Best Cross Draw Holster – Top 10 Best Rated Cross Draw Holsters Review

When you hear the term cross draw holster, you might think of cowboys in old Western movies. This holster style was popular in the Old West because it allowed cowboys to keep their revolvers out of the way while ranching. Even though the days of the Wild West are long gone, the cross draw holster has stuck around to this day. Keep reading to learn more about this holster style and find the best cross draw holster for you.

Cross draw holsters and the cross draw carry style is not as popular as other holster and carry styles. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider it. Choosing a holster and carry style is very important, but also very person specific. What I mean by that is that while cross draw may not be a good choice for everyone, it could be the perfect choice for some.

So what exactly is cross draw? Well, it’s right in the name. When carrying cross draw style, the shooter reaches across their body with their dominant hand to access their weapon or sidearm.

The modern version of cross draw carry is where the pistol is worn at waist level on the shooter’s non-dominant side. The grip of the handgun faces towards the dominant hand while the muzzle points away from the body and down at an angle.

If you do not have time for the details, here are our top picks for cross draw holster:

1. Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Leather Gun Holster
2. 1791 GUNLEATHER Leather OWB Right Handed Thumb Break Holster
3. Garrison Grip Italian Leather Cross Draw Tactical Holster
4. OneTigris Minimalist Pistol Holster
5. ComfortTac Ultimate Belly Band Holster
6. Pro Carry Concealed Carry Leather Holster
7. Bianchi 7 Shadow II Hip Holster
8. Azula Cross Draw Carry Molded Leather Holster
9. Ultimate Arms Gear MOLLE Cross Draw Holster
10. Depring Concealed Carry Car Holster

As with any other holster style and carry style, there are pros and cons to the cross draw holster. Let’s take a closer look at some of those.

Cross Draw Holster Pros

First, we’ll consider some of the pros of using a cross draw style holster.

Good for Sitting

Many people sit for a large portion of any given day. If your job requires desk work or a lot of driving, you’ll be sitting a lot. That means you will want easy access to your weapon while seated in case a situation arises. Not every carry style or holster type is conducive to drawing a sidearm while in a sitting position. Cross draw is one of the most accessible styles from a sitting position.

Truck drivers, office workers, security guards, body guards, and people who use wheelchairs should all consider a cross draw holster.

Backup Sidearm

A cross draw holster is also a good bet for storing a backup or secondary pistol. While not many civilians carry two weapons, there are some situations that call for it. In fact, some law enforcement units are required to carry a backup weapon and using the cross draw style is ideal for that purpose.

Hunting

Many hunters, especially those who hunt in areas where dangerous game is present, carry a pistol or revolver for protection and backup. In this case, a cross draw holster is an excellent choice because it keeps a sidearm clear of a rifle held or slung on the hunter’s dominant side. Not only does this reduce the annoyance of having your rifle constantly bumped and jarred, but it also makes for a quick draw if a bear or other predator is near whether you are hiking or sitting in a blind.

Injury Accommodation

There are some types of injuries and medical conditions that may make it difficult for some people to draw a weapon from a holster mounted on their dominant side or make it painful to have a holster that is worn on an injured hip or side. In these cases, a cross draw holster can be the solution to allowing those people to continue to carry their handgun and draw it safely. 

Cross Draw Holster Cons

It’s also important to consider the cons that come along with using a cross draw holster.

Slower Draw

Simple physics tells us that it takes a greater amount of time to cover a longer distance. The distance from your dominant hand to a sidearm holstered in the cross draw style is longer than the distance from your dominant hand to a sidearm holstered on the dominant side. In dire or sudden situations, this can be a huge difference maker.

Easier to Disarm

Carrying your sidearm in a cross draw holster can make your weapon less secure. The grip of your handgun faces forward and could potentially be grabbed by someone else. Reaching your arm across your body also makes it easier for someone else to pin it against your body mid-draw.

Tougher Indexing

When drawing across your body, your handgun has a wide arc to cover before you can index your target. This can be very dangerous in an adrenaline fueled situation. Proper training can alleviate this con. Consistent training is important for any shooter anyhow.

Hard to Conceal

Concealing a cross draw holster can be a challenge. This isn’t a problem while hunting or in other open carry situations, but a cross draw holster might not be the best choice if you want to conceal carry.

Now that you know some of the important pros and cons of cross draw holsters and carrying in the cross draw style, let’s take a look at the options that should include the best cross draw holster for your specific needs.

Best Cross Draw Holster on the Market Reviews

 1   Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Leather Gun Holster

If you like your gear to have versatility and you don’t mind breaking in a leather holster, you can’t go wrong with The Ultimate Leather Gun Holster from Relentless Tactical. The triple belt slot design allows this cross draw holster to hold your sidearm in either a straight drop or butt forward cant. It can also be worn in several different configurations including strong side, cross draw, and behind the hip.

Built from premium grade leather, this is the best 1911 cross draw holster and can fit most 1911 pistols with any barrel length. It is hard to find a higher quality cross draw holster than this offering from Relentless Tactical especially if you prefer to carry a 1911 pistol and don’t always want to carry in the same style.

 2   1791 GUNLEATHER Leather OWB Right Handed Thumb Break Holster

The Leather Thumb Break Holster from 1791 Gunleather also features a triple belt slot design for versatility and variety in mounting configurations. However, this cross draw holster also features a thumb break for an additional layer of security that won’t slow you down while drawing your weapon.

With reinforced and double stitching, this steerhide leather cross draw holster is durable, lightweight, and comfortable enough for everyday carry. Supported by a lifetime warranty, this cross draw holster will serve any shooter well for years to come. This OWB holster is available in two color options and features a handsome and attractive design.

 3   Garrison Grip Italian Leather Cross Draw Tactical Holster

Another great option for shooters who prefer to carry a full size 1911 pistol is the Cross Draw Tactical Holster from Garrison Grip. Featuring the now familiar triple belt slot design, this holster can also be used in a variety of mounting configurations. The high quality Italian leather will quickly break in and conform to your specific gun’s shape.

This right-handed only holster can carry your gun at either a 3 o’clock angle or a 4 o’clock angle depending on your personal preference. With strong and durable stitching and a thumb break security strap, the Garrison Grip Cross Draw Tactical Holster is an excellent option for many shooters.

 4   OneTigris Minimalist Pistol Holster

The Minimalist Pistol Holster from OneTigris offers shooters a MOLLE-compatible, budget friendly cross draw capable holster. Built from rugged 1000D nylon, this holster will perform well in even the toughest of conditions. The adjustable velcro safety strap is able to secure your sidearm until you are ready to draw it.

Available in four colors, this cross draw holster is suitable for right-handed shooters and can be attached to any MOLLE webbing or belt. Easily attach this holster to your range bag, backpack, belt, or any other equipment equipped with MOLLE webbing for increased versatility.

 5   ComfortTac Ultimate Belly Band Holster

The ComfortTac Ultimate Belly Band Holster makes for a great pocket pistol holster, J frame holster, and just about every other gun in between. The neoprene and surgical grade elastic construction allows this holster to fit most sized people and be comfortable enough for all day wear. This holster can be used for just about any carry style including cross draw. It is one of the most concealable cross draw holsters on the market today.

This innovative and useful holster is also equipped with a magazine pouch and an extra pocket for carrying other important gear or items. The hard plastic trigger guard and magnetic retention strap keeps your gun secure until you need it.

 6   Pro Carry Concealed Carry Leather Holster

For the shooter who prefers to carry a smaller pistol for personal protection, the Concealed Carry Leather Holster from Pro Carry is a great choice. Although primarily designed for small of back mounting, this 100% American made leather holster doubles as a cross draw holster. Simply flip the holster over before attaching it to your belt and the cant angle is ideal for cross draw purposes.

Pro Carry’s exclusive leather molding process ensures appropriate retention for a variety of pistols. This ambidextrous holster is ideal for revolvers and compact handguns such as the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38, the Charter Arms Pathfinder, and the Smith & Wesson Ladysmith. 

 7   Bianchi 7 Shadow II Hip Holster

By using premium grade full grain leather, Bianchi Gun Leather has created a comfortable and durable cross draw holster with the Shadow II. Available in both left and right handed configurations, this leather holster features the versatile triple 1.75 inch belt slot design. This allows shooters to adjust the carry angle for a variety of styles including cross draw.

This holster is precurved and molded to be comfortable against the body for extended wear and for concealed carry purposes. When combined with the other features, the reinforced thumb break and open muzzle design make this holster a secure and reliable option.

 8   Azula Cross Draw Carry Molded Leather Holster

Designed with comfort and ease of use in mind, the Azula Cross Draw Carry Molded Leather Holster is an excellent option for shooters who want to cross draw while walking, hiking, hunting, or standing. This holster covers the gun completely so that the front sight does not hang below the holster which prevents any potential hang ups while drawing the weapon.

This holster is also equipped with a comfort shield. The comfort shield is an additional piece of leather that covers the top of the pistol slide so it does not dig into the skin causing discomfort. With a belt loop that can fit up to 1.5 inch wide belts and a reinforced tab to prevent leather rollover, this OWB cross draw holster is hard to beat.

 9   Ultimate Arms Gear MOLLE Cross Draw Holster

The Ultimate Arms Gear MOLLE Cross Draw Holster is a great option for hunters. The woodland digital camouflage color won’t stand out in the field or in the woods and the MOLLE-compatible design makes it easy to attach to a range bag or other gear when the hunt is over.

With a lock down strap, fully adjustable velcro belt hanger, additional magazine pouch, and ideal cross draw cant angle make this holster an invaluable addition to any hunter’s gear.

 10   Depring Concealed Carry Car Holster

The Depring Concealed Carry Car Holster is a budget friendly option that can transition easily from being used as a cross draw holster to being mounted in a vehicle for use while driving. This ambidextrous holster comes with several straps and a metal clip that allow it to be mounted in a variety of positions.

The lockdown strap keeps your gun secure with a strong snap button and makes your draw silent and smooth. Built from 800D nylon, this cross draw holster from Depring can fit subcompact and compact pistols out of the box and be modified for larger pistols very easily.

Wrapping It Up

While it may not be the most popular method, cross draw still makes sense for some people and in certain situations. Really put some thought into whether or not cross draw is right for you. If it is, use the list above to find the best cross draw holster for your specific needs.