Any experiences with holster t-shirts?

[xd ED]

I've been considering some options for carrying while running, cycling, and skating. IWB, and belt holsters would not be an option. Looking at t-shirts by Kramer, and 5.11, as well as SmartCarry holsters, and various belly bands.
Online opinions are plentiful and widely varied. Anyone have any real life experiences with these types of products? My concerns are more along the lines of comfort in MN summer weather, weapon security, and product durability; none really appear to be capable of rapid deployment.
From a design standpoint, the 5.11 t-shirt seems like a good one; the weight of the gun is carried to the shoulders via a yoke.
Thanks,
Ed

[Chunkychuck]

No experience with holster T-shirts but I have Smart Carry that I have worn under baggy shorts or pleated slacks. I have not used it for the activities you have mentioned but I have found it to be comfortable and it has a sweat repelling material on the side against the body. I've carried my Cougar .40 semi-auto and my SP101 snubbie in it without difficulty.

[firebob66]

I have a holster t-shirt and it is awesome. They work perfectly however train with it before using it.

[PhilaBOR]

I bought a 5.11 holster shirt and rarely wear it because

Don't want to use it with a gun without a safety, and my only such gun isn't stainless (sweat-rust)
Gun prints noticably on the side of my chest (YMMV)
It's kind of like wearing a wet suit - neoprene in area of holster
It's deep concealment unless you're wearing an open shirt, then the holster shirt shows
I usually carry my LCP in pocket and sometimes a FS M&P in a Crossbreed - better access, concealment

Not saying it's not a good alternative, just I don't like it personally.

[hammAR]

running....don't/can't do it
cycling....use Smartcarry exclusively
and skating...well I will not discuss what others do at work.............

[whiteox]

I've got a 5.11 shirt but never wear it. It prints badly with anything but a j-frame. Also guns have a tendency to move around in the pouch.

It's also pretty dang hot to wear. I think Smartcarry or a bellyband. Maybe this: http://www.pistolwear.com/holsters.htm

[Snowgun]

Fanny pack?

[rukwikenuf]

get a shoulder holster. it'll easier to use, guarranteed.

[xd ED]

The Smart Carry works quite well.
In the aprox 4'o clock position, over a cool-max tee, under a jersey, and tucked inside cycling shorts. It's comfortable, accessible, and prints as though it were a wallet, or cell phone in a jersey pocket.
Rode with it about 35 miles Friday, and into about 20 of a 40 mile ride at the moment.


Sent from my velocipede

[Erik_Pakieser]

This idea has been around for over 20 years, but keeps getting re-animated.

I'd suggest pocket carry or a waistpack/fanny pack. I also really like the Maxpedition/511 sling packs.

I tend to avoid anything where the holster is "integrated" into the clothing. I've never seen it work.

[stecker]

I use SmartCarry ALL the time. I use them during weight workouts in the gym, or running/biking/skating outside. I actually have 4 of them so I can have a constant rotation going for carry, wash, and dryout before the next use when they get sweaty. Small flat autos like Keltecs work really well and do not bounce around.

[solidgun]

Issue that I had with the t-shirt holster was the color. I got one in black and one in white and they clashed with the shirts I wear for workouts. Obviously, I don't care how I look, but their see through means I had to cut down the number of shirts I could wear for working out as they become visible.

Also, I found the shirts to be very restrictive. But I couldn't get the larger sizes as they are meant to hug your torso.

- Shoulder holster:
I have several different types of shoulder holsters and I use these for biking, but not for running. The tie down doesn't work very well and they wear out quick for cheaper leather ones (from sweat and friction), and for higher end ones, the sweat really concerned me.....and the higher end ones are also heavier.

- Smart Carry/Thunderwear:
I don't have the Smart Carry, but as far as I can tell, it is the same as Thunderwear. I have several of these, but I am not sure how one works out with these on. But I don't have the subcompact model so that may be different. All mine are medium and up

- Belly band:
Even with the tie down, I don't think the retention is really there. Also, the sweat buildup will feel horrible. I have the Galco models and the leather on it gets soaked on really hot days and that rubs against the firearm and magazines. I thought about getting the cheap models without the leather covers, but I don't think this is worth it for work out.

- Fanny pack:
I own a cheap one and I have never used it, but have it just in case. I am sorry, I don't care how well it works. They are very uncool. But most importantly, it looks out of place on me to wear fanny packs. I conceal so that I am not target #1.

- Hand pouch:
I tried this out a few times, but it only works with very light handguns and if you have something else in the other hand as well. I bought a leather European carry all, put a pocket holster in there that fits well and put the lightest, smallest pistol I had (R9) and carried something in the other hand of equivalent weight.
I attached a strap on the outside so I could really hold on to it. This might work for some people, but I have very sweaty hands so it didn't last too long.

- Kangaroo Carry:
This is what I am trying out right now. It is easy to wash as there is no leather piece, but it has great retention. Rides higher up than a belly band, so it limits movement of the firearm. I get very sweaty where it comes into contact with me as it is under my armpit. I am carrying a Glock 27 with CeraPlate coating because of the sweat. I will be checking in on the internal part wear at the end of this year (approx 6-month use).


With any of them listed here I am not sure I would carry anything for working out if sweat is covering the firearm if I cannot:
- Detail strip and check for wear
- Obtain cheap replacement parts
- Has protective coating
- Well oiled

[parrotheadrick]

I have 2 of the 5.11 holster t-shirts. One in black and one in white. I use them all the time in the winter with my Glock 26. Fit is very snug and I get very very little printing if any at all. Even my wife has not noticed most of the time. The are NOT for a situation for a fast draw!

In the summer time the stick to me badly because of the material they are made of. At first they scratched me pretty badly under where the Glock rides but after being washed a few times that has not been an issue.

[Rotary12]

This is all great information, I think I'm leaning towards the smartcarry. I'd like to hear more about one under a bike jersey.

[xd ED]

This is all great information, I think I'm leaning towards the smartcarry. I'd like to hear more about one under a bike jersey.

I wear mine @ about 4'o clock; wearing bib shorts, I keep the strap on the outside the bibs, and tuck the holster inside the shorts. Even with a snug jersey the printing is so indistinct it looks just like another lump in the right jersey pocket. I've carried a commander size 1911, as well as an xd 3". I'll likely get something small and less valuable, as perspiration on the gun is an issue.