Need input...Leather or Kydex for Concealability?

Kydex IWB vs. Leather IWB....What conceals better?

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ecureed

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I have been contemplating a holster purchase for my CZ P-01. I'd like to give IWB a try and have been doing some research.

I've narrowed my options down to two very different holsters, a UBG Canute and a Comp-Tac C-Tac.

Reviews on both these holsters overwhelmingly say that they are very comfortable. Due to this fact my concern here centers solely around which option will ultimately conceal better in a casual dress situation? (i.e., shorts/jeans and a t-shirt or jeans and jacket/coat)

Thanks for your input!
 
I prefer Kydex simply because its thinner....jeans are getting too snug for a leather holster to fit.

Leather is a tad more comfortable against the skin though.
 
I have heard good things about those crossbreed holsters, but out of your two I would imagine leather would be better. I have no experience with IWB holsters, but I'd think that leather would be less awkward than having a hard plastic bulge tucked in your pants.
 
I like a kydex IWB for routine carry. It is thinner than leather, easy to re-holster, and not affected by perspiration.
 
Kydex will be less forgiving on your skin and clothes. I dont have any experience with the CTAC, but it seems to be well liked.
I like the "both" category. You may want to consider some of Comptacs hybrid holsters which are leather and kydex together. I have the MTAC for my XD, its pretty comfortable. The leather back is next to your body and is smooth. The kydex body holds the gun tight, and is still quick.
I carry my PM9 everyday in a leather IWB holster from Don Hume.
When you carry IWB you'll want to keep the holster from touching your skin as much as possible, whether its kydex or leather. I have a kydex paddle holster, and the paddle will stick to bare skin with the slightest amount of sweat. Its not comfortable when it sticks.
I wear two shirts year round. I make sure the waistband of my boxer shorts is higher than where the holster will hit me, then I tuck in my undershirt as smooth as possible. Insert holster, then insert gun, tighten up my belt so it doesnt slip as I move.
 
I like horsehide and kydex the same, but this winter I've decided to try synthetic:
skin5.gif
Working great so far:)
skin4.gif
 
To be quite honest, I was leaning towards the c-tac simply because it seems like a "minimalist" type of holster, very thin and no clips attached to the holster body. Haven't seen either in person but I just have to imagine its a lighter, thinner overall package in comparison to any leather offering.

I too always tuck an undershirt into my boxers so the holster won't be touching skin at all.
 
CZF,

Is that the High Noon synthetic?

Also, since you've used both , how much more bulky is a leather style iwb in comparison to the c-tac? Is it enough to affect a difference in concealability?
 
IWB I've tried the Desantis Cozy Partner, the UBG holster, I carried my M&P in a Comptac C-Tac for about a year and my current holster is a Peters Custom Holsters Kydex holster. It is without a doubt the best holster I've used yet.
OWB I use the Comtac Minotaur or a JIT slide when I want a little higher carry. I like either.
 
The Kydex holsters that I have tried are far too stiff and rigid for comfortable all day wear. Leather while a little less durable is much more pliable, yields nicely to conform and in my opinion is the superior of the two alternatives and worth the more frequent expense of replacement.

But what do I know, I have only been carrying both on and off the job for 20+ years...

:)
 
I prefer leather. I've carried a sidearm for 35 years and it has nothing to do with being a traditionalist. I agree with Gunslinger and find Kydex too stiff. I found the DeSantis Speed Scabbard (without the thumbreak) back in the 1980s and have one for every gun I carry. The ones I got back in the 80s are still in service.
 
Leather. I carry IWB with a UBG holster all day long. Sure, as pointed out, it's not as stiff... but it's not as stiff. I carry a full size 1911 all day every day and sometimes forget it is there... till my love handle snags the hammer spur...
 
My Comptac was stiff but I've found the sheet kydex holsters made of thinner material has a bit more give and is much more comfortable. I also add some padded mole skin to the low spots of the holster and it is really comfortable.
 
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