Benefits/Drawbacks of Leather vs. Kydex ?

I have a leather and kydex holster and was a bit surprised when I found that the leather side was wearing my gun more than the kydex side. YMMV.

I own and have carried in both, and I prefer kydex. I made a quick list below of what comes to mind with regards to the good and bad of both, but it's hardly extensive.

Leather Pros and Cons:
+ Looks better then kydex when worn with a suit
+ Slightly more comfortable when worn IWB
- Generally thicker then kydex holsters
- If you want a non-production holster lead time is usually more then half a year
- Maybe this has changed since I last shopped for a holster, but leather tends to be more expensive then an equivalent kydex offering
- In my experience, leather is harder on a gun's finish
- Leather will break down from exposure to the elements much quicker then kydex

Kydex Pros and Cons:
+ Thinner then leather
+ Lighter then leather
+ Many are modular or have user switchable attachment points (like raven concealment's line of holsters)
+ Usually cheaper then leather and has shorter wait period for non-production offerings
+ More durable then leather
+ Allows for a faster and more consistent draw
+ Doesn't collapse when the pistol is drawn
- Doesn't look as nice as leather
- Many don't find the texture of kydex to be particularly comfortable

Then there is the hybrid Silent Thunder - leather lined kydex. I use it for IWB and am very happy with it.
http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/sithky.html

There are a couple of additional factors to consider. The kydex holsters or the injection molded holsters tend to be more rigid and not sit as close to the body or conform to the body as well as leather. With the kydex holsters, you have more retention options than the standard "thumb break strap" common to leather.

Leather does have the reputation of absorbing moisture; perhaps a factor to consider more with blued pistols in high humidity areas.

Personally, I'm using a Fobus for my P229, but I am looking for a nice leather one for when I want to dress up my rig a little more.

Ralph

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Here's why not to wear a Kydex paddle holster.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ


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usmarine0352_2005 said:

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Here's why not to wear a Kydex paddle holster.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ


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Click to expand...

Never cared for paddle holsters of any make/material, but that video is more than a bit disturbing.

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Never cared for paddle holsters of any make/material, but that video is more than a bit disturbing.

Click to expand...

Why not?



I think the Blackhawk Serpa Paddle is very good and very secure.
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I have not personally sued a kydex holster, but Massad Ayoob says that they make a distinctive sound as the gun is drawn, and so are not suitable where the draw needs to be unannounced.

Jim G