Holster Recommendations for Running

[six_gun]

I live in a small town in southern AZ where i'm more likely to run into wildlife than a person with ill-intent when running. I want to carry when i run for both reasons though and am looking for suggestions on what works best. The culture here is used to seeing open carry so concealing is not a requirement. We quite literally see open carried guns every day. Belly holsters are not ideal, as my belly is simply too big at present; bigger than my hips so there would be no retention if i did that. I can wear around the hips or just above though. So far I have looked at shoulder rigs, bands that can be worn below the big belly like those at pistolwear.com, and tactical thigh holsters. I have carry pistols ranging in all sizes i could use but would prefer to carry my xd(m) .45 4.5 inch. I have slimmer/lighter options all the way down to a sig p38 .380. Does anybody else carry when they run? How do the thigh rigs compare to something like the pistolwear Trump card that can be worn as a shoulder rig?

 

[Birdhunter1]

I've never worn a thigh holster but I can only imagine that after a few mile run that leg and or knee would be more tired that the other. I have used the belly band holster over my belly/spare tire and my pistol stayed there, never was an issue. COre Elite Defender belly band and a S&W Shield 40 and prior to that pistol a Kahr CW9.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Running is an activity where you want the weight distributed evenly...as opposed off set. I've seen folks run with shoulder holsters, but that carry is better suited to cycling.

Interestingly, two methods of carry not otherwise recommended work fairly well for running...Fanny Pack and SOB...because they keep the weight more centered

 

[6.8KT]

I was going to recommend fanny pack too.

 

[JeffG]

Some Kelty hydration packs have pockets large enough to accomodate a small 9mm, such as a Glock 43.

 

[Armored farmer]

Iwb of running shorts on the techni-clip, empty chamber.
That's how I do it.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Iwb of running shorts on the techni-clip, empty chamber.
That's how I do it.
View attachment 822803

I think running would be more effective without the cookies.

I will add my vote to fanny pack. Also good for keeping ID/etc handy.

 

[A526051]

Believe it or not, the best holster I've found for running, is the Thunderwear. https://www.thunderwear.com/
I'm a bigger guy, and since it carries low, below the waist, it works very well. I normally carry a J-Frame and a spare speed strip.

 

[SteadyD]

I use a fanny pack and pistol wear. The pistol wear works better because it doesn’t flop around like a fanny pack. The lighter the gun, the better.

 

[Milt1]

Try Hill People Gear. They have several versions of a chest bag that's designed for concealed carry. The also have a strap that fastens around your body to secure the bag in place while you are running. I have one of their bags but I didn't get the one for running.

 

[psyopspec]

I think running needs can be about as varied as each individual. If a run is a jog around the block then there's a lot of solutions. If one is training for a marathon then the list narrows significantly.

Here's a review I wrote for the Comfortac BellyBand two years ago. I still have that one and a couple of others that I've scooped up on sale two years later, and it's been a good piece of gear.

 

[FL-NC]

fanny pack.

 

[bearcreek]

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1/ProductID/2

 

[Milt1]

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/1/ProductID/2

Yes Sir!

 

[six_gun]

i ordered a pistol wear i'm going to try out but i also like that hill people gear. i like the idea of centered on the body for running.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I find elasticity is a benefit.

Currently using a belly band by Concealed Carrier, LLC.

It's okay... I keep it pretty tight to avoid shifting. I don't really dig carrying while running, but this setup is acceptable.

I am basically a twig, though, so I don't know if that helps or not.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I would be looking hard for a chest rig of some sort. Perhaps a shoulder rig could be altered and tailored to fit. I don’t know.

Many of my friends run with plate carriers. I’m betting you could work a carry rig around that.

 

[Mainsail]

I run with a XDs in .45acp- should be able to handle anything I might encounter.

Regular belt holster around my middle on a scuba-webbing belt (without the stiffener). I found the belt/gun wanted to migrate around to the front so I use a tiny binder-clip to fasten the belt to my shorts. Since the belt doesn't use holes, I can adjust the tension whenever I want to.

 

[dfariswheel]

If you'd like a fanny pack the best I ever found is the Blackhawk Concealed Weapons Pack .
This is also known as the 5-5-10 for the ability to draw the gun and fire 5 shots at 5 yards in 10 seconds.

The advantages for a runner is that the back of the pack has molded in padding that keeps you from getting beat by the pack.
It's ambidextrous and uses zippers to close unlike others that use Velcro. Velcro can come open exposing or actually dropping the gun. The zippers stay closed but rip open very fast with a rip cord.

The front compartment has room for wallet, cell phone, keys, etc.
The gun compartment has Velcro on the back to attach a holster, and two elastic loops for magazines.
The pack comes with an adjustable loop to hold a gun but I prefer to install and actual holster to position the gun more upright for a fast draw.

There are two small wing pockets and the buckle is a security type that requires the two standard locks to be squeezed AND a security locking tab to be pressed. This prevents a gun grabber from pulling the pack off of you.
If you don't like the third locking tab, it can be cut off with a razor knife.

As added security and to distribute the load off your waist, the back of the pack has two belt loops to fasten the pack to a pants belt if desired.

I'm on my third one, having carried them for 20 years. The quality of construction is top of the line, and it's doesn't look as much like a gun carrier as too many fanny packs do.

https://blackhawk.com/products/hols...-concealed-weapon-fanny-pack-holster-ambidext

Here's mine with my Kahr Arms K9 and two magazines.