Survey: Leather or Kydex?

[BerettaNut92]

After dropping $$$ on my Milt Sparks sharky rig, I'm ashamed to say I like my Tactical Poser Wilderness Instructor's belt and Blade-Tech Kydex poser plastic better. I don't find wearing IWB or tucked uncomfortable with the plastic at all, even if the Milt Sparks rig is phenominally nice.

What say you?

 

[OF]

While I can certainly appreciate a finely crafted leather holster...it is the 21st century.

As much as I'd love to say leather is better, kydex is just a better holster material.

- Gabe

 

[Schuey2002]

Don't you just hate when that happens. You go and spend some serious $$$ on a finely crafted custom holster only to find a cheap-o Tupperware holster that works better..

My Glocks dine on nothing but the finest Tupperware $25 can buy!

Viva la Kydex, baby!

 

[BerettaNut92]

You know you want it.

 

[Smoke]

To each his own. I'm a "dead cow all the way" guy myself.

But I also think guns should be made of steel and have wood grips/stocks. Leather should be a color derived from neatsfoot oil, the sun and wear.

Plastic? No thank you.

 

[jthuang]

I prefer leather. All of my gunleather is Kramer horsehide gear.

However, it gets kinda rough on the aforementioned gear during training, etc. I did some damage to my Kramer horsehide MSP paddle ($108 at the time ... more $$ now) rolling around on the ground during Insights's CQC class.

I find that Kydex tends to hold up better COSMETICALLY under abuse so I'll spring for a Kydex belt holster for my Sig P226 when the next training class rolls around. But for carry/match use, I like leather.

Justin

 

[Lancel]

I snubbed Kydex for years. Now a Kydex FIST #1 IWB is my favorite holster.

One of the things I like about it is that it's impervious to sweat. And because Kydex doesn't absorb moisture, I don't have to be careful to remove a pistol from the holster at night when I'm sleeping or otherwise storing it.

Although leather is beautiful, kydex works the best for me.

Larry

 

[Erik]

I have both, and despite appreciating the sheer function embodied by a well made Kydex holster, cannot bring myself to prefer them over the craftmanship, tradition, and style of a well made leather holster. A leather holster which can be had along with matching belt, holders, jacket, and boots, I should point out.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

You didn't put a middle of the road vote. I like both.

I use a Leather carry IWB. And a Nylon in the pocket one.

Most of my range holsters are Kydex/plastic type ones.

Haven't tried a Kydex IWB yet.

 

[10-Ring]

I like th functionality of the kydex but the fit and appearance of leather. If push came to shove, I'd go w/ leather

 

[nemesis]

Remember the sound that a leather holster makes as the gun is unholstered?

Neither do I.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I'm not really all that fond of kydex. It has no soul.

I much prefer a milt sparks summer special or a belt slide holster to a kydex holster when i have a choice in the matter. sometimes kydex works better.

 

[OF]

Tastes Great!

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Leather all the way; tried the plastic, yuck.

 

[Oracle]

Less filling!

 

[Billy Sparks]

I'm sorta like Skunk on this after purchasing Mitch Rosen, Krammer, and Sparks (no relation) holsters I picked up a Blade-Tech holster that someone wanted to get rid of. I love the fact that it is sorta indestructible and doesn't need any break in. Recently I have found G-Code kydex holsters so that is probably my new mantra.

 

[OF]

- Gabe

 

[themic]

wish they did to nylon what they can do to leather. i like nylon webbing. alot.

anyways, i found plastic surprisingly comfortable, but i currently prefer leather cause i made my own IWB holster for my RAP (cause no one makes a holster that fits it specifically).

 

[fatboyclone]

ok i'll bite skunk, who makes the CF holster?

 

[BerettaNut92]

Blade-Tech but quite a few others do as well. Blade-Tech is a few weeks out on the stuff

 

[Chris Rhines]

Kydex performs better.
Leather (debatably) looks better.

- Chris

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Holster? What is this 'holster' you speak of? Just stuff yer gat in yer pants... yo' just keepin; real.


And I use both; IWB are leather and my paddles are plastic.


Re-reading that I want to just make sure everyone knows I mean 'paddle holsters'.... you bunch of weirdos.

 

[Serpico]

I wear IWB most of the time and leather conforms to my body...even Dustin Hoffman jumped into the pool to escape the man who told him to get into plastics in "The Graduate"

 

[sm]

I'm with Smoke.

 

[El Tejon]

Horse, of course.