Kydex vs. leather, help me decide.

Guns and more · October 20th, 2009, 06:55 PM

I've always like the way a leather holster looks. I've never liked the way Kydex looks. But, I've heard so many positive things about Crossbreed Holsters (Supertuck) I'm considering one.
I like the big body panel to keep sweat off the gun.
I like the concept that it's adjustable all over.
I like the concept that the Kydex may hold it's shape for easier re-holstering.

But....Will the Kydex wear the Nitron finish off my beloved Sig?

wmhawth · October 20th, 2009, 06:59 PM

I like kydex for my autoloaders and leather for my revolvers. Just a personal preference thing. Both leather and kydex can wear the finish off a gun.

C9H13NO3 · October 20th, 2009, 07:33 PM

I use both. I've got a Milt sparks VM2 for regular IWB. It has the slide guard to keep sweat of the gun. It's not really adjustable, but it fits me well the way it is. The holster holds it's shape VERY well. It has a metal band around the mouth to help keep it open, but the leather is pretty stiff and would take quite a bit to close it.

I also use a CTAC for IWB tucked carry. It's kydex, has the sweat shield, and I can adjust the cant and tension. The adjustability isn't a big issue for me. If they could make a CTAC out of leather instead of kydex, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

With both holsters, I always wear an undershirt. I find that the kydex digs into my side with the edges more, it doesn't conform to my shape like leather will, and it's just a little more uncomfortable. I'm not a fan of kydex.

As far as wear and tear on the gun, since kydex is smooth on the inside, and a softer material than the finish on your gun, it will wear the finish some, but not as bad as leather, which tends to be rougher and more abrasive on the inside. My sig gets holstered/unholstered every day. After a year of this, it still shows no holster wear. Holster wear is gonna take a while.

retsupt99 · October 20th, 2009, 08:31 PM

Leather will last a LOOOOOOOOT longer than kydex.
I have two pocket holsters...one WAS kydex and the other was leather.
I'm still using the leather one, but the kydex wore out in about 4-5 years...the leather one will last many, many more years.
OMO

tmoore912 · October 20th, 2009, 09:15 PM

You could always get the "original" hybrid holster from Tucker Gun Leather. It's called The Answer and he can line the kydex portion with leather, so you get the benefit of both. His quality......well in a word........spectaculor. JMO, YMMV.

Link: "The Answer" IWB - $125

12Rounds · October 20th, 2009, 09:20 PM

The Crossbreed is every bit as good as you've heard it is.
I can't say enough good things about the holster or the customer service.
If you find that the Kydex is rubbing your finish off you can heat it up and bend it a little .

fotomaker57 · October 20th, 2009, 10:37 PM

For me there is no substitute for leather holsters. Especially from a custom maker. To answer your question from what I have seen kydex will wear your finish a bit faster than leather. However remember that a worn finish means that the pistol has been in and out of a holster many thousands of times being used as it should be. A carry piece is a tool and tools are meant to be used . So show off that pistol wear and be proud.
Mike

jbum · October 20th, 2009, 10:53 PM

IMHO leather fits sooooo much better and feels so good it does have to be custom though which will cost a bit more.

Pure Kustom · October 21st, 2009, 12:30 AM

Dead Cow Rocks!!!

kpw · October 21st, 2009, 02:43 AM

I've got favorites in both and use both. If I had to pick one, it'd be leather. Looks better and I love the new leather squeek! As for wearing your finish, that's going to happen no matter what you choose.

October 20th, 2009, 06:55 PM	#1
Guns and more Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fl Posts: 839	Kydex vs. leather, help me decide. I've always like the way a leather holster looks. I've never liked the way Kydex looks. But, I've heard so many positive things about Crossbreed Holsters (Supertuck) I'm considering one. I like the big body panel to keep sweat off the gun. I like the concept that it's adjustable all over. I like the concept that the Kydex may hold it's shape for easier re-holstering. But....Will the Kydex wear the Nitron finish off my beloved Sig?

October 20th, 2009, 06:59 PM	#2
wmhawth Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 1,709	I like kydex for my autoloaders and leather for my revolvers. Just a personal preference thing. Both leather and kydex can wear the finish off a gun. __________________ William

October 20th, 2009, 07:33 PM	#3
C9H13NO3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,188	I use both. I've got a Milt sparks VM2 for regular IWB. It has the slide guard to keep sweat of the gun. It's not really adjustable, but it fits me well the way it is. The holster holds it's shape VERY well. It has a metal band around the mouth to help keep it open, but the leather is pretty stiff and would take quite a bit to close it. I also use a CTAC for IWB tucked carry. It's kydex, has the sweat shield, and I can adjust the cant and tension. The adjustability isn't a big issue for me. If they could make a CTAC out of leather instead of kydex, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. With both holsters, I always wear an undershirt. I find that the kydex digs into my side with the edges more, it doesn't conform to my shape like leather will, and it's just a little more uncomfortable. I'm not a fan of kydex. As far as wear and tear on the gun, since kydex is smooth on the inside, and a softer material than the finish on your gun, it will wear the finish some, but not as bad as leather, which tends to be rougher and more abrasive on the inside. My sig gets holstered/unholstered every day. After a year of this, it still shows no holster wear. Holster wear is gonna take a while. __________________ -Ryan All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

October 20th, 2009, 08:31 PM	#4
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,829	Leather will last a LOOOOOOOOT longer than kydex. I have two pocket holsters...one WAS kydex and the other was leather. I'm still using the leather one, but the kydex wore out in about 4-5 years...the leather one will last many, many more years. OMO __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

October 20th, 2009, 09:15 PM	#5
tmoore912 New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ga. Posts: 13	You could always get the "original" hybrid holster from Tucker Gun Leather. It's called The Answer and he can line the kydex portion with leather, so you get the benefit of both. His quality......well in a word........spectaculor. JMO, YMMV. Link: "The Answer" IWB - $125 __________________ GeorgiaCarry.org Member GeorgiaPacking.org Member NRA Member

October 20th, 2009, 09:20 PM	#6
12Rounds Ex Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: This Planet Rocks ! Posts: 160	The Crossbreed is every bit as good as you've heard it is. I can't say enough good things about the holster or the customer service. If you find that the Kydex is rubbing your finish off you can heat it up and bend it a little .

October 20th, 2009, 10:37 PM	#7
fotomaker57 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 1,327	For me there is no substitute for leather holsters. Especially from a custom maker. To answer your question from what I have seen kydex will wear your finish a bit faster than leather. However remember that a worn finish means that the pistol has been in and out of a holster many thousands of times being used as it should be. A carry piece is a tool and tools are meant to be used . So show off that pistol wear and be proud. Mike __________________ Created September 17, 1787 Ratified June 21, 1788 Signers 39 of the 55 Philadelphia Convention delegates *Let Us Never Forget*

October 20th, 2009, 10:53 PM	#8
jbum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dandridge Tennessee Posts: 504	IMHO leather fits sooooo much better and feels so good it does have to be custom though which will cost a bit more. __________________ PT145 MIL PRO MOSSBERG 500 CRUISER S&W 638 THUNDER .380 NRA MEMBER

October 21st, 2009, 12:30 AM	#9
Pure Kustom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 592	Dead Cow Rocks!!! __________________ "To save our country, Slap a liberal. To save it faster, Slap them again!!!!" www.purekustomholsters.com www.pkiholsters.com

October 21st, 2009, 02:43 AM	#10
kpw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PA Posts: 1,116	I've got favorites in both and use both. If I had to pick one, it'd be leather. Looks better and I love the new leather squeek! As for wearing your finish, that's going to happen no matter what you choose. __________________ "In a republic this rule ought to be observed: that the majority should not have the predominant power." - -- Marcus Tullius Cicero

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