10 Best Drop Leg Holsters of 2021
A drop leg holster is a convenient pistol storage space that allows you to draw your weapon quickly and cleanly without interfering with your upper body armor. They come in very handy if you are wearing bulky upper hunting gear because they place your pistol on your leg.
Another benefit you get is easy pistol drawing in a seated position, which makes it possible to fire at your target without causing too much noise/movement.
That said, we have compiled a list of the best drop leg holsters that are available online so that you can pick the one that suits you most. Let’s get right into it.
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10 Best Drop Leg Holsters – Review
- 1. Best Overall Drop Leg Holster: Carlebben Drop Leg Holster
- 2. Best Inexpensive Drop Leg Holster: GHFY Drop Leg Holster
- 3. Best Drop Leg Holster for Glock Pistols: Orpaz Drop Leg Holster
- 4. Best Widely-Compatible Drop Leg Holster: Nehostertfy Drop Leg Holster
- 5. Best Evenly-Balanced Drop Leg Holster: Blackhawk 432000PBK
- 6. Most Comfortable Drop Leg Holster: UTG Gen II
- 7. Best Drop Leg Holster MOLLE Panel: OneTigris Pistol Holster
- 8. Fully Adjustable Drop Leg Holster: Excellent Elite Spanker Drop Leg Holster
- 9. Hip Drop Leg Holster: Safariland Drop Flex Adapter
- 10. Drop Leg Holster with a Wrap-Around Design: Condor Tornado TTLH-002
- How to Buy the Best Drop Leg Holsters
- FAQs
- Conclusion
10 Best Drop Leg Holsters – Review
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1. Carlebben Drop Leg Holster (Best Overall) |
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2. GHFY Drop Leg Holster (Best Inexpensive) |
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3. Orpaz Drop Leg Holster (Best for Glock Pistols) |
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4. Nehostertfy Drop Leg Holster (Best Widely-Compatible) |
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5. Blackhawk 432000PBK (Best Evenly-Balanced) |
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6. UTG Gen II (Most Comfortable) |
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7. OneTigris Pistol Holster (Best MOLLE Panel) |
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8. Excellent Elite Spanker Drop Leg Holster (Fully Adjustable) |
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9. Safariland Drop Flex Adapter (Hip Positioned) |
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10. Condor Tornado TTLH-002 (Wrap-Around Design) |
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1. Carlebben Drop Leg Holster (Best Overall)
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2. GHFY Drop Leg Holster (Best Inexpensive)
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3. Orpaz Drop Leg Holster (Best for Glock Pistols)
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4. Nehostertfy Drop Leg Holster (Best Widely-Compatible)
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5. Blackhawk 432000PBK (Best Evenly-Balanced)
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6. UTG Gen II (Most Comfortable)
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7. OneTigris Pistol Holster (Best MOLLE Panel)
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8. Excellent Elite Spanker Drop Leg Holster (Fully Adjustable)
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9. Safariland Drop Flex Adapter (Hip Positioned)
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10. Condor Tornado TTLH-002 (Wrap-Around Design)
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1. Best Overall Drop Leg Holster: Carlebben Drop Leg Holster
Photo: Carlebben
- Fits: All Sizes
- Material: 1000D Nylon
- Hand Orientation: Right
- Color: Tan
Taking the best overall spot is Carlebben’s drop leg holster and this is because it fits all handgun sizes, which makes it very versatile. As such, the piece is ideal for law enforcement, military, home, and hunting use.
Additionally, the unit has a wrap-around design that fits pistols with flashlights or laser mounts. This is very convenient because you won’t have to remove this additional gear before storing the gun.
A magazine pouch is built-in with adjustable Velcro straps for holding the rounds firmly in place. There is also a retention system with a Velcro strap for securing the weapon in a ready tactical position.
The piece is fully adjustable tension-wise (around the leg) and height-wise, which makes it ideal for all-size adults (S-XXL). It is also fitted with quick-release buckles for easy removal and rubber linings for non-slip use.
Other features are a tough 1000D nylon construction and an affordable price. The only problem is that the piece is designed for right-hand use only.
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2. Best Inexpensive Drop Leg Holster: GHFY Drop Leg Holster
Photo: GHFY
- Fits: Medium to Large Pistols
- Material: 1000D Nylon
- Hand Orientation: Right
- Color: Brown
GHFY’s drop leg holster is very easy to buy because it is very affordable. Despite this, it is built using tough 1000D nylon and is fully adjustable height-wise and tension-wise for comfortable use.
The unit has a Velcro retention system built-in for securing the weapon while a magazine pocket on the side secures your extra rounds on the size with its own Velcro strap.
More features include quick-release buckles for easy removal, non-slip leg straps for minimizing movement. On the downside, the piece is designed only for right-hand use and it is too big for small pistols.
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3. Best Drop Leg Holster for Glock Pistols: Orpaz Drop Leg Holster
Photo: Orpaz
- Fits: All Sizes
- Material: Nylon 6 Polymer
- Hand Orientation: Both
- Color: Black
If you own a wide selection of Glock pistols, this unit is the best drop leg holster to consider buying. It is designed to fit multiple Glock rifles ranging from the small size 39 to the large size 17.
That said, the unit is fully adjustable and is designed to fit securely on 1.5 and 2-inch wide belts. Quick-release buckles are attached to the straps for easy wearing/removal and the piece is available for left- or right-hand use.
Regardless of the orientation, each type has a 360º rotation mechanism for adjusting the gun’s positioning to your most preferred tactical drawing angle. An M5 Allen key is included to make this rotation and this is also used for retaining the rifle.
However, there is a thumb lock-n-release mechanism for quick access and level 2 retention that is more convenient to use.
Other features include a durable and breathable nylon 6 polymer construction, and two height levels on the thigh base for installing the holster. On the downside, the piece is very expensive and it does not have a magazine pocket.
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4. Best Widely-Compatible Drop Leg Holster: Nehostertfy Drop Leg Holster
Photo: Nehostertfy
- Fits: All Sizes
- Material: 1000D Nylon
- Hand Orientation: Right
- Color: Camo
This piece is the best when it comes to compatibility because of two reasons. First, it has two 23-inch leg straps that are fully adjustable to fit on skinny or muscular legs or anything in between.
Secondly and most importantly, the holster fits revolvers, compact guns, mid-size and full-size rifles, which makes it very versatile. This means you can use it in various activities like law enforcement, hunting, etc.
Apart from that, the unit is conveniently built because it has a pouch for storing your magazine or extra gear like a flashlight mount.
More features include a non-slip backing on the thigh straps for limited movement, quick-release buckles for easy wearing/removal, and a Velcro retaining system. The piece is also quite affordable but is only designed for right-hand use.
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5. Best Evenly-Balanced Drop Leg Holster: Blackhawk 432000PBK
Photo: Blackhawk
While most drop leg holsters have a single belt strap, Blackhawk’s 432000PBK is fitted with two of them to form a Y-shaped harness. This distributes the weight of the gun evenly and keeps the holster vertical at all times.
Additionally, this design attaches to different points on your belt to keep your trouser pocket opening free from being blocked.
As for the thigh straps, they are built using a flexible material that conforms to the shape of the leg, which allows you to fit it on skinny or thick legs. On top of this, they are rubberized to prevent sliding and have quick-disconnect swivel buckles for quick mounting/dismounting.
You also get mounting points for magazines, knives, pouches, and other accessories but the holster is quite costly.
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6. Most Comfortable Drop Leg Holster: UTG Gen II
Photo: UTG
- Fits: Medium to Large Pistols
- Material: Synthetic Leather
- Hand Orientation: Right
- Color: Black
With its deluxe non-slip holster pad, UTG’s Gen II offers the best comfort because it is well padded and has a mesh-like surface that improves breathability. Additionally, it has a non-slip, elastic, and fully adjustable leg strap for a comfortable fitting around your thigh.
Aside from that, the unit is fitted with heavy-duty quick-release buckles on its straps for easy mounting/unmounting. It also has a double thumb-break (snap on) security system to retain your pistol and guarantee full weapon control.
Other features include a tough synthetic leather construction that has a premium feel and a magazine pouch with a hook-n-loop closing strap. On the downside, this piece is only best suited for medium and large pistols.
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7. Best Drop Leg Holster MOLLE Panel: OneTigris Pistol Holster
Photo: OneTigris
- Material: 1000D Nylon
- Hand Orientation: Both
- Color: Black
If you already have a MOLLE holster, this product is the best to buy because it is a leg platform with 3 rows of MOLLE webbing, in which you can easily attach your holster. It is also versatile enough to fit in other components such as first aid, water, and mag pouches.
The piece is made using tough 1000D nylon that is very durable, and it has two adjustable leg straps and one belt strap for tight, comfortable fitting.
That said, the leg straps have a maximum thigh circumference of 27.6 inches and are fitted with quick-release buckles for easy removal.
However, as stated above, you must have a holster because none is included in the set. This has its upside though. You can fit the leg platform on any leg for right- or left-hand use and you can attach a holster that fits all rifle sizes. Basically, it is an open canvas to add your personal touch.
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8. Fully Adjustable Drop Leg Holster: Excellent Elite Spanker Drop Leg Holster
Photo: Excellent Elite Spanker
- Material: 500D Cordura Nylon
- Hand Orientation: Both
- Color: Coyote Brown
Excellent Elite Spanker’s drop leg holster has a fully adjustable design with two elastic nylon thigh bands, two nylon ribbons with magic sticker panels for comfortable thigh fitting, and quick-release buckles. This makes adjustment and removal very easy.
That said, the unit is made using 500D Cordura nylon and it has 3 rows of MOLLE webbing for attaching your pistol holster, flashlight pouch, magazine pouch, water pouch, etc.
This open canvas MOLLE webbing design gives the leg platform an ambidextrous design because you can fit it on either your right or left leg. Consequently, this means you can use either hand to draw your pistol.
However, you must have a pistol holster or any other attachment to fit on the MOLLE webbing. Also, the straps are not non-slip so they might slide down your thigh.
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9. Hip Drop Leg Holster: Safariland Drop Flex Adapter
Photo: Safariland
- Material: Polymer
- Color: Black
Safariland’s drop flex adapter has a unique design with the rig placed right below the hip. The rig and belt-attachment are joined together (there is no strap between them), which raises the holster’s position to the hip level.
This design prevents the rig from sliding on the belt, which is quite uncomfortable. That said, the holster’s position is adjustable height-wise for comfortable use when seated in a car.
The belt attachment is designed to be used on belts that are up to 2.25 inches wide and it has a single strap for firm fitting around the thigh.
Other features include a durable 100% synthetic polymer construction and a quick-release buckle on the thigh strap for easy removal. The only problem is that the piece is quite expensive and does not come with a pistol holster. You need MLS or QLS attachments to complete it.
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10. Drop Leg Holster with a Wrap-Around Design: Condor Tornado TTLH-002
Photo: Condor Tornado
- Fits: Medium to Large Pistols
- Color: Black
Concluding the list is Condor Tornado’s TTLH-002 and this one is characterized by a wrap-around design that fits pistols with flashlight or laser mounts. This is very convenient because you don’t have to remove these components before sliding your pistol into its slot.
Apart from that, the unit has a retention system with a hook-n-loop strap for securing your rifle. You also get a magazine pouch with its hook-n-loop flap to secure the components inside.
More features include fully adjustable leg straps with anti-slip rubber linings to minimize movement as you walk and quick-release buckles for easy removal. On the downside, the holster is only suitable for medium and large pistols.
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How to Buy the Best Drop Leg Holsters
1. Sizes and Fits
The first thing to check before buying a drop leg holster is its size and fitting. With size, check the length of the thigh straps, which is usually given in inches. This size should be more than your thigh’s circumference and it should be adjustable for tight-fitting.
You should also check the belt size that the upper strap is designed to fit in, which is determined by the size of its slots.
As for fitting, ensure the holster is designed to hold your gun’s size. There are three main pistol sizes, which are small, mid-size, and large. A fourth category is sometimes given for revolvers because these have large cylinders for holding bullets.
Ultimately, the best option is the one that fits all sizes and the perfect example is Carlebben’s drop leg holster .
2. Materials
You should also check the material used to build the holster mainly due to durability purposes. Nylon is commonly used and this is measured in denier (D) to indicate its thickness. The higher the denier value, the better because this shows the fabric is thick and tough.
If you want a holster with a more premium look and feel, you can opt for a synthetic leather construction like the one in UTG’s Gen II .
3. Strap Design
Some units have single thigh straps while others have two. While two might seem better, this is not always the case. A single-strapped holster is slightly better because it reduces the surface area for catching and snagging. However, this works best when dealing with small pistols.
For larger pieces plus additional pouches for mags, torches, etc., double straps grip the leg better. That said, we recommend adjustable elastic straps for tight-fitting and non-slip rubber linings for limited movement. For this, be sure to check out UTG’s Gen II .
4. Hand Orientation
Every person has a dominant hand. If yours is the right hand, make sure you buy a drop leg holster that is designed for right-hand use and the vice versa is true.
That said, some units have ambidextrous designs but these are usually MOLLE panels on which you can attach a pistol holster and/or other pieces like pouches on either leg. These can work if you already have a holster and you don’t mind the modular design.
5. Ease of Access
This factor is mostly determined by the retention system, which can be Velcro, thumb lock-n-release, double thumb-break, etc. Velcro retention systems offer the simplest and most affordable access designs because they can be quickly undone for you to pull out your pistol.
However, thumb lock-n-release mechanisms are the easiest to use. The only problem is that they are a bit complex and this might have an upward effect on the unit’s price. For this, check out Orpaz’s drop leg holster .
FAQs
1. Is a Drop Leg Holster and a Thigh Holster the Same Thing?
Yes, it is. The two terms can be used interchangeably because they mean any pistol slot that is suspended from the belt and sits on the hip or thigh.
2. Are Drop Leg Holsters Comfortable for Long Term Wear?
This depends on several factors, key among them being adjustability. You might want to adjust the holster’s position as you sit in your car or walk for the best comfort and this is only possible if it is adjustable.
Other than that, the rig should be well padded so that it sits comfortably on your thigh.
3. Can I Use a Drop Leg Holster for Concealed Carrying?
Drop leg holsters are not built to conceal pistols. They are built to make dropping/drawing your pistol to be quick and smooth. If they had that extra material to cover up your rifle, this would beat the whole purpose of being quick and smooth.
Read More: The Best Concealed Carry Holsters
4. What are the Common Mistakes in Using a Drop Leg Holster?
For quick drawing, you need the rifle just at the right spot. If it is too low (close to the knee), you will have to bend to reach it, which will slow down your response time, especially if you spot a fast-moving target.
Ideally, you need to position the holster in such a way that the pistol is very close to your fingers.
Another common mistake is tying the thigh straps loosely. You must wrap them firmly around your leg to prevent movement as you draw your rifle or put it back in.
Conclusion
To conclude, we recommend Carlebben drop leg holster as the overall best drop leg holster because it fits all handgun sizes. It also has a convenient wrap-around design, a Velcro retention system for securing your gun, and a magazine pouch.
You can also check out Blackhawk’s 432000PBK if you want an evenly-balanced design. This has a Y-shaped harness that attaches to 2 parts on your belt. It also keeps your pocket’s opening uncovered.
However, if you only want a MOLLE panel to attach your holster, we recommend OneTigris’ pistol holster . It has 3 rows of MOLLE webbing, which you can use to attach multiple components like mag pouches, flashlight pouches, and, of course, a pistol holster.
