The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com. BUY NOW
The GMW IWB magazine holster with built-in neodymium magnets. Now available now on Amazon.com. BUY NOW
Summer. The perfect time to find a beach, stretch out, and just let the sun shine. Or at least that’s what the best parts of summer are like. Summer’s also that time of the year when a bunch of hot-heads on the freeway get stuck in traffic and won’t lay off their horns. When the sun starts beating down tempers can flare up as well. And we both know that criminals don’t stop for good weather. As a concealed carrier you’ll need to be ready for a hot weather concealed carry.
Concealed carry ideas for the summer are a little harder to come by than those for other seasons. Due to the discomfort caused by heat and sweat, many gun owners simply don’t want to concealed carry in the summer. But remember, criminals don’t stop just because it’s hot. The point of concealed carrying is to be able to have your weapon with you wherever you go so that you’ll be able to face a threat if it arises.
If you are wondering how to concealed carry in the summer, this article will help you find good ways to cope with the heat.
WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
What hot weather concealed carry is all about is wearing the right clothing. Certain materials are well-suited for hot weather and others just aren’t. Many factors, of course, will affect the kind of clothing you’ll wear. Your personal style, your body type, the size of your gun, your preferred holster style–all of these things must be taken into consideration.
Choose Breathable Fabric
One of the best concealed carry for the summer ideas is to wear breathable, stretchy fabric. Look for materials that have a wicking property. Wicking allows moisture to escape which will help keep you cool. Cotton fabrics hold on to perspiration but wicking materials stay dry, which is important when carrying a firearm. When cotton gets damp with sweat, it can easily get printed with the outline of your firearm and betray your concealed carry. Try wearing inner and outer wicking layers to be extra safe. The inner layer will keep your skin from rubbing against your firearm and the outer layer will help conceal your weapon.
Wicking fabrics used to be expensive but luckily those days are over. Companies are now using four-way stretch fabric and that’s making these types of clothes more affordable than ever.
Buy Guayabera Shirts
Guayabera shirts are button-up shirts that are quite popular in the Southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. They are known for their light fabric and twin vertical pleats. Due to how the human eye works the vertical pleats on guayabera shirts really help to camouflage the lines of a concealed firearm. Their loose-fitting style is also good for this. Additionally, Guayabera shirts are wonderful hot weather shirts, being light enough to allow heat and moisture to escape. They are usually worn untucked which is a good thing for your draw.
Looser and Longer
Loose clothing never goes out of style and in the heat loose is definitely the way to go. Loose clothes are not only comfortable but cooler as well as they provide much needed room for air to circulate. If you’re going for an on the waist firearm concealment try pairing a long cotton shirt with summer shorts. It’s as easy as that. Also consider wearing patterned clothing. Patterned shirts (you can check out our post on patterned clothing here) and dresses are great for camouflaging and minimizing the appearance of any bulges or outlines related to your concealed carry.
Tucked or Untucked?
There are times when untucked shirts are inappropriate, like in professional settings. So you might be asking how to concealed carry in the summer when you’re on the clock. If your workplace won’t budge and they require a tucked shirt at all times, there’s really nothing you can do about changing your main shirt. That being said you could consider wearing a sweat-wicking undershirt like those made by Under Armour. Remember, when concealed carrying (and especially in the summer) try to find shirts that are a little looser than you’d normally wear. This will help keep you cool and help conceal your weapon.
If allowed, try an untucked short sleeve button up or polo in the summer. Things really are different in the heat. Keep in mind that you might need to go one size bigger to make sure that your weapon is concealed under shirts like these.
Wear Cargo Pants If You Can Get Away With It
One of the classic concealed carry ideas for the summer is wearing cargo pants. With cargo pants, you can carry spare ammo or other types of every-day carry gear like flashlights, tourniquets, or pocket knives. Cargo pants have the added benefit of freeing up a little space on your belt. Their loose fit makes them perfect for the hot weather and they come in a good range of colors. Try out some cargo pants with your carry setup and see if this might be the right summer move for you.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOLSTER
Choosing the right holster is crucial for hot weather concealed carry in terms of comfort. The holster’s material and construction will make a huge difference in how it feels on your body. Your holster choice will depend on several factors.
Fight the Chafe
Chafing is one of the main reasons people choose not to carry during the summer. When learning how to concealed carry in the summer, you will discover that wearing light clothes can unfortunately lead to chafing. In the summer perspiration and moisture can get trapped inside your clothing and that can cause your skin to chafe. To resolve this, look for a holster that is light and does not move. If you are carrying spare magazines, you’ll want to make sure that they won’t not rub against or irritate your skin.
Ditch the Leather
When the temperature hits 90, a leather holster may not be your best option. Leather does not breathe as well as other fabrics and the result will be sweat. Find a holster made of a quality, breathable material for the summer and make sure to try it on before you buy!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
How to Concealed Carry in the Summer: Hot Weather Concealed Carry
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
BUY NOW
Summer. The perfect time to find a beach, stretch out, and just let the sun shine. Or at least that’s what the best parts of summer are like. Summer’s also that time of the year when a bunch of hot-heads on the freeway get stuck in traffic and won’t lay off their horns. When the sun starts beating down tempers can flare up as well. And we both know that criminals don’t stop for good weather. As a concealed carrier you’ll need to be ready for a hot weather concealed carry.
Concealed carry ideas for the summer are a little harder to come by than those for other seasons. Due to the discomfort caused by heat and sweat, many gun owners simply don’t want to concealed carry in the summer. But remember, criminals don’t stop just because it’s hot. The point of concealed carrying is to be able to have your weapon with you wherever you go so that you’ll be able to face a threat if it arises.
If you are wondering how to concealed carry in the summer, this article will help you find good ways to cope with the heat.
WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
What hot weather concealed carry is all about is wearing the right clothing. Certain materials are well-suited for hot weather and others just aren’t. Many factors, of course, will affect the kind of clothing you’ll wear. Your personal style, your body type, the size of your gun, your preferred holster style–all of these things must be taken into consideration.
Choose Breathable Fabric
One of the best concealed carry for the summer ideas is to wear breathable, stretchy fabric. Look for materials that have a wicking property. Wicking allows moisture to escape which will help keep you cool. Cotton fabrics hold on to perspiration but wicking materials stay dry, which is important when carrying a firearm. When cotton gets damp with sweat, it can easily get printed with the outline of your firearm and betray your concealed carry. Try wearing inner and outer wicking layers to be extra safe. The inner layer will keep your skin from rubbing against your firearm and the outer layer will help conceal your weapon.
Wicking fabrics used to be expensive but luckily those days are over. Companies are now using four-way stretch fabric and that’s making these types of clothes more affordable than ever.
Buy Guayabera Shirts
Guayabera shirts are button-up shirts that are quite popular in the Southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. They are known for their light fabric and twin vertical pleats. Due to how the human eye works the vertical pleats on guayabera shirts really help to camouflage the lines of a concealed firearm. Their loose-fitting style is also good for this. Additionally, Guayabera shirts are wonderful hot weather shirts, being light enough to allow heat and moisture to escape. They are usually worn untucked which is a good thing for your draw.
Looser and Longer
Loose clothing never goes out of style and in the heat loose is definitely the way to go. Loose clothes are not only comfortable but cooler as well as they provide much needed room for air to circulate. If you’re going for an on the waist firearm concealment try pairing a long cotton shirt with summer shorts. It’s as easy as that. Also consider wearing patterned clothing. Patterned shirts (you can check out our post on patterned clothing here) and dresses are great for camouflaging and minimizing the appearance of any bulges or outlines related to your concealed carry.
Tucked or Untucked?
There are times when untucked shirts are inappropriate, like in professional settings. So you might be asking how to concealed carry in the summer when you’re on the clock. If your workplace won’t budge and they require a tucked shirt at all times, there’s really nothing you can do about changing your main shirt. That being said you could consider wearing a sweat-wicking undershirt like those made by Under Armour. Remember, when concealed carrying (and especially in the summer) try to find shirts that are a little looser than you’d normally wear. This will help keep you cool and help conceal your weapon.
If allowed, try an untucked short sleeve button up or polo in the summer. Things really are different in the heat. Keep in mind that you might need to go one size bigger to make sure that your weapon is concealed under shirts like these.
Wear Cargo Pants If You Can Get Away With It
One of the classic concealed carry ideas for the summer is wearing cargo pants. With cargo pants, you can carry spare ammo or other types of every-day carry gear like flashlights, tourniquets, or pocket knives. Cargo pants have the added benefit of freeing up a little space on your belt. Their loose fit makes them perfect for the hot weather and they come in a good range of colors. Try out some cargo pants with your carry setup and see if this might be the right summer move for you.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOLSTER
Choosing the right holster is crucial for hot weather concealed carry in terms of comfort. The holster’s material and construction will make a huge difference in how it feels on your body. Your holster choice will depend on several factors.
Fight the Chafe
Chafing is one of the main reasons people choose not to carry during the summer. When learning how to concealed carry in the summer, you will discover that wearing light clothes can unfortunately lead to chafing. In the summer perspiration and moisture can get trapped inside your clothing and that can cause your skin to chafe. To resolve this, look for a holster that is light and does not move. If you are carrying spare magazines, you’ll want to make sure that they won’t not rub against or irritate your skin.
Ditch the Leather
When the temperature hits 90, a leather holster may not be your best option. Leather does not breathe as well as other fabrics and the result will be sweat. Find a holster made of a quality, breathable material for the summer and make sure to try it on before you buy!