Compact semi-automatics like the Glock 26, have changed the field of play in recent years.
Formerly, selecting a small handgun meant losing significant power. Now, options like the Glock 26 match the caliber of larger pistols, making them perfect for everyday carrying.
If you carry your firearm daily, you need a reliable holster. For that reason, we broke down the basics of choosing the perfect holster for your Glock 26.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Glock 26 Holsters
- OUR TOP PICK: Relentless Tactical The Defender
- RUNNER-UP: Pro Carry Leather Gun Holster
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Galco Classic Lite Shoulder System Holster
Comparison of the Best Glock 26 Holsters
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At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Glock 26 Holsters
- OUR TOP PICK: Relentless Tactical The Defender
- RUNNER-UP: Pro Carry Leather Gun Holster
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Galco Classic Lite Shoulder System Holster
Are All Glock 26 Holsters The Same?
Glock 26 holsters come in a variety of styles. Selecting the right holster depends upon how you like to carry your gun. The most common 26 holsters are IWB, OWB, Pocket, Ankle, and Shoulder holsters. Each of these styles sits differently on your body.
IWB holsters sit inside the waistband, allowing for concealed carrying. OWB holsters are those that sit outside the waistband. Depending upon your clothing, these can also allow for concealed carry and are often more comfortable. They are also typically a little bit more accessible for quick drawing.
Pocket holsters sit inside your pocket. These are highly convenient and are a favorite among people who want to carry on a day to day basis without having a gun on their waist.
As the name suggests, ankle holsters sit on the ankle. These tend to sit beneath the pant leg and are another concealed option; however, they are not as quickly accessible. Likewise, shoulder holsters strap over your shoulder. The gun itself sits somewhere along your ribs, under your arm. These holsters are a favorite of security professionals, law enforcement, and similar professions.
Can You Really Find a Quality Glock 26 Holster That’s Affordable?
Yes, it is possible to find a good quality Glock 26 holster for an affordable price. Of course, like anything else, there are usually some sacrifices to be made when opting for a lower cost item.
At a higher price point, 26 holsters come with a seemingly endless array of options, from adjustable retention and cant to waterproof materials. However, at the end of the day, a holster simply needs to carry your gun comfortably and securely.
As our list demonstrates, reliable and functional holsters are available at any budget.
How to Choose a Glock 26 Holster
If you’re buying a Glock 26, there’s a good chance that you plan to use it as an EDC or everyday carry weapon. Of course, this is not always the case. Many people buy 26s just because they like to shoot them on the range.
Carry Style
The first thing to do when selecting a holster is to think about exactly how you plan to carry your gun. If you’re strapping your gun on as you hit the range, you have different needs than someone who’s toting a compact Glock around for an eight-hour workday.
Think about where you will be most comfortable holstering your Glock. The common positions are on the ankle, on the shoulder, inside the waistband, or outside the waistband. These different positions have various advantages and disadvantages. For instance, an ankle holster is discreet, comfortable, and accessible; however, it requires loose-fitting pants with wide ankles, and you cannot draw quickly from a standing position.
Drawing Circumstances
It’s also worth considering how you will need to be drawing your weapon. Some holsters come with adjustable retention pressures to allow for different resistance levels. Some come with adjustable cant levels, so the gun sits at various angles along your waist. If you need to draw quickly, these are important factors.
Review of the Best Glock 26 Holsters
Well, we finally reached the best part. To make your selection process easier, we put together a little guide to the best holsters for the Glock 26.
Here’s our breakdown of the top holsters on the market:
Best Overall:
Relentless Tactical The Defender
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers love Relentless Tactical’s The Defender. These holsters are of high quality, American made craftsmanship. People tend to be very impressed with the quality of the leather. Furthermore, the holster fits a wide range of guns comfortably and securely.
To top it off, buyers frequently comment upon the great experience, the care instructions provided, and the lifetime warranty.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Relentless Tactical’s The Defender holster immediately caught our eye. We first saw the light brown charred oak option, but after viewing the Whiskey Barrel Brown color, we were pretty smitten. After learning that the bull hide leather was handmade, we were sold on this one.
The Defender is designed for concealment. It attaches to the belt with a clip and easily fits inside the waistband. The leather is sturdy, dependable, and form-fitting, which gives it the perfect middle ground - allowing it to hold your firearm against your waist without any discomfort or obstruction.
To top it off, Relentless Tactical’s holster fits over 100 pistols.
Bottom Line
This is the best holster we’ve come across. It is a beautiful, handmade product and molds incredibly well to the Glock 26. It proves that function and aesthetics sometimes really do go hand in hand.
Runner-up:
Pro Carry Leather Gun Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
For the most part, feedback is very positive regarding Pro Carry’s holster. It is comfortable, durable, and looks great. There is some minor criticism about the shape of the trigger guard, which makes holstering a little tricky. Also, it does not fit certain other Glock models well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As far as IWB holsters go, this is a very comfortable option. When you’re strapping something as hard and bulky as a pistol inside your waistband, you expect a little discomfort. However, the soft cowhide does a great job cushioning the gun.
Pro Carry’s holster is well made, durable, and came highly recommended. We were not disappointed. It is very lightweight, which makes it perfect for long days of concealed carrying. If you’re on the move, this holster won’t cause you any issues with mobility.
Though the model is for right-handed shooters only, the manufacturer suggests that a left-handed model could be made available upon request.
Bottom Line
Pro Carry’s Leather IWB holster is a very close second. Its soft body is made from 100% cowhide, making it incredibly comfortable and durable. It also weighs just 4.8oz, making it an almost perfect concealed carry holster.
Best for the Money:
Galco Classic Lite Shoulder System Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Feedback is generally positive from recent buyers. People love the look and feel of this holster. Its extra mag capacity also receives strong positive feedback. However, some buyers are critical of the fact that the leather is not pre-molded to your gun.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of course, as you likely expected, the price point is what drew us to this holster. Galco put together a great, versatile system for a very reasonable cost. Even better, they did not skimp on materials in the slightest - the soft leather is 100% premium steer hide.
Shoulder holsters always look cool. This one looks better than most. With a brown leather case and straps, you might find yourself reminiscing about days past. It isn’t hard to imagine Humphrey Bogart wearing this rig in a film noir.
We like this product. It’s a solid, affordable, and functional holster for a wide range of handguns, including the Glock 26.
Bottom Line
For the money, this is the best holster you can buy. It is made of premium steer hide, features a secondary mag slot, can accommodate revolvers, and, frankly, looks cool. If you want a quality product for a low price, check out the Galco shoulder system.
Best Glock 26 IWB Holster:
Concealment Express Tuckable IWB KYDEX Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers report that this holster is excellent. It is form-fitting, slim, and compact. As far as inner waist concealed carry holsters go, this is highly modular. Concealment Express’s holster gives consumers a wide range of versatility with easily adjustable cant, ride height, and retention.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We first checked out this holster because of its aluminum molded Kydex construction. It is hard to imagine this holster ever needing replacing unless you swap out your gun itself. Kydex is lightweight and compact, meaning this holster is ideal for concealed carrying.
Concealment Express loaded this little unit with a bunch of great features. It has adjustable retention, adjustable ride height, and adjustable cant - all of which are rarities in the IWB market. On top of that, the belt clip is tuckable, meaning you can wear a dress shirt without taking off your Glock.
Bottom Line
The Concealment Express Tuckable IWB Kydex Holster is the best inside the waistband holster out there. Its Kydex case is reliable, durable, and compact, making it easy to conceal and long-lasting.
Best Glock 26 Ankle Holster:
Galco Ankle Glove Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Overwhelmingly, buyers were thrilled with the Galco Ankle Glove. People found it lightweight, easy to conceal, comfortable, and top quality. Even over full twelve-hour shifts, retention and comfort remain top of the line. The only complaints regard the stock 13-inch straps, which do not comfortably fit certain body types.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Galco’s holster caught our eye right away. Not only does it look great, it is also well made and very practical.
An ankle holster needs to be compact, lightweight, and discrete. Otherwise, there is little benefit to wearing one. Fortunately, the Ankle Glove comes through in all departments. This is a highly concealable product.
Another huge perk of Galco’s ankle holster is its level of comfort. This holster straps on snugly but is well cushioned to avoid discomfort over long hours. This is a big step up from other holsters which can encourage sweat build up or scratching.
Bottom Line
This is the best ankle holster that we came across. It is lightweight, compact, and comfortable, making it perfect for your concealed carry needs. If you’re looking for an ankle holster for your Glock 26, look no further.
Best Glock 26 Shoulder Holster:
Barsony Brown Leather Shoulder Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are generally pleased with this product. According to reports, it is a nice design and of high quality. Buyers like how adjustable the holster is. Some critics have found the straps a little loose and of lower quality than the rest of the holster.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When looking for a shoulder holster, there are a few important things to keep an eye out for. First, the holster must be secure. If your straps don’t hold the system in place, you’ll find yourself wriggling around or adjusting as you go. If you’re trying to be discreet with your concealed carry, this won’t do you any good.
It is also important that the holster is slim. If it’s not compact and neat, it’s very obvious that you’re packing beneath your jacket.
We loved the Barsony because it pulls through on all fronts. It’s neat, compact, pretty comfortable, and stays secure.
Bottom Line
This is the best shoulder holster we reviewed. It is highly adjustable, which is not common for these kinds of rigs. It also looks great. If you’re in the market for a shoulder holster, Barsony is the way to go!
Best Glock 26 Kydex Holster:
Concealment Express Glock IWB KYDEX Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
With this holster, there’s no shortage of positive feedback from former buyers. In particular, people are impressed with the affordable price of this piece, given its high-quality design and lifetime warranty. Also, people commend the functionality of these holsters and the ability to adjust cant and retention on demand.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Concealment Express has a reputation for making the best possible entry-level holsters at a reasonable price. With their Kydex IWB holster, they lived up to their name. They exceeded expectations - it would be a disservice to this piece to call it a beginner-level holster.
The Kydex IWB is reliable, compact, and incredibly usable. It has several adjustment options to ensure that drawing is as comfortable and familiar as possible. Even further, it’s custom-molded to your gun, which means it's a perfect fit.
We’ve seen a lot of Kydex holsters lately, and this one stands out above them all.
Bottom Line
Kydex holsters are very popular. It’s easy to see why: they’re lightweight, hardy, and compact. Concealment Express’s IWB holster is probably the best of the best for any average carrier. It comes at an incredibly reasonable price to boot.
Best Glock 26 Paddle Holster:
Fobus GL26ND Evolution Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were impressed by this paddle holster’s snug and secure fit. The retention pressure can be altered with a screw on the front, making for easier drawing. Some buyers find that the gun does not drop far enough into the holster.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Fobus’s paddle holster does everything that it needs to, and more. We were instantly taken by the simplicity of its design. It is small, compact, and discrete. We also loved the simple retention adaptation options. With a paddle holster, ensuring a snug and secure closure on the gun is highly important.
This holster is versatile. If you have multiple handguns, this is likely to fit more than one of them, which makes it a convenient and handy piece of hardware to have around.
Finally, we liked the rubberized insert. Nothing is better than a custom fit, and this molds itself perfectly to your hand shape.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Fobus Evolution Holster is the best paddle holster we came across. It is secure, snug, and easy to use. We loved the rubberized insert, which molds itself comfortably and conveniently. If you’re looking for a paddle holster, start your search here.
Best Glock 26 Holster With Mag Pouch:
Desantis Cargo Nemesis Holster
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Overall, buyers were impressed with this holster. It can be difficult to find a well concealed holster with an extra mag pouch for the obvious reason: space; however, DeSantis seems to have found a place in the heart of consumers. It grips well and sits comfortably.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This holster is compact and neat. While it is a little basic compared to some others on our list, it focuses on holstering a secondary mag without taking up unnecessary space. In this department, it comes through wonderfully. If you’re looking for a holster with a little extra space, but you’re worried about portability, do yourself a favor and check out the Cargo Nemesis.
One of the wonders of DeSantis is that the company still hand builds every holster they sell. As a result, their products are quality every time. This holster is no exception. It is durable and well constructed.
Bottom Line
After reviewing the market, we decided that DeSantis’s Cargo Nemesis Holster is the best-concealed holster with an extra mag harness out there. It is neat, compact, and functional. It was not difficult for us to find a place for this holster on our list.
Best Glock 26 Pocket Holster:
DeSantis Pocket-Tuk Pocket Holsters
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
DeSantis has a strong reputation. Based on the feedback from Pocket-Tuk buyers, it is well earned. Buyers report that the leather is soft and form-fitting, that the outline blends well into the fabric of your coat or pants, and that the gun draws easily.
Why it Stands Out to Us
To be frank, we spotted this because of its gorgeous suede design. After admiring that, we moved on to the more important bits - quality and functionality. In both areas, this pocket holster excels.
A pocket holster must blend easily for concealment. If your pockets are bulging like you have 64 dollars worth of nickels in there, it hasn’t passed the test. The Pocket-Tuk gets a pass.
Better yet, the shape of this holster keeps your gun secure. You can tuck it in without any fear that your Glock will end up on the floor when you stoop to pick up a penny.
Bottom Line
The DeSantis Pocket-Tuk is a great pocket holster for the Glock 26. It breaks the outline and allows you to conceal carry, despite its somewhat bulky shape. It also looks great with a soft suede base and hard leather reinforcement.
Perks of Getting a New Glock 26 Holster
There are many advantages to getting a new holster. First of all, a holster allows you to carry your firearm on a day to day basis, which means that you don’t have to worry about picking up a new pistol, only for it to sit in the safe gathering dust. Take it out, keep it clean, and bring it to the range.
Holsters also provide safety and security for those around you. Most holsters feature a locking mechanism of some kind, which ensures that you can carry your gun around without worrying about it swinging loose. Worse yet, an unholstered gun can fall or go missing. A holster keeps your handgun stored in a safe position and, generally, encourages good discipline when carrying and drawing your firearm.
Finally, one of the big perks of getting a new holster is that you can minimize bulk. Nowadays, holsters are designed for optimal concealment. They are lightweight, have little extra fabric or material, and sit snugly, which is far from the bulky and obstructive holsters of yesteryear. Often, holsters are even custom molded to your gun, ensuring a perfect fit and the most comfortable carry possible.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. For the day to day carrier, a holster is a necessity.
At the end of the day, the best holster for the Glock 26 is Relentless Tactical Defender. If that doesn’t catch your eye, there are at least nine other excellent options from which to choose.
People Also Ask
Now you know what the best holsters on the market are. However, if you’re thinking about switching your EDC to the Glock 26, you probably still have a few unanswered questions.
To help you out, we’ve taken the time to answer some of the most common questions regarding day to day carrying of the Glock.
Is Glock 26 the Best Concealed Carry?
The short answer is that there is no absolute best concealed carry weapon. Even determining what the best-concealed carry weapon is for your own needs is not a simple task; however, the Glock 26 is an excellent concealed carry. It is 6.46 inches in length and 1.18 inches at its thickest point. Its height is just 4.17 inches.
Can You Pocket Carry a Glock 26?
Generally speaking, we do not recommend pocket carrying without a pocket holster. Without a holster, carrying a gun can be insecure and even dangerous. That said, a lot of people pocket carry Glock 26s. The overall dimensions of the 26 allow it to fit into most pockets.
Will a Glock 26 Fit a Glock 19 Holster?
Probably not. The Glock 26 is a downsized version of the Glock 19. As a result, the dimensions are far smaller. Unless your 19’s holster is highly adaptable, the Glock 26 will likely be too small to securely and comfortably sit in its place.
