Regardless of whether you choose to carry your primary or your back-up gun on your ankle, there are two things you need to know: finding the best ankle holsters on the market and how to draw your pistol from the ankle. Cheap or poor quality ankle holsters will be the most uncomfortable mode of conceal carrying on the planet; however, ankle holsters that are made out of nylon tend to be much more comfortable.
Fortunately, we’re here to inform you what the 4 most ergonomic and secure ankle holsters are:
Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Kodra Nylon Ankle Holster
The Uncle Mike’s Kodra nylon holster is able to conceal everything from small to compact large semi autos. This holster is very comfortable to wear against your skin, thanks to the soft knit fabric that offers lots of comfort. The added foam not only provides you with extra padding, but also is a natural moisture barrier. Your firearm will be retained with the nylon web strap that has a reinforced thumb break. Right and left models exist for this holster. This is easily one of the best ankle holsters period.
Blackhawk! Ankle Holster
Made out of quality materials and being tested out in the field itself, Blackhawk! Products are built to outlast the worst types of conditions and see another day. With Blackhawk!, you’ll definitely get what you pay for. The retention strap for this holster is non-stretch and the thumb break molded, and the fabric is soft knit and offers some of the best comfort you could ask for on an ankle holster, so it doesn’t act like an ankle torture device instead.
Galco Ankle Glove
People who are serious about conceal carrying on the ankle almost universally praise the Galco Ankle Glove. This is an ankle holster that you can wear around your ankle eighty hours a week all year long … and completely forget about it (at least until you need it). The reason why the Ankle Glove is so comfortable is thanks to the neoprene ankle ban and the Velcro closure that make this holster easy to wear for extended periods of time. For added padding, Galco has added sheepskin in between the ankle and the holster. In order to keep the firearm fully secured while moving, a thumb break system ensures that the weapon is kept fully retained. The Ankle Glove always comes in a black finish, but comes in semi-auto or revolver and right ankle or left ankle models. This should sit near the top of any list of the best ankle holster.
DeSantis Apache Ankle Holster
One reason why people avoid ankle holsters is because of how they can ‘rock’ along the ankle, resulting in much discomfort and soreness. DeSantis sought to remedy this issue with their Apache Ankle Holster, which is produced for both semi-autos and small frame revolvers and has a Velcro thumb break to keep the weapon fully secured. The reason the Apache will not motion itself like more ankle holsters do around your leg is because it is primarily constructed out of an elasticized leg band and subverts the issue.
Ankle Holster Basics
We’ve all seen at least one movie or TV show where a character loses their primary sidearm but draws a little back-up gun from their ankle holster to vanquish a villain right before it appears they will be dispatched. However, ankle holsters are just as popular with real people as they are with movie characters, especially with police officers who often carry a back-up handgun in an ankle holster.
But as convenient as they are for keeping your back-up gun, there is no denying that ankle holsters can also be very cumbersome to wear at times. It will take time to get used to this weight, and while you can circumvent this discomfort by wearing your holster properly on your weak leg (the opposite side of your drawing hand), when it comes down to it the only way that you can truly be comfortable with an ankle holster is to wear a good one, and a good ankle holster is one that is secure and comfy. However, no ankle holster is secure and comfy for everybody.
That may sound basic, but it’s also true. Yes, you’ll have to wear wider pants or trousers with any kind of ankle holster, and you may need to change your footwear. These will be issues that not even a good ankle holster can fix.
Regardless of whether you choose one of the four ankle holsters that we have listed or a different one entirely, your ankle holster must wrap very securely around your ankle with an extra strap that will attach at or above your calf in order to stop your holster from slipping due to the weight of the gun.
Many ankle carry guns can weigh between one to one and a half pounds, and while that may not sound like much on paper, it’s a lot to be packing on your lower leg. That’s why it’s important that your ankle holster meet the two basic requirements of being comfortable and secure.
Like we have already discussed, everybody is different and reacts differently to different holsters, so we recommend that you buy two or three ankle holsters at a time and then wear each one for between one to two weeks before trying another. There is nothing wrong with taking your time in choosing a holster, or in admitting that one didn’t work out and tossing it into the closet.
Any of the best ankle holsters that we have suggested are top of the line options, and are designed to provide the user with maximum comfort and retention for their handgun. But once you do find an ankle holster that works well for you, all you have to do then is practice!
