Comfortable AIWB

[OnionsAndDragons]

I think this is a huge factor that generally gets overlooked. If I can keep my pants at my waist appendix carry is significantly more comfortable, regardless of the holster or belt. My issue is, despite all the squats, I have no ass, my pants are sliding down all day. I should probably be looking into some tacticool suspenders

I also suffer from Diminished Gluteal Syndrome. I have found suspenders a great augment for pants that don't fit full Goldilocks. Or just for days when my back doesn't want me to add the extra pressure of a belt, I can wear a stiffer belt than usual and use the suspenders to hula-hoop that shit.

[VT1032]

For me, the issue was all how I was wearing my belt. I thought for years I couldn't pull off AIWB, both because I've got a gut and because I'm a big stocky guy with huge legs which pressed the holster into my groin when I sat. The kicker for me is that I was approaching aiwb the way I had found success with strong side IWB. For strong side, the tighter I could get the belt, the better, because it pulled the gun into my hip. Conversely, for appendix, I leave a fair amount of slack in the belt, (ie. one or two loops looser then snug on a leather belt) which leaves things loose enough for the holster to move around and adjust as you move. Coming from strong side, holster movement was the devil, but that's not at all the case with aiwb. For me, it has to be able to move when I sit down and whatnot to be even remotely comfortable. Finally, you just have to play around with it until you find that sweet spot, and when you do you'll know it.

[Shawn Dodson]

Several months ago I got a Keepers Concealment Cornerstone AIWB holster. I experimented with it every way imaginable with the small pad and just couldn't find a method to make it work for me. It just dug into my gut. I'm 6-0, 245#. I put it away and didn't give it much thought until this weekend. This time I finally used the large pad. What a remarkable difference in comfort! No other difference but the pad. I'm going to keep working with it to see if I can make it even better. Pistol is a G43.

[medmo]

The G26 is a good gun but you may quickly find it’s just as easy to conceal a G19 AIWB.

Spot on. My full size 92 conceals and is as comfy as my Px4 CC, (JMCK Wing Claw 2.5), with jeans and untucked t shirt. I recently picked up a Black Rhino Concealment ACS holster so I could carry the Px4 CC AIWB with a TLR7. Just as conceal/comfy as the JMCK. The BRC ACS is a high quality holster also and I recommend along with the JMCK.

[RJ]

I have a try at AIWB every six months or so. In fact I have an older JM CK G17 length holster w wing for my G19 squirreled away in my box o' holsters that I use for this. Unfortunately, for me at least, I've found that I can either carry AIWB, or I can carry a "spare tire." I can't do both. So since I currently have the spare tire, it doesn't work well for me, and I carry behind the hip in a JM CK IWB3.

I'm focusing on the spare tire, and have finally found a diet and exercise approach that is working for me. Once I get to target weight, I will try AIWB again. At age 61, I will probably not end up looking like @Duke, but I may surprise myself.

Well, it seems time to try AIWB again. I’ve been making good progress using healthy Keto and weight/cardio. Waist is down to an actual 36.5”, weight finally below 190, consistently.

I bought a pre-owned lefty DSG Hitchhiker from a forum member for my G48, which is on its way to me. It has a Pad and Dark Wing.

Is there a ‘setup’ guide to doing AIWB for a holster? I was thinking of just removing the clips, and shoving that big hunk of metal down my pants (My Lord what did he just say!?) Mexican style, and look in the mirror to see where it ended up? Then attach the clips there, as a starting point?

Belt I plan to use is my MMT Specialist. I’ve been using a Melody Lauer Holster Hack (Dr Scholl’s Gel Heelpad) on my DSG on my LCR and JM CK IWB I wear strong side, so I may try that as well.

Is anyone still using a ‘junk pillow’ on theirs? (Small fabric sewn sack or bag, Velcro’d to the holster, filled with synthetic stuffing material). I seem to recall this being mentioned in older threads.

[Jared]

Several months ago I got a Keepers Concealment Cornerstone AIWB holster. I experimented with it every way imaginable with the small pad and just couldn't find a method to make it work for me. It just dug into my gut. I'm 6-0, 245#. I put it away and didn't give it much thought until this weekend. This time I finally used the large pad. What a remarkable difference in comfort! No other difference but the pad. I'm going to keep working with it to see if I can make it even better. Pistol is a G43.

I’ve been all AIWB for a while now, and certainly have a “dad bod.” I found one of the biggest increase in comfort tricks was to go with long holsters and the flat pad from JM Custom Kydex.

How long? Full size Beretta 92 length is pretty much perfect. I even ordered a new holster for my PX4CC and requested it to be as close to full size 92 length as possible. Tony got it to within about 1/4” of identical. Worn just a tiny bit right of centerline, I can carry for as long as I care to, bend over to tie my shoes, whatever I want. It’s awesome.

[mastiffkb]

I am a big fan of the Keepers Concealment brand. I have used a Keepers lite for my Glocks for several years and recently added a Cornerstone for my p365xl. Both are great products but I think I lean towards preferring the Cornerstone with the Clips. They provide a very secure and stable fit allowing one to have an easily repeatable grip. The pads come in various sizes and are adjustable to find what works for you. I tend to run this holster at the ~1-1:30 position for best comfort.

[Bucky]

I have about 10 or so different AIWB holsters in trying to find the right fit. All the ones I currently use I had to modify to make work, usually by mixing parts from other manufacturers. For example, my G Code has a JMCK Wedge on it. On the other hand, my JMCK 2.5 has a G Code clip on it. The ladder is my current favorite, as it’s comfortable and concealable, which becomes harder for those of us losing the battle of the bulge. Others that have tried my Frankenstein 2.5 really liked it as well.

[Larry T]

Almost every time someone tells me they can't tolerate AIWB and I ask them where they are carrying, they say "right in the middle" meaning centerline. I always tell them to try closer to the hip, closer to 1:30 rather than "high noon". The majority find that all of a sudden AIWB works.

The Tenicor Velo is specifically designed to carry closer to the hip (1:30 to maybe 2:00) but with the hard "Body Contour" it is a "one size fits SOME" and may or may not be perfect. It certainly ISN'T perfect if you try to wear it closer to centerline - but it isn't designed for centerline.

My perfect holster for AIWB is the JM Custom Kydex Wing Claw 2.0. I like the attachment spacing on the 2.0. I can wear it anywhere from 12:30 to 1:45 but it depends on belt loop position. It's more versatile for me than the Velo. The included large wedge or the Dark Star Teardrop work equally well. I also like the rounded muzzle end of the JMCK versus the straight bottom of the Velo.

[UniSol]

Subcompact size guns can be a false economy when it comes to AIWB. It’s already been covered in this thread but a 19 size is generally better than a 26 and a 17 even better for a lot of people. It’s counterintuitive if you’re approaching it from a traditional strong side carry experience. One thing that might be worth trying is Mexican carry (holsterless AIWB ) with an empty chamber just to validate that a bigger gun can be easier. Even if just around the house. Then you can proceed to holster selection. A full day of AIWB with a Glock 17 or equivalent duty size pistol in the drivers seat or conducting a full range of motion is absolutely possible. I have found that I am more likely to struggle with a subcompact in AIWB after a few hours where a Glock 17 clocks in and out for the day with no fuss.