How to size your pants for IWB carry.

My plan to deal with this is to take my holster to a store and try on pants in the dressing room. This may work for you, before settling on a particular size / method that may or may not work for your particular body shape, and comfort levels.

For most common IWB CCW your own size is fine, if you loosen the belt.

I do add 2" to the waist size on my IWB pants. It isn't strictly necessary, as I've made it work in a pair of shorts that weren't up sized, but it's more comfortable with the extra room.

It depends on how large of a roscoe you want to pack. Figure the slide on a medium size semi-auto will run 1"+ (and most revolvers) and then add the thickness of the holster. The quality and material of the holster will make a big difference.

Plus size pants will be then dedicated to having a gun inside.

Kind of depends on how tight you wear your pants normally and the style of your pants.

I don't have to switch up from 34" to 36" pants to go IWB, but I do loosen the belt a couple of notches. If you're already working a shoehorn to get into them, you probably should go for the next size up!

I do add 2" to the waist size on my IWB pants. It isn't strictly necessary, as I've made it work in a pair of shorts that weren't up sized, but it's more comfortable with the extra room.

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That's what I do. Then I tend to grow into the pants, and need them a little bigger...

Plus size pants will be then dedicated to having a gun inside.

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That tends to be a problem, and another is that the pants dont look like they fit right. The waist isnt the only thing that gets bigger.

I've always carried "full size" handguns IWB, and just wear my normal size pants, and its never been a problem. If anything, it tends to be a help.

While the pants feel slightly snug when the holster is first inserted, the material quickly "gives", and things feel fine and comfortable. That slight snugness actually help hold the gun/holster in place, and there is little movement once your belt is cinched up.

Another big help is one of the "Instructor" type belts. They arent dependent on hitting a hole for fit, and are infinitely adjustable through their whole size range. They help make things a lot more comfortable, and secure.

Truth is, the larger your spare, the more difficult it is to live with an IWB CCW. Another reason to watch your waistline.

YZ said:

Plus size pants will be then dedicated to having a gun inside.

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Yep. Ayoob, or whatever that dude's name is, says thats a good way to make yourself carry every day-if you don't, your pants won't fit.

Ive carried IWB both fat and skinny and in between on the way down, and never really noticed much difference in comfort or a problem concealing the gun.

If you wear clothes appropriate to your size, I dont think its really a big deal.

I should be so lucky.
The distribution of fat counts. Also, some keep the belt around the waist, others let it drop under the belly. Then there are gangsta baggies. And so on.

Try Duluth Trading Company

Don't know how familiar you are with this company but I buy stuff from them. Cheesy ad slogans but really high quality - no kidding, every bit as good as what you're probably wearing now that begins with a C, and many of the pants they sell have a hidden stretchy thing in the waist. Perfect for IWB.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/

I don't carry IWB for different reasons, but often see guys at the range whose love handles overflow their IWB weapons, making it a challenging draw and probably a daily PITA.

Duluth catalogs have followed my relocations with a frightening regularity

I agree with the two inch rule myself

I add about one inch for a 1911, but two would likely be better for most other pistols or revolvers. Also consider that you may need to punch an extra hole in your belt between two existing holes to get the fit right.

I take my holster with me to try on pants. To begin with, once I settled on a new size I simply replaced my currently owned pants with the new size as the old ones got worn out.

I think it was maybe a 1 to 2" waist size difference... not sure exactly. I now wear the same size pants with or without my IWB holster, as long as I'm wearing a belt everything fits fine without looking awkward. My IWB carry thickness ranges up to 2x layers of leather, 1x layer of kydex, and a 1.2" thick handgun. Then again, I've always worn relaxed fit pants and I don't partake in the fad of men wearing skin-tight pants so you have to account for whatever is your own personal style. Obviously, YMMV.

It really depends on the shape of your body, and where in your waist you carry.

I'm shaped like an oval, with my front and back being pretty flat. So if I carry at 3:00, I'll probably need an extra inch or so. But scoot the gun forward or back a little, and I really don't need any extra room. This is how I carry, so my 34's still fit well .

Carrying a gun can be a huge R&D/ trial and error process. Just gotta figure out what works best for you.

I take my holster with me to try on pants.

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GREAT advice! I do the same.

I agree with the two inch rule myself.

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It's a good starting point. But I would suggest you go to your clothing store and try some things on with the holster. My problem with +2" is that the waist is not the only thing on the pants that is made larger and +2" means baggy sloppy fitting pants.

I add about 1.5-2 inches. My math has worked for all these years.

Unless they are REALLY tight, I can carry anything from a shield to a Glock 20 without upsizing. That's with a size 34.

I wear a size 34 jeans but a size 36 fits so well that I buy 38s.

I have never been able to get used to IWB carry despite years of semi-trying. I guess I need to buckle down, no pun intended, and force myself to get used to it.