IWB and pants waist size

[Tally XD]

I have the CTAC MTAC Hybrid holster for my XD45acp and I just ordered a bullhide belt from the BeltMan.

I ordered my belt by sizing it with my holster mounted and the gun in the holster and came up with the length measurement he asks for.

While this holster felt comfortable with the particular pair of jeans I had on at the time, not all of my jeans/pants fit exactly the same.

Have any of you found the need to buy larger waist band sizes than normal or do you eventually stretch all of your pants out a little after several weeks/months of IWB carry?

I dont have the budget to buy pants in several different sizes. I need one size that will suffice when carrying and when not carrying.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[fotomaker57]

Most people recommend moving up one pants size for IWB carry.
Mike

[Kerbouchard]

I have had to buy larger pant sizes than normal...usually a 34 instead of a 32. A 32 was too uncomfortable for me to carry IWB. Printing also became a slight issue with tighter pants.

[ExactlyMyPoint]

I wear a 32 and bought a 33. I actually did not need to and went back to the 32s. What I did was to buy both the 32s and 33s and take them home. I tried them both on with the holster AND gun in them. Then I wore what was comfortable.

As with everything else pertaining to holsters, it is experimentation.

BTW, I did exactly what you did. An MTAC and a Beltman belt. The belt is awesome and made all the difference in the world as far as comfort.

[AZ Husker]

If I go up a size in my favorite spandex pants, they bag at the knees.
In my Wranglers and Dockers, I always go up one size for IWB, much more comfortable!

[Ram Rod]

I'm okay with all of my Levi's jeans in my certain waist size. My Wranglers however are a very tight fit with IWB holster options. I have yet to purchase oversize jeans for myself.

[ksokie]

I went up a size or 2. It depends on the brand and style of jeans. For instance, Wranglers I went up 1 size, but I also wear Dickies for work and had to go up 2 sizes. The best thing to do is try them on at the store before you buy them.

[bluelineman]

I went up a size & wear relaxed fit Levis. I try them on in the store with my CCW rig just to make sure.

[MNBurl]

Depends on the size of the gun, where carried and holster. Thicker guns require larger pants, carrying at 3 PM does but back further or appendix no and pancake holsters smooth out the thickness some. Most of the time the answer is no.

[rocky]

I have found 1 or 2 sizes up depending on the gun and holster.

[jackdog]

I go up to a 33 in lieu of my normal 32's,

[MadDog]

I find that it depends a l lot on the brand of pants. I wear either 32 or 33 so I know what I need to buy depending on the maker. Or go to the dressing room and try the pants on with your rig.

[kpw]

It depends on the holster design. The holsters with the loops spread out are just fine in my 34" Levis and Carhartts. The only reinforced opening IWB I can comfortably wear is the VM II. Anything else and I'd need to go up in size but then I look like I'm swimming in them. For me, designs like the Watch Six and other similar holsters are the most usable.

[cdwolf]

Man I feel fat!! I'm 6'3" and 230 and all my 38's fell fine a couple pair is a little tight, but will carry owb before i buy a 40.

[dairycreek]

I am 6'3' and weigh 260 pounds. Carry an XD45 Service in a CTAC holster. I buy my trousers one size larger and this works quite well for this carry combo.