Concealed Carry
Our concealed carry holsters keep a handgun close to the body and out of sight, with options for the waist, the ankle and the inside of a bag. The lineup is small and focused: six Rothco designs that cover the most common ways people carry discreetly.
- Belly bands: the Ambidextrous Concealed Elastic Belly Band Holster wraps the waist under clothing with a hook and loop closure, and the Concealed Carry Neoprene Belly Band Holster adds a removable ambidextrous holster, a separate magazine pouch and an elastic storage pocket on a full-front loop panel.
- Inside the waistband: the Inside The Waistband Holster clips to your belt or waistband and uses an adjustable hook and loop retention strap.
- Ankle carry: the Ankle Holster has a thumb snap and fits most compact and subcompact pistols; the Elastic Ankle Holster adds sheep wool padding and a retention strap for subcompact and pocket pistols.
- Off-body carry: the Concealed Carry Holster Panel is padded, ambidextrous, sized for subcompact to full-frame pistols, and attaches to any bag, vest or jacket with loop paneling.
Belly bands work well for gym clothes, running and untucked shirts; IWB is the everyday standard; ankle carry suits a backup gun.
A note for service members: carrying a personal firearm on a military installation is controlled by DoD and installation policy, not by your state permit alone. Read our guide below and check with your command before you carry on post.
How to Choose a Concealed Carry Holster
The right concealed carry holster depends on your pistol, your clothing and your day. Most people who carry daily end up with more than one, because what works in jeans and a jacket doesn't always work in gym shorts.
Belly Band Holsters
A belly band is a wide elastic or neoprene wrap worn around the waist, usually under a shirt. It doesn't need a belt, so it works with athletic wear, scrubs and dress clothes. The neoprene version uses a loop panel, so you can move the removable holster and mag pouch to set your carry position. Size the band to your waist measurement and wear it snug enough that the gun doesn't sag.
Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Holsters
IWB holsters ride inside the pants with only a clip showing, which makes them the most popular concealed carry setup. A sturdy belt keeps the holster stable and stops the waistband from sagging. Many people size up their pants by an inch to make room for the holster.
Ankle Holsters
Ankle carry is best for a compact or pocket pistol, often as a backup. It works when you're seated, such as when driving, but it's slower to draw while standing. Wear boot-cut or straight-leg pants so the cuff clears the gun, and look for padding where the holster meets the ankle.
Off-Body Carry Panels
A holster panel turns a bag, pack or vest with loop paneling into a dedicated carry compartment. Keep the bag under your control at all times, and make sure the holster covers the trigger guard.
Fit, Retention and Safe Carry
Whatever you choose, check three things before carrying: the trigger guard is fully covered, the retention strap or thumb snap closes securely over your pistol, and the holster stays put when you sit, bend and walk. Practice drawing and reholstering with an unloaded firearm until it's smooth, and never reholster with your finger near the trigger. Pick a holster your pistol actually fits; a universal or elastic design should hold the gun snug without the slide or grip shifting. Carry the same position every day so your draw becomes habit, and recheck straps and elastic regularly, since both loosen with wear.
Concealed Carry Holsters and Military Installations
For service members, carrying a privately owned firearm on post isn't governed by AR 670-1 or your state permit. It's controlled by DoD policy and installation commanders. In April 2026, the Secretary of Defense directed installation commanders to consider service members' requests to carry privately owned firearms on installations while off duty with a "presumption of approval," framed around state law. It is still a request process, not an automatic right, and some facilities stay off-limits; the Pentagon building, for example, remains closed to personal firearms even though storage in vehicles on its grounds is allowed.
Implementation is still being written into service and installation regulations, so the rules at your base may differ from the headlines. Before carrying on post, get the current policy from your installation's provost marshal or security office and your chain of command. Concealed carry laws off post vary by state, and nothing here is legal advice.