AIWB (Appendix Carry)

[Steve m]

Good Morning all,

Looking for help/suggestions for AIWB Comfort. I currently have a JMCK Wing claw 2.5 holster with the pull the dot loops. I cannot for the life of me find a comfortable spot. It consistently digs into my groin area like a constant poke. I have tried the foam wedge, and foam pad, no avail. I recently swapped the pull the dot loops for the split loop, with no avail. I have moved the holster around the area to try and find a comfortable spot. Any help would be appreciated.
5'8" 170 lbs runners build
Glock 19
Ares Gear belt
Thanks
Steve

[ubervic]

Good Morning all,

Looking for help/suggestions for AIWB Comfort. I currently have a JMCK Wing claw 2.5 holster with the pull the dot loops. I cannot for the life of me find a comfortable spot. It consistently digs into my groin area like a constant poke. I have tried the foam wedge, and foam pad, no avail. I recently swapped the pull the dot loops for the split loop, with no avail. I have moved the holster around the area to try and find a comfortable spot. Any help would be appreciated.
5'8" 170 lbs runners build
Glock 19
Ares Gear belt
Thanks
Steve

Surprised that you're experiencing significant discomfort based on your gear and your physique. You may benefit from using a G17 holster----it's only about an inch longer, but it works great for me, and I'm an inch shorter than you and have almost 30 lbs on you. On the other hand, I'd understand if you'd be unwilling to invest in that given your current experience.

Meanwhile, I suggest trying removing the wedge/pad and trying shifting the setup at 12 0'clock or 12:30 to experiment with relieving pressure points. I believe the belt you're using is very rigid, and sometimes a belt which 'gives' a little will enable high concealment along with high comfort for AIWB. You may wish to move to a more forgiving belt, such as the Specialist by Graith. I wear a leather belt by Saddleback Leather (Tow Belt) and switch back & forth with the Specialist. Both work great.

Good luck.

[orionz06]

Glock 19
Ares Gear belt

G17 length holster and a less rigid belt are both worth a shot. The description of your build leads me to believe that the longer version of the same holster should be just fine. Past experiences and past customer experiences with the Ares Gear belts haven't been great for leaner people for AIWB. Great belts, just not ideal for AIWB.

[Steve m]

Thanks for the info,
I will try a less rigid belt, i have a JMCK glock 17 (Either a George or regular AIWB) with a clip that I will try.
Any Belt Suggestions?

[orionz06]

I've spent a year with the Ox Creek Tactical belt and it hits the sweet spot for flexibility. The buckle is killer, I can wear it at 12:00 and undo things super easy.

Disclaimer: They sent me a few over a year ago for review. The only one I like is their nylon. The Biothane works but I'm just not a fan of fake leather and it slips a smidge. I did arrange for a discount code though. "darkstargear" saves 15% on their site. They've got favorable margins for resale but it's easier to let folks save some money and keep a middle man outta the picture.

[Larry T]

You didn't say in your initial post, but how tight are you wearing your belt? There needs to be a little looseness to allow for up and down movement when you sit or bend over. It doesn't have to be sloppy loose, just enough so that the holster isn't welded to your abdomen. Play with that and see if it helps.

[Irelander]

@Steve m
I had the same issues you are having when I started trying out AIWB. Like others have said, a more flexible belt really helped my comfort level. I was wearing a standard Volund Gearworks Atlas G-hook belt which worked great for IWB carry at 4:00, but did not work so well for AIWB. Bad concealment due to hula-hoop effect, and it made the muzzle end of the holster dig hard into my body. I switched to the SLIM version of Volunds G-hook belt and haven't looked back. I think you'll find similar results with a more flexible belt.

[s0nspark]

Thanks for the info,
I will try a less rigid belt, i have a JMCK glock 17 (Either a George or regular AIWB) with a clip that I will try.
Any Belt Suggestions?

I've always found a longer holster more comfortable - to the extent that I now carry AIWB with a WML.

Belt-wise I used to use rigid belts (SOE EDC, Volund) but switched a while back to the VDevGru Megingjord... It is not rigid at all except for a 6 inch section right at the buckle and it has been perfect for AIWB.

One unexpected upside for me has been that, since switching, I no longer have any back pain or feel the belt cut into my sides.

[Larry T]

I've spent a year with the Ox Creek Tactical belt and it hits the sweet spot for flexibility...

Tom, I've never used a G-hook belt before. Have you ever had the buckle detach from the belt (become unbuckled)? I would think if the belt were worn tight it wouldn't come apart but wearing a little looser (for AIWB) and under physical stress (attack, training, etc) is my concern valid?

By the way, I'm liking the Koala I received last week. Between my Koala and JMCK OWB pouch I'm covered for any dress.

[orionz06]

Tom, I've never used a G-hook belt before. Have you ever had the buckle detach from the belt (become unbuckled)? I would think if the belt were worn tight it wouldn't come apart but wearing a little looser (for AIWB) and under physical stress (attack, training, etc) is my concern valid?

By the way, I'm liking the Koala I received last week. Between my Koala and JMCK OWB pouch I'm covered for any dress.

I wore g-hook belts for years prior without issue. The belt will have enough tension that's too much to overcome just standing around let alone actually doing anything.

The belt I suggested is a giant hook and even more secure.