plan to spend a lot of time sitting in a truck, side-by-side, or tree stand, as it’s easier to access when you have a seat or tree behind you that can make drawing from strong side difficult.
This style is also convenient if you’re looking for a dual-purpose holster that can be used for both hunting and concealed carry. An OWB holster can easily be concealed by throwing on an extra layer when you head back to town. The Vedder Holsters LightDraw® is an especially great option for hunting, featuring adjustable retention and secure loop-style clips, while the Quick Draw and ProDraw® are also solid options.
#3: Drop Leg Holster
Many hunters use drop leg holsters for their backup pistol, as these thigh-mounted designs keep your firearm out of the way yet accessible when you need it, and set the weight of your gun lower on your body and off of your hip while you’re doing a lot of moving or sitting.
However, these holsters are often more suited for tactical or training situations, rather than hunting. As comfortable as they may be, they can get in the way and become snagged on dense brush or in tight spaces. Additionally, some people find that these holsters can get pretty uncomfortable over long periods by chaffing, pinching, or putting too much weight on one leg, which is pretty miserable when you’re spending the day trekking through the woods.
So, while this style of holster may work for some hunters, it certainly doesn’t work for all. They tend to work best in wide open spaces and during short trips. If you’re planning a longer hunt or are moving through rugged terrain, we’d skip this option.
What to Look for in a Hunting Chest Holster?
As outlined above, multiple styles of holsters can work well for hunting, but a chest holster is the best choice overall. That said, not all chest holsters are created equal. Here’s what you should look for in a chest holster for hunting that will keep you prepared in every scenario.
Materials that Hold Up
By far, one of the most important things to look for in a hunting pistol holster is materials that are durable enough to hold up to extreme weather conditions, extended wear, and being tossed around in the bed of your truck.
For hunting, holsters made from Kydex are ideal. This long-lasting thermoplastic is resistant to the elements and built to last. It’s also a more secure option than most, offering a precise fit to your specific firearm and retention to keep things in place. It should also feature corrosion-resistant hardware, allowing you to carry in rain or snow without rusting or squeaking down the line.
Durable straps and buckles are also a must. As the foundation of your chest holster, these elements keep your gun secured to your chest and need to be high-quality and reliable.
Comfort For the Long Haul
As every experienced hunter knows, it can be days, sometimes weeks, of trekking through the woods before you finally bag anything. If you’re carrying a holster that pinches, shifts, or weighs you down, you’re in for a world of irritation after about two hours.
It’s worth your time to find a holster that’s specifically designed to be comfortable for long periods. A lightweight shell, adjustable harness, and breathable mesh shoulder pad are highly comfortable to wear during extended periods. Plus, look for a harness that features a stretchy elastic backing that allows the rig to move with your body as you move and breathe, so you never have to worry about tightness or pinching.
Adjustable Around Bulky Gear
It goes without saying that a chest holster should be easy to put on and take off, especially considering all the layers you may be wearing, especially in colder months. With a chest holster going on after gloves, jackets, vests, and other gear, this is an important aspect you shouldn’t overlook.
When choosing a chest holster, select one with fully adjustable straps and quick-release buckles that make it easy to put on and take off, no matter how much gear you’re wearing. Adjustable straps also allow you to alter the fit of the harness so that it fits snugly and comfortably on your body. It’s also beneficial to look for buckles with serrated edges, so they’re easy to handle with gloved hands.
Customized to Your Firearm
Every hunter has their go-to pistol. Whether you like to keep things simple or tailor your firearm with all the bells and whistles, your holster should be able to accommodate your exact model — with or without modifications.
This is another reason to choose a chest holster with a Kydex shell. These holsters are heat-molded to a specific gun model and can be altered to fit a variety of sights, threaded barrels, optics, and other aftermarket modifications your gun may have.
Security You Can Trust
As with all the gear you use hunting, a chest holster should be something secure and trustworthy. A holster with adjustable retention allows you to tailor how tightly or loosely your gun is gripped, so you can fine-tune it for an ultra-tight hold, an effortless draw, or somewhere in between.
Sturdy straps that keep your rig close to your body through every movement are also critical, as are buckles that won’t come unclipped unintentionally. A chest holster should have three points of contact with the harness to ensure that even when one buckle is unclipped, your rig stays in place until you remove it.
What Makes the EverTrek Stand Out?
If you’re looking for the all-time best chest holster for hunting, look no further than the EverTrek® Chest Holster: a rig designed for the backcountry.
Featuring a Kydex shell, a fully adjustable mil-spec Nylon harness, three quick-release buckles, and adjustable features like retention, ride height, and cant, this holster is made to withstand long treks, extreme weather, and regular wear. It has noise-free corrosion-resistant hardware, ensuring you stay low profile while on the hunt.
Thick straps and a breathable mesh shoulder pad make this rig comfortable to wear all day, while three points of contact keep everything in place no matter the scenario. Its flexible elastic backing allows the holster to move with your body, and serrations on the buckles make it easy to clip and unclip even while wearing gloves.
Made to order with a durable yet lightweight Kydex shell, it can be molded to accommodate a variety of sights, including most suppressor sights, loaded chamber indicators, threaded barrels, RMRs, and red dot optics, so your holster is as unique as your gun.
The EverTrek is also available in a right- or left-hand orientation, and has dozens of Kydex colors and pattern options, including hunter orange, depending on your preference.
Finally, the EverTrek is made in the USA and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty, so if for any reason it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll make it right.
Summary
Though holsters like drop leg and OWB designs are solid options, chest holsters are by far the best choice for any style of hunting. The best hunting chest holster should be comfortable to wear over long periods; stable and secure in every scenario; and durable enough to withstand even the harshest elements.
Read to customize a chest holster for your next hunting trip? Check out the EverTrek® Chest Holster to tailor one to your firearm today. Not sure which holster is right for you? Take a look at our interactive comparison tool to view holsters side-by-side and filter by feature. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system.
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