Top 5 Ankle Holsters When Other Carry Options Fall Short
I don’t use an ankle holsters often. But it’s nice to have options on how you carry your chosen handgun and an ankle holster is just one more way to do it. Below is my list of the top 5 ankle holsters I’ve found. There might be others, but these, in no particular order, will serve you well if the need arises.
What’s Wrong With Ankle Holsters?
Yes, there are several drawbacks with ankle holsters. First, you either have to bend over, lunge, kneel or lift your leg and post it against a chair or other object to get to your gun. It’s slow, which can be fatal when an attacker is on you. Accessing your gun usually requires two hands, one to lift the pant leg, the other to draw the gun from the holster. If you’re running for cover, good luck trying to draw on the move. You must wear pants with sufficiently loose pant legs, which eliminates many jeans. If you have to move through deep snow – common where I live – an ankle holster isn’t your best option.
The biggest fault with many ankle holsters, however, is that the gun rocks or wobbles when you walk, adding to the feeling that a weight is chained to your leg. With some the wobble is so bad, there’s the worry about the gun falling to the ground.
So When Would You Use An Ankle Holster?
There are times, however, when an ankle holster makes sense. The first is when you’re carrying a backup weapon. There’s only so much room around your waistband. If that’s where you carry your primary gun, the ankle might be the place for your backup.
Sometimes a dress code limits your carry options. Say you’re in the office or a meeting with your suit jacket off. Or you must have your shirt tucked in and a handgun bulging on your waistband would be too obvious.
Yes, with a small enough handgun you could pocket carry. But then you might not be able to access your weapon with your off-side hand if that became necessary. And if you’re sitting, it can be difficult to get to a gun in a pocket. Accessing your handgun while sitting is no problem with an ankle holster. An an ankle holster doesn’t take up valuable pocket space that you might need for other items.
So, what are some of the quality ankle holsters out there?
1. DeSantis Apache Ankle Rig
The DeSantis Gunhide Apache Ankle Rig features a nylon holster sewn to a wide nylon strap.
That strap limits the pendulum motion, at least with small, light handguns.
I’ve used one with a Ruger LCP and it was quite secure and comfortable.
The strap has a sheepskin lining and secures with a hook and loop fastener. An optional calf strap can be added for even greater stability.
The holster has an adjustable retention strap with thumb break. The MSRP is $62.99.
2. DeSantis Die Hard Ankle Rig
The DeSantis Gunhide Die Hard Ankle Rig is a very good ankle holster.
Like the company’s Apache rig above, it comes with a wide, nylon strap with sheepskin lining.
It too offers the option of a calf strap. The Die Hard’s holster is leather with a coated exterior and smooth leather lining.
It has a retention strap with thumb break. I’ve used one designed to hold a Glock 26, which when fully loaded is about as heavy as I care to go with an ankle holster. This holster worked well. The MSRP is $93.99.
3. Bugbite Ankle Holster
Instead of using a strap, the Bugbite Ankle Holster features an elasticized fabric sleeve that covers nearly the whole calf. This holster is extremely comfortable and secure because the sleeve distributes the weight of the handgun.
A big advantage with the Bugbite is that is uses a stretchy pouch instead of an attached holster to hold the gun. That makes one model able to accommodate a number of handguns. I’ve used mine with several small semi-autos and revolvers and found this holster to be very stable.
The holster includes a second pocket for spare magazine or speed strip. An adjustable strap at the top of the sleeve keeps the rig from shifting. A zipper at the bottom makes the rig easy to take on and off. The Bugbite is available in several sizes. You chose the size according to the size of your calf. There are right-handed models (for the left leg) and left-handed models (for the right leg.) This is an excellent holster and probably the best value at an MSRP of just $39.95.
4. Cheata Tactical Gun Sox
The Gun Sox ankle holster from Cheata Tactical consists of a spandex compression band that pull on and cover the entire lower leg. There are two models: the original carries the gun near the ankle and the Mid-Calf model (shown in the lead photo) carries the gun higher on the leg. It’s a great choice when wearing boots. I used the Gun Sox and it would stay in place if you were dancing a jig.Â
The stretchy fabric is comfortable and keeps the gun securely in place. Gun pockets are positioned on each side of the holster, making it ambidextrous and allows you to carry spare ammo. The wide range of small to mid-size handguns will fit in the handgun pouches, completely covering the trigger guard. The rig also features a protective flap that slips over the handgun’s grip. You simply lift the flap with one hand while drawing the handgun with the other.
The Gun Sox is machine washable. The fabric is breathable and antimicrobial. That makes it odor resistant. If you’ve tried ankle carry before and didn’t like it, you need to try this holster. Four sizes are available. The MSRP is $69.95.
5. Galco Ankle Glove
The Galco Gunleather Ankle Glove features a wide, breathable neoprene ankle band and hook-and-loop closure. Sheepskin padding between the holster and ankle greatly enhances comfort when worn for extended hours, even in the summer heat.
It features a reinforced thumb break for speed of draw and detailed molding for firearm retention.
The holster pocket is constructed of premium steerhide for durability. Galco recently added a model for the popular SIG Sauer P365XL with and without a red dot optical sight. An optional calf strap is available as is a boot extender to fit the rig around the upper of a boot. The MSRP for the Ankle Glove is $130.
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.