Concealment Jackets – How to Choose the Right One for You

A concealed carry jacket is a valuable piece of clothing in cold weather. It keeps you warm, looks great, and allows easy access to your sidearm in self-defense scenarios.

However, many factors go into choosing the right concealed carry jacket. Here are a few things to remember: Comfort, Functionality, Fit, Style, and Budget.

Comfort

A concealment jacket should be comfortable to wear all day, fitting well without snagging on accessories or getting caught on your firearm. It should also be warm enough for the weather where you live but not so heavy that it restricts your movement or prevents you from drawing your gun in self-defense.

Look for a concealed carry jacket with internal holster pockets large enough to accommodate most handguns. The pockets should close securely and use snaps instead of zippers, which open more quickly and help you clear your jacket and draw your weapon in a hurry.

Many concealment jackets are designed to look like regular clothing and offer plenty of storage space for a firearm, backup magazines, keys, wallets, maps, passports, and other gear. They should also be lightweight and have adjustable cuffs to avoid interfering with your ability to draw your gun in self-defense.

Functionality

The concealment jacket you choose should comfortably accommodate your weapon and eliminate printing (showing the outline of the firearm). It should also look like regular clothing and keep you warm.

It’s also essential to find a concealed carry jacket with large, ambidextrous pocket holsters to support your weapon, spare magazines, keys, wallets, and other gear. The pockets should be big enough to prevent snags and jamming and have hook and loop closure techniques to open quickly when you’re in a hurry to draw your gun in self-defense or survival situations.

You’ll also want to find a jacket with adjustable cuffs that won’t interfere with your gun draw. This is especially important if you wear gloves and need to access your gun quickly in cold weather.

Fit

When choosing a concealment jacket, the fit is critical. The coat should comfortably support a sidearm and offer rapid access in an emergency or survival situation. It should also look like regular outerwear, not a tactical gear piece. Look for jackets shaped like cardigans or blazers to work efficiently over other clothing and have large pockets that accommodate the gun, backup magazines, and accessories. Many concealed carry jackets feature ambidextrous pocket holsters for left- and right-handed shooters.

The jacket should also be loose enough to avoid pinching or sagging and have a square edge front that resists flapping open and revealing the firearm. Premium fabrics such as herringbone, birdseye, or rough tweed help break up lines that could highlight bulges.

Style

Some concealed carry jackets are purpose-made to comfortably support your sidearm and offer quick access in a hurry. They are shaped like cardigans and blazers to work efficiently over other clothing and feature ambidextrous pocket holsters that accommodate your IWB or OWB firearm and backup magazine. They use premium fabrics to resist cold weather and have secure closures for your firearm and accessories.

Others look more like regular clothing and conceal a gun, wallet, maps, passport, keys, and other valuables. They are made from durable materials and have quality zippers and snaps to resist moisture and prevent printing (showing the outline of your weapon through the fabric). They’re also tapered for a professional look. Some feature weights in the front corners to help counter wind and movement that could obstruct your draw.

Budget

A concealment jacket can be a good investment for those looking for a winter coat to accommodate their concealed carry firearm. These jackets typically feature large ambidextrous pocket holsters supporting a handgun and backup magazines, keys, wallets, passports, maps, and other essential gear.

When choosing a jacket, look for premium fabrics like herringbone, birdseye, or rough tweed to help break up lines that could highlight bulges from your concealed gun. You also want to choose a jacket with a square edge front that will be less likely to flap open and reveal your weapon.

Another consideration is a jacket that looks professional enough to wear with other peace officers while on duty. Look for quality snaps and a classic professional fit.