Leather is Luxury: Natural Carry Holster Care

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Still carry the classy way? Here I go over how to properly take care of your leather holsters.

In the 21st century, a polymer pistol in a plastic holster is the norm. They have excellent retention and have gotten quite comfortable. New manufacturing methods and materials are cheap and accessible. Still, the allure of leather remains, perhaps because humans have been using animal skins longer than we’ve been using language. Heck, our earliest evidence of leather comes from processing tools that date back over 100,000 years.

There has actually been a bit of a resurgence in leather holsters in recent years because of the vast increase in available pistol make and models, natural materials lending themselves better to universal fits. Leather can also be extremely comfortable compared to plastic. But the upsides are also the downsides.

Like us, leather has a lifespan. A high-quality, cared-for leather holster gains a personality all its own — a companion to the pistol that rides inside. Leather comes from something that was once alive, and in a way, continues to live on through its bearer. The skin can stretch alongside your own. The colors shift with exposure to sun, warm skin, and hot barrels. Gun oil and sweat work into the pores, building a bridge between pistol and person — which also means you need to inspect it, care for it, and show a degree of consideration you otherwise wouldn’t with a plastic fantastic.

No one needs a leather holster in the 21st century, just like how they don’t need a mechanical watch, vintage Jeep, or custom pistol. Leather is luxury.

What used to be normal — items made from natural materials handcrafted by humans — now represents extravagance in a world that produces piles of plastic. Yes, this article is a bit romantic. No, I’m not saying throw out your PHLster. But there could be a place for some leather in your life, and if you’re looking for a gift for someone who’s hard to buy for, some of the exotic options outlined here might help.

Exotic Leather Holsters

The majority of leather items produced in the United States, holsters or otherwise, come from cows. This isn’t surprising, as cowhide is a byproduct of the beef and dairy industry, and America is the largest producer in the world. Of course, bulls aren’t your only option. Some manufacturers, like Versacarry, use water buffalo even for their mass-produced models. But if you want something truly custom, you may as well go entirely exotic.

Nestled in the western Carolina mountains is Mayhem Leather Company. This family business specializes in handcrafting custom holsters and other leather items, with a rare eye toward artistry. Mayhem Leather Company not only has some standard holster offerings, wallets, and cowboy rigs, but also 1911 grips formed from the likes of ring lizards, peanut spinal stingray, and gators.

In terms of exotic leathers, they offer a variety of options ranging from hippo, hornback alligator, ostrich, python, pirarucu, shark, stingray, and more. No, you won’t find holsters like these at a regular store, just like how you won’t find bespoke pistols at any old gun shop. And it’s guaranteed that no one is going to have a holster that’ll look exactly like the one you have — even if they buy the same make, model, and material.

Hybrid Holsters

We can’t talk about leather holsters without mentioning hybrids. These designs look for the best of both worlds, the comfort of leather with the retention and rigidity of plastic. Several approaches have been taken with assorted levels of success.

The first generation of the hybrid holster, of which there are still some versions, were plastic shells bolted onto leather backers. There can be issues with backers stretching but the shells staying, affecting retention ability, depending on the quality of construction and type of leather used. Another type is a sort of leather cover for Kydex, like a taco wrap. Most recently, it’s been leather holsters with synthetic internal structures for positive retention, and these have been the most promising in terms of looking and feeling like a traditional leather holster.

Fitting Leather Holsters

Your pistol needs to fit snugly inside your holster yet still be ready to pull. This is the ever-present problem with concealed carry, and why that “Kydex click” brings so many so much confidence.

While an inside-the-waistband design can usually have a little more wiggle room because the pistol is pressed between your body and pants by your belt, overall you’re going to want a pistol that fits a little more tightly than you think — that leather is going to stretch with time and use. If it’s too tight, don’t use any saddle soap or other softeners and don’t get it wet. Instead, put your pistol inside a plastic bag, insert it into the holster, and leave it overnight. This will increase the dimensions ever so slightly so it’s just right.

Galco Gun Leather sells a product called Draw-EZ to shorten break-in periods, but the very best thing you can do in order to smooth out a leather holster is honest time and repetition.

Care And Inspection

Keep your holster clean. After a long day on the range or running around, a quick wipe down with a clean towel is usually all it needs, but sometimes a little more care is required. The best practice is to only use items recommended by your given maker, lest you weaken the leather by making it too soft. Some light buffing with shoe polish should be A-OK and keep everything looking great. If your holster gets wet, wipe it with a towel, resist the urge to apply heat, and let it dry at room temperature overnight.

Heat and direct sunlight will dry, warp, and crack your leather. Keep your holsters away from windows, sunrooms, and dashboards.

Make damned sure the trigger is properly covered and the leather isn’t soft around the trigger — if the leather is soft enough that the trigger can be pressed through the material, it’s time to retire that holster. Check any retention devices like snaps or attachments like clips for rust.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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