Best Concealed Carry Vest

If you regularly carry a pistol, you understand the importance of having a variety of options for concealing your weapon. An IWB holster or pocket holster is the most popular option, but may not always be the most comfortable or most convenient. They can be hard to draw from when you’re seated, for example.

Outside the waistband, holsters are more convenient but can be difficult to conceal. A concealed carry vest can get around these issues by allowing you to carry in a specially-made garment. The best-concealed carry vest will be one that’s functional but doesn’t look out of place for your activities.

In this guide, we’ve reviewed eighteen of the most popular concealed carry vests online. We’ve selected a wide range of styles and prices, to suit as many lifestyles as possible. We’ve also tried to limit ourselves to vests that are explicitly designed for concealed carry; any exceptions will be clearly labeled.

Best Concealed Carry Vests

1. Wrangler Trail

This is a fleece lined, water resistant vest that has concealed carry compartments. As such, it’s mostly designed for comfort and warmth, and has dual concealed carry pockets with the holster included. The holster is removable too, should you prefer to use your own or not use it as a concealed carry vest from time to time.

This vest is very inconspicuous, unlike some of the leather and tactical vests we’ll look at, and it’s machine washable. It’s also very warm, which makes it a great winter option.

Pros

• Durable polyester/spandex blend
• Warm enough for cold-weather wear
• Large front pockets for your hands
• Machine washable

Cons

• Holster is not adjustable

Why It’s Recommended

This is one of the least conspicuous vests we’ve looked at. It will keep you warm, and keep your gun concealed.

2. Leather Supreme

The Leather Supreme vest’s shell is crafted from premium top-grain leather that’s nothing short of beautiful. It has four exterior pockets, and interior concealed carry pockets on both sides. It includes a velcro holster that stays put once you’ve gotten it positioned, as well as smaller interior pockets for extra magazines. The metal snaps are well-engineered and stay shut unless you pull them hard.

The downside? This vest is expensive, and unless you work on a cattle ranch you’re going to look out of place.

Pros

• Top grain leather construction
• Ambidextrous concealed carry pockets
• Includes a velcro holster
• Internal pockets for 2 extra magazines
• 4 exterior pockets

Cons

• Expensive
• Very conspicuous

Why It’s Recommended

This is a gorgeous, well-crafted vest that will last for a lifetime. Even if you don’t carry a gun, it’s a solid vest.

3. Smith & Wesson

The Smith & Wesson has a thick, nylon/polyester shell that’s extremely warm. You definitely don’t want to wear it in the summer, but it’s warm enough to wear over a sweatshirt even when the weather is below freezing. The exterior has deep hand warming pockets, as well as three magazine slots in each of the vertical pockets.

The concealed carry pockets are big enough for a large Smith & Wesson or a Glock 19, but they zip shut. This is a strange choice since the vest is designed specifically for concealed carry. It’s also very expensive, although the quality justifies the price.

Pros

• Warm nylon/poly shell
• Deep, padded handwarmer pockets
• Ambidextrous concealed carry pockets
• External pockets have 6 total magazine slots
• Machine washable

Cons

• Concealed carry pockets zip shut
• Expensive

Why It’s Recommended

This is a great choice if you need a high-quality winter vest that also supports concealed carry.

4. Venado Vest

The Venado vest is a fashionable concealed carry vest that allows you to carry your concealed
firearm and magazine while looking stylish. It is made of high-quality cotton material with an
insulated quilt lining.

The carry vest has a right-handed interior concealed carry pocket where you can store your
gun. The pocket has a Velcro strap that is easy to unfasten and provides quick access to the
weapon.

The interior of the carry vest also has three extra pockets for your phone, wallet, essential
documents, and extra magazines. The pockets have a snap closure and a pull strap, making it
easier to access the magazine.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Four interior pockets
• Excellent quality

Cons

• Expensive

Why It’s Recommended

The Venado carry vest has two large exterior pockets with snap closure for extra storage. It is
available in two colors, black and brown, and is a great option for tactical or daily wear.

5. SOA

The SOA is designed to look like the motorcycle vests on Sons of Anarchy. They hit the mark with this one. It looks fantastic, and the price is very reasonable for a leather vest. The all-metal hardware is well-engineered, and won’t fail quickly.

The concealed carry pocket leaves a bit to be desired, though. It’s designed for right-handed people only, and zips shut. This makes it practical for small pistols only. There’s a second interior pocket for an extra magazine.

Pros

• Stylish and affordable
• Internal pocket for an extra magazine
• All-metal hardware

Cons

• Bonded leather shell
• Concealed carry pocket zips shut
• Only designed for right-handed shooters

Why It’s Recommended

If you love the look of leather but don’t want to pay a small fortune for your vest, this is a good choice for you.

6. Rothco

This vest is made for spring/summer/fall use. Not only is the cotton/poly blend very lightweight, but it has three zippers on the back for opening vents. It also has a whopping 23 pockets, which gives it more storage space than you’ll ever need.

The concealed carry pockets are ambidextrous, but they’re open on two sides, and the single velcro strap isn’t enough to hold your gun in place when you bend over. You’ll need a pocket holster to use this vest. You’ll also want to order a size smaller than usual since the sizes run on the large side.

Pros

• Lightweight and breathable
• 23 pockets
• Washable cotton/polyester blend
• Vented back for warm weather
• Two concealed carry pockets

Cons

• Concealed carry pockets require a holster
• Sizes run a bit large

Why It’s Recommended

If you need a lightweight tactical vest for carrying a lot of gear, the Rothco Plainclothes Concealed Carry Vest is just what the doctor ordered.

7. Wyoming Traders

The Wyoming Traders are water-resistant, lightweight, and stylish. It has a button-up design that’s equally appropriate for business casual or manual labor. The internal concealed carry pocket has two elastic straps that hold your pistol firmly in place, and there are two additional elastic pockets further down for carrying extra magazines.

The only downside of this vest is that it’s designed for right-handed people only. Left-handed individuals will need a different vest.

Pros

• Durable canvas shell
• Inconspicuous design
• Secure holster with elastic grip straps
• Elastic internal pockets for 2 extra magazines
• Stylish button-up design

Cons

• Not designed for left-handed people

Why It’s Recommended

This is one of the most fashionable concealed carry vests available. If you want a vest that emphasizes the “concealed” part of “concealed carry”, it’s a good choice.

8. Blue Stone Safety

This is a true tactical vest. On the one hand, you can carry just about anything in it, thanks to the twelve external pockets. On the other hand, it’s very conspicuous, including a giant American flag patch that’s very hard to miss.

The two concealed carry pockets are well placed for left or right-handed shooters, and it has a pair of elastic internal pockets further down that can hold up to six magazines securely. The all-metal zippers and snaps are extremely durable, as is the polyester shell. Be careful about getting it dirty, though; this vest is not washable.

Pros

• Waterproof polyester shell
• Ambidextrous concealed carry pockets
• Elastic internal pockets for up to 6 extra magazines
• 12 additional pockets for extra gear
• All-metal hardware

Cons

• Conspicuous
• Not washable

Why It’s Recommended

The Blue Stone Safety Concealment Vest is tough, durable and works equally well for left or right-handed individuals.

9. Wyoming Traders

The Wyoming Traders has a water-resistant canvas shell. The stitching is heavy and durable, and high-stress seams have triple-stitching. The concealed carry pockets are located on both sides, and each one has a pair of elastic straps to hold your pistol firmly in place. There are also elastic pockets on the inside that will hold up to four extra magazines.

The price is very reasonable, although there’s one drawback: the buttons and zipper are plastic, so they may not last as long as metal hardware.

Pros

• Durable, water-resistant canvas shell
• Ambidextrous concealed carry pockets
• Elastic pockets for 4 extra magazines
• 2 breast pockets and 2 front pockets
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Plastic zipper and buttons

Why It’s Recommended

This is a rugged, inconspicuous concealed carry vest that holds your pistol securely, all at a reasonable price

10. 5.11 TacLite

The 5.11 tactical vest was designed specifically for competitive shooters. The external magazine pockets are deep enough for an AR magazine, and the concealed carry pockets are easy to draw from, particularly when you use the button strap to keep it closed with the zipper open.

The canvas shell is durable and machine-washable and has durable quad stitches on virtually all of the seams. It requires a velcro holster for safe carrying, though, which is a bit disappointing considering how well-designed it is.

Pros

• Durable canvas shell
• Designed for competitive shooters
• Large magazine pockets
• Quad stitching on high-stress seams

Cons

• Concealed carry pockets require a holster

Why It’s Recommended

This is an ideal vest for competitive shooters. If you shoot in 3-gun competitions, you’ll have room for plenty of mags along with your CCW.

11. AC Undercover

The last two items on our list aren’t technically vests, but they’re in the same ballpark.

The AC Undercover Men’s Compression Concealment Tank Top has a pair of elastic holsters under both arms that allow for concealed carry by left or right-handed people. The restraining strap has a hook-lock that’s secure and easy to release.

This isn’t as durable as a vest, and your gun is a little harder to get at if you’re wearing a tee-shirt over it, but it’s one of the best warm-weather options available.

Pros

• Ambidextrous holsters
• Secure, under-arm CCW placement
• Great for carrying under light clothes

Cons

• Not as durable or accessible as a vest
• No extra pockets

Why It’s Recommended

This AC Undercover Tank Top is a great choice for law enforcement or citizens who need to carry it while wearing light clothing. You can wear this with nothing more than a tee-shirt and gym shorts.

Key Considerations

When you’re purchasing a vest for concealed carry, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. A lot of these factors will depend on you, your gun, and your lifestyle, so weigh your options carefully.

Material

Concealed carry vests can be made of just about any material that clothes are made of. Here are some of the most common options:

• Leather vest – It will typically be very durable and will go well with motorcycle or riding gear. Anyone who works on a farm or a ranch can easily carry in one of these vests. That said, a leather vest is going to attract a lot of attention if you live in a major city. The last thing you want to do when carrying a concealed gun is to wear clothing that screams “This guy has a gun!”, so consider a leather vest only if it won’t look out of place.
• Canvas is water-resistant, warm, and durable. It also comes in a variety of colors and stitching is easy, so canvas vests will often have a large number of pockets. This can help obscure the profile of your gun and is also useful for carrying extra magazines, tools, or fishing and hunting supplies. That said, you’re liable to look like a photographer or fisherman when you’re wearing one, so they’re conspicuous in a lot of everyday contexts.
• Linen/nylon. Linen or nylon vests tend to be designed to look like traditional menswear. This makes them ideal if you wear a suit or sports jacket for work. On the other hand, the material is usually thin, which means you’ll need that jacket to help obscure the gun’s profile.
• Denim/fleece. These are the least fashionable options but are also appropriate in the largest number of circumstances. Almost anyone can wear one of these vests without looking conspicuous. They’re also warm, so they double as good cold-weather gear.

Functionality

You may need different options depending on why and where you’re carrying. To begin with, most concealed carry vests have two pockets, one on each side. If you’re left-handed, make sure your vest has this option, or you may get stuck drawing right-handed.

Another thing you’ll want to check is whether or not the pockets have straps to restrain your firearm. Most concealed carry vests do, but some require you to use a pocket holster or risk having your pistol pop out of the pocket unexpectedly. Most of these straps are made of velcro so they can be released quickly in an emergency.

You’ll also want to make sure you can carry as many extra magazines as you need. Usually, one in the gun and one in the opposite-side pocket will be sufficient, but if you’re an undercover law enforcement officer you may want to carry more firepower. Tactical vests are a good choice for this purpose but can make you stand out like a sore thumb in a lot of situations.

If you’re looking for a concealment option that can be worn under athletic wear, a tank top can be a better option than a vest. These won’t have extra pockets for a spare magazine, but they’re better than nothing, which is why we included two of them on our list.

Comfort

If you’re carrying concealed every day, you’re going to want a concealed carry vest that’s tight enough not to flap around, but also loose enough that you can easily reach inside and access your firearm.

If you’re ordering one online, keep in mind that sizes can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Make sure to try it on as soon as it arrives to find out whether or not it fits correctly. If it doesn’t, return it immediately and order a different size.

The material is also important to your comfort. A heavy denim vest may be extremely comfortable in cool weather but can be oppressively hot in the summer. Conversely, a lightweight nylon vest may be comfortable in the summertime, but you’ll need to layer other clothes over the top of it in wintertime.

If you normally wear a jacket over your vest, make sure to wear one when you’re trying the vest on. See if there are any bulges or pockets on the vest that cause your jacket to snag and whether your jacket still fits well across your shoulders with the extra bulk of the vest.

Appearance

We’ve already touched on this, but it bears repeating: the whole point of concealed carry is to keep your firearm concealed. While any garment that covers the gun will keep you legal, it may not keep you safe in an emergency situation.

Legal reasons aside, the main benefit of concealed carry – as opposed to open carry – is that the bad guys won’t know you’re armed. If any casual observer can tell that you’re carrying, you may become a target if, for example, you happen to be standing in line at the bank when a gunman decides to rob the place.

Consider your environment carefully – where you work, socialize, and run your errands – and choose a vest that won’t look out of place.

Bottom Line

As we’ve seen, there are a lot of options available for your concealed carry vest. You can buy them in a wide variety of materials: leather, canvas, nylon, denim, fleece, and others. You can also choose from several styles, from formal business attire to safari vests to biker gear and everyday work vests. We’ve even looked at some workout gear.

We’ve also seen a wide variety of functionality, from vests that are basically glorified holsters all the way to vests that have a dozen or more pockets for all your survival gear. Whether you’re carrying every day, or whether you’re carrying a sidearm in the field as a last line of defense against predators, there’s a vest here for you. Haven’t found a vest that’s suitable from the list? Check out our detailed reviews of belly band holsters, fanny pack holsters, ankle holsters and concealed carry belts!