The Difference Between Paddle and Belt on Fobus Holsters

Fobus manufactures a variety of high-quality tactical holsters for handguns. This brand of holster is a popular choice for duty-carry by police, military and government agencies and for personal concealed-carry. Fobus has multiple hard-plastic holster designs. Belt and paddle holsters are overwhelmingly more popular than the others. These two designs differ in several significant areas.

  1. Method of Carry

    • A belt holster is carried on the wearer's belt, as the name implies. Fobus belt holsters have vertical slots along the back so that the belt can slide through in the same way that it slides through belt loops on a pair of pants. A paddle holster does not attach to the belt. Instead, a contoured disk slides down the inside of the user's pant leg while the gun rests outside. The disk is called a "paddle"; the contouring allows for user comfort.

    Ease of Carry

    • Belt holsters are attached easily to a belt and are relatively comfortable. The drawback is that you have to remove your belt if you want to take off your holster during the day. A paddle holster can slide up and out of your pants to be removed. One drawback is certain paddles may not conform properly to the curve of the wearer's hip.

    Versatility

    • A belt holster can be worn only when the user is wearing a belt. The belt must be of proper width and thickness; it also must buckle securely to support the weight of the holster. A paddle holster will still weigh down on the wearer's pants. A belt usually is worn with the holster, but the belt does not have to match the holster's specifications.

    Reliability

    • Both holster types are reasonably reliable. The belt holster is fixed to the belt; it cannot be accidentally removed unless it is broken. It also allows for more ease of movement, such as running, jumping or climbing. The interior of the paddle holster is designed to be as comfortable as possible, but its presence may cause discomfort during physical activities.