Concealed carry belly bands allow gun owners to comfortably and effectively wear their handguns in any position on the torso. They’re breathable and lightweight for comfortable wear all day long. They also don’t require clips or belts for support, making them a versatile choice for gun owners who enjoy wearing different outfits and activities throughout the day.

Concealment

Belly bands are a concealed carry alternative to holsters worn inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the belt. They can be worn snugly under clothing — including dresses, skirts, slacks, jeans, and shorts — without tucking in your shirt or wearing a bulky belt. However, accessing your weapon in a belly band can take extra steps that could make a difference in a life-or-death situation where time is critical. It can include untucking your shirt to gain a fighting grip on the firearm, and it’s essential to practice accessing and drawing from a concealed carry belly band to ensure smooth deployment in an emergency. But if you’re willing to practice, this is an excellent way to hide your gun.

Convenience

If you carry a concealed weapon, you know the setup requires pants with belt loops, a gun belt, and some form of holster. That gear gets heavy quickly and may be inconvenient or impossible to wear in specific environments. Belly band holsters are lightweight and breathable, so you can comfortably wear your weapon all day. They also come with ambidextrous holsters that can be worn at any position around your torso, whether you prefer appendix carry, small of the back, or even beneath your chest. Some of these bands offer a compartment for your spare magazine. This way, you’ll have quick and easy access to your backup weapon in an emergency. The best part is it all comes with a two-week trial period.

Comfort

While the models on belly band websites look more like athletes than dad bods, you don’t have to be in the best shape to wear a belly band. These holsters can be worn at waistline height or high above the beltline, giving you options for carrying with almost any outfit. Belly bands are made with breathable materials, so they won’t dig into your skin or make you uncomfortable while wearing them for extended periods. The snug but comfortable fit also makes it easy to move around, sit, stand, and jog without worrying about the holster shifting or your weapon shifting position. One drawback of belly bands is that it can take a few extra steps to access your sidearm. Practice drawing and re-holstering your weapon so you won’t be stuck in a tight spot when seconds count.

Versatility

Belly bands adapt to different carrying positions and work well with most casual clothing. Unlike belt-carry holsters that can bunch up, belly bands wrap loosely around the body and are adjustable to your waistline. They also come in various heights, so you can wear them low if you prefer to keep your gun close or strap them up high and carry cross-draw. Many belly band holsters have multiple pockets for other EDC items like a knife, OC/pepper spray, flashlight, and tourniquet. That makes them an excellent choice for women and men of all sizes who want to be ready for anything on their day-to-day adventures. Of course, it’s essential to practice accessing your firearm from its place of concealment to ensure you can do so quickly and accurately in a real-life self-defense scenario.

Safety

A concealed carry belly band lets people stay armed even when their cover garments won’t allow them to wear a belt and holster. Whether they’re wearing sweatpants to go to the gym, a velour jogging suit on the run, or maybe scrubs for work, they can still be ready if they use a well-designed, comfortable belly band holster made of neoprene (no skin pinching) capable of supporting their gun and secured by a metal clip. Depending on your entire setup, drawing from a belly band can be enjoyable or laborious, but most people will eventually get the hang of it. Look for a modular system that allows various holster attachments for carrying positions like strong-side, appendix, or cross-draw.