Are you the kind of person that gets outdoors every chance you can? Do you enjoy the peace of mind of having a firearm with you for self-defense or maybe even to carry your hunting pistol? Rather than fighting a hip holster on the side of your pack and having to worry about banging it off the ground or rocks, catching brush, or struggling to draw from your hip holster in your waders, you should try a chest holster.
Chest holsters are the best holsters designed for outdoor activities. Well-designed chest holsters will keep your sidearm secure and perfectly positioned, are easy to draw from and are comfortable to wear. Chest holsters are perfect for keeping your gun ready if you meet a predator on its own turf.
We personally use chest holsters for all of our outdoor activities. These include horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, and even picking mushrooms and berries.
Keep reading to find out more information about chest holsters including why we believe you should be wearing one, what activities they are good for, possible downsides, and common questions we get regarding chest holsters use.
Why Should You Wear a Chest Holster?
There are many advantages to wearing a chest holster. Below we will cover a few of them that we have had personal experience with.
First, chest holsters are extremely versatile and can be used for nearly every outdoor activity. A well-designed chest holster can be adjusted to fit as tight or loose as you want it to your chest. Oftentimes chest holsters will have some adjustability in their ride height as well. This comes in handy when running a sidearm underneath a binocular harness or while wearing a backpack or waders.
Second, having your sidearm on your chest keeps the gun available at all times. Additionally, because the firearm will be secure to your chest in its holster, you eliminate the possibility of snagging it on tree branches and brush which keeps sticks from sliding in and pulling the trigger. We’ve personally experienced a mag ejecting while pushing through thickets or falling on our side while hiking in steep terrain, this is avoided by using a chest holster.
Third, and this one’s obvious but worth mentioning. Our chest holster is attached to you. Not a bino harness or a backpack. This is advantageous when backpacking, camping, hunting, or doing other activities where you may be shedding gear from time to time.
For example, while I’m elk hunting I strap on my Kenai Chest Holster when I wake up. I don’t take it off until I go to bed! During a normal day of archery elk hunting, I will remove my bino harness and backpack multiple times. Because I am wearing a chest holster I never have to worry about switching to a belt-style holster or being without my gun on the final stalk.
Lastly, chest holsters are quick and easy to draw from. Personally, I can draw from my chest holster faster than I can from a holster attached to my pack’s waist belt. Every second counts when you are face to face with a bear.
Who Are Chest Harnesses Good For?
We believe every outdoorsman and outdoorswoman should be wearing a chest holster. They are extremely versatile and most people that purchase one end up using them for more activities than they initially thought they would.
They are good for every hunting technique and personal defense weapon type that we are aware of. The holster sits tight to the wearer’s body and doesn’t get in the way of drawing and shooting a bow. The straps are also plenty thin enough so they don’t hamper shouldering a rifle or shotgun.
Fishermen love our chest holster because their firearm is always accessible, even while wearing waders. It also stays in place and doesn’t bounce around when you are chasing a monster steelhead or salmon downstream.
Mountain bikers and horseback riders enjoy chest holsters for the same reasons hunters and fishermen do. They sit tight to the chest and don’t bounce around. You don’t have to worry about it getting snagged on brush or tree branches while riding on narrow trails. If you fall or are bucked off, you will also have less of a chance of landing on top of your firearm.
Hikers and backpackers have seen the benefit of using a chest holster. In some scenarios individuals may want to make it less obvious they are carrying a pistol. With a chest holster, they can wear a light jacket or even a quarter zip shirt over it while keeping the zipper low enough that the gun can still be easily accessed. If you do this, make sure you are informed of your local state and city laws and ensure that you know what is considered concealed carry. If necessary make sure you obtain the proper permit.
Are There Downsides to a Chest Holster?
Although we love this style of holster, it’s also important that we are honest with you. That said, there are only two downsides we can think of about chest holsters. First, because the holster is strapped to your chest it can make it more difficult to add or remove layers, you may have to remove the chest holster to do so. That said, we’ve found that it’s fairly easy to remove layers from underneath a chest holster.
Further, typically if we are adding a layer it’s a jacket and we leave the holster underneath and don’t zip the jacket all the way up. If you prefer to remove the holster that’s also quite easy and quick to do. All you have to do is release one side buckle and you can slip the holster on and off with ease.
Lastly, chest holsters don’t work very well for concealed carry. A jacket can easily be worn over it, but if the jacket is zipped up all the way you won’t have quick access to your gun. If you are interested in a holster for concealed carry check out the Spectra Shoulder Holster or Wraith in the waist belt (IWB) holster.
Our Favorite Chest Holster
The Kenai Chest Holster is our favorite. We have designed this holster with men and women who love the outdoors in mind. It’s highly adjustable, easy to take on and off, is secure, the weapon-specific molded Kydex shells are tough, and retain weapons well. Additionally, the webbing used on these holsters have just the right amount of stretch and is wide enough so they don’t dig into your shoulders.
Several other chest harnesses on the market require the pistol to be hung below a bino harness. This works well for most things but if you sit down or bend over some of them can pinch you, or swing forward away from the body. Additionally, this style covers more area on your chest and stomach and can be hotter and less comfortable to wear in warmer weather than the Kenai Chest Holster.
Frequent Questions Regarding the Kenai Chest Holster
We frequently receive questions about our Kenai Chest Holster and see them asking about this holster in other online forums. Below you will find our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Do You Make One That Will Fit My Gun?
The Kenai Chest Holster has shells for nearly every pistol on the market. We work tirelessly and are continually adding new models. We design shells for over 30 brands of handguns. Additionally, we make shells that are molded to accept lights, scopes, and even silencers.
Does the Kenai Chest Holster Work With a Bino Harness?
This is one of the most frequent questions we receive. Many of our customers are hunters and are concerned about wearing our holster with a binocular harness. In our experience, this just isn’t an issue. We have been comfortably wearing this harness system underneath binocular harnesses for years without an issue. It’s easy to adjust the chest harness so that the firearm is easily accessible behind the bino harness.
Is a Chest Harness Slower to Draw From?
Like all things, practice makes perfect. If you are used to drawing from a hip holster it may be slightly slower at first but after some practice, we have found that it’s just as fast to draw from the chest holster. If you would rather use a hip holster check out the Sentinel or Ronin over-the-waist belt holsters from Gunfighters Inc.
Will It Get in the Way When I Am Shooting My Bow?
No. This holster will absolutely not get in the way when shooting a bow. We personally hunt with archery equipment and this has never been an issue for us. We even shoot bows with the Kenai Chest Harness underneath a bino harness with no issue.
Is It Too Bulky or Hot?
This is a concern of some of our customers living in warmer climates or those shooting archery equipment. Of course, anything on your chest is going to be hotter than having nothing at all, but it really doesn’t get too hot. If you are going to wear it with a bino harness, then the Kenai Chest Holster is a great option in hot weather. It covers less surface area on your chest and stomach and allows for more airflow. I personally wear mine while hunting and backpacking in August in 100-degree temps.
Are There Too Many Straps?
In our experience, the straps do not cause issues or get in the way. The straps we use are wide, comfortable, and sufficiently support the weight of even heavy handguns. They also have some stretch and easily move with your body while still being rigid enough to hold the holster in place when drawing. Once adjusted properly it’s quite easy to forget that you are even wearing the Kenai Chest Holster.
Closing Thoughts
Chest holsters are a fantastic option for outdoor activities with very few downsides. They are secure. Your firearm is always right where you need it, and they can be worn with backpacks, bino harnesses, and waders. The Kenai Chest Holster is our preferred outdoor carry holster and we are sure it will become yours too. If you are wearing this holster you know you will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
March 9, 2023