Hybrid IWB Holsters Explained: Where Comfort Meets Retention

"Hybrid" means a blend of two (or more) things into one new whole. Hybrid cars combine gasoline and electric power. Hybrid animals like pizzly bears and ligers blend facets of the parent species into something new. Hybrid holsters take the best parts of leather and rigid retention portions, and combine them in a way that optimizes the best parts of both. This article will look at hybrid holsters, their pros and cons, and when you might consider adding one to your rotation.

Disclaimer: Falco Holsters provided this holster and sponsored this article.

Background

All holsters need to balance secure carriage of the gun with the comfort of the wearer and ease of access. If comfort and access speed did not matter, a gun manufacturer's hard shipping case would be ideal. But that is obviously not a workable solution.

When I first started carrying a gun regularly, I went through an array of holsters trying to figure out what I liked. Out of that initial batch, the one that earned the top spot in my rotation was a hybrid holster from a local manufacturer. What drew me to it was the combination of comfort and retention. The kydex portion was molded to fit my Glock 19, and when the holster was worn, the pressure from my body through the soft leather pushed the gun into the Kydex portion and created that friction fit.

I also really liked the clip setup. The two belt attachments were spring steel and widely spaced. They kept the gun and holster stable while moving around, but also had enough give to keep the setup from binding uncomfortably. The clips were a tuckable design, too, offering deeper concealment.

Throughout my college years, this was my go-to setup for most situations. I wore it for countless miles on a motorcycle, on road trips, running errands, and on some dates. One 4th of July evening, while I was out with a girl to watch the fireworks on a secluded hillside, we were startled by a rustling in the bushes and a dark shape coming out of the brush in a hurry. My date panicked, and I moved to place myself between her and whatever it was. I executed a textbook draw stroke and found my tritium sights in the dark.

This was in the days before weapon lights were common on carry guns, and I used off-center vision to figure out what I was looking at. I soon discovered that I was holding a skunk at gunpoint, and that the only threat was that we would smell horrible for a few days. I holstered back up and waited for the worst, but, thankfully, the skunk decided to go its way in peace without leaving a scented surprise. I share this story because it is funny, but also because my hybrid IWB holster was comfortable to wear all day, and I had it with me when I thought I would need it, and it was both easy to draw from while seated and to reholster when it was clear that a gun was not needed.

Like most concealed carriers, I moved away from strong-side carry and embraced appendix carry as that came into vogue. But after several years of carrying appendix, I found myself spending my days almost entirely at a desk. The life of an office-dweller is short on hazards, but discomfort from a gun worn on the front of the waistband while sitting down is one of them. This took me back to strong-side carry.

Pros and Cons

All gun and gear choices have upsides and downsides. One of the trade-offs with a hybrid holster is that it usually only works for strong-side carry. Some appendix holsters can pull double duty and serve as a traditional holster at 3- or 4-o'clock. But hybrid holsters generally cannot, due to their footprint and steeper rake. Most of these holsters sit with a distinct muzzle back, grip-forward orientation, which is not a good fit for AIWB.

Most hybrid holsters follow this standard format, with a rigid retention portion and two offset mounting points on a leather backer. However, Falco has expanded the hybrid concept to include styles of holsters not generally thought of as “ traditional hybrid holsters.” The A911 holster uses a unique hybrid construction with a single-clip IWB rig. This uses leather to cover the slide & form a sweat guard that touches the body, and Kydex from both sides on the trigger guard portion for positive retention and protection of the trigger guard. Additionally, their A907 holster uses similar construction but with a pancake-style rig, and the A909 holster is an IWB option with a spare magazine carrier. They are all great for appendix inside the waistband carry, more on these later on. ( Or add which of them you prefer for appendix carry, please. ) 

Cheap hybrid holsters, like the no-name models often seen at gun shows, use cheap and flimsy leather for the backing. This thin leather can lose retention as it breaks in, allowing the gun to come loose at inopportune times. Skimping on leather quality can also cause the holster backer to flex in when the gun is drawn. If that leather is floppy enough, it can even protrude into the trigger guard and cause an unintended discharge.

In contrast, quality hybrid holsters use heavy-duty leather. Look for ⅛” thick (or 7 to 8 ounce) leather for the backing. Not only does this alleviate the holster collapse risk, but it also ensures that the gun stays securely in place for the long haul. The quality of the leather used by Falco was one of the first things that really struck me when I first unpacked these holsters. This leather is built to last!

One last point to consider is the overall size of hybrid holsters compared to other designs. These are among the wider options, thanks to the belt clips sitting on the leather extensions away from the pistol. This makes the holster thinner, so it does not dig in as much, but it can make placement difficult if your pants have belt loops in the wrong places. That large piece of leather against the body can also trap a lot of heat if it is not perforated or ventilated.

The wide configuration is one of the main perks of hybrid holsters, too, though. Much like a tank tread reduces surface pressure by spreading out the weight over a large area, hybrid holsters seldom develop hot spots, points of pressure where discomfort builds up. They also keep the rigid portions away from the body, so the surface that actually interfaces with you is soft.

Some manufacturers use padded synthetics instead of leather as the backing piece for hybrid holsters. After trying that out, I was unimpressed. It seemed like it always got hotter than the leather-backed versions, even though it should have let more air through. The padding also offered no comfort advantage over good old-fashioned leather.

This particular holster from Falco, the AX92, has some unique twists compared to other models. The leather is supple and features small ventilation holes along the surface, particularly between the hard shell and the belt clips. That keeps heat from building up behind the holster. This is particularly nice in warm climates! Another interesting feature is the carbon fiber retention piece. Rather than the usual Kydex or plastic seen on hybrid holsters, Falco used true carbon fiber. It is extremely light while also being strong. Again, this is real carbon fiber, as seen on race cars and fighter jets, not Kydex with a surface finish that looks like carbon fiber.

Other Falco hybrid holsters, like the A907 and A911, use hybrid construction but embrace different layouts. They combine the retention of Kydex with the comfort of leather in designs that have previously only been exclusively leather or Kydex. The A907 shown here accommodates a S&W 442 and looks like a standard Kydex AIWB rig complete with the wing, but the reverse side shows the leather construction.

The A911 L has a left-and-right orientation of the leather and Kydex, with the barrel channel in leather and the trigger and light guard in Kydex. This particular rig shows the breadth of the Falco lineup by fitting a Tisas Raider .45 ACP 1911 with a Streamlight TLR-1 flashlight. That is not the most common handgun for IWB use, but if that is what you need, they have a hybrid holster that will work!

What To Consider

When shopping for a hybrid holster, safety comes first. Look for a leather backer, like Falcos, that is not bulky near the trigger guard. Too much leather there, combined with flimsy construction, can cause an accidental discharge while reholstering. That risk also exists with shirts, car keys, and anything else that can end up inside the holster, too, meaning it is not a bad idea to look at a concealment holster while reinserting the gun if the situation allows.

Also, pay close attention to the clips. Lesser holsters often cut corners by using cheap and flimsy belt clips, but nicer holsters will incorporate belt attachments you can trust. When looking over a potential holster, always pay attention to those clips. Leather loops with snaps can be convenient to don and doff, but those can add extra bulk along the belt line. Steel clips are usually the best blend of retention, flex, and longevity. Whether you need the clips to be tuckable or not really depends on how you dress. I usually prefer to have the option.

Prices can vary widely on a hybrid rig. Quality materials will cost more, but the holster will last longer, be more comfortable, and retain the pistol better as it ages. As with all other holsters (and guns for that matter), you get what you pay for, and the “great deal” on a cheap holster is little consolation when you are 11 hours into a 14-hour day wearing an uncomfortable rig. Also, consider whether inside or outside waistband carry will work better for you and your lifestyle, and choose accordingly. And when selecting that holster, be sure to pick one that is perfectly matched to the gun it will carry. Unlike the old days, where holsters were often multi-fit jobs that did not fit any one thing particularly well, we now have access to perfectly-fit holsters even with accessories like weapon lights. Falco offers more than 2600 holster fitments, including support for over 100 weapon lights. Whatever it is you want to carry, Falco probably has a holster made specifically for it.  

Conclusion

Hybrid holsters may not be as common as they once were, but they still make sense for people who carry strong-side and want all-day comfort. The large leather backing reduces pressure points, and the retention shell still keeps the gun where it needs to stay while also being fast on the draw and remaining open for reholstering. If you find yourself wishing you could carry a pistol at the 3 or 4 o’clock position with as much comfort as possible, take a look at a hybrid holster. It just might be what you are looking for.