Best Bellybands for Women's Concealed Carry - Product Roundup
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Bellybands have long been a popular choice for women's concealed carry; based on data from my Holsters quiz, 56% of women who conceal-carry use one. But what makes this a preferred method, and how do you know if you're purchasing a good product?
In the last seven years that I've been carrying a gun, I've tried multiple bellybands, and I'm delighted with the recent improvements companies have made to this product. Bellybands have come a long way, from simple elastic bands with pockets to bands supporting Kydex holsters. Today I’d like to share my favorites and what I see as the pros and cons.
Why wear a Bellyband?
People choose bellybands for a variety of reasons:
More comfortable than a belt - This is a personal preference and can vary based on body type and what the individual has grown accustomed to, but some women find bellybands to be more comfortable than a belt
Beltless Clothing - A bellyband offers a solution for carrying when your clothes lack belt loops—for example, leggings, stretch pants, sweatpants, skirts, etc.
To prevent printing - Bellybands are often characterized by a band of elastic that compresses the gun to your body. In some cases, this conceals better than other holster options and can allow you to wear more form-fitting clothes.
Flexibility of placement - Most bellybands are adjustable, allowing for placement anywhere on the torso, which is handy for comfort and concealment.
For exercising - Not only do bellybands work with beltless athletic wear, but many are made from sweat-wicking material, and when there's good retention, you can exercise while wearing one.
Are bellybands comfortable?
Many people find bellybands more comfortable than a belt and Kydex holster due to the soft material and flex that allows the holster to move with your body.
When bellybands are uncomfortable, there's often a fix:
The band can chafe your skin (add a tank top)
Too tight around the hips can cause muscle fatigue when you walk (Loosen it or choose a version with more stretch).
Too tight on the lungs can make breathing more difficult. (Loosen it or choose a version with more stretch.)
If it rides up, it can become too loose. This is common for pear-shaped women. (Try wearing the band under your pants instead of overtop. Or wear it at the natural waist instead of hips.)
What should I look for in a bellyband?
A good bellyband should be comfortable, adjustable, stay in place, and retain the gun well. While comfort is subjective, it's generally agreed that the bellyband should not cut into your skin or induce pain. Choose one that is adjustable but secure - check the enclosures (hooks, snaps, or Velcro) to make sure it stays securely wrapped around your torso.
The gun should remain in the holster no matter what movements you make. Test the retention by holstering an unloaded gun and try all kinds of movement - jumping, sitting down, bending over, running, burpees, etc. The results will reveal how good the retention is and show you if it's an appropriate bellyband for working out.
Trigger protection is another high priority. Thankfully, there are options with a Kydex trigger cover, but at the very least, use a manual safety.
Pros and Cons of using a bellyband
What clothing can I wear with a bellyband?
Unsurprisingly, so many women choose to use a bellyband because they're one of the most versatile holsters, working with various clothing and placing the gun near your hands for a quick draw.
Clothes to wear with a bellyband:
Leggings/ yoga pants
Sweatpants
Athletic shorts
(This is where bellybands shine: they provide a method to conceal carry when your pants don't have belt loops.)
Skirts – A thigh holster is also an option, but it does place the gun farther away from your reach. A bellyband provides quick access by placing the gun inside the waistband of your skirt.
Dresses – It will depend on your body type and the cut of the dress, but you may be able to conceal it with a bellyband under it. For example, a shift dress hands straight down from the shoulders, so if your waist pinches in, this provides a spot for the gun to nest secretly.
Jeans – Although bellybands shine with belt-less clothing, you can wear them when your pants include belt loops.
Top Five bellybands for women's concealed carry
Blackhawk N.A.C.H.O.
$84.90 (With Kydex)
N.A.C.H.O. stands for Non-Conventional Adaptive Carry Holster Option. Even though it's not your traditional belt and Kydex holster, it provides nearly the same retention and stability. The front portion of this band is very structured, so you don't have to wear it as tight to keep the gun from tilting away from your body. The stability differs from a belt because the band could move upward a little when you draw the gun. Still, the band is adjustable, and you can control how tight you make it.
The N.A.C.H.O. wraps around your torso and secures with a large square of Velcro. It's compatible with most Kydex holsters, which you clip to the 1.5' belt section in the front. However, Blackhawk recommends their Stache IWB Base Holster, which has a unique clip that allows you to easily adjust the gun's ride height and cant (or angle).
The back of the band stretches, which allows it to move with your body and makes it highly comfortable. It also features additional pockets for items such as your magazine, flashlight, credit card, ChapStick, etc.
Crossbreed Holsters Modular 2.0
$74.95 (With Kydex) Purchase this holster.
The Modular 2.0 is incredibly versatile. You can wear it anywhere on your torso, but thanks to its significant Velcro backing, the holster is removable and can be used inside other concealed carry products such as a purse or jacket.
When it comes to sizing, you should size up. I ordered my usual size (small), which works great around my natural waist, but I need to size up to wear around my hips. At first try, the holster and gun appear to print, but you can adjust the ride height by carefully placing the Kydex. Plus, angling the Velcro will tuck the grip closer to your body.
The band consists of a soft, breathable, comfortable, and sweat-wicking neoprene. It includes a Velcro section to secure the holster and a pocket for your spare magazine. The Velcro-backed holster comes in black or a few unique prints sold on their standard and custom shop pages. Plus, they offer a 2-week trial period to ensure you're satisfied with your holster.
Falco Holsters Kydex Reinforced Belly Band (Side Carry)
$139.95 Purchase this holster
I love the innovation Falco has used to create a bellyband designed explicitly for side carry. When searching for the perfect bellyband, a hard trigger cover is high on my list, and Falco's Kydex Reinforced model achieves this through a unique design concept. While other bands use a detachable holster with Velcro or a clip, Falco has sewn Kydex strips into the elastic of their bellyband. Screwed into those strips is a Kydex holster meant for this bellyband which you can switch out to carry a different gun.
You could technically wear this over your appendix, but it's more appropriate on the side of your hip due to the slight curve in the Kydex strips and holster. When carrying a gun on your hip, a vest, jacket, or button-down shirt is a great way to conceal it.
Falco's bellyband is comfortable and convenient, with five extra pockets for other items. Plus, if you're worried about the heat, stripes in the elastic allow airflow to cool you down.
Crossbreed Liberty Band
Purchase $34.95 Purchase this holster
The Liberty Band acts more like a belt without the need for belt loops. After securing the band around your hips or waist, clip on your Kydex holster and stretch a second band overtop to adjust the compression. The Liberty Band works with any Kydex holster and accommodates a 1.5-inch holster clip.
The band is made from a unique blend of nylon and rubber. I found it to be extremely comfortable because it stretches so much. I ordered my usual size (small) and experienced the band moving when I tried to draw the gun, so I recommend sizing down. If you currently carry a Kydex holster, the Liberty Band will open up a lot more clothing options. It's worth trying, especially since they offer a 2-week trial period to ensure you're satisfied with your holster.
Falco Holsters Kydex Reinforced Belly Band (Appendix Carry)
Similar to their bellyband made for Side Carry, Falco also has a version designed specifically for Appendix Carry, which features the same five extra pockets for storage (one of which has a retention strap) and stripes in the elastic that allow airflow to cool you down.
On this holster, the sewn-in Kydex strips are flat, which makes it easier to conceal the firearm without any printing. The Kydex portion is 6.5” from side to side, and the band is four ¾” wide. If you have a small frame, it may feel a tad on the bulky side, but even still, I found a suitable placement on my torso where the gun is snug to my body. The design does an excellent job of adding compression to a Kydex holster for optimal concealment.
Crossbreed Flex Concealment N8
$26.21 Purchase this holster
The N8 bellyband from Crossbreed may be considered a budget option, but don't underestimate its performance. It looks like your basic bellyband with a soft pocket, except they reinforced the inside back of the firearm pocket with a stiff, somewhat grippy material. The added material gives it more structure and makes it easier to re-holster the gun.
Where the N8 may lack trigger protection, it makes up for with compression, helping you conceal in those more fitted tops. After securing the band with Velcro, a second band wraps over the gun, which allows you to adjust the compression. Just make sure to add a trigger cover or use a manual safety.
I used to wear a bellyband around my hips that was so tight it caused muscle fatigue during extended walks. However, the N8 offers more stretch and movement with my body, so I have yet to experience this problem. It's very comfortable, can be worn on your hips or around your waist, and includes a pocket for a spare magazine.
