How to Tie a Holster Lanyard

A holster lanyard, also commonly referred to as a leg tie, is a common feature of many western and military style holsters. Traditionally made of a thin leather strip, the holster lanyard is used to hold the holster in place as a weapon is drawn. Unless the bottom tip of the holster is secured to the thigh, the holster can flop or shift when the sidearm is handled. Although modern tactical holsters have replaced the leather with Velcro straps, the traditional leather lanyard is still used, especially by western quick draw shooters.

Things You'll Need

  • Holster
  • Leather lanyard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed one end of a leather lanyard through the lanyard hole in the bottom of the holster.

    • 2

      Turn the free end back through the lanyard hole in the holster. Adjust the lanyard so that the ends are even and a small 1-inch loop is on one side of the holster with the doubled lanyard on the other side.

    • 3

      Secure the lanyard to the holster with a Girth Hitch. To create that hitch, feed the free ends of the lanyard through the 1-inch loop and pull tight.

    • 4

      Put the holster on. Adjust the holster belt so it is comfortable and the holster sits in a convenient position on your leg.

    • 5

      Grasp each end of the lanyard. Pull one of the lanyard ends around the back of your leg and the other across the front of your leg. Tie the two ends of the lanyard together with a square knot.

    • 6

      Tie the square knot by holding the lanyard coming from behind your leg, if you are right handed, with your left hand and the lanyard coming across the front of your leg in your right hand. For the purpose of tying, the left lanyard will be A and the right lanyard B.

    • 7

      Pass lanyard B over and around lanyard A. Pass lanyard B over and around lanyard A once again to complete the square knot. Adjust the knot so the holster is held securely against your leg.