A chest holster is a great addition to any gunslinger’s gear. A quality chest holster can take your shooting skills from good to great and make you feel confident about carrying a firearm. They are easy to use, require no batteries or power sources, and can be easily concealed under clothing.
The best chest holsters come with an adjustable strap that goes around the upper portion of the chest just above the waistline. The other end of the strap has a buckle that sits just below the shoulder blades. When you run, the force of gravity pulls the chest forward which gives the appearance of a natural gait while significantly lessening the impact on the joints. There are many different styles and sizes of chest holsters available, so it is important to do some research before deciding on one. This guide will explore what factors one should consider when shopping for a new chest holster as well as some top picks by category.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Kenai Chest Holster
The best Kenai chest holster is one that keeps your gun secure while allowing you to draw it quickly if needed. Before making a purchase, consider where you will keep your pistol and whether a traditional leather holster or a more modern polymer version is better for your needs.
Intended Use
When selecting an appropriate firearm holster, there are several factors to consider including how much force you want the holster to stop (including drawing your weapon accidentally), how much space you have for it, and what style of holster you prefer.
- A heavy-duty holster with a strong retention mechanism can withstand some serious impact without firing your gun. However, even with a sturdy build, if the wrong person gets access to your gun, they could cause harm.
- Medium-retention holsters usually fire when pulled on too aggressively; however, they’re still a good option if you don’t want your gun to fire accidentally.
- Low-retention holsters tend to be the least protective but also the easiest to get into. They require you to press down on the handle in order to pull your gun out, which makes them vulnerable to attack from anyone standing behind you.
Material
While most people think of leather as being a classic gun holster material, modern manufacturers use synthetic materials like nylon and polyester instead. These fabrics hold up well, though not indestructible, and often come in stylish colors and patterns. Leather has its place, especially for those who want their gun to look nice or if they need a durable holster for working outdoors in all types of weather. Leather is a natural product, so it’s harder to protect against moisture exposure and bacteria buildup than synthetics, which are man-made fibers exposed to air and water.
Size and Fit
Kenai chest holsters are available in different sizes to fit different types of guns and various styles of clothing. The majority of these holsters include a waist strap, but some may lack one depending on the manufacturer. Waist straps help distribute weight across a wider area, making the gun feel lighter and reducing fatigue. A lot of this benefit comes from having the rig itself rather than just wearing the item around the neck, but a waist strap does add comfort and security.
For those who wear their guns inside out or upside down, a reversible waist strap allows you to wear the rig right side up or upside down. This feature isn’t common with every single holster, but it adds versatility and helps reduce friction between the gun and your body.
Style
There are many different ways to wear a gun belt, and each one affects both the appearance and functionality of the holster. Some popular styles include:
- Classic Western wear – This type of dress code requires a double-starred buckle and a straight leg from the hip down to the ankle. It typically includes a high stiffener along the front and back pockets and a low stiffener at the sides.
- Modern day – As opposed to classic western, modern day attire features a low-slung saddlebag design with a zipper running diagonally from top left to bottom right. There is no specific shape other than to say that it looks less like a gun belt and more like a regular pants pocket.
- Rigger/work boots – This is the typical off-duty uniform for deck hands and fishermen. Riggers wear thick wool socks, work jeans, and rubber boots. Their belts are generally wide and buckled at the waist, and they frequently carry tools in their pockets. Work boots go over the tops of the socks and extend past the waistband of the jeans to cover the entire foot, leaving only the toes showing. Both ringer and work boots can accommodate steel toe caps, protecting feet from injury and damage caused by stepping on nails and other hazards.
Price
As mentioned earlier, Kenai chest holsters vary widely in price, with some costing upwards of $1,000 and others going for less than $100. Naturally, the higher end models will provide greater protection and convenience, but they’ll likely cost more too. However, remember that quality doesn’t necessarily correlate with price tag. While expensive Kenai chest holsters might offer great protection, they could easily become stiff and restrictive if they aren’t worn correctly or if they don’t fit properly. Conversely, a cheaper model might not perform as well, but it won’t cost you anything if it doesn’t work.
Types Of Kenai Chest Holsters
There are several different types of kenai chest holsters on the market. Each has its own unique set of features and advantages.
Outside-the-waistband (OWB)
An outside-the-waistband holster is worn for carrying a firearm in an open loop, meaning that it’s not hooked onto your belt like most traditional gun belts. This type of rig allows you to keep both hands free to operate equipment or control your surroundings. The biggest advantage of OWB carry is comfort because there’s no pressure on your abdomen from being attached to a waist belt. However, this style of carry also makes concealment more difficult since your shirt can be lifted up if you have long hair or aren’t wearing a jacket.
Inside-the-waistband (IWB)
An inside-the-waistband holster is worn for carrying a firearm in a closed loop, meaning that it’s hooked into your belt like most conventional gun belts. This type of holster requires you to use one hand to draw your weapon unless you wear a two-gun holster with a muzzle guard. This style of carry provides the greatest level of concealability due to the fact that your pants cannot be pulled down without removing your shoes and reaching behind your back to unsnap your holster. The disadvantage of carrying an IWB is that drawing your weapon requires you to reach under your armpit, which isn’t very practical when you’re wearing mittens during subzero temperatures.
Two-Gun Rig
A two-gun rig refers to any combination of firearms carried together as opposed to separately. It can refer to a single handgun plus some sort of reloading kit or magazine carrier, or multiple handguns. The latter is by far the most common variety, especially nowadays with so many people owning multiple firearms. Having two guns means having access to firepower at all times, whether you need it or not.
It’s important to note that these kinds of combinations require special considerations when storing and transporting the weapons. For instance, keeping them stored together will make it easier for someone else to grab both at once, while leaving them separated will increase the time needed to reload each individual weapon. Finally, remember that even though you may think you know what you want now, you might change your mind later and decide you want something completely different.
Muzzle Guard
A muzzle guard is designed to fit over the barrel of a firearm to protect against hot gasses escaping around your face or eyes. They are typically made out of some kind of lightweight material such as aluminum alloy or high-impact polystyrene. Some models incorporate padding to provide extra protection. These guards are usually meant to be used with pistols but some companies offer rifle muzzle guards as well. Some jurisdictions don’t permit the carrying of concealed firearms, so a muzzle guard is often required for those who wish to conceal their firearm. In addition, many instructors prefer students to use a muzzle guard when firing exercises.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We started by searching for the best overall value in each category. Value is determined by price point, features, and accessories.
We considered a range of aspects, including design, construction, safety, and other considerations while selecting our top recommendations for the best Kenai chest holster. All of the holsters on this list are made to entirely conceal the trigger guard while still allowing full access to the trigger hand, but we also took into account factors like how simple it was to carry openly or covertly while wearing different outfits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kenai Chest Holsters
What is the most comfortable way to carry a firearm?
This depends entirely on your intended use. If you’re just going about daily life, then an ankle holster might be more convenient.
How tight should my kenai chest holster be?
Your kenai chest holster will vary depending on brand and model, but generally speaking, you’ll want to make sure it’s not so loose that it falls out or gets caught on anything while in motion, and also ensure it doesn’t press against your sternum/rib cage (this can cause chafing and lead to blood clotting). Make sure you get a proper fit before wearing it with any sort of holster belt, as this could affect how well your gun rides inside the holster and whether or not it fits at all.
Can I wear a kenai chest holster with body armor?
Yes, provided you have a suitable cover garment, you can wear a kenai chest holster with body armor. The best thing to do is practice your draw stroke without the plate or kiton back strapped, and then go from there.