Choosing a Chest Holster for Women: What Works and What Doesn’t

Finding a holster that’s a good fit can feel like a daunting and tedious task. And when it comes to chest holsters, it may even feel like an impossible one. 

But don’t be discouraged. Whether you’re into running, hunting, or hiking, a chest holster is a fantastic carry option for women on the go. It all comes down to finding a quality rig that works with you and not against you. 

So, where do we start?

From adjustability to security, we’ll cover the different features you should look for in a quality chest holster for women and share some tips for this style of carry. 

Do Chest Holsters Make Sense for Women?

At first glance, a chest holster may not seem like the ideal choice for women. Especially women who are *ahem* particularly blessed in certain areas. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, a chest holster can be a great way for women to arm themselves during outdoor activities. 

If you’re looking for a concealed carry holster, this isn’t it. Chest holsters are specifically meant for open carry and shouldn’t be worn under layers of clothes. However, if you are looking for a quality concealed carry holster, you can check out our selection of IWB, OWB, and pocket holsters designed with concealment in mind.

That said, if you’re looking for an open carry holster for outdoor activities like running, hiking, fishing, or hunting, a chest holster is a great option for women for several reasons. 

First, chest holsters put your firearm front and center. This position on your body is one of the most accessible places to carry a pistol, giving you quick access when you need it. Something you definitely want when defending against wild animals or sketchy people. 

A chest holster also allows you to carry a gun without sacrificing your range of motion. While waistband holsters are great for concealment and daily carry, they can become a little uncomfortable or hindering during activities that require a lot of movement. Chest holsters, on the other hand, are openly carried at the front of your chest and allow you to move freely, making them a better choice for activities like hiking, biking, or running. 

That said, unfortunately, not all chest holsters are designed with women in mind. It’s crucial to know what features to look for when selecting one for yourself to ensure it's a safe and comfortable option for you. 

What to Look for in a Women’s Chest Holster

As with any holster, it’s important to select a chest rig with intention. Certain features can make or break a setup and may even influence its effectiveness or how often you actually wear it. 

So, what should you look for in a chest holster? 

First and foremost is safety and security. This is especially critical when we’re talking about holsters designed for high-energy activities. The last thing you want is a holster that allows your firearm to fall out, shift on your body, or worse, put you at risk of negligent discharge. 

Look for a chest rig with strong safety features, including a fully covered trigger guard, adjustable retention, and strong buckles. A proper trigger guard prevents foreign objects from coming into contact with your trigger, and is a crucial safety feature that should never be overlooked. Adjustable retention allows you to control how tight or loose the holster grips your pistol, ensuring it’s quick to draw but secure while you’re on the move. Finally, a sturdy three-buckle system will keep the entire rig in place, even if one buckle is unclipped. 

Adjustability is another feature to look for, especially as a woman. The ability to fully adjust the straps as well as the height and angle of the holster can help you find a good fit that’s both comfortable and convenient. 

Along those same lines is comfort. A harness that digs into your shoulder or connection points that rub or pinch your skin can turn any outing into a miserable experience. Look for a holster that’s thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. That means it should have thick straps, a bit of elastic for flexibility, and a quality shoulder harness to keep the pressure off. You’ll be grateful by that third mile! 

If you’ve got a pistol with all the bells and whistles (or in this case, optics and lasers), you’ll want to find a holster that can be customized to your setup. A handmade holster can be molded to fit your exact gun model, aftermarket accessories and all. And since a chest rig is meant to be openly carried, you may as well find one with a fun color or pattern while you’re at it. 

What is the Best Chest Holster for Women? 

When it comes to carrying a firearm, it’s important to choose quality gear with all the right features to accommodate your unique body and needs. You don’t want to be left with an ill-fitting, uncomfortable, or unsafe holster that you find yourself ditching at home more often than not.

Tested by women, the EverTrek® Chest Holster is specifically designed with versatility and functionality in mind. This holster is fully adjustable and compatible with any physique (yes, any) and outdoor activity.

Featuring adjustable retention, a sturdy three-buckle design, and a reinforced shell for one-handed re-holstering, the EverTrek® is built for safety while you’re on the move. It’s handcrafted to order for your exact gun model using real firearms, ensuring a precise fit, accommodation for aftermarket accessories, and a completely covered trigger guard for extra protection. 

The EverTrek® features a fully adjustable harness and multiple cant angles to choose from, allowing you to position your pistol exactly where you need it on your torso. The harness also has an elastic backing, allowing for flexibility while you move and breathe, and a mesh shoulder pad for all-day comfort. 

This holster is also made in America and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty, so you can give it a try to make sure it’s the right fit for you. You can learn more about what makes this chest holster stand out from the rest here. 

Tips for Carrying a Women’s Chest Holster

Even with a chest holster that checks all the boxes, it may require some trial and error to get it right. Fortunately, we’ve got some tips to help set you up for success when using this style of holster. 

Dress Accordingly 

This is something to keep in mind when carrying in any position, but with a chest holster, it is especially important. There are two major factors to keep in mind. First, avoid any sort of loose fabric that could interfere with drawing and holstering your pistol. The last thing you want is to wear a shirt that will slow you down when seconds count, or worse, a shirt that gets caught on your trigger when you go to re-holster. Second, you’ll probably want to choose a shirt with enough coverage to act as a barrier between your skin and holster to prevent any unnecessary rubbing or pinching. This is more of a comfort factor, but believe us when we say after a few miles it’ll start to feel more serious! Finally, depending on your size, you may want to stick to a sports bra when carrying a chest holster. It can help flatten your chest and create a more even surface for the shell of your holster to rest. Comfortable and practical. That’s a win in our book.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make Adjustments

We emphasized choosing a fully adjustable chest holster for a reason. You’re going to need it! Like a good bra, you may need to make some small adjustments to make sure it fits snugly and comfortably against your chest, keeping your firearm secure without constricting you. If something feels off, change things up. Adjust the straps, the angle, how high or low it sits on your body, whatever you’ve got to do to get it right. You’ll know it when you feel it.

Test Your Setup

Finally, don’t feel discouraged if it takes a few tries to get it right. It’s hard to know for sure if your clothing and holster settings will work at first glance. Before you leave the house, do your best to adjust the holster to a comfortable and secure position. Holster your gun — unloaded — and put it through a few tests to make sure it’s going to work. Jump up and down, bend over, twist from side to side, and raise your arms up and down. If your gun jiggles or falls out of the shell, tighten its retention. If you feel any pinching, rubbing, or jabbing, adjust the holster’s height and angle until you find relief. 

Try a few practice draws, as well, to make sure you can do so effectively. If you’re struggling to get the gun out of the holster, you’ll need to loosen the retention a bit. If you find your bosom or clothing is getting caught in the process, reconsider what you’re wearing or, again, the position of the holster. It may feel like a process in the beginning, but it’s well worth it to avoid having to make adjustments while in the field. 

Summary

A chest holster can make an excellent addition to any active woman’s carry setup. Ideal for outdoor activities like hunting, hiking, biking, and running, these holsters position your firearm right at the front of your chest for quick access and a full range of motion. 

But not all chest holsters are designed with women in mind. In order to fit your physique and lifestyle, it’s important to choose a chest holster that’s adjustable, secure, and customizable. Pairing it with the right firearm and clothing can help ensure this setup works for you, as can testing your setup before hitting the trail. 

Looking for a reliable, custom-fit chest holster for women? Check out the Vedder Holsters EverTrek® Chest Holster and tailor it to your firearm today. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system. To connect with other like-minded women in the gun community, join our Facebook Group, Women of Vedder, for all things concealed carry and self-defense.

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