Best Leather Holsters
When looking for the best leather holsters on the market, you will find you run into kydex almost everywhere you look. While kydex is popular for good reason, classic leather holsters are also a great option for concealed carry if you know what to look for to make it effective.
A quality leather holster, or even a a hybrid leather/kydex holster, can make carrying a concealed firearm much more comfortable as well as stylish. Some of the modern leather holsters also add some of the features that make other holsters popular today.
The Best Leather Holsters
Today’s leather holsters are typically not the same as your grandfather’s leather holsters. The current generation of leather holsters incorporate some of the best features of modern holsters while keeping the great feel, look, and smell of leather.
While our list includes some of the best holsters on the market, we understand they might not be your cup of tea. Be sure to read past the list to see what to look for in your leather holster.
1. The Independence IWB Holster by We The People
- Hand-crafted in the USA for a perfect fit
- 4 Layers of premium leather for maximum durability
- Inner layer offers protection against wear on your firearm
- Tuckable clips
Save 15% at WeThePeopleHolsters.com with Code: CCS15
We The People is well known for their great Kydex holsters, and some people might not be aware that they offer some top of the line leather holsters as well. This holster that We The People offers is called the “Independence” and is our favorite IWB leather holster option.
These holsters are custom made and hand crafted here in the USA. They are built with your firearm in mind to ensure a great fit. This is something I love in a leather holster. Your carry gun will be secure and the trigger protected well.
Designed by a master leather craftsman, 20 year Navy veteran, and IDPA competitive shooter, our premium leather holsters are hand-crafted in the USA using the highest quality vegetable-tanned leather from patriotic cows. Each leather holster is custom-tailored to your specific handgun for perfect fit and strong retention. The Independence uses a proprietary design to maximize retention, comfort, and ease of use.
We The People
If you are looking for a high quality, top of the line leather holster, click on the link above. Be sure to use our coupon code as well, because these holsters are not cheap.
If you love this holster, but prefer carrying outside the waistband, scroll down a bit and check out the Independence OWB holster that is offered by We The People.
2. Relentless Tactical Defender Leather Holster
- Made in the USA
- Made from genuine USA bullhide leather
- Fit most subcompact 9mm & large .380 handguns
- Inexpensive
Leather holsters tend to be more expensive than their Kydex counterparts. If you love leather, but have a limited budget, then the Defender by Relentless Tactical is the holster for you.
This holster is available through Amazon with the link above and will cost you a fraction of the price of most other leather holsters. If you have less than $50 but want a quality leather holster that still protects the trigger and allows for a good draw, go with the Defender.
Like most of the holsters on our list, this one is made in the USA. I know this is really important to many of our readers. Add in the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty and fits a wide variety of firearms, you can’t go wrong with this budget holster.
3. Crossbreed Holsters Mini Tuck Hybrid Holster
- Made in the USA
- Inside the Waistband; 3 to 5 O'clock Position
- Black Cowhide Leather Backer
Save 15% at CrossBreedHolsters.com with Code: CCS15
If you like the flexibility and look of leather, but also like the function of Kydex, then a hybrid holster might be best for you. Hybrid holsters combine leather backing with a Kydex shell to lock the firearm in place.
CrossBreed offers some of the best hybrid holsters on the market. This Mini Tuck holster is perfect for concealed carry just behind the hip. It offers great comfort as well as security for holding your carry gun.
While the Mini Tuck might not be a super low priced budget option, it does come in much lower than fully leather holsters. If you use our coupon code listed above, you also save a good amount of money on the already respectable price.
4. CrossBreed Holsters Reckoning Hybrid Holster
- Multiple points of retention adjustment
- Can be worn inside of the waistband on the strong side, appendix, or cross draw positions
- Can also be easily converted to an outside of the waistband holster with simple hardware
Save 15% at CrossBreedHolsters.com with Code: CCS15
Just like the Mini Tuck, the Reckoning is a great hybrid holster from CrossBreed. If you prefer to carry appendix, or just prefer a smaller package in a holster then this may be the choice for you.
The Reckoning Holster can be worn inside of the waistband on the strong side, appendix, or cross draw positions. This can also be easily converted to an outside of the waistband holster with simple hardware.
CrossBreed Holsters
I love CrossBreed holsters. You can also find their gun belts to be a great addition to your carry set up as well, making this a great one stop place to get you going on a great every day concealed carry set up.
5. The Independence OWB Holster by We The People
- Handcrafted in the USA
- Made from premium full grain leather
- Perfect fit for strong retention
- Each leather holster is custom-tailored to your specific handgun for perfect fit and strong retention
Save 15% at WeThePeopleHolsters.com with Code: CCS15
As we mentioned above, We The People make the best leather holsters. If you want a leather OWB holster that looks great while locking your gun in place with some great retention, the Independence OWB is perfect.
Everything we said about the IWB version can be repeated for this one. It is very similar, but made to be worn outside the waistband.
If you are going to open carry, then why not show off a very nice holster. This would be perfect for working on the ranch, wearing around the house, or sporting at your family’s 4th of July party.
6. Galco Combat Master OWB Leather Holster
- Premium steerhide
- Traditional pancake design
- Fits belts up to 1 3/4"
- Full slide/barrel coverage
This leather OWB holster is similar to the We The People option, but comes in a little less expensive. Made by Galco who is known for some great leather holsters, the Combat Master is a classic.
Pairing this with your favorite leather gun belt will have you set for many years as the quality materials and craftsmanship makes this a very long lasting option.
While we don’t have a great coupon code like we do for some of the other brands, we still like Galco holsters and they come in affordable (for a leather holster anyway).
7. Galco Miami Classic II Leather Shoulder Holster
- Premium steerhide holster and magazine carrier
- Silhouetted design accommodates multiple barrel/slide lengths
- Full grain leather harness with swiveling Flexalon back plate
- Fits chests up to 52"
While shoulder holsters are not the most common, many people just love the comfort they provide. If you are going to go with a shoulder holster, why not go leather.
Galco’s Miami Classic II leather shoulder holster is not only extremely classic looking, it is very functional. The premium steer hide shoulder holster includes a double magazine holster as well.
One thing to remember, if you have never used a shoulder holster you should sign up for a concealed carry class and learn how to draw from it. It is very different than the typical IWB and OWB holsters.
As far as price is concerned…this is the most expensive option on the list. However it should last you a lifetime, so buying quality may be worth it.
What To Look For In A Leather Holster
Buying a leather holster is slightly different than buying a Kydex holster. While there are many similarities, we want to point out a few details that you need to keep an eye out for when shopping for your perfect leather holster.
Retention
The main issue some people have with leather holsters is that many of them become very flimsy and do not lock the firearm into place.
The holsters we put on our list above use high quality leather and many are molded to lock a gun in place. While you don’t exactly need it to lock the gun into place, it is preferred. The important thing to keep an eye on is how the holster is holding up. If you purchase a lower quality holster, it might not last as long.
Secure Trigger Guard
Along with the importance of retention comes a secure trigger guard. You will want your entire trigger guard to be covered by the holster.
Most importantly, because this is common in older leather holsters, is that you keep an eye on the leather that goes near the trigger guard. Some times, after time, the leather can become flimsy and cause the trigger to be pulled while holstering your firearm. Just be sure to purchase a holster with high quality stiff leather.
Know Your Carry Position
No matter your holster materials, it is important to know where you want to carry before you buy your holster. Our list above includes leather options for IWB, OWB, and Shoulder. There are other options for concealed carry, but most of them are not leather so I’ll leave them alone for now.
Some holsters can be used in more than one position. Be sure to read all the details while you are shopping for your holster and find out where the holster is designed to be worn.
Leather Holster FAQ
How long do leather holsters last?
A quality leather holster should last you a lifetime. It is wise to occasionally inspect your holster for wear and damage. Read your holsters instructions to see if leather protectant is needed to care for your holster.
How do you break in a leather holster?
Many high quality leather holsters will not need to be broken in. Read your holsters directions before attempting to break it in. If you do have a holster that needs broken in, check out these tips by Black Hills Leather.
Will a leather holster damage or scratch my gun?
All holsters, including leather holsters, will wear on your gun over time at the contact points. If you are practicing like you should this is unavoidable. However, high quality leather is a great option for getting minimal wear on your firearm.
Are leather holsters more comfortable?
Leather holsters can be very comfortable. There are many things to consider when deciding if a holster will be comfortable, and these depend on the specific holster. Some people find leather holsters extremely comfortable.
Are leather holsters safe?
Leather holsters can be a very safe option for carrying a firearm. While I recommend Kydex for securing your gun and trigger guard, you will need to purchase a high quality leather holster and keep an eye on the key points of the holster to ensure safety.
Conclusion
Leather holsters can be a great option for concealed carry. However, it is important that you know what to look for when shopping for your next holster.
Our list provides many great options, and we gave tips on what to look for if you decide to pick out a different option.
If you have decided that you don’t mind going with some other options for a holster, be sure to read our article The Best Concealed Carry Holsters and find one that works best for you.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will need a quality concealed carry belt. To find out what we recommend be sure to check out The Best Concealed Carry Belts to pair up with your holster and have you ready to carry daily!
