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Winter is forgiving. A heavy coat covers just about any holster setup you throw under it. That OWB rig on your hip? Invisible under a Carhartt. But spring changes the equation. Lighter layers, thinner shirts, and suddenly your carry setup has to earn its place.
Here’s how to adjust without overthinking it.
If you’ve been running an OWB holster all winter, spring is when you feel it. A polo or a t-shirt doesn’t hide much. That grip poking through your shirt? Everyone notices. You might not get called out, but you’re printing — and that defeats the purpose.
Inside-the-waistband holsters solve this. They tuck the firearm between your body and your pants, keeping the profile slim. Leather IWB holsters like the Smooth Concealment Holster sit especially flat because the material compresses against your body over time. After a week of wear, the leather starts conforming to your specific firearm and your specific body shape. Kydex can’t do that.
The Fair Chase holster does the same thing with American whitetail deer hide. Deer hide is softer and lighter than steerhide, so it breaks in faster. If you’re someone who notices the weight of your holster by the end of a long day, that difference matters.
Not everyone carries the same way every day. What works with jeans and a t-shirt might not work with khakis and a tucked polo. That’s where a multi-position holster earns its keep.
The 4 Way Holster carries four ways: IWB, OWB, cross-draw, and small of back. You’re not locked into one position. Running errands in a t-shirt? Go IWB at 4 o’clock. Heading to the range? Flip it to OWB. One holster handles both without buying a second rig.
Under a winter coat, carry position is almost irrelevant — everything is hidden. In spring, position determines whether you print or disappear.
Appendix (12-1 o’clock): Works well under untucked t-shirts. Keeps the firearm forward where you can access it fast. The tradeoff: some people find it uncomfortable when sitting for long periods.
Strong side (3-4 o’clock): The most popular position for a reason. Natural draw, comfortable sitting and standing. An IWB holster here with a good gun belt disappears under most shirts.
The point is: test your setup in the mirror before you leave the house. Bend over, reach up, sit down. If you see the outline of the grip or the holster clip, adjust your position or switch to a thinner holster.
This is where most spring carry setups fall apart. A regular dress belt or a worn-out leather belt lets the holster sag, shift, and tilt. That creates printing and discomfort. You end up adjusting your holster all day, which draws more attention than the printing itself.
A proper gun belt is stiffer by design. It distributes the weight of the firearm across your waist instead of letting it pull down at one point. If you’re switching from OWB to IWB for spring, a gun belt is the single biggest upgrade you can make. The holster does the concealing. The belt does the supporting. Skip the belt and the holster can’t do its job.
T-shirt and jeans: Smooth Concealment Holster, IWB at 4 o’clock, paired with a 1791 gun belt. The SCH is thin enough that even a fitted tee won’t show it. This is the go-to setup for most people.
Polo and khakis: Fair Chase holster, IWB at 3-4 o’clock. Deer hide is lighter and breaks in fast, so it sits flat under a tucked or untucked polo without creating a visible ridge. The natural character of the leather also means each one looks different — not a bad conversation starter if someone spots the clip.
Range day or outdoor activity: 4 Way Holster in OWB configuration with a sturdy gun belt. When concealment isn’t the priority, OWB gives you a faster draw and more comfort. Flip it back to IWB when you head home.
Spring carry comes down to three things: a slim IWB holster, the right carry position for your clothing, and a gun belt that keeps everything locked in place. Get those three right and you won’t think about your setup for the rest of the day.
That’s the whole point. The best carry setup is the one you forget you’re wearing.
