Best Features of an Ankle Holster
Comfort
One way to know if a holster is good enough is if it provides comfort. A good ankle carry shouldn't disrupt you during your daily activities, and comfort should come into play when deciding on which ankle holster to buy. It should be comfortable enough and size your pistol perfectly well. Ankle holsters from brands like Creatrill, Galco are designed for the smaller guns, your bulkier sized pistols are not the best pistols for ankle concealed carry.
Retention
Generally, holsters are designed for gun safety. In your decision making phase, retention should be a priority, ankle holsters should be able to protect your gun from accidental discharge and keep them in place regardless of what you're doing. You don't want to reach for your gun during a fight and discover it has gone MIA, or worst still reveal your supposedly "hidden" weapon at an inappropriate time, the situation can escalate and get serious. This is why it is important for your holster to have an excellent retaining system. Thankfully most ankle holsters have a good thumb break retention strap to keep your guns firmly placed.
Support
Consider getting ankle holsters with an adjustable support strap to add support to your gun and around the leg as well especially for those who have a smaller ankle size, so as to prevent the holster from slipping off.
Material
The best ankle holsters are those made with good quality material. The materials used in making the ankle holster is an important factor to consider. Wearing holsters made from top-grade material guarantees comfort and longevity. The most commonly used materials are leather, nylon or Kydex, they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Holsters created with any of these materials will serve you just fine depending on what you prioritize the most. If cost is your concern, you may want to consider other options than leather, since leather-based holsters are a bit expensive, especially when they are from popular brands like Galco or ComfortTac, however, if durability is what you want in a holster, then leather or Kydex will serve you well. In all, you need to make sure that the holster you decide on is manufactured using the highest grade of the above-mentioned materials. If you get a leather one, you want to ensure that the leather is durable and would serve you for a long time.
Cost
It is necessary to consider your pocket size when getting ankle holsters. Ankle holsters are about the most affordable type of holsters in the market, but some holsters are more expensive than others with just a little margin, it doesn't mean that they are less effective. So when deciding on which ankle holster to get, consider the one that fits your budget. Like we stated earlier, leather holsters tend to be quite expensive, so if you don't have a large budget, you might have to steer clear of leather holsters from brands such as Galco.
Our Top Pick
Concealed Carrier (TM Ankle Holster for Concealed Carry Pistol | Universal Leg Carry Gun Holster with Magazine Pouch for Glock 42, 43, 36, 26, S&W Bodyguard .380.38, Ruger LCP, LC9, Sig Sauer
In reviewing the different ankle holsters, the first ankle holster that impressed us was the Concealed Carrier (TM Ankle Holster for Concealed Carry Pistol, this one holster stood out as our top pick, customer's favorite as well as the best value for money. The TM model is one of the best ankle holsters, a universal ankle holster that fits both small and larger weapons, and can be used by both a right-handed and left-handed shooter. It is made with high-quality neoprene material, lightweight, and can be adjusted according to your perfect fit. This makes it more affordable than leather holsters, while still providing you a decent amount of durability.
The TM model is compatible with small and large pistols. It also features a thumb break retention strap that secures your weapon firmly around your calf and provides you with a quick and effective way of drawing your gun. This ankle holster is designed for your comfort, as you don't have to worry about this holster causing you to sweat or irritating your skin, it is well padded on the inside and made with breathable neoprene material for ventilation. It also features an extra pouch where you can store other things. The biggest plus of the TM concealed ankle carry is that it has a lifetime warranty, we are pretty confident that you would be satisfied with our top pick but just in case, remember it is guaranteed for life.
Safeist's Final Verdict and Thoughts
Ankle holsters are about the best backup gun conceal carry. They can be added to your other holster collections since they are more affordable than the other types of holsters. They help keep your guns secure and are great for deep concealment as well as you can wear them without anyone even noticing you have them on. The concealment capacity however largely depends on the type of pants you have on. This is why you need to wear full-coverage pants for total concealment. For gun owners who are particular about durability, it's advisable that you go for high-quality material based ankle holsters.
Most of the ankle holsters reviewed above are soft padded for your comfort and are ambidextrous, so whether you are a right hand or a left-hand shooter, you'll find one that works for you from these products or related brands like the Galco ankle glove S&W j frame ankle holster, other Galco models and more.