Chest holsters have been in use since the very beginning of handguns. From underarm holsters to tankers and chest rigs, chest holsters have a special place among firearm enthusiasts.
In this article, weโll be talking about the usefulness of a chest holster and the qualities which make one an ideal and perfect choice.
We will also learn about the benefits of a chest holster and under what situations one may come in handy. We have also handpicked and reviewed the best chest holsters on the market to assist with your decision-making process.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Chest Holsters
- OUR TOP PICK: BLACKHAWK! Universal Spec-Ops Pistol Harness
- BEST KENAI CHEST HOLSTER: GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster for Glock 20/21/40 MOS
- BEST LEATHER CHEST HOLSTER: Diamond D Guides Choice Ruger Super Redhawk (Alaskan) Chest Holster
- BEST TACTICAL CHEST HOLSTER: Man Gear Alaska Ultimate Chest Holsters
Best Chest Holsters Comparison Chart
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Best Uses For a Chest Holster
A chest holster is a comfortable and versatile choice for various uses, ranging from everyday concealed carry to hiking and hunting. Let's take a look at the best uses for a chest holster.
Perfect for Hiking and Hunting
A chest holder comes in handy when you go out hiking or on a camping trip. Unlike waistband holsters, the chest holster does not interfere with your large or small backpack.
Using Chest Holster While Hiking (Source)
Additionally, they're also good for close encounters with predators as it ensures your hand does not get obstructed by your backpack/gear and nothing snags onto your handgun.
Tight, Comfortable, and Snug Fit
A chest holster ensures that nothing entangles or snags your holster while you move through woods or any other prone area. They secure tightly to your body and distribute the weight of the weapon perfectly around your torso. Chest holsters are also comfortable while sitting, working, or driving.
Works Well in Strenuous Situations
Consider sitting behind the wheel and things go bad. The waistband draw is not a good option here, as you will have to tilt or bend to reach out your weapon.
A chest holster comes in handy in such strenuous situations, requiring the least movement of your arm. On top of that, several chest holsters also have additional space for extra mags, which is definitely a plus in any situation.
Lets You Carry Rifles
Waistband holsters might interfere with your rifles and rifle slings, but a chest holster solves that problem.
What to Look For When Buying Chest Holsters
A chest holster, as the name suggests, is worn over the chest, either in the center, a bit sideways, or under. The exact position might differ according to user convenience.
Just like any other type of holster, the chest holster has to have some features and qualities to be an apt one. A few of them are:
Maximum Comfort
Needless to say, the foremost quality of any holster should be comfort. If your holster is not comfortable, you cannot wear it all day long nor will you be able to use it properly. The material of the straps should be soft, breathable, and easy on your body.
Must be Adjustable
Another very important feature of a good chest holster is the adjustment. The straps should be adjustable, along with the position and retention of the holster. Most chest holsters have extra hoops or buckles for the same.
Accessibility
A chest holster should be easily accessible. It shouldnโt have a very high bulge or wobble, so you don't encounter problems while accessing your weapon.
Must Suit Your Weapon
Finally, the chest holster must suit your weapon well. You must decide your weapon of choice before choosing a chest holster. Ensure that the holster provides a covered trigger guard, open/closed barrel end, and proper fit. For example, S&W Magnums will not fit in a chest holster meant especially for Glocks.
Review of the Best Chest Holsters
Now we're going to switch gears and take a look at some of our favorite chest holsters. When discussing each model, we're going to highlight some main features and pros and cons to look for. Let's get started!
Best Chest Holster:
BLACKHAWK! Universal Spec-Ops Pistol Harness
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A good number of users were quite happy with this holster. The material was high quality and able to handle a good number of pistols, both full-sized and compact. The harness hung on pretty well and didnโt allow the pistol to slip out of the holster. Most users were also able to draw using different carry positions. So far, the drawing and re-holstering were quick and easy with no snags.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This holster will certainly get the job done in terms of concealed carry using a chest holster. While it shouldnโt be confused with a shoulder holster, it hangs a bit lower so you can quickly access it much faster than its shoulder counterpart. Itโs made from high-quality materials that make wearing it so much more comfortable. And of course, it has the ability to stay durable for a long period of time. If you want a holster that wonโt wear and tear easily, this is what you might need.
The Blackhawk Universal Spec-Ops is a versatile, all-in-one chest holster, meant to fit all purposes. This holster has been made from nylon, which is soft and comfortable over the body. This model will fit many types of handguns.
The extra buckles on the sides of the holster allow it to be carried in vertical, horizontal, or angled positions. The holster is fully padded and adjustable on the straps, as well as the holster. It also features a pouch beneath the holster to hold an extra mag. The only drawback is that it is right-handed and the straps might fall short for a large guy.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a holster for tactical purposes or every day concealed carry, then you will certainly be delighted to put this holster to good use. Youโll be strapped and ready to go for as long as you use this holster. Fit your pistol in this holster and it will keep itself in place without slipping or wiggling around.
Bottom Line
The BLACKHAWK Universal Spec-Ops Harness will certainly fit any full-sized or compact pistol that you own. This will eliminate the guesswork of figuring out which holster will be perfect for your pistol of choice. So why waste time when you can rely on a fallback option like a universal holster?
The Blackhawk Universal Spec-ops is a one-size-fits-all solution for carrying handguns. The padded design is comfortable and the extra mag pouch makes it even more useful. Multiple carrying angles and an adjustable design make it quite versatile. Perfect for hiking, hunting, and open carry.
Best Kenai Chest Holster:
GunfightersINC Kenai Chest Holster for Glock 20/21/40 MOS, MAS
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of the new users put this holster to good use for the sake of carrying their favorite Glock pistols. They said the quality was superb and the material allowed for snag-free and fast drawing. One user said using this holster was a lot better than the nylon chest holster heโs used in the past. He added that the holster did not get obstructed while he was wearing a backpack during a recent hiking trip.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Want to minimize rub spots? Are you dealing with a holster thatโs obscuring your backpack (or vice versa)? Then look no further than this kenai chest holster. It fits a good number of Glock pistols and is made from high-quality materials that wonโt wear, tear, or sag over the years. In short, it will be perfect for long-term concealed carry. As long as you are carrying this holster, youโll have consistently fast drawing and re-holstering without any rough drags or snagging.
The Kenai Chest Holster features a Kydex-based molded design with a lot of adjustable length straps. The straps are long enough to make adjustments to fit very large people as well. It can be worn high or low on the chest, depending upon your preferences. These buckles are strategically located to keep the straps out of the way of backpacks or rifle slings.
It fits most handguns, and the Kydex design makes it waterproof. Additionally, the holster is mini red dot sight-compatible with Glock 21 models. The holster is also available for the Glock 23 and 32.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for the perfect concealed carry holster that will be useful to you for when you are outdoors hiking or carrying a backpack full of survival gear, then this holster will definitely work to your advantage. There is no other holster you can put to good use whenever you find yourself in a survival situation. With a bug-out bag in tow, you will need a holster that will help keep your pistol at your side at all times. This holster might just do the trick for all your concealed carry needs.
Bottom Line
The Gunfighters Inc Kenai Chest Holster is a great holster to have on hand for when you need to bug-out and survive. Yes, it can also be used for every day carry. But it can excel if and when you need to escape from a situation where you need to survive. If you want a high-quality holster with consistently quick drawing without snags or additional trouble, this might be your best possible option.
The Kenai holster is a good option for people who are in search of a stable and waterproof chest holster, complemented with a good length of adjustable straps. This chest holster is good in all respects, except that it lacks proper padding. This might affect you when you wear it over a loose shirt.
Best Leather Chest Holster:
Diamond D Guides Choice Ruger Super Redhawk (Alaskan) Chest Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were not disappointed in the slightest by this holster. The leather looked really great and it allowed a very comfortable fit in the process. Not only that, it was able to fit a good number of Ruger pistols. One user said it fit his LC9 pistol perfectly and didnโt slip out of his holster whenever he used it. Overall, the durability was quite impressive, thus giving way to solid reliability each time it was used.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This holster is made from high-quality leather and that will always equate to excellent reliability and durability (indeed they do go hand in hand). This will fit all kinds of Ruger pistols, so if you rely on those for concealed carry purposes, then your search might end here. Itโs a holster that will be easily adjustable and fit your exact frame. And it wonโt get obstructed in case you need to carry any backpacks or bug-out bags.
The Diamond D Redhawk Chest Holster features a simple leather design which sits comfortably on your body. The holster is easy to adjust and is secured by a buckle lock. The straps are adjustable and adaptable to all body types.
The entire holster is made of leather, which is comfortable and will last longer. The holster suits only the Ruger Alaskan, which is obviously a setback. The holster is also available for the S&W N-Frame Revolver.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be the perfect chest holster for users looking for something other than a hip holster. Yes, it might feel unusual carrying a holster that is located on another part of your body but you will be more prepared for any dangerous situation and be able to draw your pistol a whole lot faster than with a regular hip holster.
Bottom Line
The Diamond D Chest Holster is great in quality and will carry a good number of Ruger pistols for the purpose of self-defense (or even range shooting). This is designed to last you a long time (and leather does have a good shelf life). If you want a holster that is comfortable and can be reliable for every day carry youโd be hard-pressed to find a holster quite like this anywhere else.
The Diamond D is a precisely handmade chest holster made of comfortable leather. However, it is limited only to the Ruger Alaskan. It offers a sturdy holster for a large gun, but with minimal adjustments. Great for conservative shooters.
Best Tactical Chest Holster:
Man Gear Alaska Ultimate Chest Holsters
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most new users were owners of semi-auto pistols looking for a holster that would provide excellent concealability and maximum comfort. They certainly were not disappointed with this holster. This holster made adjustability easier and a lot more useful for different kinds of frames. One user said he was happy to find a chest holster that would fit his short frame (at 5 foot 6 inches tall). He added that it allowed for quick holstering and re-draw, which was exactly what he was looking for in a new holster.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you want a holster that will allow you to conceal carry in three different positions across your body, then youโre really going to love this holster. Yes, you can adjust it so it will fit you with the best comfort. Simply put, itโs a pretty good holster that will handle a good number of pistols from your full-sized pistols to even the compact or subcompact types. If you are looking for a concealed carry pistol that will provide excellent concealability while wearing a jacket, this could do you some good.
The Man Gear Alaska is a versatile chest holster available in many sizes and configurations to adapt to different types of handguns. It has been made with 1680 Denier Nylon and is comfortable over the skin. The metal D-rings make the holster stable and allows it to be worn in three different ways.
The holster is padded too, which allows for it to be concealed under the shirt comfortably. An extra mag pouch also helps users hold an extra magazine. A separate model of the gun is also available for Gen 2 Semi Auto, 1911 Pistols, and 4โ Revolvers.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be great for cold weather carry. So if you are carrying a good jacket that will keep you warm, youโll need a holster that will make sure that you are able to carry your pistol with ease and without any kind of bulging in the process. Donโt be surprised if this holster ends up being your go-to holster during the fall and winter months.
Bottom Line
The Man Gear Alaska Ultimate Chest Holster is easily adjustable and will have no trouble fitting any kind of shooter regardless of the size of their frame. You can be average height or big and tall, this holster will be easily adjustable so it can be a perfect fit and make sure your pistol keeps close to you if and when you need it most. Additionally, you can carry it any position you like so long as it makes it comfortable for everyday use.
The Man Gear Holster is a simple chest holster that is lightweight and easy to carry. This holster is an inexpensive option for people looking for an instant and cheap solution. The buckle lock adjustable retention strap might make the draw time-consuming, although, it is still a decent choice for many. It is particularly good for concealed carry and camping.
Conclusion
Chest holsters are an amazing accessory to carry your handgun safely while performing adventure activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, or camping.
A good chest holster must be comfortable, easily accessible, adjustable, and should suit your weapon. Chest holsters are perfect while carrying large backpacks, as they donโt affect your draw. These holsters are also an easy-to-draw option in self-defense situations, in urban or wild areas.
