The 10 Best Small Of Back Holsters

If you’re looking for a new holster, it’s important to consider what type of activities you’re going to be engaging in while you wear it. For everyday walking, driving, and sitting, an abdominal or hip holster usually makes the most sense. But those kinds of holsters be uncomfortable if you’re running, jumping, or engaging in other athletic activities. In these cases, a behind the back holster can be your best bet.

To address those needs, we’ve decided to find the best small of back holster online. We’ve put together 10 candidates, based on quality, style, material, and capacity. We’ve also taken price into consideration, since most people aren’t interested in spending a lot of money on a fancy small of back concealed carry holster.

We’ve looked for the best fanny packs, Glock holsters, Kydex holsters, and a smattering of nylon and belly band holsters. Here’s what we found.

Best Small of Back Holsters

1. LANZON

The LANZON comes with a lifetime warranty, a nice extra feature on a holster.

Key Features

• Full-grain leather construction
• Fits most compact pistols
• Left and right-handed versions available

The LANZON is available in both left and right-handed versions, so anyone can use it. Like most budget leather holsters, it’s stiff out of the box. You’ll need to break it in first, but that’s a minor concern considering what you’re getting.

Once it’s broken in, it’s soft and flexible, which makes it comfortable to wear in the small of your back. A sweat shield protects both sides of your pistol, so you won’t need to worry about wearing during strenuous activity. On the downside, the belt clip is made from very light gauge metal.

Pros

• Heavy gauge leather
• Comfortable
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Does not accommodate sights
• Flimsy belt clip

For an inexpensive holster, this is very well built.

2. Combat Veteran

The Combat Veteran has a durable Kydex design.

Key Features

• Kydex construction
• Designed to fit the Glock 19
• Left and right-handed versions available

The Combat Veteran is designed specifically for America’s most popular pistol, the Glock 19. It’s manufactured from durable Kydex and features an adjustable belt clip that allows you to angle it however you prefer. The retention is also adjustable, making it a good choice whether you need maximum security or an easy release.

This holster is very affordable. However, it uses a plastic belt clip, which isn’t as durable as some of the other holster clips we’ve looked at.

Pros

• Adjustable retention and cant
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Will not accommodate sights
• Plastic belt clip

This glock holster features adjustable retention and cant, so you can customize it for your unique draw.

3. CONCEALED CARRIER

The Concealed Carrier provides better retention than most nylon holsters.

Key Features

• Nylon construction
• Fits full frame and compact pistols
• Left and right-handed versions available
• Includes magazine pouch

The Concealed Carrier is an inexpensive nylon holster that comes with a little something extra: a separate nylon pouch that can carry an extra magazine. Both left and right-handed versions are available, so anyone can use it.

Be careful if you’re carrying a full frame pistol: the barrel can extend past the bottom of the holster, and a large front sight can potentially snag during the draw.

Pros

• Strong retention
• Quick release strap
• Very inexpensive

Cons

• Nylon is not very durable
• Sleeve can snag on sights

For anything smaller than a full frame pistol, this gun holster is a solid budget choice.

4. Relentless Tactical

Relentless Tactical’s is available in left and right-handed variants, making it a solid choice for southpaws.

Key Features

• Suede construction
• Fits most compact pistols
• Left and right-handed versions available

It’s a suede gun holster with rugged stitching. It’s surprisingly durable for an affordable holster, and is sized to fit most compact pistols. Be careful if you’re using it with a single stack magazine, though. Depending on the thickness of the grip, it may be too thin for good retention.

This holster is very comfortable and flexes to conform to your body. Sweat guards cover the inside of your pistol, protecting it from corrosion. However, the soft, flexible design means it’s prone to flattening out when empty, which can make your gun difficult to re-holster.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• Difficult to re-holster
• Does not accommodate sights

This suede holster is exceptionally comfortable.

5. Relentless Tactical The Defender

Relentless Tactical’s The Defender is constructed from tough bullhide leather, so it can handle a lot of abuse.

Key Features

• Bullhide leather construction
• Fits most compact pistols
• Left and right-handed versions available

Relentless Tactical’s The Defender doesn’t just rely on tough leather for its strength. It also features thick stitching, which prevents tears even if you draw and re-holster frequently. It’s available in both left and right-handed versions.

This holster is surprisingly flexible considering how durable it is. However, the leather is prone to losing its shape over time. That’s still not a deal breaker considering the low price, and it’s sized appropriately for most compact pistols. If worse comes to worst, you have the confidence of knowing that you’ve got a lifetime warranty.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Affordable

Cons

• Does not accommodate sights
• Doesn’t hold its shape well

This is another solid, affordable gun holster option.

6. Concealment Express

The Concealment Express is constructed from durable Kydex.

Key Features

• Kydex construction
• Full-length sweat guard
• Designed to fit the Glock 17
• Left and right-handed versions available
• Adjustable retention and cant

The Concealment Express is an open-ended holster that will fit many longer pistols with compact frames, including the Glock 17. A full-length sweat guard protects your handgun from corrosion, and adjustable retention and cant ensure that you’ll be able to draw it comfortably. It clicks when you holster your gun, so you know it’s secure.

This gun is available in both left and right-handed versions. Be careful when you’re holstering your gun, though; if your barrel’s hot, it may burn your skin.

Pros

• Protects your gun from corrosion
• Secure retention

Cons

• Barrel protrudes from the bottom of the holster

This gun holster is designed for the Glock 17 but fits many other similar pistols.

7. Topmeet

The Topmeet is well-sized for almost any handgun.

Key Features

• Fits up to a 45-inch waist
• Right-handed design
• Fits most sized handguns
• Elastic snap-down retention straps
• Built-in magazine pouch
• Extra built-in zipper pocket

The Topmeet is the first, but not the last, belly band holster on our list. This type of design is ideal for athletic people, since it flexes with your body, and doesn’t have any hard clips that can dig into pressure points.

This holster fits up to a 45-inch waist. However, the fabric tends to bunch up if you need to double it over, so thinner people may experience some discomfort while wearing it. That said, the retention snaps are very sturdy, so you’ll know your gun is secure.

Pros

• Strong retention
• Quick release

Cons

• Feels bulky on thinner users

This gun holster has a small zipper pocket for carrying your ID and credit card.

8. GoZier

The GoZier is stitched from breathable fabric, which makes it ideal for your morning run.

Key Features

• Fits up to a 45-inch waist
• Left and right-handed versions available
• Fits most sized handguns
• Elastic metal-hook retention strap
• 2 built-in magazine pouches
• Includes velcro zipper wallet

The GoZier is made of flexible neoprene and is ideal for thinner individuals, as slim as 22 inches. Although it will still breathe and flex, it can feel excessively snug if your waist is larger than 30 inches.

This holster is available in both left and right-handed variants, so anyone can use it. The elastic retention strap is well-designed, with a metal hook that releases easily when you need it to. The only thing we didn’t like were the magazine pouches, which for some reason don’t have retention straps.

Pros

• Strong retention
• Can be carried in multiple positions
• Breathable
• Good choice for thinner people

Cons

• No retention straps for magazines
• Stretches out over time

This gun holster features 2 built-in magazine pouches, so you’ll have plenty of extra ammo.

9. Acelane

The Acelane is tailored specifically for women.

Key Features

• Fits up to a 44-inch waist
• Left and right-handed versions available
• Fits most sized handguns
• Neoprene snap-down retention strap
• Built-in magazine pouch
• Tailored for women

The Acelane is a neoprene belly band holster that’s shaped specifically for a woman’s curves. Like most belly band holsters, it will hold any size of pistol, and it includes a sleeve for an extra magazine.

This holster angles your pistol perfectly over your tailbone, so you’ll experience minimal printing. It can fit up to a 44-inch waist, so almost anybody can wear it.

Pros

• Easy release
• Strong retention
• Minimal printing
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Poor retention on magazine pouch

This affordable gun holster doesn’t make any sacrifices when it comes to securely retaining your firearm.

10. ComfortTac

The ComfortTac – Deep Concealment Edition has a dual-layer design for minimal printing.

Key Features

• Fits up to a 53-inch waist
• Left and right-handed versions available
• Fits most sized handguns
• Leather snap-down retention straps
• Built-in magazine pouch

The ComfortTac Ultimate – Deep Concealment Edition includes a magazine pouch, complete with a retention strap. It rides lower than most belly band holsters, which makes it well suited for carrying in the small of your back since your pistol grip won’t be digging into your spine.

This holster features an open-ended design, so you can carry even long full frame pistols without needing to worry the retention strap stretching out. The metal snaps are easy to release, which means you’ll never be fumbling for your gun in an emergency.

Pros

• Easy release
• Strong retention
• Minimal printing
• Comfortable

Cons

• Not very breathable

Not only is this gun holster soft and friction-free, but it also holds your pistol securely.

Bottom Line

Depending on what you’re looking for, any one of these small of back holsters may be the best choice for you. If security is your primary concern, your best choice will be a Kydex or leather holster. If you’re looking for something comfortable for athletic activities like running, you’re better off using an SOB holster with a more flexible design, like a nylon or belly band holster.

One more thing to consider is something we’ve mentioned in passing in each of our reviews, but it’s the most important factor of all; the size. While most of our selections are universal, or nearly universal, it’s essential to be sure that your pistol is going to fit. If the gun does not fit, you must acquit – and choose a compatible holster.