fobus

Fobus is primarily known for their affordable outside the waistband (mostly paddle) holsters. The only inside the waistband option in their lineup was a minimalist injection molded model. That was then, this is now. The news from Bensalem is that Fobus is dipping a toe into the crowded hybrid IWB market with their new IWBL and IWBS models for large frame compact pistols, respectively. Their differentiators are a breathable backing, one size (well, two actually) fits all, and a very affordable price of $39.95. Press release after the jump . . .

Bensalem, Pa. (November 2014)- Fobus Holsters is proud to introduce the new Inside the Waistband (IWB) series of holsters from Fobus International. The Fobus IWBL and IWBS offer an innovative approach to a popular and tested system of concealed carry; an approach that goes further and improves on an existing concept to allow degrees of comfort and efficiency not possible before.

The new Fobus IWB holsters are similar to “hybrid” holsters currently on the market, in that they are built from a flexible backing that buffers between the pistol and the body where the holster shell covers the pistol and two belt clips encircle the belt, positioning the holster at waistband height. However, the shell and holster backing on the new Fobus IWB holsters are totally unique.

The holster shell, while having a degree of flexibility, is non-collapsing and allows for one-handed re-holstering. Fobus is currently offering two new models: the IWBL for large frame pistols and the IWBS for small frame pistols. Both are universal IWB holsters that do not require replacement of shells when used with different similar sized pistols.

The holster’s unique flexible backing is impervious to moisture and features numerous ventilation openings. It also provides a mild, non-slip surface on both sides that serves to prevent lateral movement of the holster around the user’s waist, as well as a retention surface against the pistol. The holster firmly grips the pistol between the belt tension on the holster shell on one side, and the flexible backing that conforms to the wearer’s body contour on the opposite side.

The new Fobus IWB’s are a perfect combination of flexibility and retention that allow a variety of pistols to be securely carried in the same holster. The IWB’s are offered in both large (IWBL) and small (IWBS) styles to accommodate the most popular full-size and compact pistols without compromising retention or comfort. There is no need for any additional expense on shell replacements. MSRP: $39.99.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

60 COMMENTS

      • Dunno, I like their paddle mag carriers because they pull into your body but are much more comfortable than IWB; Also dont have to undo/remove your belt. Regular belt clip carriers stick out to far.

        • I got that… The question is WHY…

          Just labeling something junk without explaining your reasoning is not a way to convince people. This seems like a decent holster. Not everyone can afford custom fitted tacticoolaid.

          Is there something functionally wrong with the holsters?
          Is the production quality lacking?

    • Not everyone has the need or the finances for a Benz, some people drive a Kia. The same is true for holsters. Fobus is fine for someone looking for a budget holster. I’d buy a Fobus, hell, I have some Uncle Mike’s stuff. I have two guns I carry, my duty gun and my off duty gun. I have plenty of guns I don’t carry. I don’t need a $100 holster for the few times a year I do shoot those non carry guns. Budget holsters are also great for when I take people to shooting with me.

      If Fobus fits your needs and budget, there’s nothing wrong with Fobus.

        • How are you defining junk? You seem to use that word a lot. You know, the internet is a funny place. There are way too many people willing to speak authoritatively on products they’ve never used or owned – just look at amazon reviews of products in preorder, interesting. Gun forums are almost the worst, I think car forums are the worst. These people seem to base their vast knowledge on the stories they heard from a gun who had a cousin to told him that 1+1=3.

          So, when you say junk, could you tell us more about how that opinion is/was formed and what specific Fobus products have failed you, how they’ve failed you, and what your remedy was? Please don’t tell us about ergonomics, since everyone has a different body mass, shape, proportions, and dimensions.

  4. Interesting article. Thank you.
    Grammar police note:
    Unique means unlike anything else. There can be no gradation.
    Please forgive my pedantry.

    • Thank you. I’ve stopped pointing this out because it’s a losing battle. But someone’s gotta say it every now and then.

      DZ can’t be blamed for that, but he has to bear the blame for using “minimalist” to mean “using a minimum amount of material” as opposed to its correct definition: http://lexicide.com/minimalist/

      • I’ll also point out: “backing is impervious to moisture and features numerous ventilation openings”?

        So, “impervious to moisture” + many holes = no longer impervious to moisture.

  6. I really like my Fobus holster for the range. For actual carry, I prefer something else. In fact, I prefer almost anything else.

    When we carry, we trust our lives to our equipment — all of our equipment, including the gun, the ammo and the holster. My Fobus is an outstanding tool for the range, but I would never trust my life to it. Its somewhat flimsy construction does not make for confident carry.

        • Many ranges and instructors require carrying/securing your pistol in an OWB holster. I think the NRA still requires one with a retention feature, at least for the instructors’ course. It is a rare range that allows practice with speed draw, which is the only reason I’d have for wearing my concealment holster to the range.

        • JR_in_NC: I am sure your reason is just as stupid as your reply.

          ropingdown: find another range other than a fudd range. I would never patronize with a range that didn’t allow draw from a holster

        • “ropingdown: find another range other than a fudd range.

          Brilliant. (/sarc)

          I would never patronize with a range that didn’t allow draw from a holster”

          Glad I won’t see you at the range I go to. Met a lot of good people there. Glad too that won’t be diluted.

        • “JR_in_NC: I own my own range so I don’t have to deal with people like you.”

          🙂 Even better!

          That a commercial range? You know, like a business? If so, you as much a gear snob to your paying customers (assuming you could keep any) as your comments here suggest?

          Someone walks in with a holster you don’t like…you turn ’em away? See a Fobus, for example, and say, “This is not the range for you. You want the one down on the other side of the tracks”?

          How about any shooting buddies you might have (reaching, I know…)? Do they have to pass muster on all their gear for the privilege of burning powder in your presence?

          Like I said…some good folks at the range I shoot at…mighty good folks. I like going there. We don’t scrutinize everyone’s stuff to make sure they have the “right” gear like a bunch of snarky high school girls worrying about another’s make-up or something.

          Nope. We shoot.

          Good luck with “your own range.” Like I said…glad you won’t be hangin’ out where I go.

        • JR_in_NC: My range is private and only my friends shoot with me. I would never have someone as a friend if, like you, they are unable/unwilling to learn from the experience of others. Attitudes such as yours are unwelcome.

        • “they are unable/unwilling to learn from the experience of others.”

          Okay…I’ll bite…but only ’cause I have a moment to play.

          How is calling a gear snob a gear snob not “learning from the experience of others?” That makes no sense (as does gear snobbery) and is completely illogical.

          Learning from the experience of others in this case would require that you actually had related an experience with the holster. You have not done so.

          What I HAVE seen in this thread is several people that own them…GASP!…like them for certain uses (range holster).

          Then…you pipe up with a bunch MORE ridiculousness that seems to suggest there is one hard and fast RULE we ALL must follow regarding what holster to use at the range.

          Again…no actual experience related; no logical, coherent argument. Just an “it’s stupid, and I don’t like you so you won’t shoot at my range” kind of remark.

          I looks awfully juvenile.

          And, quite frankly, it’s none of your business what holster someone uses or what range they go and why. You got some specifics to offer against that holster? Fine. Offer them. “Worst holster on the planet” is not helpful. In the logical world, we call that kind of statement “weasel words,” because it sounds informative but actually contains no information at all. It’s easy to make but hard to back up – it’s intellectually lazy.

          I hope your shooting friends like the snarky schoolgirl thing; mine don’t. I see guys like you at IDPA matches, too. And they don’t tend to have many folks gravitating to them for “advice from their experience.” People have words for them…which I won’t repeat here.

          Let’s put this another way. We spend a LOT of effort trying to convince the anti’s and the fence-sitters that “it ain’t the gun.” We try to tell them that it is what is in the human heart and the workings of that organ between the ears that matters.

          That conclusion is experience based, by the way. It’s a sound argument. We can show many cases of “questionable gear” or “under caliber” saving the day, and plenty of cases of “the right gear” or “the best caliber” failing.

          It ain’t the tool, it’s the person wielding it.

          Gear snobbery is falling into exactly the same trap the anti’s fall into. It makes the argument about THE THING, that inanimate object that has no agency.

          Here’s what I know based on my own real-world experience (that yes, has involved people pointing guns at me or otherwise seeking to do me harm). I’d MUCH rather have someone next to me with a “bad holster” or “under caliber” handgun and a willing heart than someone that bought all the right designer label gear but is a chickenshit coward.

          The gear does not make you who you are. You make the gear. To paraphrase a great line from an awesome movie…if you are not good enough with questionable gear, you’ll never be good enough with the best gear.

          Food for thought…

  7. Slowly but surely every manufacturer is producing something that looks, to me, like a variant of the Crossbreed Supertuck. Fine. I like the original.

    • My thought exactly.

      I dig the Crossbreed. Naysayers can say what they like about price or whatever, but I do know that I carry a full size, steel framed pistol (that tips the scales at over 40 oz), and with the CB ST…it’s actually comfortable.

      I OC-ed as part of my job every day for years, and the ST is at least as comfortable as my OWB OC holster at the time was for that particular lighter pistol.

      May not be for everyone…but I do recommend anyone having trouble zero-ing in on the right holster for them at least give the CB a try. Well worth every penny I paid for mine, and that’s about as good an endorsement as I can think of for any product.

    • The original? What gave you the idea that crossbreed was anywhere close to the original? They copied a Tucker Gunleather holster called “The answer” 3 years after it was released! CB has sure done a great job of convincing gun owners that they invented the hybrid holster.

      • “Original” only in the sense that the model today advertised is not one of the original popular models. Neither Tucker nor Crossbreed invented the hybrid concealment holster. Ask Rob if you doubt it. Both are part of a long line of bi-material concealable holsters. What was new mainly was the use of Kydex as the outer half, the shell material, and how it is molded and attached. I’d point out that about the same time Crossbreed began manufacturing the SuperTuck, Tucker significantly changed the design of his/their outer shell. If you have a pre-2009 “Answer,” then you already know this. All of these companies (I’ve just looked through six different similar versions by six different companies) are driving innovation, and the growth is tied to that of CC by the ever-growing licensed public.

        Nice to see Tucker has a loyal following.

        • You are full of it.

          You may have seen other hybrid holsters with two belt clips, a leather backing and a kydex shell. They are all poor copies. *Reviewers have put it this way. “The Answer is the original. You’d think if others wanted to copy it, they’d make improvements to the design, but they haven’t. The Answer remains the “best of breed.”

  9. I prefer my custom Kydex hybrid IWB and OWB. The two combine cost my $70 including shipping from a local craftsman. Both fit my FNS9 perfectly.
    After having custom fit I don’t think I’d want a generic fit.

  10. The only IWB that works for me is a $20 no-brand I picked up on eBay. I’ve tried at least a half dozen better ones but always end up sending them back. It’s the strangest thing. I thought the Alienware holster was going to work, but re-holstering was next to impossible.Others were too stiff, too this or not enough that. The $20 el cheapo is more than a year old and it’s still doing the job. Maybe I’ll try this Fobus, but I really don’t have high hopes.

      • Bought a Stealthgear IWB for a Walther PPS and like it. It is, however, pricey. In October Jeremy S. reviewed an IWB from Cooks Holsters and gave it a great review. I bought one for a G36 and his review was accurate. Even though it is single clip it is comfortable to wear all day and holds the gun tight to the body.

        • Thanks for the link. Can you easily reholster that or does it collapse?

          I think you can add links with the HTML code (a href=”URL”)link text(/a) but with brackets instead of parenthesis.

          But let’s see: link

        • It’s all coming back to me now.

          Add

          target=”_blank”

          after you link’s quotation mark and it will make the link open in a new tab.

          The only other online community I hang out on (TotalFark) added HTML buttons to their comment boxes a while back, so I’m rusty on the codes.

          I tried to post a picture inline here once, but either I messed up the img src code, or you can’t post pictures here.

    • I remember discussing this with you previously, and meant to ask if you ever found a solution that worked for you. Sounds like you made it!

      Just out of curiosity, did you get to ever try a Crossbreed? If so, and it did not work for you…that’s cool. I’m just curious, mostly how you thought it compared to the Alien Gear.

  11. Fobus? Unmolded, generic fit? When I do the math everything adds up to this holster not being suitable for EDC. POS. For the same money or less you can get an Alien Gear that is fitted for your gun, a really nice hybrid holster. I like mine better than my Crossbreed and find it to be on par with my Comp-Tac.

    I’m sure it will sell though. Stores like generic holsters of reasonable price because they don’t have to stock different fits for different guns and inexperienced customers purchase them because they don’t know any better.

      • Tucker’s was an imitation. Crossbreed’s was an imitation. One after another they force each other to innovate. If you want thicker leather, but less wide (L to R), and screw-adjustable tension, get a Tucker or other. If you want thin horsehide, a fixed-in-place tightly molded Kydex and wider leather, get a Crossbreed. “.45ACP!” “No! .357 cal!” etc.

        • It is interesting to note, also, that both of these “more expensive” hybrids have such brand loyalty.

          I have read of only a few cases of folks that own/have tried both. Even these folks say they are both high quality and comfortable.

          I really like my Crossbreed. I’ve never used the Tucker, so can’t say anything negative about it.

          What I will say is that I am in the camp “you get what you pay for” when it comes to holsters. Cheap has its place (yes, I own a couple Uncle Mikes, and use ’em, but not for anything remotely like EDC), but quality matters, too. Quality is generally not cheap.

        • Agree about quality costing. I’ve found great things at very low prices in auctions, but I’ve never been to a holster auction. laugh. At some point “more expensive” does often become just “more flashy” or “more art-covered.” Things that are basically well-designed and well-manufactured simply have to cost more than those which are not.

  13. I’ll pass.

    I ran my first IDPA event with a Fobus paddle holster.
    Every time I’d draw my G34, the Fobus either didn’t wanna let go, or wanted to go with it.
    It sticks like glue.

    There’s a lot of great holsters out there already at that price point…

    For CC, I like the DeSantis Intruder.
    For competition/home carry, the Blade-Tech Revo has done me very well.

  16. I have witness snobs at the range and golf course, look here all my clubs are Ping, shit who cares its how you shoot impresses me. Same goes for Glock carriers, some shut down unless it’s about Glock. Now that being said I shoot what goes BANG and sometimes my holster is my pants pocket! All keep happy out there and watch your backs. I am not a bit snobbish.

Comments are closed.