Everyone from police officers to Hollywood villains seems to carry a Kydex gun holster these days. The smooth, hard surface is a far cry from the esteemed feel of a leather holster—so why has Kydex become so popular, even among purist shooters?
Most would say it all comes down to convenience. Kydex makes holstering your handgun quick and easy. It’s a minimalist’s dream built on functionality and safety with plenty of customization options. Kydex gun holsters are comfortable, durable, and relatively affordable, offering value that’s hard to beat with other materials. That’s why it’s our material of choice at Eclipse Holsters.
But First… What Is Kydex?
Kydex is a brand name for a proprietary blend of thermoplastic. That means not all plastic gun holsters are Kydex. True Kydex is an acrylic-polyvinyl chloride blend exclusively manufactured by SEKISUI Chemicals.
Kydex was invented in 1965 by the Philadelphia based company Röhm & Haas Co, which also invented Plexiglass. It gained popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, and today is one of the most popular materials for gun holsters and knife sheaths.
What makes Kydex holsters unique is how they are made. Kydex is a thermoplastic, making it moldable when heated. Manufacturers heat the plastic and carefully mold it around a model to get the precise shape and dimensions of the firearm to manufacture a Kydex holster. This is the technology that drives our custom holster builder.
Why Kydex is Great for Gun Holsters
Kydex was first used in the automotive sector and to build interior components like luggage carriers for aircraft. Yet today, it’s become a household name in the gun community due to its massive success as a holster material.
Excellent Firearm Retention
Kydex is flexible when heated, enabling us to craft gun holsters to the exact shape of a pistol. The result is a snug-fitting holster design that is ideal for concealed carry. Well made Kydex holsters have retention features built into the plastic itself to keep your gun positioned securely at all times. This often includes a “click” mechanism to indicate when you’ve holstered properly.
Moisture Resistant
Rain, sweat, and humidity are no match for Kydex. Moisture will not affect a Kydex holster’s functionality or wear away its finish, and there is no risk of sagging or stretching, no matter the weather conditions. Kydex is non-permeable and won’t absorb odors and grime the same way softer materials will, so cleaning a Kydex holster is a breeze.
Low Maintenance
Like leather and nylon, Kydex is smooth by nature. This ensures it won’t scratch your firearm. The smooth surface also makes it very easy to wipe clean. Besides routine wipe downs, Kydex holsters won’t need much maintenance—no oiling or conditioning is required.
Value for Money
Finally, Kydex holsters are much more affordable than their leather or nylon counterparts. That being said, not all Kydex is made the same, and the price range of Kydex holsters can vary greatly depending on material quality and build. Yet even those on the upper end of the price scale will offer superb value for money due to their unmatched durability.
Kydex vs Leather Holsters
When compared to leather holsters, Kydex is a brand-new innovation. Folks have been holstering their guns in leather since the days of the Old West, and it has always been known as a sturdy, rugged material for weapons. Many gun owners still use leather holsters, but Kydex has clear advantages.
● No “breaking-in” period. Leather holsters feel stiff and clunky until you’ve broken them in—a process that can take a few days to a few months. On the other hand, Kydex is ready to use from day one.
● Less maintenance. High-quality leather holsters can last a lifetime; however, they require some TLC to keep them in shape. That means regular brushing, washing with saddle soap, and oiling to prevent cracks. Kydex is far easier to clean and maintain.
● Retains its shape forever. Leather is a natural material that will shapeshift slightly throughout its life. That means the more you wear it, the more it molds to your gun—which is great until it starts to sag. A stretched leather holster offers virtually no retention, making it unsafe for concealed carry. Kydex is exceedingly rigid by comparison.
Kydex vs Nylon Holsters
Nylon holsters emerged in the 1970s as a synthetic alternative to leather that was lightweight and comfortable. Nylon is soft and flexible like leather but has more resistance to moisture and requires less upkeep. However, Kydex still comes out on top for most firearm carriers.
● Superior holster retention. The soft comfort of nylon isn’t always conducive to secure gun retention, and most nylon holsters need a safety strap. The relative rigidity of Kydex provides a more stable carry with smoother reholstering.
● No fraying fabric. Nylon gradually degrades with each draw and holster of your weapon. Eventually, you may face interference from stray threads and fibers that can reduce the safety of your rig.
● Thicker barrier around the firearm. Nylon holsters are most loved for comfort when carried inside the waistband (IWB). However, comfort should never come before safety. A Kydex holster provides a thicker casing around the gun for peace of mind against unintentional discharge.
Different Grades of Kydex to Know
Kydex may have started as a single innovation. Now, it has grown into a family of products that contains 40 different types of thermoplastic. Each Kydex grade has its own chemical properties that affect its functionality as a gun holster. If you’re looking for a high-quality holster, look out for these two grades:
1. Kydex 100
Kydex 100 is the original formulation Otto Röhm and Otto Haas developed in 1965. It put Kydex on the map and is still the gold standard for gun holsters today. It’s more heat and chemical-resistant than Kydex T and is recommended for duty-rated holsters.
What does this mean in practice? Kydex 100 is class-A fire-rated, extremely tough and rigid, and won’t deform at temperatures below 163°F. Kydex 100 holsters from Eclipse are also available in several custom colors and prints.
2. Kydex T
Kydex T is a modified version of Kydex 100 with a lower acrylic content. It’s similar inn chemical composition but is much easier to work with, especially for DIY holster-builders. It can be less UV resistant than Kydex 100 but still offers excellent performance for everyday carry.
As you can see by the specs, Kydex T will deform at a lower temperature than Kydex 100. This isn’t an issue unless you plan to leave your holster in a hot car all day. For most concealed carriers, Kydex T is a perfectly suitable material.
Quick Buyer’s Advice for Kydex Gun Holsters
Knock-offs exist for almost all premium products, including Kydex gun holsters. Nearly every gun owner has heard a horror story about cheap “Kydex” scratching a pistol or falling apart within two weeks. That’s why you should take your time shopping and know which questions to ask before you buy.
Look for Holsters Made Specifically for Your Firearm
The whole point of a Kydex holster is that it can be customized to the shape of a specific gun. The plastic is supposed to cradle the trigger and slide, not grapple it into submission. Retention is the most important thing; you’ll never experience it with an ill fitting holster. A store that advertises one-size-fits-all holsters is a massive red flag. All Eclipse Holsters are made meticulously for specific gun models to ensure a snug and safe fit.
Always Ask About the Molding Process
Quality holster-makers love to brag, so don’t hesitate to question them. Ask what type of Kydex they use for their holsters and how the molding process works to gauge whether they use the best materials. If you’re looking for signs of cutting corners, injection molding is a dead giveaway.
Kydex is a thermoplastic, so it must be molded with heat. Most injection-molded holsters are made from different polymers. They cannot truly be called Kydex (unless made from KYDEX T-IM—a material formulated explicitly for injection molding).
Final Thoughts: Kydex Is Here to Stay
The popularity of Kydex gun holsters is undeniable. Their strength and durability are unmatched, and even old-school firearm enthusiasts are now welcoming Kydex into their holster collections. The material has come a long way since its appearance 60 years ago. It continues delivering innovation in the gun community and the aeronautical and automotive spaces.
Eclipse Holsters offers custom-made Kydex holsters for over 50 gun makes and models. Use our custom builder tool to visualize your design and place your order. Drop us an email for more information.