For those who carry a firearm for personal defense, the changing of the seasons brings more than just a shift in weather. Carrying concealed in the summer directly impacts daily routines. This includes clothing choices, and, consequently, how to effectively carry a concealed gun.
A full-size firearm that disappears under a winter coat can be glaringly obvious under a summer T-shirt, right? This is why a lot of people have a dedicated summer setup, often including a smaller firearm and a specialized holster.
When I first started carrying a concealed handgun, I wanted to keep it simple. That is, buy one good quality handgun and one good holster that I could use every day. That kind of worked for a while, but I started noticing some problems.
The gun I selected was a medium-sized handgun that worked fine in the winter and somewhat ok in the summer. I was limited to jeans and a loose-fitting shirt, though, if I wanted to carry in hot weather.
We won’t talk as much about other seasons, and you can read more about winter carry in my article “Preparing for Cold Weather: Is Your Duty Holster Accessible?” But for today, we are going to talk specifically about carrying a handgun and your EDC gear during the summer months.
The Challenges of Summer Carry
Summer is my least favorite time to carry a concealed gun. I live in a place that gets hot and extremely muggy. You start sweating just from standing outside for more than a few minutes.
This, of course, persuades one to wear lighter clothing. And having multiple things stuck in your pockets and a gun tucked inside your waistband just makes you feel more uncomfortable and hotter.
My philosophy has always been to carry the largest handgun I can comfortably conceal. So, in the winter, I carry a full-size handgun with an extra mag. I also carry a medium-sized flashlight, a pocketknife, and a tourniquet. These all fit in various pockets of my jeans and/or coat without any issue.
For a holster in the winter, I use an OWB holster like the Safariland Gravity. For more information about winter carry, check out my article, “How to Master Your Winter Carry.”
The problem in the summer, however, is printing and weight. When you start wearing lighter clothing, you notice the weight of all your EDC gear a little bit more. And of course I can’t carry a full-size gun on an OWB holster, so I need to move to an IWB holster.
Even with an IWB holster, however, a larger gun still tends to “print” or show an outline through your shirt.
Sweat makes things even more difficult
With the heat comes not just clothing problems but sweat, too. I can tell you from experience, a holster that doesn’t breathe well can create uncomfortable hot spots and skin irritation. And for the firearm, constant exposure to sweat can lead to rust and corrosion.
This makes material choice for your holster and regular maintenance of your firearm important during the summer months. It’s not something you really think about when selecting a gun and holster, but it’s worth keeping in mind as you set up your summer gear. Some materials can cause a rash on your skin as you start to sweat from the heat. Finding a holster that allows some air flow is a good choice in the summer. The Schema holster, seen below, is great for this.
Choosing Your Summer Firearm and Holster
Ok, so I’ve mentioned the issues with carrying a large, bulky gun in the summer. But that doesn’t mean the smallest compact pocket gun is the key either. You want your gun to be large enough to be able to get a good grip on it, and hopefully, carry a decent amount of ammo in the magazine.
In the end, you can only carry what you can conceal. That exact size will depend on each person. What if you want to go for a jog, carry in the gym, or wear some type of athletic pants? Some of these options will not even work with a holster, regardless of the size of the gun.
What I recommend is looking for a firearm that is slim and has a somewhat shorter barrel and grip. Make sure you can still get a good two-handed grip on it. If a gun is so small you can hardly hold it, it may not be the best option for self-defense. Over the years, I have ended up with several sizes of guns so I can make something work regardless of what I’m wearing or doing.
The holster is arguably the most important piece of the summer carry puzzle. An Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster is often the preferred method for summer concealment. It keeps the firearm close to the body and hidden under a shirt.
When selecting a summer IWB holster, consider the material and design. I like the Safariland Schema holster for summer carry. It is light and has minimal material that contacts your side. There isn’t really a solid back to the Schema holster, so it helps with preventing heat buildup behind the holster.
Other options than IWB carry
If your clothing does not work at all with a holster, you can try a small sling bag, fanny pack, purse (for the ladies), or some other type of bag.
When possible, I like to keep my handgun on my person, but some type of bag may allow you to carry one when nothing else works. I use a small sling bag when I go to the gym because it holds a small bottle of water, my gun, an extra mag, a small light, and a tourniquet. This is a perfect setup when I have gym shorts on, but I still want to keep all my EDC gear close to me.
You may also want to consider belly bands when wearing athletic clothing, as they don’t put any weight on the clothes. A belly band uses an elastic band around your waist to hold a firearm, light, and other gear against your waist.
Dressing for Concealment in the Heat
Your wardrobe, of course, plays a role in how effectively you can conceal a firearm during the summer. I touched a little on this already, but there are some other things to consider.
While you may be tempted to wear light-colored, form-fitting clothing, these choices can make concealment more difficult. Darker colors and patterns are hotter in the sun, but they also help conceal your gun better. They are less likely to show the shadow of a firearm (printing).
The fit of your clothing is also important. You don’t need to wear baggy, oversized clothes to conceal a firearm effectively. But, opting for shirts and shorts that are a little loose can provide the extra space needed to prevent printing.
Athletic-fit or “classic-fit” styles often offer more room than “slim-fit” options. Also, consider the fabric of your clothing. Thicker materials, even in summer-weight fabrics, will do a better job of masking the presence of a firearm than very thin, flimsy materials.
Another effective strategy is to use a cover garment. This doesn’t have to be a heavy jacket. A lightweight, unbuttoned short-sleeved shirt over a t-shirt can provide good concealment. I often wear a tank top tucked into my pants or shorts and an unbuttoned short-sleeve shirt over that. Is it still hot? Yes. But it’s hot here no matter what you wear, so I’ve found the best methods that work for me.
Experiment with different clothing combinations to find what works best for your body type and your carry setup.
Carry Positions and Adjustments for Summer
The position in which you carry your firearm can significantly impact both comfort and concealment during the summer. I mentioned that I often use an OWB holster in the winter. This is carried on my side where it’s easy to access. It’s also where I’m used to, after carrying a gun on my side for work over the past two decades.
But carrying a gun on your hip doesn’t always work well in the summer, even with an IWB holster. If your shirt is on the snug side, a gun on your hip can stick out some and cause a bulge in your side. I’m not saying you can’t make an IWB holster work on your side, but appendix carry is what I found works best.
Regardless of your chosen carry position, a sturdy gun belt is non-negotiable. This doesn’t mean it has to be a thick belt, but a good strong belt is important.
One of my favorite belts to wear in the summer is the EDC NEXT Belt. This belt is extremely durable, thin, and has a quick-adjustment buckle. When I carry an appendix IWB holster, I like to loosen my belt when I sit and tighten it when I stand. This is extremely easy with the NEXT belt.
Make it work for you
When selecting your other EDC gear to carry, use the same mindset as you do with your gun. A smaller, more compact flashlight may be ideal in the summer compared to winter, etc. The point is, find the right gear that allows you to be effective in the summer, but in a smaller, lighter setup.
I would also recommend cleaning your gun regularly in the summer, as the sweat will build up on the outside of it. This isn’t something you think of often, but it can affect the finish on your gun over time. It can also affect the function of your gun and wear down the lubrication inside the firearm.
Just like we do with winter carry, or anything else in life, a little planning, execution, and dedication go a long way. Find out what works for you, and you will be a much happier camper this summer.
