7 Best Shoulder Holster: Reviews + Buyers Guide
During my time in the Marines, I learned how important it is to have a good holster for your gun. Among the various types, I believe that shoulder holsters stand out for their unique blend of comfort and convenience, making them an excellent choice for many. Their popularity isn’t a recent phenomenon. In fact, they’ve been in use since the Civil War days, and even famous folks like Doc Holliday used them. Today, their appeal remains strong, especially among those who prefer to carry their firearm discreetly.
However, the question of which shoulder holster is the best often leads to a lot of debate. The truth is, the best shoulder holster is the one that fits you perfectly. But finding that perfect fit can be challenging due to the number of options and conflicting opinions. That’s why I decided to create this comprehensive guide to help you get through this.
In this guide, I’ve not only listed my top seven picks for shoulder holsters but also provided detailed insights about each one. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently select a shoulder holster that will best suit your personal needs.
Shoulder Holster Orientations
Shoulder holsters come in a few variations. These days the most common are horizontal and vertical, and each has its pros and cons.
Horizontal – Horizontal is the most common method to carry a shoulder holster. It’s the classic method and typically the more popular design. The main advantage of the horizontal shoulder holster is the speed of the draw. You can draw the weapon quicker, and that’s valuable to a lot of shooters. They also tend to be more compact overall, and they keep things further from the hips.
Vertical – A vertical shoulder holster orients the weapon’s muzzle down and tends to be excellent for very large firearms. Think Glock 34 size. They keep the weapon along the body and help to conceal it effectively. Nothing sticks out or pokes outwards. Much like appendix carry, the body conceals the gun.
Upside Down – I don’t think any serious holster maker makes an upside-down carry-shoulder holster. They used this older design for very small guns, often J-frame revolvers. It oriented the gun barrel up and made for a quick draw. However, it also points the gun at the person carrying it, creating a crazy degree of risk, one I advise against 100%. (If you want to dress up like Steve McQueen from Bullitt, use a squirt gun.)
How I Chose the Best Shoulder Holster
With over a decade of experience in shooting, I’ve tested a variety of shoulder holsters in a bid to find the best ones. For me, the most important thing is having quality material and design. So, I considered some good shoulder holsters that worked well for me and asked my shooting buddies for suggestions on holsters with good design and comfort to try out. After assessing factors like orientation, material, and retention, I made a list of holsters that offer exceptional performance.
Curated from my own experiences and input from my colleagues, the holsters on this list can improve your carrying experience. But remember, everyone has different tastes when it comes to holsters. What works for me might not work for you. So, ultimately, you get to decide what’s best for you. In addition to the list, I’ve also included a buyer’s guide so you know what to look for when buying a shoulder holster.
Gun University’s Choices of the Best Shoulder Holsters
Best Shoulder Holsters
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Best Shoulder Holsters Specifications
Below is a table of the specs for holster. Click the name of the item to jump to that review.
| Holster | Orientation | Material | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical & Horizontal | Leather | Active | |
| Horizontal | Leather and Polymer | Active | |
| Vertical & Horizontal | Leather and Polymer | Active | |
| Horizontal | Leather | Active | |
| Vertical & Horizontal | Polymer and Nylon | Passive or Active | |
| Vertical & Horizontal | Polymer and Nylon | Polymer | |
| Vertical | Nylon | Active |
Best Shoulder Holsters
Here is our list for the best shoulder holsters:
- Galco Miami Classic
- Safariland 7053 7TS ALS
- Alien Gear Shapeshift
- Galco Classic Lite
- Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster
- Gunfighters Inc Spectre
- Desantis DSD Rig
Shoulder Holsters – Reviews
1 Galco Miami Classic II
Galco Miami Classic II
A customizable shoulder holster made from leather available in tan or black for a wide range of firearms.
Galco Miami Classic 1 and 2 Specs
- Orientation Vertical & Horizontal
- Material Leather
- Retention Active
Galco Miami Classic 1 and 2 Review
One of the original high-quality, adjustable, and comfortable shoulder holsters comes from Galco in the form of the Miami Classic. The name comes from the fact Galco adapted one of their Jackass rigs to fit Don Johnson of Miami Vice. The name stuck, and it continues to be one of the best shoulder holsters on the market and my personal favorite. Both the Classic and Classic 2 fit the bill.
The differences are minor, and the Classic 2 has a horizontal magazine carrier with passive retention. It’s also got thicker straps for increased comfort. The Classic is lower profile overall. These classical leather designs function well and provide a flexible material that doesn’t rub or cause pain.
The real charm of the Miami Classic is the rear spider harness. That’s where the comforting magic happens, and it allows the holster to move as you move. It is not straps holding you back, but straps and a gun that moves with you. This prevents fatigue. The harness is very adjustable and can be customized to the shooter’s size.
Galco also offers a degree of modularity. The holster can be worn with a right or left-handed holster. You can attach mag pouches, cuff pouches, speed loader pouches, or even this big ole knife holster if you feel froggy. If you own one set of straps, you can always swap the holster without having to buy an entirely new rig.
The key problem with the Miami Classic is that it doesn’t always support modern carry accessories. It does not allow lights to be used, and the compatibility with optics depends on the gun and optic used. It tends to work most of the time. Other muzzle devices like comps can also be hit or miss with the Miami Classic.
The Miami Classic is a classic of shoulder rigs. It’s my go-to on road trips, and I carry my P365 XL with a Holosun EPS and two spare mags without issue. It’s made for tons of guns, so if you are packing, Galco likely makes an option for you.
Galco Miami Classic 1 and 2 Pros and Cons
- Comfortable
- Modular
- Proven
- Doesn’t support Modern Accessories
Safariland 7053 7TS ALS Specs
- Orientation Horizontal
- Material Leather and Polymer
- Retention Active
Safariland 7053 7TS ALS Review
Many people don’t seem to know that Safariland makes a shoulder rig for concealed carry, and it’s often ignored in favor of their duty options. Safariland makes so many duty holsters that their designs have largely become the standard, with very few competitors challenging them for the top spot. The Safariland 7053 7TS ALS design is the most underrated option on this list.
The holster is an odd combination of modern materials mixed with an old-school leather design. The holster is an ALS design made from the Safariland SafariSeven material. This is a polymer that is a nylon blend, to be specific. They make the cuff that goes over your shoulder from more traditional leather. The design of the 7073 makes it a bit more affordable than most high-quality leather holsters.
Polymer is cheaper, and Safariland already makes tons of ALS holsters, so it’s an easy adaption. Also, the harness is basically cut in half. The portion that supports the gun has a leather shoulder strap, but the other side gets a simple nylon cord that wraps around the opposite arm. This is both a benefit and a downside. It works well for concealed carry because it’s so lightweight and low profile.
The downside is that it won’t be comfy for big guns. It’s not super supportive and really works best with micro compacts like the SIG P365 and single stack 9mms like the Glock 43. Small guns are where this Safariland 7053 works best.
The Safariland utilizes the ALS active retention system with the 7053. While most leather holsters use a thumb strap, the 7053 uses the faster and easier-to-use thumb release. It’s pressed inwards naturally when you draw the gun.
The lightweight design does keep things comfy and very concealed. It does lack a lot of modularity. You also don’t have an option for lights or optics either. This is a recurring theme, but I promise it’s not universal.
Safariland 7053 7TS ALS Pros and Cons
- Low Profile
- Lightweight
- ALS retention
- Affordable
- No Lights, No Optics
- Only Works Well With Small Guns
Alien Gear Shapeshift Holster Specs
- Orientation Vertical & Horizontal
- Material Leather and Polymer
- Retention Active
Alien Gear Shapeshift Holster Review
The Alien Gear Shapeshift system is interesting, but it’s largely not for me. It’s not bad, but we won’t get deep into that. What did impress me was the Shapeshift shoulder holster system. The Shapeshift system allows you to move one holster to a variety of carry styles, from OWB and IWB to shoulder and ankle carry. In the shoulder configuration, the Shapeshift excels for a number of reasons.
First, yes, it’s modular and affordable to swap out the polymer molded shell with another gun. This allows you to carry whatever gun you have. Also, this shoulder rig is among the few that enable effortless adjustment of the gun’s cant. You can wear the holster as a regular horizontal carry design, add a little upwards cant, or even just switch to vertical carry. You can also attach or detach spare mag pouches.
Next, the holster is incredibly comfortable. It has a harness at the back that allows for movement, and the straps are very adjustable to make life easy for carriers, both big and small, and everywhere in between. The included belt tie-downs are also flexible and allow for movement and adjustability, as well as maximum comfort.
The downside comes down to the fact the Shapeshift shell system is devoid of light and optics-ready options. It’s plain guns and plain guns only. That kind of sucks in an era where even small guns have red dot options available to them.
If that’s not an issue for you, then the Shapeshift offers a very adjustable, comfortable, and modular shoulder holster design. It’s even better if you like the Shapeshift system as a whole. That will certainly help you make your decision.
Alien Gear Shapeshift Holster Pros and Cons
- Highly Modular
- Easy to wear
- Adjustable
- No lights, No Optics
- Expensive
Galco Classic Lite Specs
- Hand orientation Horizontal
- Material Leather
- Closure type Active
Galco Classic Lite Review
Another day, another Galco. The Galco Classic Lite gives us an affordable option in the leather shoulder holster world and maximum support. It uses the general layout of the Miami Classic series with a more affordable design. This keeps the holster priced right around a hundred bucks, which is half the price of the Miami Classic.
What they cut was fancy-looking leather. It’s not a glossy, fancy leather design. It’s also not molded with the same high degree of refinement as the Miami Classic. While it’s molded enough to offer retention and safety, it doesn’t give that molded look. The straps are plain.
While we sacrifice the fine leather work, we do get the basics of what makes the Miami Classic so comfortable. This means we get the spider harness for comfort, and you can adjust the holster as necessary for a good fit. This is what you really need for a comfortable carry, and the classic light doesn’t skimp.
The Classic Lite comes with a vertical, dual magazine pouch, and the mag pouch and holster both use a basic leather strap with a button for retention. Overall, it’s a solid design that is quite functional and doesn’t break the bank. The biggest complaint I have is that the holster portion and the rougher leather can rub right above the elbow unless you are wearing a long sleeve shirt.
Galco Classic Lite Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Adjustable
- No lights, No Optics
- Rubs slightly
Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster Specs
- Orientation Vertical & Horizontal
- Material Polymer and Nylon
- Retention Passive or Active
Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster Review
Let’s move away from old-fashioned leather shoulder holsters and into 2024. The Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster defies what a shoulder holster can and should be. They ditched leather for the holster material of the century, polymer. Gone are leather straps, and in their place, we have nylon. This reduces bulk and forms a modern option that’s less sensitive to the weather and environment.
The Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster has a spider harness design that secures the straps and allows free movement. Each strap is very easy to adjust and allows for a good customization over your holster and how it fits your individual body.
The Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster not only checks the boxes for comfort and usability, but it also stands out for its modularity and uniqueness, making it a truly versatile shoulder holster. After you select the basics, like what gun you’re carrying, you can continue to select various options. This includes an optic cut and a light option. They have tons of light options from companies, both big and small.
The default off-hand side is two mag pouches, but you can add a third mag pouch, do a mag and light, or two mags and a light, or a single mag pouch, and the list goes on. There are just tons of options out there to make the holster you want. That’s a neat concept and allows you to get what you need out of the gun. Even with a ton of options added, I landed at below the cost of a Miami Classic.
Ares Tactical Shoulder Holster Pros and Cons
- Customizable
- Light and optic Allowed
- Uses Modern materials
- Extras Features = Extra Money
Gunfighters Inc Spectre Shoulder Holster Specs
- Orientation Vertical & Horizontal
- Material Polymer and Nylon
- Closure type Polymer
Gunfighters Inc Spectre Shoulder Holster Review
Gunfights Inc might offer the most advanced shoulder holster on the market, the Spectre. They made their name with chest rig holsters and adopted their modern take on the chest rig to the shoulder holster. This creates a shoulder holster with all the modern features of a hip rig.
The Spectre series uses modern polymer material to craft holsters directly molded to your gun. This offers superior retention and fit while remaining low profile and resistant to most normal wear and tear. It also allows for light-bearing options, and they cut each Spectre rig for optics. The open-bottom threaded barrel accommodation is stock as well.
You can use a variety of support side attachments. This includes the standard dual mag attachment, as well as the ability to add a second holster for a second gun, just because. A New York reload is always cool. Additionally, with some guns like the Glock series, you can select the Happy Stick option to carry a 33-round spare mag.
They add tie downs, and shooters have the option to choose suppressor height sight to ensure a large channel. It’s all fairly nice and makes for a modern carry option. They make the straps from wide nylon to distribute weight and are quite adjustable. They allow for great freedom of movement and superior comfort.
I don’t have much to complain about. It’s one of the more expensive rigs on this list, especially if you choose the light-bearing options. However, it’s the most modern, and who doesn’t like modern?
Gunfighters Inc Spectre Shoulder Holster Pros and Cons
- Modern Design
- Optic and Light options
- Comfortable
- Expensive
Desantis DSD Rig Specs
- Orientation Vertical
- Material Nylon
- Retention Active
Desantis DSD Rig Review
I like to toss a wild card in every so often, and today’s will be the Desantis DSD Rig. They designed every other shoulder rig on this list for handguns and for concealment. The DSD Rig went a different direction and was designed to allow the user to conceal either an SMG or SBR-sized rifle. Yep, it’s not your typical rig.
Desantis designed these for overseas work that required discretion, but not at the expense of firepower. The DSD rigs come in either 9mm or 5.56 models and are designed to position an SMG or super short rifle under your arm. Admittedly, this won’t conceal super well. On the opposite side, you can carry two spare magazines.
Your weapon straps into the rig and features a quick detach system to get it in the ready position. It’s a neat design, but it’s largely useless for the everyday Joe. However, Desantis offers it to anyone who wants one. You can LARP as a secret agent if you so choose and wander around your house, or your Mom’s basement, with whatever large format pistol you could ever want.
Desantis DSD Rig Pros and Cons
- Designed for ‘BIG” guns
- Spare Mag Pouches
- Just Fun
- Pointless for 99% of People
Best Shoulder Holster – Buyers Guide
Finding the best shoulder holster for you comes down to your personal needs, priorities, and the specific firearm you plan to carry. Let’s take a look at some factors you should consider when narrowing down your options:
Comfort and Accessibility: When choosing a shoulder holster, the first thing to consider is the adjustability of the straps and harnesses. This ensures a perfect fit tailored to your body. Next, prioritize comfort for long-term wear by opting for padded straps and breathable materials. Also, make sure the holster allows for a smooth and quick draw of your firearm, so you can easily access it when you need it.
Retention Mechanism: Pick a holster with a reliable retention mechanism to keep your firearm secure. Some have buttons or straps to hold it in place, while others use special shapes to keep it snug. If you like having control, go for a holster with adjustable retention. That way, you can set it up for both safety and easy access just the way you like it..
Material and Durability: Check what the holster is made of to make sure it’s strong enough to last. Leather holsters look cool and mold to fit your gun over time, while ones made of plastic or nylon are lighter and can handle different weather conditions. Make sure the material you choose can handle daily use without letting your gun slip or get damaged.
Concealment and Discreetness: Think about how well the holster hides your gun. You don’t want it to stick out or bulge under your clothes, so choose one that’s designed to stay hidden. Consider the color and finish of the holster to make sure it blends in with what you’re wearing and where you’re going.
Compatibility with Accessories: If you want to carry extra stuff like spare bullets or a flashlight, look for a holster with pockets or places to attach them. Make sure they’ll fit and stay secure while you’re moving around. Also, check if the holster works with any extra things you want to add, like sights or lights, to make sure everything fits together right.
Price and Value: Decide how much you want to spend on a holster, but remember that quality matters. It’s worth investing in a good holster that will last and keep your gun safe. Think about what features are most important to you and find a holster that gives you the best value for your money.
Shoulder Holsters Pros and Cons
Now that we have checked out the best shoulder holsters and the buyer’s guide, let’s learn a bit more about them.
Shoulder holsters are admittedly niche carry holsters, and in certain niches, they excel and do quite well. However, like any product, they also come with their own set of drawbacks. Let’s take a moment to discuss both the pros and cons of shoulder holsters, as well as some basic information about them.
- Seated Carry – One of their most dominant niche uses is in seated carry. The shoulder holster can be very comfortable and easy to access when in a seated position. This is especially true when it comes to vehicles and road trips, which is where I break my shoulder holster out.
- Large Frame Guns – Shoulder holsters can also make it easier to carry larger guns, including full-sized pistols. Carrying a Glock 17 isn’t too tough when you have a shoulder holster.
- Accessory Carry – Additionally, most shoulder holsters feature some form of extra mag pouch to allow for a magazine or two to be carried to be an all-in-one design. A good shoulder holster (like the ones in this article) is quite comfortable and makes carrying big guns easy.
- Cover Garment – Shoulder holsters require something to conceal them. This means an overshirt or jacket, which can be inconvenient in the summer.
- Price – Shoulder holsters, or at least good ones, tend to be quite expensive. Well over a hundred dollars in most cases.
- Slower Draw – they can be slower to draw from, and you need a practiced draw to ensure you are not flagging yourself or others as you draw. This requires your nondominant hand to often reach for the sky.
- Discomfort – Discomfort typically occurs with bad shoulder holsters that lack support, adjustment, and maneuverability.
Shoulder Up
Ahh, here we are at the end. Don’t be sad. It’s over. Be happy we had this time together. All joking aside, while shoulder holsters aren’t common and can be niche, I still find them to be quite valuable. As a bigger guy, most vehicles put my knees into the center console and forced a rough ride with IWB carry. Shoulder holsters make my road trips stress-free, and A/C doesn’t care about my overshirt.
The shoulder rig can still be a very viable option, but you need to be picky about it. Hopefully, we’ve helped guide you in the right direction to picking out your favorite shoulder holster.
Best Leather Shoulder Holster – FAQs
Are shoulder holsters safe to use?
Shoulder holsters can be safe to use when you wear them correctly and handle them responsibly. Make sure the holster you pick keeps your gun secure. Remember to practice firearm safety by being careful with your trigger and knowing where your gun is pointing when using a shoulder holster.
What is a hybrid shoulder holster?
A hybrid shoulder holster typically combines different materials, such as leather and Kydex, to provide you the comfort of traditional materials with the durability and weapon retention of modern ones.
Why choose a leather holster for shoulder carry?
A leather holster gives you a classic and stylish choice for carrying on your shoulder. Plus, it’s durable and keeps your firearm snug and secure. Over time, the leather adapts to your gun’s shape, providing a fit that’s personalized and comfortable.
Can I customize my shoulder holster with additional accessories?
Yes. Some shoulder holsters allow you to customize them with additional accessories such as spare magazine pouches, flashlight holders, or optic mounts. Check the specifications of your holster to see if it supports these additional accessories and customization options. It’s all about making your holster work best for you.
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About Travis Pike
Travis is a former United States Marine Corps Infantryman and currently a firearms writer, instructor, and works in Emergency Management.
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So we are talking about large companies here not small custom leatherworks like Tauris Holsters ect..
That being said I’m a bit partial to the all leather shoulder holsters so Galco would seem to be up there. Their belt holsters are the best quality I have ever seen. One look at those ultra thin plastic fittings and I headed for the hills. What are they about 2 millimeters thick plastic? Sure it’s proven I guess but it really doesn’t inspire confidence. Also they have broken it’s not like 100% of them have never broken. So they can break and when they do the entire rig is caput. Would it have killed the company to have just made the fittings steel I wonder. What does a steel fitting cost when they are mass producing them? Maybe $1 extra over the plastic?
A little surprised to see Galco earned 2 spots on this list for shoulder holsters. There are other big brands that have much thicker or even steel fittings that are just as comfortable and the leather quality is on par with Galco. Even Desantis, who was on this list but for a different sort of holster, makes an all leather rig and yes plastic fittings but they’re those very thick ones used on backpack straps. Still not ideal but far above Galco I’d say.