IWB Holster recommendations for excessive sweating?

LeCalsey · February 9th, 2009, 11:13 AM

Florida weather is notoriously humid and I perspire excessively without the added humidity. As the warmer weather is approaching, I want to check out some holster options. I assume Kydex would be the go-to answer but leather would / can be more comfortable. Any recommendations for a leather that would hold up in that department?

I know that I am not alone with this problem. I am having trouble justifying the $$$ for a high quality leather that I know will get soaked from sweat. Does / has anyone had good results from a leather in this environment?

NYcarry · February 9th, 2009, 11:15 AM

I use my for utility, dirty, sweaty times of work. So far it has never soaked through.

I save my other custom leathers for other around the house, around town times.

I'd assume any kydex would be good for that as well. I live in NY so only a prob two months a year 8)

JD · February 9th, 2009, 11:18 AM

While I'm not in FL, I feel your pain. Without contacting every holster maker I've dealt with to get info on all their respective finishing processes, I know that Desibens Gunleather uses a "Angelus acrylic finisher that is a form of a plastic which is used as a water barrier" that should in theory help repel sweat.

He sent me a holster to review which I did here: The Rise of Rhome, A Review of the DGL #2 IWB

Tally XD · February 9th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Yep! I feel your pain!

I am looking myself for not only another holster but a smaller carry piece.

On teh holster issue, I just saw CompTac makes a Pro Undercover holster that looks like solid kydex, no leather. If its IWB I may be checking it out.

Sportsterguy · February 9th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Lived in Miami and Clearwater for 13 years and know your pain +. That heat, crime, rude people and the crowds drove me out. Here are my recommendations coming from a sweat monger who's Springer 1911 is corrosion free:

First thing to do is to treat your CCW with Militec-1 MILITEC-1 - The ONLY all-purpose synthetic metal conditioner and gun oil. I've promoted this product for the last 2 years and it is THE best metal conditioner out there and WILL prevent your gun from rusting If you treat it as instructed and give it a regular wipe down.

Second is to wear a tucked in shirt for a barrier. It'll keep skin abrasion down from the leather and soak up much of the sweat. I always wore a unbuttoned shirt over the top but with a good tuckable from HBE Specialty Leatherworks (my favorite) holster you can go without the outer shirt, though it does do a better job concealing a large CCW. H.B.E. Specialty LeatherWorks

Last is to buy a quality holster and belt. A good one is chemically sealed and treated and should provide you with years of service.

Regards,

Roger

Pizza Bob · February 10th, 2009, 07:55 AM

If you want leather, use a horsehide holster. Denser, more impervious to perspiration. VMII's all use horsehide for the back-panel (against your body) as standard, or opt for the full horsehide holster (extra-cost). Kramer also uses horsehide routinely. Downside of horsehide is that it doesn't take dye as uniformly as cowhide (because it is less porous) and it doesn't bone as tightly as cowhide. Good luck in your quest.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

LeCalsey · February 10th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Dye in leather is an altogether different issue. You will RUIN shirts from dyed leather. I usually wear an inner "T" anyway to keep from looking a mess in 95+ degree weather but the white tees suffer from dye bleeding. Even some of the tanners do the same thing.

Thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate the suggestions / recommendations. I would like to learn from everyone else's mistakes if possible. I am checking out some of them today. I want to do the research and get an order off before it starts cranking up later this spring.

AllAmerican · February 10th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Wear an undershirt. I cant stress this enough. After that you should be able to go with something leather. Supertuck would be a wise investment. +1 on the Militec.

mac140au · February 10th, 2009, 11:11 AM

No matter which holster you go with, after a long day of sweating you should take your gun out of the holster and let the holster dry out overnight. I had to learn this the hard way by destroying the finish on a Ruger LCP in about 2 weeks. Luckily, out of the kindness of Ruger's heart, they provided me with a new slide but I learned a valuable lesson.

Also, have you looked into one of the Leather-lined Kydex holsters that are becoming popular now? FIST has an option to line their Kydex holsters and Tucker Gun Leather has a leather-lined holster that looks really nice. Check it out.

-Mac

Martini13 · February 10th, 2009, 02:46 PM

You may want to look at FIST holsters. I use an Ultra thin kydex with a sweat guard for IWB. Model #1K clip holster at $34.95. Add $5 for sweat guard and the delivery time is short.

You will feel as though you are carrying Mexican style, but with the safety of a covered trigger. I have been using one for appx 4 years and it holds up very well.

Not the most beautiful rig, but who will see it?

.

February 9th, 2009, 11:18 AM	#3
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 11,491	While I'm not in FL, I feel your pain. Without contacting every holster maker I've dealt with to get info on all their respective finishing processes, I know that Desibens Gunleather uses a "Angelus acrylic finisher that is a form of a plastic which is used as a water barrier" that should in theory help repel sweat. He sent me a holster to review which I did here: The Rise of Rhome, A Review of the DGL #2 IWB __________________ Iowa Carry.ORG: Promoting Weapons Carry Reform in Iowa Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

February 9th, 2009, 10:01 PM	#4
Tally XD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,011	Yep! I feel your pain! I am looking myself for not only another holster but a smaller carry piece. On teh holster issue, I just saw CompTac makes a Pro Undercover holster that looks like solid kydex, no leather. If its IWB I may be checking it out. __________________ “I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry.” - Barack Obama Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2004

February 9th, 2009, 10:21 PM	#5
Sportsterguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: On the River Posts: 943	Lived in Miami and Clearwater for 13 years and know your pain +. That heat, crime, rude people and the crowds drove me out. Here are my recommendations coming from a sweat monger who's Springer 1911 is corrosion free: First thing to do is to treat your CCW with Militec-1 MILITEC-1 - The ONLY all-purpose synthetic metal conditioner and gun oil. I've promoted this product for the last 2 years and it is THE best metal conditioner out there and WILL prevent your gun from rusting If you treat it as instructed and give it a regular wipe down. Second is to wear a tucked in shirt for a barrier. It'll keep skin abrasion down from the leather and soak up much of the sweat. I always wore a unbuttoned shirt over the top but with a good tuckable from HBE Specialty Leatherworks (my favorite) holster you can go without the outer shirt, though it does do a better job concealing a large CCW. H.B.E. Specialty LeatherWorks Last is to buy a quality holster and belt. A good one is chemically sealed and treated and should provide you with years of service. Regards, Roger __________________ Sportsterguy Molon Labe! Join the NRA today, or don't complain when your guns are taken away!

February 10th, 2009, 10:09 AM	#7
LeCalsey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St Augustine, Florida Posts: 686	Dye in leather is an altogether different issue. You will RUIN shirts from dyed leather. I usually wear an inner "T" anyway to keep from looking a mess in 95+ degree weather but the white tees suffer from dye bleeding. Even some of the tanners do the same thing. Thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate the suggestions / recommendations. I would like to learn from everyone else's mistakes if possible. I am checking out some of them today. I want to do the research and get an order off before it starts cranking up later this spring. __________________ "I am glad you asked that question. Uh.....Aaaa....Err....uh....um.....err............ .where is my teleprompter?" Barack Hussein Obama (Teleprompter In Chief)

February 10th, 2009, 10:15 AM	#8
AllAmerican VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chesterfield, Kakalaki del Sur Posts: 2,401	Wear an undershirt. I cant stress this enough. After that you should be able to go with something leather. Supertuck would be a wise investment. +1 on the Militec. __________________ My Music: www.reverbnation.com/dickiefredericks New tunes added. "The Double Tap Center Mass Boogie. Learn it, know it, love it, shoot it. Good guys should live, bad guys not so much. " - Ted Nugent 09

February 9th, 2009, 11:13 AM	#1
LeCalsey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St Augustine, Florida Posts: 686	IWB Holster recommendations for excessive sweating? Florida weather is notoriously humid and I perspire excessively without the added humidity. As the warmer weather is approaching, I want to check out some holster options. I assume Kydex would be the go-to answer but leather would / can be more comfortable. Any recommendations for a leather that would hold up in that department? I know that I am not alone with this problem. I am having trouble justifying the $$$ for a high quality leather that I know will get soaked from sweat. Does / has anyone had good results from a leather in this environment? __________________ "I am glad you asked that question. Uh.....Aaaa....Err....uh....um.....err............ .where is my teleprompter?" Barack Hussein Obama (Teleprompter In Chief)

February 9th, 2009, 11:15 AM	#2
NYcarry Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate Posts: 503	I use my for utility, dirty, sweaty times of work. So far it has never soaked through. I save my other custom leathers for other around the house, around town times. I'd assume any kydex would be good for that as well. I live in NY so only a prob two months a year 8) __________________

February 10th, 2009, 07:55 AM	#6
Pizza Bob Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central NJ Posts: 96	If you want leather, use a horsehide holster. Denser, more impervious to perspiration. VMII's all use horsehide for the back-panel (against your body) as standard, or opt for the full horsehide holster (extra-cost). Kramer also uses horsehide routinely. Downside of horsehide is that it doesn't take dye as uniformly as cowhide (because it is less porous) and it doesn't bone as tightly as cowhide. Good luck in your quest. Adios, Pizza Bob

February 10th, 2009, 11:11 AM	#9
mac140au Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bethlehem, GA Posts: 19	No matter which holster you go with, after a long day of sweating you should take your gun out of the holster and let the holster dry out overnight. I had to learn this the hard way by destroying the finish on a Ruger LCP in about 2 weeks. Luckily, out of the kindness of Ruger's heart, they provided me with a new slide but I learned a valuable lesson. Also, have you looked into one of the Leather-lined Kydex holsters that are becoming popular now? FIST has an option to line their Kydex holsters and Tucker Gun Leather has a leather-lined holster that looks really nice. Check it out. -Mac __________________ Exercise your 2nd Amendment Right, buy a gun. www.GeorgiaCarry.org

February 10th, 2009, 02:46 PM	#10
Martini13 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MA Posts: 100	You may want to look at FIST holsters. I use an Ultra thin kydex with a sweat guard for IWB. Model #1K clip holster at $34.95. Add $5 for sweat guard and the delivery time is short. You will feel as though you are carrying Mexican style, but with the safety of a covered trigger. I have been using one for appx 4 years and it holds up very well. Not the most beautiful rig, but who will see it? . __________________ Common Sense, the rarest of all senses

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