Comfortable AIWB

[kjr_29]

On the topic of AIWB comfort, I wanted to ask about undershirts.

One of the main things I used to worry about in "starting to carry a gun" was the rubbing of the holster against my skin. I'm in Florida, so typically wear only a T-shirt or polo. I distinctly remember the feeling of trying to CCW with my M&P full size in a generic gun store holster, with Trigicon HD sights, which tore up my soft office-boy midsection something fierce. Having more of a muffin top did not help.

Now that I've learned a bit more, and am carrying more sensibly in holsters by either JM CK or Dark Star Gear, I'd like to revisit undershirts, in particular for AIWB. After doing a bit of research this week, I ordered a poly/spandex compression shirt to try from Amazon, which should arrive today:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do you find wearing an undershirt helps with comfort, draw speed, or (in particular if you are in hot muggy weather) heat management?

If so, what types/brands/fabrics do you suggest?

I am in CO now so muggy is not part of the equation, but I did live in Miami for 4 years so I know muggy. My thought, it improves comfort some, but nothing noticeable for my draw speed. I do like a full sweat guard on the holster though.


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[csheehy]

On the topic of AIWB comfort, I wanted to ask about undershirts.

One of the main things I used to worry about in "starting to carry a gun" was the rubbing of the holster against my skin. I'm in Florida, so typically wear only a T-shirt or polo. I distinctly remember the feeling of trying to CCW with my M&P full size in a generic gun store holster, with Trigicon HD sights, which tore up my soft office-boy midsection something fierce. Having more of a muffin top did not help.

Now that I've learned a bit more, and am carrying more sensibly in holsters by either JM CK or Dark Star Gear, I'd like to revisit undershirts, in particular for AIWB. After doing a bit of research this week, I ordered a poly/spandex compression shirt to try from Amazon, which should arrive today:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do you find wearing an undershirt helps with comfort, draw speed, or (in particular if you are in hot muggy weather) heat management?

If so, what types/brands/fabrics do you suggest?

Tried various shirts over the years, but for the last ten years or so have used these:
https://amazon.com/32-DEGREES-Mens-C...s%2C159&sr=8-7

Often available at Costco in 3 packs, can also be found on Amazon in multi packs sometimes. Started using them under my armor, and gradually morphed into year round wear, even in summer, under a polo or a camp shirt.

[LittleLebowski]

Tried various shirts over the years, but for the last ten years or so have used these:
https://amazon.com/32-DEGREES-Mens-C...s%2C159&sr=8-7

Often available at Costco in 3 packs, can also be found on Amazon in multi packs sometimes. Started using them under my armor, and gradually morphed into year round wear, even in summer, under a polo or a camp shirt.

Were I wearing armor on a daily basis, I’d look at the new (to me) merino wool lightweight shirts.

https://www.amazon.com/Merino-tech-O...dp/B08B1W5FQV/

[csheehy]

LL: Not to go to far OT, but love merino wool--have bought some truly excellent long underwear and hoodies for use in fall/winter. Would love to go with something like the above for all uses. But: $$$ not in the budget I'm afraid.

[LittleLebowski]

LL: Not to go to far OT, but love merino wool--have bought some truly excellent long underwear and hoodies for use in fall/winter. Would love to go with something like the above for all uses. But: $$$ not in the budget I'm afraid.

PF would be happy to reimburse you for the cost of one if you’ll review it.

[Elwin]

You’ll get radically different answers from different people on undershirts, I think, just based on pictures of people’s AIWB rigs on this forum. I for one simply can’t carry without one. If I’m wearing a polo or T shirt, I have an A shirt/“wifebeater” shirt underneath. I use white Vneck Ts under my button up shirts. They’re an “always” thing for me to the extent that I wear an undershirt even when wearing a button up and sweater with the gun between them.

It helps in comfort, is a neutral or maybe slight negative for draw (you can accidentally grab undershirt with the gun), and cuts both ways on heat management - it’s another layer, but it also protects the outer garment from the sweat factories that are my pits.

I don’t have specific recommendations but I’m interested in what others say. I’m using generic cotton shirts of both types, but I’m sure there’s something better and longer lasting. My one personal caveat is that I can’t do the crew neck undershirt under an open collar thing - my undershirt needs to not be visible. Just a personal style preference.

[Rex G]

When I started wearing Smartwool T-shirts, under my body armor, they protected my uniform shirts from the formation of sweat stains, in the armpit areas. They also mitigated odor formation in the uniform shirts and armor carriers. Of course, the Smartwool T-shirts, themselves, harbor very little B.O. Smartwool uses a Merino wool blend.

Having said that, in the summers, I started using Ex Officio T-shirts, under my armor, and under just about everything else, due to being cooler than Smartwool, and also protecting my uniform shirts from sweat stains.

I live in SE Texas, about 50 miles inland from the Gulf of Texico; the wet, green, humid part of Texas

[ST911]

I like...

Kuhl Valiant, hybrid poly/wool, has different material on the top of the shoulder for slip if you're wearing armor, pack straps, etc.
https://www.kuhl.com/kuhl/mens/short...aliant-ss-box/

Beyond A1 Power Wool crew.
https://beyondclothing.com/products/...32487418658878

[luckyman]

Were I wearing armor on a daily basis, I’d look at the new (to me) merino wool lightweight shirts.

https://www.amazon.com/Merino-tech-O...dp/B08B1W5FQV/

That’s a nice price for Merino. Can you compare them to any of the more expensive lines like smartwool or icebreakers or anything? Underarmour keeps tweaking the heatgear style I prefer, to the point I was considering merino but the price was making me hesitate.

[RJ]

Tried various shirts over the years, but for the last ten years or so have used these:
https://amazon.com/32-DEGREES-Mens-C...s%2C159&sr=8-7

Often available at Costco in 3 packs, can also be found on Amazon in multi packs sometimes. Started using them under my armor, and gradually morphed into year round wear, even in summer, under a polo or a camp shirt.

Excellent, thanks for the tip. I will see if my local Costco has these, and report back later on the one that I ordered from Amazon.