Holsters are primarily crafted from three materials: leather, nylon, and Kydex.
While nylon holsters are incredibly comfortable, they are not recommended for concealed carry as they’re significantly less secure than other options. They also tend to lose their shape when the firearm is removed, making reholstering more challenging and potentially hazardous.
Leather holsters are an excellent choice for CCW, providing comfort, durability, and ease of use. However, leather holsters tend to wear out faster than Kydex holsters and can become sticky when exposed to water, sweat, or humidity.
Kydex is widely considered the best holster material, offering unrivaled durability, concealment, and adjustability. Despite being a thermoplastic, Kydex holsters are incredibly comfortable and easy to conceal. Their hard shell actually gives them more of an advantage as the smooth plastic is thinner than leather or nylon, resulting in practically no printing.
And, unlike other holster options, they are molded to fit a specific gun model precisely. In fact, Kydex holsters have such an exact fit that you should be able to feel and hear an audible "click" when holstering your weapon to confirm that it is securely in place.
Kydex holsters are also more customizable than most others, allowing you to adjust the position of your holster to find that “sweet spot” of comfort and concealment.
If you want the best of both worlds, hybrid holsters with a Kydex shell and leather backing may be the ideal option. These holsters provide the comfort of leather without sacrificing the durability and precise design of Kydex.