Being a CCW permit holder, you need clothing you can count on that also feels comfortable. Sometimes, you need clothing for holding your weapon, but also clothes that help to conceal. For example, you might have comfortable pants, but not a suitable shirt or jacket.
If you’re in the market for CCW clothing, here are some of the different options you have available.
1. CCW-friendly pants
When you’re carrying a concealed firearm, comfort matters along with concealability. Some people have a harder time concealing their firearm because of their body shape or the clothes they wear. Unfortunately, wearing the wrong pants can make your weapon visible and some pants make it hard to carry at all.
Some companies sell conceal-carry pants that are designed to fit comfortably and accommodate your carry belt. Other CCW pants provide a built-in elastic holster in the waistband.
You can also find comfortable tactical pants with concealed zippered pouches to store your valuables out of sight. Vertx is probably the most popular brand for tactical conceal-carry pants.
Some tactical pants for women are made with a higher rise in the back for extra comfort. When you’re carrying, you don’t want low-rise pants. You need your pants to sit on your waist comfortably without sliding down.
When it rains, there are waterproof pants you can wear over your regular attire. For example, the Tru-Spec H2) Proof ECWCS pants are made with Bemis seams to keep the moisture out.
2. EDC belts
When you wear a traditional holster, your belt is your most important clothing item. Either way, you need a good belt.
A good carry belt will fit through your belt loops without bending, and it should be a perfect fit. Most people use the traditional belt and buckle style belt, but more CCW permit holders are starting to use stretch belts with alternative closures.
For example, you can find stretch belts that connect using strong neodymium magnets. There are other mechanisms like hooks, Velcro, and buckles that resemble a seatbelt. These belts are easier to adjust and you can get an exact fit.
While these newer style belts seem cool, be cautious about wearing belts that connect with strong magnets. Rare Earth magnets, like the neodymium magnets, are powerful enough to cause harm to your body when exposed for long periods of time. It depends on the magnet’s strength, but if that’s a concern, you might want to skip the magnets and go for other closure styles.
3. Regular, thick, oversized hoodies
A standard, thick, oversized hoodie can be your best CCW clothing item. If it’s a cold day and you don’t have any CCW long sleeved shirts, just toss on a hoodie that covers your sidearm and you’ll be good to go.
Hoodies are also great at concealing shoulder holsters. However, if you carry in the back, be careful about going into autopilot mode by taking off your hoodie in public. You should probably wear a long shirt underneath your hoodie if there’s a chance you’ll remove it in public.
4. Conceal-carry shorts
For warmer days, conceal-carry shorts are extremely comfortable. These shorts generally have a high waistband that extends the amount of material available for holding your firearm. Most of these shorts come with pockets in all the usual carry locations.
For example, the Alexo Athletica shorts for women have seven pockets all the way around so you can carry in any position. They also come with an extra pocket in the front of the waistband to store your phone, wallet, or keys.
These particular shorts are unique because they have a double pocket system that allows the wearer to put a card in a small pocket in front of the firearm for trigger protection. CCW shorts can also be used to carry other weapons like a taser or blade.
5. Conceal-carry leggings
For days when you just don’t feel like wearing bulky pants, leggings are always an option. With CCW leggings, you get plenty of pockets distributed throughout the waistband, so you can carry anywhere you like.
Leggings are naturally tight, so they work well for concealed carry. Combined with a good shirt, hoodie, or jacket, nobody will ever know. The only downside is that leggings don’t come with a trigger guard.
Carry concealed with style
No matter what your style is, there’s a wide variety of conceal-carry clothing to choose from. When your usual attire won’t cut it, CCW clothing will keep you comfortable and keep your firearm secure.