Product Code: GVR-4-68040-861-4
Outside The Waistband Holster Market Summary
The global outside the waistband holster market size was estimated at USD 1.43 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.24 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2026 to 2033. The market is expected to experience consistent growth, driven by rising civilian firearm ownership, increased concealed-carry practices, and a growing need for secure yet easily accessible methods of carrying firearms.
Innovations in technology, such as improved ergonomic designs, lighter materials, and better retention systems, are also driving product development and adoption across civilian, law enforcement, and tactical use cases.
The Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster industry's growth is mainly divided by the type of material into polymer (which includes Kydex and injection-molded plastics), leather, nylon/fabric, and hybrid or other materials. Polymer holsters are the largest and fastest-expanding category, attributed to their rigidity, impact resistance, moisture resistance, and reliable retention. These holsters are extensively used by military personnel, law enforcement, and tactical operators due to their resilience in harsh environmental conditions and their ability to accommodate modular add-ons (such as retention systems and light-bearing configurations). Innovations in thermoforming and injection molding techniques have enhanced scalability and cost-effectiveness, reinforcing the position of polymer in the market.
Leather holsters remain a key category, especially in civilian open carry and conventional law enforcement settings, owing to their comfort, visual appeal, and ability to conform to the body over time. Nylon and fabric holsters target the budget-conscious segment, offering lightweight, flexible options primarily for recreational or beginner users. The 'others' category, which includes hybrid designs (polymer shells paired with leather or fabric backing) and specialty composites, is gaining popularity as manufacturers strive to merge comfort with tactical efficiency. In general, advancements in materials within the OWB market are increasingly aimed at enhancing durability, retention security, lightweight construction, and ergonomic functionality.
Global Outside The Waistband Holster Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue & volume growth at the global, regional, and country levels and analyzes the latest industry trends and opportunities across sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster market report based on material type, application, and region:
- Material Type Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
- Polymer
- Leather
- Nylon
- Other materials
- Application Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
- Law Enforcement
- Military & Defense
- Civilian Open Carry
- Private Security Services
- Recreational / Shooting Sports
- Other Applications
- Regional Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- UK
- Italy
- Spain
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- Australia
- Central & South America
- Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- South Africa
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
- 1.1. Market Segmentation & Scope
- 1.2. Market Definition
- 1.3. Information Procurement
- 1.3.1. Purchased Database
- 1.3.2. GVR's Internal Database
- 1.3.3. Secondary Sources & Third-Party Perspectives
- 1.3.4. Primary Research
- 1.4. Information Analysis
- 1.4.1. Data Analysis Models
- 1.5. Market Formulation & Data Visualization
- 1.6. Data Validation & Publishing
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Market Insights
- 2.2. Segmental Outlook
- 2.3. Competitive Outlook
Chapter 3. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market Variables, Trends & Scope
- 3.1. Global Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market Outlook
- 3.2. Industry Value Chain Analysis
- 3.3. Technology Overview
- 3.4. Regulatory Framework
- 3.5. Market Dynamics
- 3.5.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.5.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.5.3. Industry Challenges
- 3.6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 3.6.1. Supplier Power
- 3.6.2. Buyer Power
- 3.6.3. Substitution Threat
- 3.6.4. Threat from New Entrant
- 3.6.5. Competitive Rivalry
- 3.7. PESTEL Analysis
- 3.7.1. Political Landscape
- 3.7.2. Economic Landscape
- 3.7.3. Social Landscape
- 3.7.4. Technological Landscape
- 3.7.5. Environmental Landscape
- 3.7.6. Legal Landscape
Chapter 4. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market: Material Outlook Estimates & Forecasts
- 4.1. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market: Material Movement Analysis, 2025 & 2033
- 4.2. Polymer
- 4.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 4.3. Leather
- 4.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 4.4. Nylon
- 4.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 4.5. Other materials
- 4.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
Chapter 5. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market: Application Outlook Estimates & Forecasts
- 5.1. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market: Application Movement Analysis, 2025 & 2033
- 5.2. Law Enforcement
- 5.2.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 5.3. Military & Defense
- 5.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 5.4. Civilian Open Carry
- 5.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 5.5. Private Security Services
- 5.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 5.6. Recreational/Shooting Sports
- 5.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 5.7. Other Applications
- 5.7.1. Market estimates and forecast, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
Chapter 6. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market Regional Outlook Estimates & Forecasts
- 6.1. Regional Snapshot
- 6.2. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holster Market: Regional Movement Analysis, 2025 & 2033
- 6.3. North America
- 6.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.3. U.S.
- 6.3.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.4. Canada
- 6.3.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.5. Mexico
- 6.3.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.3.5.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4. Europe
- 6.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.3. Germany
- 6.4.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.4. France
- 6.4.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.5. UK
- 6.4.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.5.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.6. Italy
- 6.4.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.6.2. and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.7. Spain
- 6.4.7.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.4.7.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5. Asia Pacific
- 6.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.3. China
- 6.5.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.4. South Korea
- 6.5.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.5. Japan
- 6.5.5.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.5.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.6. India
- 6.5.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.6.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.7. Australia
- 6.5.7.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.5.7.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6. Central & South America
- 6.6.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6.3. Brazil
- 6.6.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6.4. Argentina
- 6.6.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.6.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7. Middle East & Africa
- 6.7.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.3. Saudi Arabia
- 6.7.3.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.3.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.4. UAE
- 6.7.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.5. South Africa
- 6.7.4.1. Market estimates and forecast, by material type, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
- 6.7.4.2. Market estimates and forecast, by Application, 2021 - 2033 (Thousand Units) (USD Million)
Chapter 7. Competitive Landscape
- 7.1. Recent Developments & Impact Analysis, By Key Market Participants
- 7.2. Company Categorization
- 7.3. Company Ranking
- 7.4. Heat Map Analysis
- 7.5. Company Market Share Analysis, 2023
- 7.6. Market Strategies
- 7.7. Vendor Landscape
- 7.7.1. List of raw material suppliers, key manufacturers, and distributors
- 7.7.2. List of prospective applications
- 7.8. Strategy Mapping
- 7.9. Company Profiles/Listing
- 7.9.1. Safariland
- 7.9.1.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.1.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.1.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.2. BLACKHAWK!
- 7.9.2.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.2.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.2.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.3. Galco Holsters
- 7.9.3.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.3.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.3.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.4. FALCO Holsters
- 7.9.4.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.4.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.4.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.5. CrossBreed Holsters
- 7.9.5.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.5.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.5.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.6. Comp-Tac
- 7.9.6.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.6.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.6.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.7. Alien Gear Holsters
- 7.9.7.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.7.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.7.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.8. Blade-Tech
- 7.9.8.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.8.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.8.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.9. DeSantis Gunhide
- 7.9.9.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.9.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.9.3. Product Benchmarking
- 7.9.10. Uncle Mike's
- 7.9.10.1. Company Overview
- 7.9.10.2. Financial Performance
- 7.9.10.3. Product Benchmarking