Best IWB Holster For Glock 26 In 2023 | Top 5 Picks Tested

Best IWB Holster For Glock 26

Glocks are the most popular handgun models in the market. If you are a gun lover, it is a safe bet that you have at least one Glock handgun in your inventory. Their wide variety of high-quality handguns give you a good pool of weapons to choose from.

And one of their finest options is the infamous G26. As far as concealed carry handguns go, the Glock 26 is a great option. It ticks all the right boxes for a self-defense gun. It has deadly accuracy, has a lightweight build, and holds a decent round of bullets.

So, when it comes to a high-stress emergency situation, this gun is your best friend. If you are a proud owner of a G26, you also need to get the best IWB holster for Glock 26 to go along with it.

It would give you a way to carry it around with you during your daily commute while keeping it hidden from plain sight. So, you can access it in an instant if you ever get into any danger.

In this article, I will give you a complete guideline on choosing a holster for your G26 along with my handpicked recommendations for the top products that you can watch out for when you are out shopping.

Top 5 IWB Holster for Glock 26

When you are going for the best holster for Glock 26, you cannot afford to make any mistakes. A holster should be an extension of your arm and whenever you need to access your firearm, you should expect nothing but perfection.

Going with a non-branded holster is not the brightest idea in this case. That is why you need to understand which units on the market promises excellent performance.

In the following section, I have showcased a few of the top Glock 26 holsters in the market that you can buy without any second thoughts.

1. CYA Supply Co Glock 26 IWB Holster

CYA Supply Co Glock 26 IWB Holster

Kicking things off, I will be looking at a versatile gun holster for Glock 26 by the brand CYA Supply Co. It is one of the most popular choices when it comes to a concealed carry holster for the G26. Not only is it compatible with the G26, but can also work perfectly with the 27 and 33 without any issues.

The unit comes with a Kydex trigger guard. Thanks to the recessed design of the holster, you will have a superior draw speed whenever you need to take out your weapon. In a high-stress situation where you want fast access to your handgun, this holster will not let you down.

Further ensuring optimal draw performance, the unit lets you adjust the cant angle easily using a hex Allen key. The cant angle adjustment ranges from 0 to 15 degrees. You can also modify the retention strength to suit your exact requirements. With proper adjustments, your weapon will be locked securely yet easily accessible when you need it.

The build quality of the unit is another element worth noting. It uses a strong Bolatron Thermoplastic material in its construction which makes it highly resistant to chemical or abrasion. In addition, the high levels of heat and impact resistance mean this unit is virtually unbreakable. For people who want a long-lasting holster, this is the right choice.

Pros

  • Built like a tank
  • Slim and low-profile design
  • Easy to adjust the cant and retention level
  • Excellent value for the price

Cons

  • Nothing to nitpick about

2. POLE.CRAFT Glock 26 IWB kydex Holster

 Glock 26 IWB kydex Holster

When it comes to the Best Glock 26 holster brands, Pole Craft is not a brand you immediately think about. But that is all about to change after you try out this Kydex holster. If you want the most bang for your buck product out there, then this is your best bet.

The unit features a standard 1.5-inch clip. However, instead of going with traditional metal clips, they opted to go with a blend of nylon and fiberglass. This does pose some questions on its durability. Still, for the price, it holds the holster quite securely to your waistband once equipped.

Despite such a low price tag, you get all the standard adjustment features you can expect from a Kydex holster. In terms of cant adjustment, you get the option to go from 0 to 15 degrees. You can also set the retention level to your liking so that your draw speed and experience are perfect.

Sure, durability is not the best selling point of the unit. However, you can still expect it to last for quite a while before you need to consider a replacement. For the price that it asks, it is a great investment especially for new gun owners who cannot afford to spend a lot for a holster.

Pros

  • Extremely high value for the price
  • Good range of adjustment options
  • Decent durability
  • It looks quite stylish

Cons

  • The mounting clip seems a bit flimsy

3. Amberide Glock 26 Gen 4 Iwb Holster

Amberide Glock 26 Gen 4 Iwb Holster

For my next holster, I will be looking at the Gen 4 IWB holster by the brand Amberide. It is a well-made unit with a thoughtful design ensuring the utmost satisfaction of the user. Despite the excellent design, the price of this unit is quite low making it an accessible choice for just about anyone.

 Keep in mind though, this unit is only compatible with Glock 26’s that are between Gen 3 and 5. So if you have a Gen 1 Glock 26, it might not give you the perfect fit. Apart from that, you will be hard-pressed to find anything worth complaining about with the holster.

It supports cant adjustment from 0 to 15 degrees ensuring proper draw angle for any user. You can also adjust the retention strength easily. Whether you choose to use it as a behind the hip holster or appendix holster, you should have no trouble setting it up to your standards.

The 0.8 Kydex construction of the unit makes it both durable and lightweight. It is a good choice for people who like to go running or jogging with their concealed carry handgun. The unit is waterproof, washable, and features a thoughtful sweat guard to protect your weapon’s cosmetic finish.

Pros

  • It comes at an affordable price
  • Features a sweat guard
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Good range of adjustments

Cons

  • Not the most versatile option on the market

4. Relentless Tactical Glock 26 Iwb Leather Holster

Relentless Tactical Glock 26 Iwb Leather Holster

For people who are a fan of leather holsters, The Defender by the brand Relentless Tactical might be just the right thing. It is a premium gun holster featuring a highly reasonable price tag. And to top it off, it is compatible with a much wider range of handguns compared to some of the other holsters on this list.

One of the first things that you want to check with a Glock 26 IWB leather holster is the mounting mechanism. Thanks to the strong belt clip in the unit, it stays on perfectly when you put it on. It also supports any carry position such as behind the hip, or side mounting to suit your preference.

The closed-mouth design of the unit makes it a great choice for the Glock 26. It has a very slim profile and leaves virtually zero printing under your shirt. Concealment is a priority with this holster. And since you are using your gun for self-defense, it is definitely a good thing to have.

Since it is a leather holster, there is nothing to worry about in terms of build quality and durability. To further enhance its longevity, the unit features reinforced stitching in all of the pressure points. So, you do not have to worry about the unit losing its strength over time.

Pros

  • Reinforced stitching enhances strength
  • Compatible with a wide variety of handguns
  • Leaves no printing under the shirt
  • Durable and long-lasting design

Cons

  • Limited adjustment features

5. Fierce Defender Glock 26 Iwb Holster Appendix

Glock 26 IWB Kydex holsters

I will be wrapping things up with one of the finest Glock 26 IWB Kydex holsters available on the market. This unit by the brand Fierce Defender is a versatile unit that offers an excellent draw experience with your Glock 26. It also offers an extremely high value for the price making it a great choice for budget spenders.

This unit comes with a covered trigger guard that actually covers the whole rear section of your weapon. Because of this design choice, you get better concealment and safety for your handgun. However, it does not impact the draw speed of the weapon in the slightest.

Retention adjustment screws in the unit are positioned at the front of the holster giving you complete control over how tightly it holds your weapon. In addition to adjusting the retention level, you can also modify the cant angle from 0 to 15 degrees depending on your draw preference.

The Kydex material used in this holster is about .08 inches thick. On top of providing excellent durability, it is also quite lightweight. It comes with a metal clip on the back that you can attach to your waistband to keep it secured under your shirt.

Pros

  • Comfortable, lightweight design
  • Strong and sturdy Kydex construction
  • Excellent adjustment options
  • Well-designed trigger guard

Cons

  • The outer edges might feel a bit sharp

What To Look For When Buying the Best Glock 26 IWB Holster?

With the list of top Glock holsters covered, it should give you a decent idea about what you should expect from your new holster.

Understanding the key elements of a holster is crucial to ensure you make the right choice. Most of the times, failing to address these features can result in a bad purchase.

Since you have your mind set on IWB holster, you do not need to think of other types of units like OWB or ankle holsters. Although it narrows down your choices to some degree, there are still a lot to know about IWB holsters to make sure you make a smart investment.

To help you differentiate the good from the worst, here are a couple of key factors that you should think about when buying the best IWB holster for Glock 26.

Comfort

Nobody wants to carry around an uncomfortable gun holster. However, when it comes to IWB holsters, comfort often takes a backseat.

In my opinion, this should never be the case, and you should always think of comfort as a top priority regardless of the type of holster you are planning to buy. These days, more and more manufacturers take the issue of user comfort seriously.

So you can find different high-quality IWB holsters that are comfortable to wear all day even during intense activities like jogging or jumping. All of the units that I reviewed are tested for user comfort and satisfaction.

Trigger Guard

The trigger guard is a small yet critical element to any good IWB holster. However, not many people place as much importance on it as they should. Without a trigger guard, there is always a risk of accident such as misfiring when pulling your weapon out of the holster.

Getting an IWB holster with a built-in trigger guard is always the best way to go. Still, if you like a unit despite not featuring a trigger guard, consider making one yourself.

There is a lot of information on making a DIY trigger guard on the internet and usually, they do not cost too much to make.

Printing

Since we are talking about IWB holsters exclusively, your first concern should be the concealment of the holster. There are many holsters in the market that although advertises as concealed IWB units, leave a visible printing under your shirt when you holster your weapon.

Those are not really a good option as everyone can notice the bulge under your shirt and understand that you are carrying a gun.

So you need to make sure that there is no printing with the specific holster you are planning to buy. It must feature a slim and low-profile structure; otherwise, there is no point in getting it.

Hand Preference

Even a veteran gun collector can often overlook the obvious factor of hand preference when choosing a gun holster. Your drawing hand and the IWB XDS holster’s position need to be in sync.

Drawing with your weak hand is never a good idea as it means you will need a longer time to get combat-ready. Although there are many ambidextrous models out there, most holsters either support only righties or lefties.

So be very careful when choosing your gun holster and make sure you see the hand orientation of the unit. The last thing you want is to end up with a unit that does not match your drawing hand.

Cant Angle

Another element that is just as much important as the retention level is the cant angle adjustment options of the holster. Both of these factors affect your drawing experience. As I said, retention refers to the holster’s grip on the weapon.

The cant angle on the other hand refers to the angle at which the holster holds your gun. Ideally, you want a unit that lets you adjust the cant angle since everybody has a different preference in terms of weapon drawing angle.

Besides, having a unit that offers a wide range of adjustment options lets you wear it in different positions. Typically, you should get at least 0 to 15 degrees of adjustment with any holsters.

Retention Capacity

Retention is another important quality to consider when buying an IWB holster for your Glock 26. The term retention stands for the strength with which the holster grabs onto your gun. The retention needs to be just right for the perfect weapon drawing experience.

If the level is too much, then you will not be able to pull out your weapon easily when you need it. It can also scratch your weapon when you try to unholster it.

Inversely, if the retention is not high enough, the weapon will not be secured when you holster it. Finding the right balance of retention for optimal smoothness is essential.

Durability

Durability should also be a deciding factor when you are buying a gun holster. Ideally, you want your holster to last a lifetime. But that is not always possible.

Still, you need to make sure the holster of your choice can survive at least a good couple of years before you need to consider a replacement.

Typically, a gun holster is either made of leather or Kydex polymer. Both of the materials are great choices and offer excellent durability.

Kydex is generally a bit sturdier, however, leather holsters are much more comfortable to wear. Whichever one you choose, make sure there are no weird quality issues with the holster.

Gripping Comfort

Sure, how the holster feels on your body when you equip it is important. But another equally important feature to think about is how comfortable it is to grip your gun when it is inside the holster. You do not want any obstruction when drawing from your holster.

The grip that you get on your weapon should be full. If you ever get in trouble, in the heat of the moment, you cannot think about the position of the holster.

Drawing from your holster needs to be intuitive and unless the unit gives you a complete hold on your weapon, you will not be able to pull out your gun efficiently. Testing out the holster yourself is the best way to check the gripping comfort of a specific holster.

Price

A gun holster can come in a lot of different price ranges. But not everyone needs a holster that costs hundreds of dollars. You need to understand your requirements and choose a unit that does not break your bank. Overspending on your holster is not the brightest idea in most cases.

The best way to proceed is to first look at the different prices of the holsters that you might want. This would give you an idea of the budget range that you need to think about.

Once you have a budget range, do not go above it. You can definitely find a unit in your budget as long as you are clear on the other critical factors of a gun holster.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main benefits of using an IWB holster?

An IWB holster is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to keep a concealed carry handgun with them. Since most IWB holsters are low-profile, it does not draw any unwanted attention to your handgun.

With the right IWB holster, even if someone is standing right in front of you, they will fail to notice your holstered weapon. If personal security is any concern, then IWB holsters are the best way to go.

2. Do I need a special belt to wear my IWB holster?

In most cases, no, you do not need any special belt for your holster. However, if you like wearing your holster low, then you might need a longer belt or a belly belt to hold it. I do not recommend wearing a low holster since it defeats the purpose of concealment.

3. Is an IWB holster better than an OWB holster?

It depends. IWB holsters and OWB holsters offer a different experience to the user and focuses on entirely different elements.

The priority of OWB holsters is draw speed whereas an IWB holster prioritizes concealment. If you are a casual gun owner who carries a gun for protection, an IWB holster is the better choice.

The Bottom Line

An IWB holster is the perfect companion for a Glock 26. With this small investment, you can carry your gun with your anywhere to keep you safe without breaking any laws.

I hope this article on the best IWB holster for Glock 26 could help you figure out which unit you want to buy for yourself.

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