What are the Best Glock 19 IWB Holsters

If you do not have time to read our review and want to find out the best inside the waistband (IWB) holster for a Glock 19, our evidence supports the We the People Holsters as the best all-around.

The World’s Finest General-Purpose Pistol

When you’re looking for top-of-the-line gear, look no further than what the best of the best get for themselves. 

We’re not sure which sore throat medicine Pavarotti trusted, but if we knew, we’d use it too. People buy the stocks Warren Buffet is buying. If grandma is buying the ham on sale…you best believe I am buying it too! 

When it comes to combat handguns, there’s a clear consensus among the world’s finest, the US Special Operations Forces community, and it is that the Glock 19 reigns. 

Glock’s Model 19 ranks is among the finest self-defense weapons ever built by man, offering significant capacity, easy handling, and supreme reliability. No wonder the FBI recently switched to it. 

Due to its relative compactness, the Glock 19 has become a favorite among daily carriers across the United States, which means that the market for holsters and accessories has never been more robust. For example, a wide range of pants designed for concealed carry for the Glock 19. 

Stick with us as we review the best Glock 19 IWB holsters on the market. You’re not short of options, so let’s get down to it.

Our Top Glock 19 IWB Holster

• We the People Inside Waistband Holster (Best overall)
• ComfortTac Ultimate Belly Band (Best Belly Band)
• ShapeShift 4.0 (Best Hybrid)
• ClipDraw (Best Minimalist)
• Galco Kingtuk IWB (Best Tuckable)

To start out, let’s take a look at the most important characteristics for a daily-driver concealed carry holster:

The Best Glock 19 IWB Holster Reviews

We the People Holsters IWB Holster (Top Holster Overall) 

Specs: 

• Hand Orientation: Right and Left 
• Martial: 0.08″ thick Kydex 
• Glock Gen Compatible: Gen 3 through Gen 5

We the People Holsters, have won us over with their IWB holster for the Glock 19. You will be hard-pressed to find another holster that can perform as well as this holster can at the same price.   

The holster is very durable, and thanks to the Kydex material, it protects your firearm while in the holster. The holster also keeps its shape once you draw your Glock, making it easier to reholster. The holster also comes with a robust trigger guard giving you peace of mind. 

The holster’s clip is very durable high-grade plastic that keeps your holster in place while you wear it or when you are drawing your firearm. The clip also always allows you to adjust the ride height and cant of the holster, allowing you to put it right where you want it. 

If you have a Glock 19 with a Streamlight TLR-7/7A, do not worry We the People have you covered. They make an IWB holster specifically for this. 

If you are worried about printing, check out We the People Holster’s claw. When appropriately adjusted, the claw angles the firearm to reduce the amount of printing when wearing. 

Pros: 

• Durable 
• Cost 
• Protection 
• Easy to draw and reholster 
• Adjustable retention, cant, and ride height 
• Trigger guard 

Cons: 

• Tenison screw can loosen over time. (recommend using a thread locker)
• Sweat guard does not fully protect your firearm  
• The width of the belt clip makes it easy to see when wearing. 

ComfotTac Ultimate Belly Band (Best Belly Band Holster for Glock 19) 

Specs: 

• Hand Orientation: Right and Left 
• Size: Medium (up to 37″), Large (up to 44″), Extra Large (up to 52″) 
• Martial: Neoprene 
• Glock 19 Gen Compatible: All gens and other firearms. 

No waistband with a belt or wearing loose-fitting pants? No problem with this belly band. This holster is an all-in-one holster solution that will fit various handguns and carry extra accessories to boot.

The holster uses active retention via the retention strap that keeps your firearm secured even when jogging. It works well to keep your pistol in place, but the major drawback of a retention strap is having to remove it before drawing your weapon. This can add to how long it takes to withdraw your firearm. 

This holster is more comfortable than hard material holsters like Kydex, thanks to its neoprene. Many people use this holster to exercise due to its design. Just be careful because even “breathable” neoprene can get hot after a while. 

The holster can be worn in almost every IWB position and conceals while doing it. 

Best of all, the cost of this holster is low compared to others. So you are looking for a different type of IWB holster, we recommend you check this one out. 

Pros: 

• Made from Non-Itchy and Thick Neoprene Material
• Can Fit Many Different Models of Handguns
• Comfortable
• Easy to Adjust Holster’s Position
• Great for Different Dress Occasions
• Has a Pouch for a Magazine
• Can Wear Without a Belt
• Price

Cons: 

• Can Cause Perspiration and Itching if Wearing for an Extended Period
• Awkward Position of the Retention Strap
• No Trigger Guard
• No Way to Adjust the Cant

AlienGear Shapeshift 4.0 (Best Hybrid IWB Holster for Glock 19) 

Specs

• Hand Orientation: Right and Left 
• Martial: Neoprene (base), Steel (core), Polyvinyl Chloride (shell) 
• Glock 19 Gen Compatible: All gens including gen 5 

We are not alone in the universe…about thinking, this is a great holster! Get it? This holster is what we call a hybrid holster. You have a softback made of neoprene that is comfortable on your skin. A flexible steel core enables the holster to mold to the shape of your body. This results in fewer pressure points while wearing is more comfortable to wear. 

While at first sight, the holster does look longer than most IWB, this helps with concealment. The holster’s ability to bend to your body’s shape results in less printing when wearing. 

AlenGear ShapeShift 4.0 has a great trigger guard. It also features adjustable cant, ride height, and retention. The holster can be worn in multiple positions and will be comfortable in doing so.   

If you have the funds, you check out this holster. AlenGear gives this rig a lifetime warranty with a 30-day “test drive.” They believe in their product.  To get more details on this great rig check our in depth review

Pros:

• Adjustable cant
• Adjustable height
• Adjustable retention
• Comfort
• Concealment
• Easy to draw
• Sweat guard 
• Trigger guard protection

Cons: 

• Cost 
• Belt clips are stiff 
• Bulkier for smaller people 

ClipDraw (Best Minimalistic Holster for Glock 19)

Specs

• Hand Orientation: Right and Left 
• Martial: metal clip 
• Glock 19 Gen Compatible: All gens including gen 5 

OK, so it’s not technically a holster, but hear us out. It’s about as small as you can find. No shell, no paddle, no problem? The clip allows you to adjust the carry depth, which means finding the most comfortable depth for you. It also allows you to have the holster right where you want it when drawing. 

The clip also scores high in the concealment sections due to its minimalist design. The manufacturer has engineered this baby to be secured if you have a belt, and the rig stays put when wearing.  

Comfort is in question. Have you been at the range? Better let your barrel cool off before you stick this in your pants.  

Our biggest issue is the lack of a trigger guard. We trust Glock’s internal safeties, but statistics show a fair amount of negligent discharges occur when holstering or unholstering, and this clip is doing you no favors in that department.

Pros:

• Concealment 
• Ease of Use 
• Price 

Cons: 

• Lack of protection 
• Concerns about safety 

Galco Kingtuk IWB (Best Tuckable IWB Holster for Glock 19) 

Specs 

• Hand Orientation: Right and Left 
• Martial: Leather (base), Kydex (shell) 
• Glock 19 Gen Compatible: All gens including gen 5 

The king has returned…The second hybrid holster on our list is the Galco Kingtuk IWB holster. While it did not beat the AlenGear ShapeShift as our top hybrid pick, it is one of our top picks for wearing a tuckable shirt.  

This holster is comfortable to wear, thanks to its design. It’s two clips that distribute the weight and pressure of the rig over a larger area. As a result, you are more comfortable while wearing it. 

The Kydex shell is very durable and has a great trigger guard meaning your Glock is protected. The holster allows you to adjust its ride height and cant.  

The design of the clips makes it easier to tuck in your shirt. This results in less printing with a tucked-in shirt.  Just remember there is an art to wearing an IWB holster with a tucked-in shirt

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Adjustable ride height
• Adjustable cant
• Conceals firearm well
• Durable
• Backing completely covers the slide of the arm and prevents it from touching your skin
• Easy to reholster firearm while wearing
• Trigger guard 

Cons:

• Cheap clips 
• Cannot adjust the retention
• It May require two hands to draw your Glock 19
• Cost 
• Bulkier for smaller people 

Your Guide to the BestGlock 19 IWB Holster

How do we determine which holsters to look at, you ask? We use our detailed guide on IWB holsters. However, here is our Glock 19 guide below. 

 Basic Styles of IWB Holsters for Glock 19

The main two different styles to check out are: 

Pancake Holster

A holster with two pieces of material (the same material) with the Glock 19 sandwiched between them. This style is less comfortable but takes up less room. 

Hybrid Holster

To protect your Glock 19, this Holster has a durable retention shell attached to a soft material base that goes against your body. In other words, you get the protection for your Glock 19 of a rigid, durable holster, with the comfort of a soft holster against your body. These holsters typically take up more room, though. 

Material

The Most common IWB holster materials are:

Soft Materials: 

Leather:

Leather provides a more comfortable fit and protects your Glock 19 well from the elements. Typically they have relatively good trigger protection, but this may decrease with time. Leather holsters have less potential to scratch your Glock while holsters, but over time, can build up dirt and grim that will wear on the finish of your firearm. However, with time it softens and loses its retention. This can result in your Glock not being secured in the Holster. There is also a break-in period with most leather holsters. 

Nylon: 

A silk-like synthetic plastic, Nylon holsters are typically softer. Just like leather, Nylon holsters have less potential to scratch your Glock while holsters, but over time, can build up dirt and grim that will wear on the finish of your firearm. They also make it hard to perform one-hand reholstering. They also provide less trigger protection for your Glock19.  

Hard Materials: 

Kydex:

Kydex is a very durable plastic material that is cheap to make. It is easy to take sheets of Kydex and shape it how you want. Most holsters on the market are Kydex. With a Kydex holster, you get excellent trigger protection for your Glock 19, and it should be easy to draw from. The Holster will last for a long time and not lose its shape like leather or Nylon holsters when you draw your Glock19. Compared to leather holsters, Kydex holsters will also keep better retention if it has quality screws holding the Holster together over time. These holsters are impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, and waterproof. Or in other words, it protects your Glock well. Point blank Kydex makes a simple, reasonably durable holster. The downside of a Kydex holster is that it can be less comfortable and more brittle than other durable materials for your Glock 19’s Holster. 

Boltaron: 

Boltaron is considered one of the best durable plastic materials. It essentially has the same features as Kydex holsters but is less brittle. Meaning these holsters usually are more durable than even Kydex holsters. They can also be more comfortable, but you will typically pay more for one than a Kydex holster for your Glock 19. 

Synthetic Polymers: 

Synthetic Polymer holsters usually are just as strong and durable as Kydex and Boltaron. They also are impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, and waterproof. However, they typically provide an even “closer” fit to your Glock 19 than Kydex or Boltaron. This results in better trigger protection and better retention of your firearm.   

Common Key Factors to Look at for an IWB Holster for Glock 19

Durability

The Holster can endure being worn daily. Many holsters must be broken in, and the last thing you want is needing a new holster just after you have broken in your current one. 

Comfort

No matter how “great” people claim a holster is, you will not use it if it is not comfortable to wear. Adjustable cant features of holsters will help with comfort.

Another critical issue many people overlook is if the bottom of the Holster is not rounded off. This is an essential feature of an IWB holster because you may have a decrease in range of motion without it while wearing the rig.

Safety and Trigger Guard Protection

The Holster should protect your Glock 19 against scratches, theft, drops, and if something hits the Holster. However, most importantly is it should protect you and those around you against accidental discharge. Instrumental ways manufacturers avoid this issue is by engineering a trigger guard into the Holster made of hard material. 

Adjustable Cant / Pistol Grip

This allows you to determine the carry angle of your Glock 19 while it is in the Holster. Why is this important? Because it will improve how comfortable the rig is while you wear it. It also permits better concealment and has the potential of giving you a quicker draw time because your Glock’s grip is right where you want it.

Adjustable Height 

Holsters with adjustable height allow you to determine how low or high a holster will ride on your waistline. Common issues related to the ride height of a holster (that can be fixed if a holster’s height is adjustable):

• Printing: If Holster and gun are printing, then most of the time, the Holster is riding too high
• Comfort: A ride height that is too low or high can make it to where the Holster and pistol are digging into you.
• Grip: If you have trouble getting a good grip on your Glock 19, then the Holster is riding too low most of the time.

Adjustable Retention

Since most IWB holsters do not have a retention strap, the adjustable retention of a holster is a great feature. You get to control how “tightly the holster” holds onto your Glock. 

Concealment

No matter how much you can adjust a holster or what accessories come with it, poorly designed holsters make it tough to conceal a Glock 19. Without concealment, IWB holsters are a waste of time. 

Ease of Use

A holster should be comfortable, easy to adjust, put on, take off, and reholster. If it is not, we will put money on it ends up in a drawer in your gun room. An essential area a holster needs to be easy to use is drawing your Glock 19. Sure, you need to practice to make sure this is second nature to you, but if a holster is challenging to draw from, it could add seconds to your draw time. Seconds that you might not have…..

Clips

We can all agree that an IWB holster’s clip(s) is a vital feature. However, I will take this further and say a holster’s clip(s) is its Achilles’ Heel. If the Holster has a clip that will not keep it in place or will not clip to a belt, or is not durable, then the Holster is worthless, and you will not use it.

Dominant Hand

Most IWB holsters are not ambidextrous; if left-handed, ensure you get a left-handed configuration for the Holster you choose. Unless the Holster is ambidextrous, it is hard for a left-handed person to use a right-handed holster. 

FAQ for Best Glock 19 IWB Holster: 

How do you Conceal a Glock 19?

First off, do you have a Glock 19? If not, then check out Guns.com for some good deals on one.  

The key to conceal carrying a Glock 19 is finding the right Holster for you. Review the holsters listed above, and pick the one that best fits your needs. Then practice with it to decide which position is best for you to carry in and how to dress to minimize printing.  

What Angle or Cant Should I wear my Holster in?

This is up to you, and the best way to decide is by practicing. As stated above, a good holster typically allows you to adjust its cant while you are carrying.  

Find the cant that makes it comfortable for you to carry but allows you to draw your Glock if needed quickly. 

What are the differences between Glock 19 Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5 Holsters? 

The shape of the Glock 19 has not changed much over the different generations. So there are no differences in holsters for Gen 3- Gen 5. 

Alternatives 

CYA Supply Co IWB. 

This affordable boltaron IWB holster used to be our top pick. However, since it only comes in right-hand orientation, we moved it to our alternative. This holster has excellent durability, which will protect your firearm, and the holster will withstand daily wear. The holster has adjustable retention it’s cant (angle) can be adjusted from 0-15 degrees. 

This holster also allows you to adjust the retention. It also comes with a solid sweat guard for your firearm. With the audible click you get when you holster your gun, it is clear this holster beats out a lot of holsters that cost double. Another downside is this holster will not fit a Glock 19 Gen 5. 

AlenGear Cloak Tuck 3.5   

This holster is like the AlenGear Shapeshift 4.0 with a few key differences. The Cloak Tuck’s shell is made of a thicker material and connects to the back of the holster at 4 points.

The ShapeShift’s shell is still just as strong but made of a thinner martial and only attached to the back of the holster at one point. This allows for even more flexibility and results in better comfort, concealment, and ease of use. 

Concealment Express 

To many, this is the best concealment holster out there for not only the Glock 19 but other firearms as well. We admit we used to think it was as well. It is a basic pancake-style Kydex holster that is comfortable. It is also at a reasonable price.  

However, you cannot adjust the ride height for this holster like with other holsters we have reviewed. Lacking this feature can affect how well you can conceal your firearm, how comfortable the rig is wearing, and how easy it is to draw. 

The Concealment Express holster is still a great holster that we recommend you check out.

Our Conclusion

You cannot go wrong with any of these holsters on our list. That is if you train correctly with it before carrying it. If you plan to conceal carry a gun like the Glock 19, you will need a great holster. Make sure to do your research and take your time in picking the right holster for you. 

With all that said, you would be hard press to find a holster as good as We the People Holsters’ IWB Holster for the Glock 19. It has many more features than expensive holsters have. A quick Google search will show you that very few that purchase this holster is disappointed. Again, please do your research, but we highly recommend you start looking at We the People Holsters first!  

Let us know what you think below!