Based on other threads discussing lights - and how we carry them only in a peripheral manner - I thought I'd start a dedicated thread on how we carry our illumination tools.
In my experience, there are three practical ways to regularly carry a light;
In-the-bottom-of-the-pocket Carry
Pros: (1) extremely secure; (2) extremely convenient (just drop the light into your pocket).
Cons: (1) only works with small lights; (2) inconvenient to access light
My EDC lights are for task use only so quick access is not a top priority. They are small enough (especially my 1-cell Quark) to ride in a front pants pocket
very comfortably;
Clipped-in-a-pocket Carry
Pros: (1) depending on the light and clip, can offer a reasonable degree of security from accidental dislodging; (2) Reasonably easy access to light; (3) depending on the size of the light, reasonable comfort
Cons: (1) depending on the light and clip, can be easily dislodged resulting in loss of light; (2) larger lights may not be as comfortable to carry this way
With well-designed clips on these 2-cell E-series lights, they ride securely with reasonable comfort and ease of access;
The two lights pictured below can also ride clipped in a front pocket, but not quite as well as the two lights pictured above. While ease-of-access is good for both, the shorter 2-cell does not extend far into the pocket and depends almost entirely on clip tension to secure it. The 3-cell extends far enough into the pocket to provide adequate security but is not quite as comfortable as smaller lights;
I'll carry the 3-cell light this way, but not the 2-cell as it doesn't feel secure enough to prevent accidental dislodging and possible loss.
Holster Carry
Assuming a well-designed light carrier;
Pros: (1) good security, not prone to accidental dislodging; (2) ease of access is excellent; (2) with a two or three cell light, good comfort
Cons: (1) not as convenient as other methods, requires placing carrier on belt; (2) like a gun holster, requires an adequate belt; (3) not as concealable, though this isn't really an issue with a flashlight
The carrier below is made by
Kydex Gear, shown with a 3-cell Malkoff light inserted;
This is quickly becoming my preferred method for carrying anything larger than a small pocket light. I can carry a larger light more securely, more accessible and more comfortably than a light clipped in a pocket. The Kytex Gear carrier is easy to place on the belt and easy to remove, yet holds securely on my
Instructor Belt.
I have a
Kytex Gear horizontal carrier on order which I'm going to experiment with. I'm thinking it might be perfect for carrying a 2-cell 6P size light with all the benefits of the vertical carrier but with improved concealability. I will report back in this thread with my findings.
With something like the Quark riding in the bottom of a pants pocket, and a "fight light" riding in a belt carrier, I feel adequately prepared for whatever the darkness may bring. So, how do you carry
your light(s)?