However, a major issue that exists with shoulder holsters, despite their versatility, is comfort. No shoulder holster is created equal and no shoulder holster is certainly created with the same levels of comfort.
Obviously the only person who can decide which specific shoulder holster system is the most comfortable for you yourself, but to provide you with some suggestions, we have a list of four shoulder holsters that in addition to having a reputation for ruggedness and durability are also well liked for their added comfort. These are, in our humble opinion, the most comfortable shoulder holsters on the market.
UTG Deluxe Universal Horizontal Shoulder Holster
This is one of the most basic (and budget-friendly) shoulder holsters that you can buy. It sells for a little less than twenty and is constructed out of PVC, so it’s not exactly going to be the longest lasting shoulder holster on the market.
On the other hand, it comes equipped with a lot of the same features, such as being completely adjustable and able to swap the holster and mag carries from the left to right arm, that you would expect on a higher priced holster. For someone on a serious budget, this is one of the most practical and comfortable shoulder holsters available.
New Barsony Leather Shoulder Holster
The New Barsony Leather shoulder holster is designed primarily for concealed carry and for compact automatic pistols. Guns like the Glock 26, the S&W Shield and the Walther PPS are the perfect candidates for this should holster (though, it fits tons of other ones too; just pick your gun from a list). Its leather design means it will last through both thick and thin, and it’s designed to minimize the outline of the weapon and provide deep concealment. A small leather snap and button retains the weapon as it rides horizontally.
What makes the holster exceptionally comfortable is the way it was designed. On the shoulder where the weapon will be carried you’ll see a thickly padded section of strap that is much wider than the rest of the holster. The wide strap helps balance the weight of the gun and keeps it comfortable day in and day out. Hands down, this is one of the best and most comfortable shoulder holsters out there.
Gould & Goodrich Gold Line Shoulder Holster
You simply can’t look at shoulder holsters without looking at a model from Gould & Goodrich. This specific model in the link is made for a Glock 9mm/.40 pistol (see the ones available for other calibers), but the same level of quality exists for all of Gould & Goodrich’s shoulder holsters.
Offered in both black and brown, the Gold Line shoulder holster from Gould & Goodrich is completely adjustable. But the best feature about this is how you can wear it under a very light jacket without it printing badly because the straps of the holster lay as flat as they can due to a back swivel.
Galco Miami Classic Shoulder Holster System
Easily one of the most reputable shoulder holsters of all time is the Galco Miami Classic. First introduced in the early 1970s, it has become one of the most preferred shoulder holsters by professionals and civilians alike in the decades since. There’s good reason why.
The Miami Classic creates a lasting comfort for the user due to its high quality leather, spider harness pivot, and clover shaped swivel back plate that result in a perfect fit. This is a fully modular shoulder holster that is available in both black and tan and can be made for both semi-automatic pistols and revolvers. The specific model in the link is for a 5-inch 1911 pistol, but the same level of quality is consistent across all other caliber models of the Miami Classic (see them here).
Considerations When Looking for a Shoulder Holster
The goal of this article has been to show you what some of the most comfortable shoulder holsters are available on the market today and in a variety of different price ranges. But there are still some considerations that you should take into account before buying one.
One such consideration is to try the shoulder holster on your person before you buy. You can try them at a sporting goods store then buy them then and there—or, if you want to save some money, buy the model online. Another option is to pick a few online, have them sent over, try them on, and send back the ones you don’t want (be careful that the merchant has a friendly return policy, though).
Another consideration is that the holster must be fully protective of your handgun. The safety, trigger, and hammer cannot be exposed or else you run the risk of them being moved while wearing the shoulder holster, which could result in a tragic accident.
Going along with this, your holster also needs to have plenty of retention when holding the gun. It should be fully compatible with your specific gun make and model and there must be minimal slippage or moving around when the gun is holstered. If there is too little retention, again, the controls on the gun can be moved that could result in a fatal accident.
Last but not least, the most comfortable shoulder holsters obviously need to be adjustable. If it isn’t, it simply isn’t going to be very nice for you to wear. Regardless of the weight of the holster or how much shoulder padding there is (which are both also important), if there’s no adjustability then it’s very likely not going to be a big fit. Keep in mind that when you’re trying on holsters and one isn’t feeling right, it may be because it’s not adjusted properly either. Try all of the different adjustment levels on the holster before determining it’s not right for you.
