Jeans- how many inches bigger for a IWB holster

[shibby]

I really never wear jeans and I need to buy a pair or two for the upcoming fall and winter, and was wondering how many inches beyond my comfortable waist size I should go to accommodate an IWB holster/gun. 2 inches? more? What works for most people?

 

[wnycollector]

One size larger works fine for me.

 

[Sapper771]

i can normally wear a size 36 waist in pants, but I will buy size 38 to accomodate the IWB holster. Different pants also have deifferent sizes. Some pants I have to go up to a 40 waist. I recommend putting the holster in your pocket , or in your wife's purse when you go shopping for your pants. When you go to try the pants on , just slip the holster into your waist band and see how it fits, just make sure to leave a little to make up for the pistol being absent ( if you didnt bring it with you to put in the holster).

 

[shibby]

good idea sapper, Ill have to do that.

 

[alfack]

I normally wear a 34, but good luck trying to find 35, so I get 36.

The sizes go 33, 34, 36. What's the deal with that? Is 35 an unlucky number? Never could figure that one out.

 

[David E]

It depends on the IWB holster. Some are thicker than others.

The one I use doesn't mandate a larger waist size. The holster I used before added nearly 3/4" all by itself, not counting the gun contained within.

 

[anewconvert]

For reference, Lucky brand sells 35. See them regularly when looking at jeans.

BC

 

[bigfatdave]

I don't need a larger waist size, but then I'm sort of squishy, and wear looser pants in the first place.

 

[Deus Machina]

I only had to go up a couple inches. Wearing 32 and a belt works fine for me.

Really do wish I could find the size I need. I can find 52W/26L at Wally-World, but 32/34 is nonexistant.

 

[KenWP]

Many brands sell 35 jeans. You should even be able to find Levis in that size. You can find 33's also. If your small there are 27 and 29's in womans sizes. I ran a mens wear for years and had many 27 inch mens jeans in stock as every lot had them and nobody ever bought them except a couple ladies.

 

[indiandave]

I wear LL bean hidden comfort jeans. They have elastic in the waist. They fit with and with out a holster. catalog #TA57121.

 

[HexHead]

I used to find Levi 501s in odd sizes like 35".

 

[eatont9999]

I usually take a 28"-30." I buy a 32" in case I feel like IWB later. I also check pocket depth for my .38 J frame. I just bring the .38 with me and try it with the pants on. It is harder than you think finding a nice pair of pants with good pockets.

 

[Hhrshooter]

You can find the size 35 at Penny's, Levi 501's..

 

[Oonzpoonz]

I use the same size pants that I had before carrying. (31)
But 31 is kinda of in between size.

 

[sohcgt2]

I don't need a larger waist size, but then I'm sort of squishy, and wear looser pants in the first place.

Thanks for the laugh, I was going to same the same thing, but in a less humorous way I'm sure.

 

[Hoxviii]

Really do wish I could find the size I need. I can find 52W/26L at Wally-World, but 32/34 is nonexistant.

Yeah, that disgusts me. I go to the store and there is one cubby hole for 29-30" waist pants and 3 holes for 50" pants, with 1 hole each for 52's, 54's, and 56's.:banghead:

Anyway, back on topic-

I always just take everything with me to verify unless I'm buying pants that I've purchased several pairs of prior. I tend to carry an SP101 in a sandwich holster and normally only have to step up 1". With a 1911 in the same sandwich holster I just buy my normal pants size.

 

[Lakeshore]

Bought my first ever IWB holster today. Instead of buying new pants I'm going to try Plan B which is to trim an inch or two off the ole waistline. We'll see, may have to go back to Plan A.

What is the best position for IWB carry, e.g. appendix, strong side, small of back?

 

[saltydog452]

'squishy'...

I can dream up all kind of adjectives, pear shaped, rotund, portly, and so on, and so on...If I stayed up all week thinking about another term that was instantly understood by all, I could NEVER be more descriptive than 'squishy'.

Thank you.

salty

 

[charliehustle10]

LOL, I thought I'd shave a few inches off the waist line as well and a gun would fit fine....let's just say I was shopping for pants real soon. Hidden comfort type waistlines work really well for IWB.

Position for IWB is really a preference, and depends on the gun, body, holster, comfort, etc. For example, I carry my P229 around 4:45/5:00, while my snubby (If it's on my waist) at 3:00. It is just that certain conditions allow for better concealment and or access. When I bought my first IWB holster at gun store, the salesman told me where to position it, when I moved it forward to be more comfortable, he practically yelled at me for "wearing it wrong", thus I hated IWB for while b/c I couldn't do it right and be comfortable. i was naive back then....

 

[AK103K]

I wear the same size pants I always do. They feel slightly snug when I first put them on, but everything quickly feels just right.

The main advantage is, in the rare instance I dont have a gun on, my pants still fit right, the next advantage is, the gun stays in place better, with less movement, and tends to ride tighter to my body.

No matter what, if your not used to using an IWB holster, its going to feel strange to you, normal pants or otherwise. It takes a little while for you to find that sweet spot, and for your body to get used to it being there.

 

[David E]

What is the best position for IWB carry, e.g. appendix, strong side, small of back?

For most people, 3:30 to 4:00 oclock works best.

 

[leadcounsel]

Shove your hand in the waist when you try them on to approximate the fit.

 

[laktrash]

Same size here ever thing fits tighter and snugger. I also am a little (alot) on the squishy side.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

Jeans- how many inches bigger for a IWB holster

None bigger, at least for me. Your answer probably depends on how snug the jeans you normally wear fit, though, and where you carry IWB. Me, I simply buy jeans that fit well enough they won't fall off if I don't wear a belt. Seem to have no problem wearing IWB just behind hip, or all the way over to 6:00 (which, unless I wear OWB, is always, eventually, where the sucker migrates, twisting belt and pants to get there: that said, I prefer somewhere around 4:30-ish o'clock.)

Past few jeans purchases, I've picked up Lee's relaxed fit jeans. Seem to have more room in the legs for my pegs.

As to this:

I recommend putting the holster in your pocket , or in your wife's purse when you go shopping for your pants. When you go to try the pants on , just slip the holster into your waist band and see how it fits...

Why not just carry as you normally would and use the changing room? Try things on for size.