10 Best Concealed Carry Holsters for Sitting in 2024

Sitting while carrying concealed can be a pin, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be one! Some ways of carrying enable you to sit in various places without being uncomfortable or printing conspicuously.

The issue with covering this topic is that so many holsters work well and do a great job, and they’re not all one type of holster – some are IWB, some are OWB, some are ankle holsters, shoulder holsters, and even belly bands. To keep this article under control and focused, I chose two from each type of holster, so no matter what you’re looking for, you should be able to find it here.

Overall, I favor IWB carry for sitting, at around 5 o’clock to 4:30 on my waist. Because of that, I would consider the Alien Gear ShapeShift 4.0 IWB holster the best choice out of the ten we’ve included on this list.

10 Best Concealed Carry Holsters for Sitting

1. Alien Gear ShapeShift 4.0 IWB Holster

When you look at IWB holsters, you’ll see a lot that are very minimalist in design, and Alien Gear goes a different direction with their IWB holster. Instead of only one belt clip (which can allow a lot more pivoting while inside your waistband), the ShapeShift has two.

In addition to being anchored firmly, the ShapeShift is also make-model specific, so you purchase the holster version that works with your exact firearm model. This gives you superior passive retention that is adjustable without any tools.

But Alien Gear didn’t stop there – you can also adjust the cant and the ride height of this holster, so if it’s poking into you just a little bit, you can try moving it down a little to see if that fixes it. It’s an incredibly flexible holster that allows you to find a comfortable way to carry it, even while sitting.

The back of the holster that faces your skin is neoprene, so it’s pretty soft, and the shell is made of Kydex, which gives you the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability.

Pros

• Adjustable cant, retention, and ride height
• Kydex shell + neoprene pad
• Two belt clips
• Custom-molded to your model of firearm

Cons

• More expensive than other holsters
• Wider footprint

2. Concealed Carrier Universal IWB Holster

As I mentioned in the last section, many holster companies take a more minimalist design approach. Rather than pack in all the features and make a larger holster, they cut back and make it as simple as possible.

While Alien Gear has an overall superior product, there is an argument to be made for the slim and comfortable design of the Concealed Carrier. As you can see from the photo, it’s just a Neoprene pocket with a belt clip attached to it. The belt clip is reinforced and double-stitched; you have a simple snap-and-strap for retention.

The snap is quick and easy to break open when you’re drawing, though I recommend practicing so you can do it lightning fast every time.

There’s no adjustability here, but the holster itself is so small that all you should need to do is slide it to where it’s comfortable and leave it there.

Pros

• Slim, comfortable
• Snap-and-strap retention (as opposed to none at all)
• Reinforced belt clip
• Mostly Universal

Cons

• No adjustability
• Neoprene won’t last as long as Kydex

3. 1791 Gunleather OWB Optic Ready Holster

Those who have read my previous articles about holsters know I make no secret of believing that OWB holsters are the most comfortable way to carry a firearm. I chose this holster for concealed carry while sitting because the way the belt slits are cut brings the firearm very close to your body and angles the grip slightly inward to make it easier to conceal. 

It’s always going to be harder to conceal an OWB firearm than an IWB, but for situations where you can, the 1791 Gunleather will be an excellent choice. The slits give you an FBI cant, so if you prefer completely straight, you might want to look at a different holster.

The leather will last a long time and only get prettier as it gets more broken in. The one thing I wish this holster had was a thumb break snap so that it’s a little better for open carry when you want it for that.

The leather is reinforced and double-stitched in the places where it will get the most tug. If you’re looking to carry OWB while sitting, give this one a closer look.

Pros

• Optic compatible
• Easy to conceal (for an OWB)
• Leather will last long
• FBI Cant

Cons

• No thumb break or other level II retention
• No adjustable cant

4. Warriorland OWB Kydex Holster

For the Kydex fans who want to carry OWB, look at the Warriorland. It doesn’t have adjustable cant, but similar to the Concealed Carrier IWB holster, it doesn’t need to be. It’s small enough that you should be able to slide it a little one way or the other to put it in a comfortable spot.

Because it’s a paddle holster, you may be able to adjust it between standing and sitting if you want to have it more at-the-ready while standing and more out-of-the-way while sitting. That depends on how thick & wide your belt is and where the belt loops on your pants are situated, though.

The retention is posi-click and is adjustable. Combined with this holster being model-specific like the Alien Gear, it gives you solid passive retention, though I wish they had added a forefinger button for level II. Considering that it’s intended for concealed carry, and this article is about holsters for concealed carry, I’ll give it a pass on that one.

Pros

• Adjustable, posi-click retention
• Kydex construction
• Small, low profile
• Maneuverable

Cons

• No adjustable cant
• No adjustable ride height
• No level II retention

5. ComfortTac Deep Concealed Belly Band

IWB nor OWB may not suit your preference, and you might find a belly band more comfortable. Belly bands are worth discussing because they not only provide similar functionality to an IWB holster, but they usually also have a spare magazine pouch and can be worn higher or lower on the torso based on your preference.

In the case of the deep concealment version of the ComfortTac belly band, you can use one extra pocket sewn for a spare magazine, pocket knife, or something else. You also have a removable pouch to carry an entire utility belt inside your pants.

It’s best to think of this band from ComfortTac as an expanded version of an IWB holster. It gives you a thumb break snap for retention and the ability to position your gun wherever it is most comfortable.

Pros

• Extra pouches
• Thumb break snap for retention
• Velcro strap on the removable pouch
• Can position firearm wherever is most comfortable

Cons

• Can get hot
• May need to go up a waist size in pants

6. Concealed Carrier Belly Band Holster

If you are thinking about a belly band but want to carry higher up your torso on your waist, give this band from Concealed Carrier a look. It’s similar, but it has just one oversized pouch that can fit two magazines in it.

Waist carry isn’t so high that you have to cross-draw, though you can if you want. The cant on the holster isn’t adjustable, so if you’re looking to exclusively shoulder carry, you should probably go with an actual shoulder holster (like one of the two I’ve mentioned below). Still, if you want to carry that high, this band may be a better choice.

Other than the pouch configuration, this one is very similar to the ComfortTac, just like most belly bands. The biggest drawback to these holsters is that the velcro tends to wear out pretty quickly, and if you want to extend the life of the holster, you may have to sew new velcro on yourself.

Pros

• Versatile and can carry from rib cage to hips
• Can fit two spare magazines
• Fairly universal, most firearms will fit

Cons

• Velcro will give out after awhile
• Can get hot and sweaty

7. Aysesa Shoulder Rig

Shoulder carry comes with its pros and cons on a general level.

Many shoulder rigs are leather, and for a good reason: you need something less stretchy and stronger than neoprene but more flexible than Kydex. This is especially true when you’re carrying something larger like a 1911.

What I love about the Aysesa shoulder rig is that it has two retention straps on the holster itself, adjustable shoulder straps, and two straps that grab onto your belt. It’s a smart design that ensures nothing goes where it shouldn’t. Combined with two spare magazine pouches that are inverted to be dropped directly into your hand, make it an excellent holster choice.

The holster will require some practice drawing before you can do it quickly, but shoulder carry is incredibly comfortable while sitting because it’s nowhere near your waistband.

Pros

• Just as (if not more) comfortable for sitting than OWB
• Reinforced leather
• Anchored in multiple places
• Double-strap retention (functionally equivalent to level III retention)

Cons

• Model specific, and it can be hard to find different versions
• Expensive compared to other options on this list

8. Aikate Deep Concealment Shoulder Holster

This holster is designed for subcompact and micro pistols, like baby Glocks and the M&P shield here. It’s “universal” for handguns in that size class, but this is not designed for larger handguns. 

Retention is handled with a velcro strap that goes around the back of the gun, much like a neoprene IWB holster or belly band. You can remove the shoulder strap and use this as a minimalist belly band.

Still, it’s worth noting that the holster doesn’t cant forward at all, which is a big deal as it will force your hand into an awkward angle as you draw. You also can’t adjust anything other than the fit as it wraps around your chest.

The part that will fail the quickest is the velcro, which will be very similar to belly bands. However, this holster is affordable and works well for small pistols.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Soft
• Affordable

Cons

• Velcro won’t last long
• No backward cant

9. LPV Ankle Holster

All right, now let’s move on to ankle carry. When you’re sitting, you have easier access to your ankle than when standing, so despite ankle carry’s reputation for being for on-the-move folk, it can sometimes make more sense for a person sitting at a desk all day.

The LPV is the one I recommend if you aren’t wearing boots. It comes with a calf strap that uses snaps to stay tight instead of velcro, which means it will last infinitely longer than it would otherwise.

The bottom strap is still velcro, but since it shares the load with the calf strap, it should also last a relatively long time. Retention on both the holster and the spare mag pouch is done with thumb-break snaps, and LPV even added a little pad at the bottom to protect your ankle from rubbing against the end of the barrel of full-size handguns.

Pros

• Calf strap keeps holster from sliding down leg
• Extra mag pouch
• Compatible with most handguns

Cons

• Some velcro components
• Gun can feel loose if you’re moving around quickly

10. ComfortTac Ultimate Ankle Holster

If you are wearing boots while you’re carrying, I recommend the ComfortTac ankle holster here. Boots ride high enough that they’ll stop the holster from sliding down even though it lacks a calf strap, so you get a lighter package that you can attach higher up on your leg than you could with the LPV.

There’s only one strap to keep the holster wrapped around your leg, and it is made of velcro.There isn’t an extra mag pouch, and it’s sized more for smaller handguns, though you may be able to get something as large as a Glock 19 in there.

Retention is a snap-and-strap, which is just fine for this, and it will still be compatible if you’ve equipped a weapon light in some cases.

Pros

• Minimalist design
• Works with boots
• Works with weapon lights

Cons

• No extra mag pouch
• Will slide down leg until boot or shoe stops it

How to Choose the Best Concealed Carry Holster for Sitting?

Where to Carry?

Deciding where to carry is probably the hardest part of getting a concealed carry holster. Once you have that figured out, everything becomes much simpler. A few things to consider as you start include the clothes you’ll be wearing, whether your shirt will be untucked and whether you’ll be wearing long pants. Depending on your wardrobe and styling choices, some concealed carry options will work better than others. For instance, if you can’t have your shirt untucked, then IWB and belly band are mostly out of the question. 

You also need to consider where you’re always sitting. If it’s in the same spot, and you’re there for a long time, ask yourself if you could mount a holster under your desk and transfer from your carry holster to your desk when you arrive to work.

How quickly do you need to draw your gun? IWB, OWB, and shoulder carry with a jacket will give you the fastest draws, but they can also be some of the harder to conceal in the case of OWB and shoulder. IWB gives you a fast draw and is generally easy to conceal, but can start to print without you realizing it as you shift positions.

Comfortability

If comfort is your highest priority, shoulder carry isn’t a bad option to choose, though I would start with OWB carry. OWB is wonderful because you rarely have anything digging into your side or back, and you don’t have to go up a belt size to accommodate the holster. 

Ease of Access

It’s important to think through the situations you might find yourself in when carrying concealed and make decisions based on when and whether you’ll attempt to draw your weapon. For instance, if you’re open carrying outside your waistband and get attacked on the street, you probably won’t have time to draw and fire back.

Therefore, ask yourself what situation would cause you to draw your firearm. Usually, it will be when you do not have the assailant’s direct attention or after you’ve found cover to give you a moment to draw and prep. At that moment, a few seconds could make all the difference, but practice with your holster of choice is just as important as where on your body the firearm is.

Material

The holster’s location on your body largely determines what materials you have to choose from, but in the case of IWB holsters, you’ll be able to choose from Kydex, leather, and neoprene. Kydex and leather are much more durable, but they’re also stiffer and can be less comfortable to wear inside.

Leather takes a little bit of maintenance but gets better with age, while Kydex stays essentially the same but requires no maintenance at all. The choice is yours; everyone has different preferences.

Retention

With concealed carry, there’s less emphasis on higher levels of retention, but I would always err on the side of too much retention rather than too little. It’s disconcerting to have your firearm bouncing around even if you know it’s strapped in and won’t actually fall out. Having a holster that is molded to fit your gun and will stop it from moving around is great for peace of mind.

Concealability

The whole point of concealed carry is to stay (you guessed it) concealed, so if you prefer short-cut shirts or mediums, then you may want to look at ankle holsters. Evaluate your wardrobe preferences and choose a place where you can conceal your firearm consistently.

FAQ

Final Words

My pick for best overall is the Alien Gear ShapeShift 4.0 IWB holster. It’s inside the waistband, has a soft neoprene backing and gives you all the adjustability you could need to make it comfortable while sitting. Are there any other holsters that should be on this list? Let me know.