Up until recently, my everyday carry handgun was the Sig Sauer P250. I love that pistol, but finding a good concealed carry holster took a bit of trial and error on my part. One of those trials was the Alien Gear IWB Cloak Tuck holster, and it’s probably the most comfortable IWB holster I’ve ever owned. But, you’re here to understand the finer points about the Alien Gear IWB holster, so without further ado, let’s get onto the holsters’ analysis.
Table of Contents
Alien Gear IWB Cloak Tuck Holster Features
The folks at Alien Gear definitely make a quality product. As far as IWB holsters go, this thing is super comfortable. However, you will need to have a an inch or two built into your pant waistline to utilize this holster, which is true of all IWB holsters. My jeans have a little bit of stretch to them, and despite my pants being snug, the material on the back made it feel like I wasn’t wearing a holster at all.
Handgun Fitment
Similar to the Blackhawk Serpa, this holster is setup for specific models. The molds aren’t an exact replica, so there are multiple firearms that will fit in my holster. However, you will need to select a version that fits your pistol. Another similarity between the two holsters is that you’ll have to decide on left or right hand draw when you purchase.
Adjusting Pistol Retention
Another great feature about this holster is the ability to modify the retention. Despite being held using only friction, Alien Gear provides several grommets to allow you to customize the tension your holster has on the pistol. Unlike the clips however, you’ll need to use tools to swap out the grommets. Pictured above are the neon green rubber bushings that are interchangeable. Several sets are provided when you purchase the Cloak Tuck holster.
Adjusting The Cant and Ride Height
Pictured below is one of a pair of clips on the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck holster (Amazon Link). You’ll notice there are three different holes located on the wings. When you get this holster from the manufacturer, the clips are set into the middle holes, making for a 90 degree orientation. However, you can adjust the pistol cant by moving one or both of the clips. From center of circle to circle is about one inch, allowing for a variety of setups.
I prefer my pistol to be angled forward, so I lowered the front clip to the bottom most setting while keeping the rear clip on the middle setting. Adjusting the cant is easily accomplished without any tools. For the rear clip, rotate it counter clockwise until the clip is inverted and slide the clip out and move to the selected setting. Contrarily, the front clip needs to be rotated clockwise to allow for adjustment. Once in place, rotate the clip(s) to the proper upright orientation.
In addition to controlling the cant, these adjustment holes allow you to change the ride height of your pistol. Setting the clips at the topmost configuration means the pistol will sit deeper into your waistline. Contrarily, lowering the clips means the pistol and holster will sit higher on your hip.
Draw Orientation And Holster Location
You’ll need to select your draw orientation at the time of purchase. The Cloak Tuck comes in both right and left hand draw. While the holster can be worn in other positions, it is best suited to hip draw. I prefer a 3/4 draw, so I wear my holster around the 4-5 o’clock configuration. The cant adjustment helps significantly smooth out my draw from this holster position.
Cloak Tuck Care Instructions
If you’re wondering about cleaning the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck holster, you really shouldn’t have to worry about washing it. Because of the breathable neoprene backing, moisture should be wicked away. However, if you do feel the need to wash the holster you should take off all of the existing hardware including the clips and molded shell. Afterwards, I recommend washing the holster by hand. Because the proprietary “Alien Skin” is akin to plastic, running through the dryer could cause the holster to warp.
Material And Construction
The form fitted shell is made of a durable polymer, and is custom molded to fit various models. make sure you get the holster that corresponds to your pistol. Additionally, the front skin (Alien Skin) is akin to a flexible plastic, and prevents marring of your firearm when slid into the holster. However, the skin does have a slight texture to help with retention. Finally, the backing of the Cloak Tuck 3.5 holster is a soft and breathable neoprene which makes for a surprisingly comfortable IWB holster.
My Experience With The Alien Gear IWB Holster
I’ve had this holster for over a year, and it shows absolutely no signs of wearing out. Both the neoprene backing and front skin of the holster are unmarred after repeated use. Additionally, the holster seems to have gotten more comfortable over time. The wings that house the belt attachment clips were stiff when first purchased. However, over time, the wings have bent and formed to my hip bone. The holster hugs my waistline, and makes the holster almost undetectable.
One great feature about this IWB holster is that it is fully tuckable. Therefore, I can wear this to the office with a tucked in shirt and only the clips are visible. If I slightly untuck the shirt, I can use the overhang to hide the clips too. This thing is great for the business professional who is struggling to find a quality holster to wear in a corporate environment.
Customer Service
Because I’m an idiot, you guys get a little bonus feedback about Alien Gear. When I purchased this holster, I either didn’t notice or assumed it defaulted to a right handed holster. When I began test fitting, it felt great, but something was immediately apparent – this is a lefty holster. I checked the paperwork, then my Amazon order, sure enough I’d selected left hand.
Good news is, I reached out via the Alien Gear chat window on their site. Basically, you’ll need to fill out a form, pay to ship the holster back, and they’ll ship you a new one. Sucks for me, but, lesson learned. Anyways, let’s get onto the nitty gritty about this holster.
Parting Shots
After extended daily use of this holster, I highly recommend the Cloak Tuck holster for your everyday carry pistol. If you wish to protect your handguns’ finish, while providing an adjustable holster that is as comfortable as it is concealable then this is the platform for you. This is one of the best, if not the best holsters I’ve ever had the pleasure of purchasing.
