Kydex, Leather, or Nylon: Choosing the Right Firearm Holster

Choosing the right firearm holster is essential for safe and comfortable carry. Whether you’re carrying concealed (EDC) or looking for a practical range holster, the differences between Kydex, leather, and nylon go beyond just the material. Each option has its own strengths and drawbacks that become apparent in everyday use. In this article, we’ll clearly explain how to choose a firearm holster, what terms like IWB, OWB, and AIWB mean, and which type of holster makes the most sense in practice.

How to Choose a Firearm Holster: Key Considerations and Carry Types

Choosing the right holster for a handgun can be approached from several angles. If you’re selecting a holster for sport shooting, your priorities will likely differ from those of someone involved in re-enactment, collecting, or simply a fan of the Old West. After all, a Colt Single Action Army in a Kydex holster would look a bit out of place.

When it comes to choosing a holster for EDC (Everyday Carry), however—meaning daily carry—your focus will typically come down to two key priorities: comfort and safety.

Before we dive deeper into the topic, it’s worth getting the terminology straight.

• IWB – Inside the Waistband
  Holsters worn inside the waistband, secured behind the belt. This is the most common option for concealed carry.
  

• OWB – Outside the Waistband
  The opposite approach—holsters worn on the outside of the waistband, typically on a belt, with the firearm fully visible. Concealed carry requires more careful clothing choices.
  

• AIWB – Appendix Inside the Waistband
  A popular variation of inside-the-waistband carry, where the holster is positioned at the front of the body, around the one o’clock position.
  

• Retention
  Refers to how securely the firearm is held in the holster. Retention can be passive—provided by the rigidity of the material—or active, using mechanisms such as a strap or retention device.
  

Kydex IWB holsters designed for concealed carry offer rigidity, reliable retention, and full trigger guard coverage—making them an ideal choice for everyday carry.

Firearm Holsters Then and Now: The Evolution of Materials and Carry Methods

Looking back, leather and textile holsters were once the norm, as was carrying a firearm in a shoulder holster. Whether you admired Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, Jean-Paul Belmondo in films like The Cop or the Rascal, or Bodie from The Professionals, the image of a serious piece of steel carried in a leather shoulder rig probably seemed undeniably cool.

That said, it’s fair to say that most people today no longer carry heavy steel revolvers like the Colt Python or Smith & Wesson Model 29. Carrying something like that in an IWB holster would be a test of endurance few would enjoy.

So let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of different holster materials. For the sake of comparison, we’ll assume the firearm in question is a compact 9mm semi-automatic pistol—think Glock 19, CZ P-10 C, Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0, or Springfield Echelon.

You’ll generally encounter more challenges with IWB carry—inside the waistband—where the demands on comfort, shape, and rigidity are significantly higher. That said, most of the advantages and drawbacks also apply to OWB carry, or outside-the-waistband use.

Nylon Holsters

Not long ago, textile holsters were widely popular—mainly due to the limited availability of alternatives, their low cost, and their comfort. In the Czech Republic, one of the best-known manufacturers is Dasta, and their holsters are undeniably well made. That said, what are the actual pros and cons?

✅ PRICE
Nylon holsters are very affordable, as both the materials and manufacturing process are less demanding than with leather holsters.

✅ COMFORT
Particularly for IWB carry, nylon holsters tend to be comfortable. The material is flexible, doesn’t create pressure points, and adapts well to both your body and the shape of the firearm.

✅ VERSATILITY
In many cases, a single holster can accommodate multiple firearms of similar size.

❌ POOR SHAPE RETENTION
This is also their main drawback. Nylon holsters lack structural rigidity, which means reholstering can be more difficult once the firearm has been drawn. You’ll often need to use your support hand to guide the firearm back into the holster—something that may not always be possible.

At first glance, this may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it also raises safety concerns. One critical requirement for any holster is full trigger guard coverage. Even then, issues can arise—there are cases where part of the holster can enter the trigger guard during reholstering and make contact with the trigger. What happens next hardly needs explaining.

❌ MINIMAL RETENTION
With textile holsters, retention is generally very limited—especially with OWB designs, where it can be almost nonexistent. While the material allows for a smooth draw, the firearm is typically secured with a strap or snap closure. This, however, significantly slows down the draw and can become a real liability in an emergency.

❌ MOISTURE ABSORPTION
Another downside is that textile holsters tend to absorb sweat and moisture, such as rain. Over time, carrying a firearm in such conditions can compromise the finish and lead to corrosion.

In the case of nylon holsters, it’s worth considering whether investing in a higher-quality Kydex holster might be the better long-term choice.

Leather Holsters

Leather has been around for centuries—long before modern textiles—and remains highly popular to this day. Leather products carry a sense of quality, craftsmanship, and even a touch of luxury. A well-made leather holster can be more than just a way to carry a firearm.

✅ ELEGANCE
A leather holster often serves as an extension of the firearm itself, complementing its appearance. Many shooters opt for custom-made leather holsters with decorative detailing.

✅ COMFORT
From a practical standpoint, leather holsters share some characteristics with nylon ones—most notably comfort. Leather is relatively soft, doesn’t tend to create pressure points, and is generally comfortable to wear.

❌ MAINTENANCE
Leather holsters do come with some downsides. First and foremost, they are not maintenance-free. Sweat and moisture can be even more damaging to leather than to textile holsters. Exposure to direct sunlight or freezing temperatures can cause the material to dry out and crack. Proper care is essential—but with it, a quality leather holster can last for decades.

❌ BREAK-IN PERIOD
Before first use, leather holsters often require a break-in period, allowing them to conform to the contours of the firearm. It’s similar to a new pair of leather shoes—you need to wear them in before they fit just right. Once broken in, the fit can be excellent. However, leather is not a fully rigid material, and its retention will generally be slightly lower than that of Kydex—though still better than most nylon holsters.

❌ PRICE
Leather is a premium material, and naturally, it comes at a higher price point than both nylon and Kydex alternatives.

Kydex Holsters

Today, polymer holsters are by far the most popular choice, with Kydex being the most widely used material. It’s a durable, thermoformable plastic that offers an excellent balance of rigidity and resilience. Thanks to these properties, Kydex holsters are highly favored, and the vast majority of users swear by them.

There’s a wide range of manufacturers on the market offering Kydex holsters with various features and refinements. Covering them all would take too long, so let’s focus on the key advantages and drawbacks.

✅ RETENTION
As mentioned earlier, one of the main advantages is excellent retention. With a properly made and adjusted holster, the firearm “clicks” securely into place and stays firmly retained.

Most Kydex holsters allow you to fine-tune retention by tightening or loosening screws, so the draw resistance matches the user’s preference. The exact procedure is typically described in the manufacturer’s instructions.

✅ DURABILITY
Another major benefit is durability. Sweat, water, dust, sunlight, or freezing temperatures have little to no effect on Kydex.

✅ RIGIDITY
Kydex’s rigidity is not only beneficial for longevity but also for safety. The holster maintains its shape even during IWB carry, making reholstering intuitive and significantly reducing the risk of any material entering the trigger guard—an issue sometimes seen with nylon or lower-quality leather holsters.

✅ DIY-FRIENDLY
Kydex is easy to work with, which means that with some skill and the right tools, it’s possible to make a holster at home. This is far more difficult with leather or nylon.

Like any material, Kydex also has its downsides.

❌ COMFORT
The primary drawback is related to its rigidity. Proper holster design and positioning are crucial, especially considering the user’s body type. Otherwise, the holster may create pressure points and become uncomfortable.

That said, most manufacturers account for this and design their holsters to fit comfortably for the majority of users. This issue is more noticeable with IWB holsters. In OWB carry, it’s less of a concern, as there’s typically a layer of clothing and a belt between the holster and the body.

❌ WEAR ON FINISH
Another downside is the tight and rigid fit. On some firearms, this can lead to localized wear on the finish, especially around edges and protrusions.

On the other hand, most modern firearms no longer rely on traditional bluing, but instead use more advanced surface treatments—such as nitriding—which are far more resistant to this type of wear.

A close-up of a Kydex holster highlighting its rigid construction and adjustable retention, ensuring secure firearm retention and a smooth, consistent draw.

Which Firearm Holster to Choose: Final Recommendation

So, when all is said and done—which holster should you choose?

Unless you have a specific reason to go another route, Kydex is the most rational choice. It’s safe, durable, affordable, and available in a wide range of configurations for most pistols on the market.

An alternative is polymer holsters with active retention from reputable manufacturers such as Cytac. These, however, are typically designed for OWB carry. If you’re looking for an IWB holster, Kydex remains the top choice.