With more Americans exercising their 2nd Amendment rights, responsibly carrying a firearm is important for many people. It’s not just about staying safe but also about finding a way to carry your gun that fits easily into your daily life, because if you don’t carry your gun, if it’s a hassle you might as well not have a gun. Whether you’re running errands, at work, or staying active, you want a system that keeps your firearm secure, safe, and hidden without being uncomfortable. Belly band holsters have been a favorite choice for a long time, but newer products, like the Phantom Belt- Floating Belt System (FBS), are changing how people think about carrying their guns. In this guide, we’ll take a close look at both options to help you decide which one might be best for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
- What are belly band holsters and how they work
- Different ways to wear them and their advantages
- Advantages of belly band holsters
- Phantom Belt- Floating Belt System
What Is a Belly Band Holster?
A belly band holster is essentially an elastic band that has a pocket for your gun and wraps around your waist, it’s a simple but effective way to carry your gun. Unlike regular holsters that you clip onto your belt or the waistline of your clothes, a belly band holster is made from a wide elastic band that wraps around your torso (the middle part of your body). This design makes it easy to hide your gun under your clothes, no matter what you’re wearing. Here’s what makes belly band holsters stand out:
- Elastic Material: Most are made with this stretchy material that fits snugly around your body, keeping the holster in place without being too tight.
- Strong Stitching: A belly band holster made with strong stitching is key to keeping it from falling apart over time.
- Extra Pockets: Many belly band holsters come with extra pockets for things like magazines or other accessories.
- Moisture-Wicking Fabric: Some holsters include a special lining that helps keep sweat from building up.
- Retention Straps: Adjustable straps help hold your gun in place so it doesn’t move around, but these retention straps don’t provide the best way of securing your gun.
- Different Sizes: Belly band holsters come in different sizes to fit both your body and the size of your gun.
Different Ways to Wear a Belly Band Holster
One of the best things about belly band holsters is how versatile they are. You can wear them in several positions depending on your activity level and what makes you feel most comfortable. Here are the main ways people wear them:
- High on Your Ribcage: Wearing the band higher up under your ribs is a great choice if you want to hide a small gun. This position is often used with formal clothing or for people who do a lot of physical activity, like running or biking, since it stays out of the way. This is also popular for women who position their gun directly below their breasts, but this position isn’t ideal for quickly getting to your gun.
- Lower Abdomen: Some people prefer to wear the band lower, near their abdomen. This is a good option if you’re carrying a larger gun because it helps distribute the weight better. It’s also a good position if you’ll be sitting a lot.
- Around Your Waist: This is the most common way to wear a belly band holster. The band sits at your waist, and it’s easy to reach your gun if needed. It’s comfortable for most people and works well with casual clothes or activewear.
Advantages of Belly Band Holsters
Belly band holsters have some clear benefits, especially if you’re looking for comfort and ease of use.
Comfort Features
Belly band holsters are made to be comfortable for wearing all day. Here’s why:
- Even Weight Distribution: Because the holster wraps around your torso, the weight of your gun is spread out, making it easier to carry without feeling too heavy in one spot.
- Flexible Fit: The elastic material moves with your body, so it doesn’t dig into your skin or feel uncomfortable when you bend or twist. Some wide belly bands can fold over when you bend over making them annoying and uncomfortable.
- Breathable Material: Many belly band holsters use fabrics that help keep you cool by allowing air to flow through and wick away sweat.
- Gentle on Skin: Some holsters are made with hypoallergenic materials, which means they’re less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Concealment Advantages
Belly band holsters are great at keeping your gun hidden, which is one of the main reasons people use them for concealed carry.
- Slim Design: The band is thin, so it doesn’t make a big bulge under your clothes.
- No Visible Clips: Since the holster doesn’t need a belt or clips, there’s nothing showing on the outside of your clothing that could give you away.
- Multiple Wearing Positions: You can adjust where you wear the holster to suit your outfit, making it easier to conceal your gun no matter what you’re wearing.
The Phantom Belt- Floating Belt System (FBS)
Concealed Carry in Gym Shorts
The Phantom Belt is a new type of concealed carry system that improves on many of the things people don’t like about traditional belly band holsters. You can safely carry in any type of clothing including gym shorts, sweat pants, yoga pants, or a tuxedo. A key feature of the Phantom Belt is its ability to accept your favorite holster. Just clip your holster onto the Phantom Belt as you would any other belt or pants. It uses new materials and smart design features to offer more comfort, security, and versatility. The Phantom Belt is a hybrid of a belly band and a traditional web belt with newly developed features to bring the best of both together into one superior piece of gunfighting equipment.
Cutting-Edge Design Features
- Durable Fabric: The Phantom Belt band is made from the same high tensile strength material as the fabric that hip/leg resistance bands are made of. This fabric holds up being stretched time after time and overtime without wearing out or breaking down, while still feeling comfortable. The web belt part is made of nylon webbing that is both strong and flexible for maximum concealment and comfort.
- Non-Slip Tech: It includes special soft anti-slip latex woven into the band that keeps your rig from shifting during movement, which is great if you’re running laps, running errands or running your life.
- Moisture Control: Since the Phantom Belt is made from an elastic fabric and not plain elastic or neoprene it will not make you sweat and with its moisture-wicking properties you stay dry even if you do sweat.
- Strong Stitching: At key points where the Phantom Belt experiences the most stress it is reinforced and double-stitched, meaning it won’t come apart.
- Together & Independent: The band and the web belt work together but also work independently of each other. The band can be snugly worn while the belt can be worn looser or tighter depending on how you need to carry that day.
Versatility Features
The Phantom FBS gives you more ways to adjust your holster to suit your needs:
- Customizable Retention: Because your own holster is used in conjunction with the Phantom Belt, you can dial in your gun’s retention by adjusting your holster’s settings.
- Works for Both Hands: It’s ambidextrous, meaning it works for both left- and right-handed people.
- Quick Adjustments: You can easily change the fit as your needs or clothing change during the day. The web belt is independent of the elastic band allowing you to wear the band and belt at different tensions.
Safety Features
The Phantom Belt prioritizes safety, making sure your gun is secure at all times:
- Secure Retention: The Phantom Belt uses the bolster attachment system that allows you to attach your favorite holster to the Phantom Belt, this gets you maximum retention by using your own holster.
- No Shifting: The design prevents your gun and holster from moving around your waist or up and down your body, so you know it will always be in the right position for a quick draw.
- Trigger Protection: Since the Phantom Belt allows you to attach your own holster, your gun’s trigger is always covered, which helps prevent negligent discharges.
Carry Options
The Phantom Belt gives you more flexibility in how you carry your gun:
- Full 360-Degree Positioning: You can wear your holster anywhere on the Phantom Belt. You can carry on your hip, small of the back, cross draw, or appendix making it easier to find a comfortable and effective spot on your body.
- Adjustable Height: You can change how high or low the gun sits on your torso, depending on what you’re wearing or how you prefer your holster height.
- Customizable Draw Angle: Using your own holster, adjust the angle of your gun for faster, more comfortable access.
- Extra Space: There is 360 degrees of space on your Phantom Belt allowing you to add magazine holsters and anything else that can be clipped on.
- More Guns: You can even attach more than one holster to your Phantom Belt and carry multiple guns at the same time.
Everyday Use and Scenarios
For Active Lifestyles
If you lead an active life, the Phantom Belt is the better choice. Conceal carry your holster and gun in gym shorts, sweat pants, or any other type of activewear. Its secure fit and cool touch technology make it ideal for running, hiking, or other physical activities. It’s also machine washable. Just separate the band from the web belt and throw it in the washing machine.
Different Weather Conditions
- In Hot Weather: Both holsters are designed to manage heat and moisture, but the Phantom Belt offers superior ventilation and cool touch technology, making it more comfortable in hot climates.
- In Cold Weather: Both systems work well under layers of clothing, though the Phantom Belt’s dual customizable fit might make it easier to adjust when wearing bulky winter clothes.
- In Wet Conditions: The Phantom Belt’s machine washable materials, give it an edge when exposed to rain or sweat.
At the Office
Both belly band holsters and the Phantom Belt are good options for the office. They allow you to carry your firearm without drawing attention, and they’re comfortable enough to wear while sitting for long hours. However, the Phantom Belt’s better moisture control and anti-slip technology make it a bit more suited to long periods of wear. Another advantage of the Phantom belt is that it allows you to ride your holster well below your waist in the appendix carry position. With this configuration, you can conceal your gun in deep cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear these holsters with any type of clothing?
Yes, both belly band holsters and the Phantom Belt can be worn with a variety of clothing types. However, the Phantom Belt is better at adapting to different outfits, including tighter or more formal clothes and gym clothes,
How do I clean my holster?
Belly band holsters usually need to be hand-washed and air-dried, while the Phantom Belt can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning.
Which holster is best for exercise?
The Phantom Belt is the best option for exercise because of its secure fit, dual adjustment, cool touch technology and non-slip design. It stays in place, keeps your holster in place, and will not fold over even during high-movement activities like running and bending over.
Choosing the Right Holster for You
When deciding between a belly band holster and the Phantom Belt, think about your daily routine, the clothes you wear, and what’s most important to you—comfort, ease of use, or safety. Both options are great, but if you want the most modern features, safety, retention and flexibility, the Phantom Belt is the better choice.
Final Thoughts
While belly band holsters are still popular and effective, the Phantom Belt offers a new level of comfort, security, and versatility. Whether you’re new to carrying or looking to upgrade, investing in the right way to conceal carry your firearm is key to staying safe and comfortable.