Kydex vs. Leather holster

[fbuccino]

I'm looking into a holster for my CZ75-SP01. Kydex is a faster holster, but is it harder on the finish vs. leather? What do most people prefer, leather or Kydex?

[ravie]

For IWB I use a hybrid leather/kydex molded holster. Super comfortable and keeps the pistol secure and in place. For OWB I use a molded leather holster, helps smooth out the shape and is a bit thinner.

[L84CABO]

It's purely personal preference. Some people just like leather better and some like kydex better.

Generally it is regarded that Kydex is harder on finishes than leather. But leather will wear too. Some people have also noted that some kydex holsters wear only at the points where kydex comes in contact with the gun...like on the "edges" of the pistol. Leather wears less but wears across the entire surface of the pistol. Again, there can be much variation across holsters, designs, etc.

Personally, wear is something I advise all new shooters to get used to and not let it be the determining factor when selecting a holster. If you don't want wear, then make the gun a safe queen and never carry it. Otherwise, if you're going to carry it, expect that it will wear. It's a tool. Take care of it but like any tool that you use, wear is going to happen.

Kydex is usually lower maintenance. It usually stands up better to the elements, requires zero break-in time and is usually regarded as faster.

Leather is usually regarded as more elegant, is usually preferred if it's going to IWB and next to your skin (although most appendix rigs are usually kydex), but leather takes some time to break in. Give the break-in process some thought if you're worried about wear. You will likely need to do 100-500 practice draws to break-in a new leather holster which will put added wear on your gun...but you should be practicing your draws anyway sooooooooo...

Also, as a new shooter expect that you will end up with a drawer full of holsters eventually. It takes some time, trial and error, to figure out what holster and type of carrying will work best for you. Everyone is different. Which is why most shooters eventually end up with a drawer full of "wrong choices." Two schools of thought here...buy cheaper holsters in the beginning until you figure out what works for you or stick with the high quality popular holsters so that you can more easily sell the holsters that don't work for you. I'm in the later camp. Plus I think your life is worth more than a cheap holster.

With the above said, if you're looking for more specific feedback, give us as much info as you can on how you intend to carry and your needs and we can try to direct you to a few choices.

Also note that a good, high quality, purpose built gun belt is an absolute must. It may even be more important than the holster itself. So don't skimp when it comes to a good belt.

[owenv]

[floogy]

Having carried nylon, leather, hybrid and kydex, I prefer kydex. Retention is better, plus everything else others have already mentioned.

I have a very nice leather belt holster for my 1911 from Horseshoe Holsters in the UK. But the cost/benefit ratio of kydex is much better. To get a leather holster as well made as that one, it will likely cost twice as much as kydex. Also, because of the tight molding on the Horseshoe holster, it seems to wear the finish more than kydex.

Many softer holsters have the tendency to become more pliable over time, good for comfort, bad for everything else. If it is near the trigger guard, it can fold over and get stuck. There was a case of someone carrying a Glock in a suede holster. The material folded over into the trigger guard and the gun fired, grazing his thigh and going into the floor of the car.

[BrokerB]

I have been using 3 different crossbreed holsters 350 days a year for 5 years now.

If someone's crossbreed holster came off it was due to crappy belt or did not put it on all the way.

[BrokerB]

hahaha..that is funny,

So the two that you "witnessed" at a class...is what you call under duress?

Proper belt and put on correctly has caused no issues for me. Even when I am doing force on force and squirrel rolls to 1 footed weak arm shooting. There is more to your story of 2 CB's coming out with gun. Either ill fitted to gun or not put on correctly with a purpose made belt.

Some of us are built differently. I am not fat and round or a skinny bean pole. Calling a Crossbreed a "floppy" holster well.... I have not a had floppy one. Not sure what holster that is . Mine are all QuickClip or microtuck. These are not floppy at all.

[ruddogg]

FWIW - Have Crossbreed SuperTucks and Milt Sparks VM2 for all 3 of my ccw guns. I also have the Garrett Industries Silent Thunder for my PPS.

The Crossbreed gets used 90% of the time.

But like others have said, a good gun belt is just as important, if not more important than the holster.

[tnlrat37]

I have a hybrid Stealthgear, half kydex half some other stuff that is very comfortable and breathable. Not sure how to describe it but it's awesome.

[Maht_g]

hahaha..that is funny,

So the two that you "witnessed" at a class...is what you call under duress?

Proper belt and put on correctly has caused no issues for me. Even when I am doing force on force and squirrel rolls to 1 footed weak arm shooting. There is more to your story of 2 CB's coming out with gun. Either ill fitted to gun or not put on correctly with a purpose made belt.

Some of us are built differently. I am not fat and round or a skinny bean pole. Calling a Crossbreed a "floppy" holster well.... I have not a had floppy one. Not sure what holster that is . Mine are all QuickClip or microtuck. These are not floppy at all.

I agree, hybrid is the best in my uneducated, non-mall cop opinion. Never had a "floppy" one, even with generic brands.

[fbuccino]

Thanks for all the tips. Basically I just need to get over the wear and tear.

[CMBrowning]

The mouth of a kydex holster will stay open and make re holstering without looking a breeze. I found out leather likes to close up and not be so easy to reholster when iwb. Kydex owb is nice but loud if you bump into something. Not a huge deal.

If I had a leather holster it would strictly be for owb.

I use a LAG defender. Converts iwb or owb. Kydex with a lifetime warranty. And yes, I've used the warranty once over 4 years. Great company.

[offrdmania]

I like the conformity of all leather, it tends to shape better to my body. I have gone through many holsters and always come back to leather. Its a personal preference for my comfort. As for leather closing up when putting the weapon back in, its the taking out time that will save your life. Putting it back in I can take all the time I need.

[teflondog]

For IWB carry I prefer hybrid holsters because I don't like the way kydex digs into me while sitting. I prefer the Comptac MTAC holster and I replace the C-clips with snap loops. There were a few times when I went to draw and the entire holster came out with the gun because the C-clips slipped off the belt. I haven't had any problems so far with the snap loops.

Kydex wears the finish faster but only on the high points and edges that make contact with the gun. Leather wears the finish more slowly but more of the surface area gets worn.

[Mossy Man]

I use kydex

Stronger trigger guard protection
Lasts longer
Cheaper
Lighter