What檚 the difference between Kydex Holsters and Hybrid Holsters?

You may have wondered, what is the difference between a Kydex holster and a hybrid holster. Well, at a high level, the differences are pretty simple. With a Kydex holster, you have a molded scabbard that is attached to your gun belt with a clip. This makes for a very low profile and is easy to remove and replace when needed. With a Hybrid IWB holster, you take that same Kydex holster and attach it to a larger backing material. The materials can vary but are usually leather or some kind of synthetic material. Hybrids tend to be a little larger in profile and help spread the weight of your firearm over a larger surface area. Hybrids can take a little more time to secure to your gunbelt than the Kydex holster and is something to keep in mind.

We get into more details below, but as an aside, you might also remember that along with your holster, you want to make sure you have a good quality gun belt as the foundational support of your carrying system. Now, on to your holster and the question at hand. Kydex or Hybrid? ™

So what is Kydex anyway?

Kydex is a lightweight, durable and semi-flexible thermo-plastic that has been used in a variety of applications from aircraft manufacturing, auto-parts and thanks to a crafty FBI field agent, for gun holsters since the early 1970檚.

In the decades since Kydex was discovered to be a great material for holsters, they have grown in popularity to rival other materials such as leather. While it was a great material to use, recent developments made by our team here at Vedder Holsters have made the trusted use of Kydex even better. Additional features such as ride height and cant adjustments have made great strides in the comfort level of carrying with a Kydex IWB holster. A great example of this is the Vedder LightTuck™ IWB Holster.

For some folks though, Kydex alone might not work for them. While Kydex makes for a very safe CCW option, the holster itself against the skin might create some discomfort. Like we檝e said before, everything about your carry system is a personal choice. A different option is the hybrid approach.

What is a Hybrid IWB holster?

Hybrid holsters are made by attaching the Kydex holster to a larger backing material. Most versions today use leather or a synthetic material with padding for the backing. On each side of the holster, there is a sturdy belt clip to attach the holster to your gun belt securely and safely.

With this design approach, the same level of safety is achieved from a draw and holstering perspective while also creating a larger