Getting Tricky with Sticky Holsters – Gear Review

Accessories Misc. David Higginbotham

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Sticky Holsters

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Sticky Holster

The simple design means the holster can be carried at almost any IWB position or angle.

A few weeks back, I walked into my gunsmith’s shop to have him do some work on a rifle. I knew he was partial to his Springfield XDS, and I’ve never seen him without a gun on him, ever, but I didn’t expect to see the pistol just stuck in his waistband. In all fairness, his shop is in his basement, and he was practicing home carry, which we highly endorse, but the pistol tucked into his waistband—without a holster—that just seemed so…relaxed.

I’m a holster snob. I’ve got my favorite makers, favorite styles, preferred materials. I’ll try anything out, but when it comes down to concealed carry, I’m not going to do experiments on behalf of any product review. So know that I take this seriously. When I first saw a Sticky Holster, I wasn’t terribly enthusiastic. It seemed too relaxed for my taste. I’m not one to tuck a pistol in my waistband, even at home, and that’s what the Sticky Holster is—a holster you tuck into your waistband.

Yet there’s obviously more. The rubberized coating on the outside of the holster gives it a seriously tacky surface that stays where you put it. The tension from your belt, or even just your pants, is enough to hold the holster right where you put it. It is stable and will stay put (especially if one side is against dry skin). Even with a full-sized gun, the sticky holster is a concept that actually works.

Sticky Holster

Looking down the sights, you can see just how thin the Sticky Holster is.

If you’re one who likes to tuck a gun in your waistband, this will be a step up for you. I happen to like the pocket sized Sticky Holsters best of all. I will often carry a micro .380 in my front pocket. I have some dress pants with deep pockets and thin belt loops, and I live in a part of the country that isn’t conducive to the wearing of sports coats, even. Pocket carry is sometimes my best option. And the Sticky Holster grips the inside of the pocket very well. It holds the gun upright in the pocket. The slight puffiness of the holster keeps the gun from printing through the thin material. It is really an ideal way to carry.

The larger the pistol, the heavier it will be (usually). I’ve carried three compacts in the Sticky holster: a GLOCK 19, a Kahr CT40, and a Sphinx Compact.The Kahr and GLOCK both fit into the mid-sized holster. The Sphinx needed more, as the gun is slightly taller than the other two. It is also the heaviest of these, and it doesn’t feel as secure to me when I’m really moving around. I need to point out that this is mostly psychological.

Sticky Holster

Sticky now has holsters for revolvers, too, with a slightly different stitch pattern.

I didn’t experience any issues with the three compacts or the holsters, even when running and jumping around on purpose. The only movement I got at all in the holster was due to sweat building up between the holster and my skin, and then the holster only shifted around a bit. Yet that shifting was more pronounced with the heavier guns than it was with thin, light guns, like the Kahr. I have talked to one person who had the holster fall down in his pants because of this, but it may have had more to do with belt tension than the holster’s design.

In the end, I’m a fan. I think this is an idea that clearly has a time and place. A sticky holster is ideal for kicking around the house. It makes getting into and out of a car very easy and even tucks neatly between the seat and a console, and it holds very securely. And for pocket carry, the concept is perfect.

Check them out. The holsters are not expensive: just $24.95 for all of the sizes. They make mag pouches, too, and ankle rigs, and pads to tuck back-up guns into body armor. The concept seems limitless, really.

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Sticky Holster

This would be more concealed under a skirt, obviously, but it keeps that heater handy.

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Sticky Holster

A compact in a garter! Why haven’t I ever carried this way?

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Sticky Holster

Sticky is branching out and moving away from the waistband. This ankle rig is discreet and effective.

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Sticky Holster

Small guns like this disappear in your pocket.

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Sticky Holster

The stitching on the top adds a bit of rigidity that helps when holstering the gun.

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The fold adds a bit more bulk to the width of the gun, but helps obscure the shape.

The fold adds a bit more bulk to the width of the gun, but helps obscure the shape.

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When empty, the holsters are very flat, but still stay in place.

When empty, the holsters are very flat, but still stay in place.

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Sticky Holster

For larger guns, the Sticky is still a good option.

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  • Cody James October 13, 2018, 10:33 am

    I have an epic holster fail, my Lcs9 chamber release catches on the sewing band of the holster. I went to pull my firearm out ,it caught on the band, the bad guy shot me dead over a 1/8 the piece of material..

  • Big man June 2, 2017, 2:31 am

    Can it hold a Springfield armored xd in place in the waistband of gym shorts

  • Lee January 17, 2017, 9:05 pm

    I have a Sticky Holster for my Sig P238 and like it. My question, is it a norm to carry “Cocked and Locked” and does the lack of a cover over the Safety bother anyone?

  • Tony L. October 10, 2016, 3:55 pm

    I have a Sticky holster for my Sig Sauer P938 with Crimson Trace trigger mounted laser. Just ordered one for my wife’s Sig P238. These are extremely comfortable holsters for CC and versatile in that they have no clip and can be carried on either side of the body. They are very reasonably priced and work like a charm. Absolutely no printing on mine. I’ve never had a problem with it slipping, either. I am sold on Sticky and I bought both of mine–no freebies to tout the product.

  • mark gander July 13, 2016, 10:19 pm

    Have been conceal carry for sometime. Have purchased many holsters for several handguns that my wife and I carry on regular basis. I have a draw full of which most I have given away due to comfort factor. So far my two favorite are The Sticky & Remora brand the both are very similar however the Sticky is the more comfortable of the two. I wear my Sticky holsters all the time they are by far the best. Highly recommend them for IWB appendix like I carry.

  • AJ June 10, 2014, 9:59 am

    REMORA RIPPOFFS! I’ve had every sticky IWB holster on the market, and now I only own 8 IWB holsters for CC and every one is Remora! Enough Said!

    • Gary Barton March 27, 2017, 12:20 pm

      I have two Remorals for CC one for my wife and I they are great. I wear mine almost every day it is very comfortable. Both guns are Rugers a 38special and a LC9 Ruger Also considering buying another for our Glock 19.

  • Tony June 9, 2014, 7:20 pm

    I went through 2 Sticky Holsters with my G19 in about a year. The 2nd one was sent to me for free by the the very nice folks at Sticky Holsters; they even gave me a veteran discount. Yet, their holsters just seem to wear-out too quickly, nor did they provide a nice easy combat grip access on the punch. They also seemed to shift too much for my comfort. On the other hand my Remora art-10 has been trucking right along, and has even stayed-put with minimal belt tension. As a mater of fact, I’ve recently transitioned to carrying a S&W M&P 9mm (CALM DOWN fellow die-hard Glockers, I still own, maintain, & carry from time to time, my 4 Glocks) and it fits perfectly in the same holster with the same reliable results. And, oh yeah I got a free mag holster with it.

  • Jerry June 9, 2014, 5:26 pm

    I wear one with my XD-M9 in it. Super comfy, super grippy, perfect fit. And when I put the holstered weapon in the door pocket of my vehicle, the whole thing disappears into blackness. Very stealthy in that regard. I wear it in the small of my back, and can drive and sit in my office chair with my weapon and it is still comfortable. I only get concerned with printing when I bend over and pull my shirt hard against the handle of my XD-M9. Personally, I would like to open-carry but this holster works very well for concealed carry.

  • bob June 9, 2014, 9:07 am

    I use one to carry my CZ-82 rig. I like the way it fits, but it didn’t cover the pistol completely, and as a result, some of the bluing wore off due to sweat, and the salt content thereof, it then started to rust the safety and hand rest under the hammer. I fixed this by adding a piece of leather to the top, and it works fine. I wouldn’t have bothered if I could find a holster for my CZ that was made specifically for it.

  • Greg June 9, 2014, 8:13 am

    Looks like a rip off copy of the Remora line of holsters to me! !!!

  • Dr. Strangelove June 9, 2014, 7:46 am

    I got a Sticky holster and it worked as advertised. I found that it started showing wear right away though. Remora has a line of similar holsters which are much sturdier and are about the same price. They even had a deal for a free mag pouch with a holster.

  • Erik Asher June 9, 2014, 7:21 am

    If you like the Sticky Holster, then you would love the N82 Tactical line of concealment holsters. They are extremely comfortable and feel more secure than the Sticky holster IMO. You should do a review on them.

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