Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
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The chest holster is a fantastic choice for those of you who are looking to conceal your weapon while still staying comfortable. These holsters allow you to carry an extra firearm and also provide quick access in case of emergency. In this blog post, we will review the best chest holsters from different brands so that you can decide which one fits your needs more accurately.
With that said, it’s not always easy to find the best chest holster and there are some things you should consider before making your purchase.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best chest holster, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Chest Holster
6 Best Chest Holster (Ranked And Reviewed)
Specifications
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Material:
Nylon and Kydex
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Hand Orientation:
Right
-
Color:
Multicam
The Kenai Chest Holster is a must have for any outdoorsman. This harness is designed to be worn over any backpack and allows you to comfortably carry your firearm on your chest. The buckles are strategically located to be out of the way of pack straps and minimize any rub spots. The holster can be positioned in front or behind the shoulder, depending on preference. The Kenai Chest Holster is the perfect way to carry your firearm close at hand. The chest gun holster is made of Kydex and nylon with genuine leather accents, and it’s adjustable for most body types. It attaches to any belt up to 2″ wide, or you can wear it without a belt using the built-in shoulder strap.
Positive
- Holds your firearm securely in place
- Keeps it accessible for quick access
- You'll be able to carry your firearm comfortably
- You can wear it in front or behind the shoulder
Negatives
- It can be a little bit confusing to adjust
2. GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster
Specifications
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Material:
Nylon and Kydex
-
Hand Orientation:
Right
-
Color:
Mas Grey
The Kenai Chest Holster provides a stable, secure carry for Most of the commonly used handguns The Kenai is designed to fit comfortably and securely on the chest. With its unique design it will not interfere with backpack straps or other gear. It also allows you to sit down without having to remove your pack. The harness is designed for all day comfort and ease of use while in the field. The buckles are strategically located so they are out of the way of pack straps and minimize any rub spots when wearing for the whole day.
The Kenai Chest Holster provides a stable, secure carry for your Ruger Alaskan, Toklat, Super Redhawk or Redhawk. The Kenai is designed to fit comfortably and securely on the chest. With its unique design it will not interfere with backpack straps or other gear. It also allows you to sit down without having to remove your pack. The harness is designed for all day comfort and ease of use while in the field. The buckles are strategically located so they are out of way of pack straps and minimize any rub spots when wearing.
Positive
- Carry your gun without the need to have a belt
- Sit down comfortably while wearing it
- Comfortable for all day use
- It will not interfere with other gear
Negatives
- A bit too tight for some guns requiring some extra force to draw
3. GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster
Specifications
-
Material:
Nylon and Kydex
-
Hand Orientation:
Right
-
Color:
Coyote
The GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster is a minimalist concealed carry holster that’s designed to be worn under your shirt. The Kenai can be worn in various positions on the chest, and it’s adjustable for most body types. It’s handmade in the USA from high-quality, hand-selected leather right here in Montana. This holster is available in black or brown color options so you can choose the one that best matches your wardrobe. You can wear this holster for (EDC) everyday carry. GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster is the perfect companion for any outdoor activity.
Whether you are hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing or just spending time outdoors this chest holster will keep your gun close at hand and ready for action! The harness is designed to be comfortable all day long with strategically placed buckle locations that minimize any rub spots. The harness is adjustable so it can fit over a backpack or be worn on its own. It has two pockets one for the gun and another for extra magazines or other gear.
Positive
- Keeps your gun close at hand
- Wearable for (EDC) everyday carry
- Comfortable for all day use
- Adjustable for most body types
Negatives
- Not very good at concealed carrying
4. Diamond DOTZ Chest Holster
Specifications
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Material:
Leather
-
Hand Orientation:
Right
-
Color:
Brown
This chest holster is simple, comfortable, easy to adjust & very versatile. The Guides Choice Chest Holster can be used with any handgun from small .22 caliber pistols to large magnum revolvers. It holds your gun securely against your body for maximum comfort and concealment while allowing quick access when needed. The Diamond DOTZ Chest Holster also allows you to carry a second firearm on the opposite side. Diamond DOTZ Chest Holster is a highly adjustable and versatile holster.
It can be used for both right-handed and left-handed shooters, and works with most handguns on the market today. Its unique design makes it easy to conceal your handgun under clothes or even inside your jacket without having to remove it when you want to draw. This chest holster has an ambidextrous design that’s great for all types of users, including police officers, security guards, hunters and anyone else who needs quick access to their firearm.
Positive
- You can wear it with any gun
- It's comfortable and easy to adjust
- You'll be able to carry your pistol with you all the time
- Your gun will always be secure and accessible
Negatives
- The belt rig may be a bit stiff
5. AIKATE Deep Concealment Holster
Specifications
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Material:
Neoprene
-
Hand Orientation:
Right and Left
-
Color:
Black
This is the best deep concealment shoulder holster you can buy. It’s comfortable, versatile and affordable. You can carry your gun under your arm or remove the strap and wear it inside the waistband. Available in two different sizes. Suitable for 38-43 inch chest. Great for Men and Women. AIKATE Concealed Carry Shoulder Holster has solved the comfort issue with a new breathable perforated neoprene base that lays softly against the body.
AIKATE’s patent pending design is compatible with most compact and subcompact pistols. The AIKATE deep concealment holster can be worn on either hip for right or left hand draw. Drawing the firearm is quick, smooth and natural with no interference from clothing. Constructed of high quality materials, this holster will stand up to daily use, in any climate or condition. It has a soft nylon lining that protects your gun.
Positive
- Conceal your firearm with ease
- Wear it inside or outside the waistband
- Conceals your handgun better than other holsters
- Fits most compact and subcompact pistols
Negatives
- Maybe cause a hurdle during fast draw
6. Galco Kodiak Holster
Specifications
-
Material:
Leather
-
Hand Orientation:
Right and Left
-
Color:
Dark Brown
The Kodiak Shoulder Holster is the most advanced women’s shoulder holster available. With its unique, patent pending design, the Kodiak allows for instant adjustments and a full day of comfortable field carry. The Kodiak’s padded straps are strategically placed to distribute weight evenly across your torso, while also allowing you to adjust the angle of placement on your front torso throughout the day to accommodate different positions and activities. The Kodiak can be used with or without a belt and accommodates most large hunting firearms.
This holster is designed specifically for hunters who need a comfortable holster for carrying their gun all day long. Galco’s Kodiak Hunter Chest Holster is the ultimate chest holster for hunting big game. It features a unique design that allows you to wear it on your chest or over one shoulder, giving you the option of drawing with either hand. The holster is made from premium saddle leather and includes an adjustable harness that can be worn over or under clothing. It also has two magazine pouches that are positioned in front of the trigger guard to make them easy to access while wearing gloves.
Positive
- The Kodiak allows for instant adjustments and a full day of comfortable field carry
- The Kodiak's padded straps are strategically placed to distribute weight evenly across your torso
- Your hunting experience will be more comfortable
- You'll have a better draw time
Negatives
- Dimensions might be a bit off on some articles
What To Consider While Buying The Best Chest Holster?
In the past, to carry a handgun, you needed a holster for each specific gun. In today’s market, there are scores of holsters from which to choose. For example, if you own a Glock 19 and a Kahr PM9, chances are that either one would fit in many different brands of both inside-the-waistband (IWB) and outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters. Leather, nylon, Kydex, hybrid; there are so many different holster types. What should you look for when shopping? The first thing to consider is what kind of handgun it is going to be used with. If the gun will only be carried some of the time, a holster that fits multiple makes and models is a great choice.
However, some people don’t want to get caught with an empty holster if they switch from one brand of the gun to another. In these cases, more specific holsters may be preferred or even required. The gun should fit snuggly in the holster. It shouldn’t slip out of the holster by itself, but it shouldn’t require you to apply a death grip to get it out either. In general, leather holsters are more comfortable and durable than nylon or Kydex holsters, which in turn are more comfortable and durable than hybrid holsters, but it’s important to find the right balance between comfort and convenience. The holster should fit well on your body without feeling too bulky or pinching.
The firearm, while secured in the holster, should allow for a full firing grip to be taken while drawing quickly. It may take some trial and error before you find the perfect holster for your carry needs. The holster should have a positive retention device. This is typically an audible click when the gun has been fully secured in the holster, making it more difficult to pull out of the holster by anyone other than you. Do not buy a cheap holster and expect it to hold your expensive firearm securely. The holster should be able to be adjusted for ride height and cant. Ride height sets how high on the waistband the gun will rest.
A high ride height keeps the grip of the gun closer to your body, whereas a low ride height allows you to get a full grip on the gun without it digging into your stomach. This typically is only an issue with IWB holsters. Cant refers to how far forward or backward the holster sits on your waistline. A more forward cant allows you to get a full grip on the firearm while still conforming to your body shape, whereas a more upright cant positions the grip in a more natural position that is still easily accessible. If you want to carry concealed, you will need an IWB holster . The best IWB holsters are generally fairly minimalistic in design and construction.
The two most common materials are nylon or leather. Nylon holsters are typically the cheapest, but they lack the comfort of leather holsters. They also generally have a rougher retention on the firearm, which can make it difficult to re-holster your gun. Leather holsters are more expensive and wear out with time, but they provide excellent comfort and security for most firearms. The best material option is cowhide leather due to its durability and comfort. The holster should be fairly minimalistic in terms of how much material wraps around the gun. For that reason, kydex holsters are not recommended for concealed carry. Tuckable design allows you to tuck your shirt over the firearm while still being concealed.
FAQs
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
It is important to note that when you are wearing a shoulder holster, the gun is not hidden from view and thus it violates most concealed carry laws. However, depending on your state’s law, some states allow for open carrying which means that you can hold the weapon in plain sight without violating any regulations. If you plan on carrying this way then make sure to keep your face forward and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
There are three main factors that can determine whether an item is considered “open carry” or not: the location of the firearm (on your body), if there’s ammunition present and how visible it is to others. If any of these criteria are met then the gun will be classified as “open carry.” Is a chest holster considered open carry? You’ll need to check with your local law enforcement agency because laws vary from state-to-state!
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Chest holsters are a valuable tool for those who need to be able to wear their firearm and feel safe at the same time. As more people become aware of these products, we’ve seen an exponential increase in demand. Many customers have switched from carrying concealed to wearing on the chest because it’s more comfortable and they don’t have to worry about having their shirt tucked in.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Chest holsters are great for concealment but they also have their drawbacks. The biggest drawback to a chest holster is that it makes it difficult to draw from under clothing, like a sweater or jacket, without first removing said garment. A chest holster can be worn on top of clothes and will work well with most open-fronted jackets; however, if you wear button-up shirts or more closed types of coats then drawing from a chest holster could prove difficult…
Conclusion
We hope you found this review helpful. If not, there are many other holsters on the market to choose from! Check out our blog for more reviews of gun and outdoors gear. We’ll be sure to update it with new items as soon as they come in. Keep coming back for more amazing gun and outdoors stuff!
Our Research Process
Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.