For those with an athletic lifestyle but still want to be able to carry concealed, we’ll go over a few ways that’s possible. Each person has different proportions and runs a slightly different way, so it’s important to try out the options that you think would work best and go from there.
Traditional Inside The Waistband May Not Be Helpful
Even with a micro-carry pistol, traditional inside the waistband concealed carry holsters may not work. The problem isn’t just the waistband of running shorts or pants, it’s the added ounces pulling on a piece of stretchy fabric.
Realistically, the best way to use the same holster would be to attach a fabric or web belt beneath the shorts to act as an anchor for the gun holster. This can be cumbersome and prone to very bad printing.
Also, the hips are where a lot of the movement is centered in cardiovascular activity. Keeping a rigid object pinned to the side of a person’s leg and keeping it concealed can be a bit of a stretch — much to all of our chagrin, no doubt.
Ankle holsters are also ruled out. Added weight to the ankles can be an exercise regimen in of itself, but the unbalanced weight of a firearm on one ankle can turn into a real drag over multiple miles of pavement and trail.
If carrying on the waistline is what you’re used to and comfortable with, consider carrying a micro-sized pistol or revolver in a pocket holster inside a fanny pack. As lame and uninteresting as this may be, it’s far easier to retain control over something attached to you. Stressed importance on having some sort of trigger guard — like a pocket holster — because just throwing a firearm into a bag and trying to fish it out to fire is a recipe for disaster.
Do people do it? Sure. We’re just stating the inherent risks associated with doing that. Ultimately, your carry style is your carry style.
Beware Of Concealed Carry Gimmicks
Concealed carriers number in the millions just in the United States. We’re a big demographic. And of that number, there are plenty of us who go to the gym regularly, work out, run, and do other athletic activities. Entrepreneurial sorts have and will continue to develop products that have not been tested for safety and require compromising conditions in order to use.
Here are a couple things to watch out for when looking for a concealed carry method that works with running or athletic activities:
- Requires the firearm to be in Condition 3
- Does not completely protect the trigger guard
- Does not have proper retention over the firearm
The allure of products that sacrifice safety for the convenience of carrying a firearm are dangerous — both in terms of gun safety and self-defense practices.
Kangaroo Carry Method For Active Lifestyle
The Kangaroo Carry Air Marshal is just one example of a woven fabric shoulder holster that is light weight and attaches to the body in an ideal spot for runners.
The reason why I can recommend Kangaroo Carry is I use it when I go for a jog. The fact that the torso strap is adjustable and hooks over the shoulder just adds a level of comfort and stability.
While I’ve only used it with a compact Glock 36, it’s a holster that supports up to full-size carry options. As runners know, though, weight is at a premium when moving across distances.
Where I feel the Kangaroo Carry option really works out is it doesn’t interfere with movement. If a firearm is posted on my waistband, I’m constantly worried about my shorts running down or whether or not it’s showing. With the Kangaroo Carry, it’s positioned out of line-of-sight and there’s no chance of it dragging a garment down or up.
I can put it under my running shirt or, because it’s colder now, I just throw a light running jacket over it to conceal it completely.
It’s also made of fabric — so I can wash it. As anyone can attest that carries in the summer time, holsters get extremely sweat-stained. It’s nice to be able to throw something in the wash and get it out afterwards.