Winter is coming, and it’s time to stock up on concealed-carry clothing. It would help if you experimented with different outerwear and shirts to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Be sure to choose garments that won’t hinder drawing your gun. This means leaving the top of your coat unzipped or only partially closed for easier access to a shoulder holster.
Keep Your Hands Warm
Concealed carry clothes for winter offer a discreet and comfortable solution for gun owners, allowing them to maintain personal protection even in cold weather. These specially designed garments seamlessly integrate functionality with style, providing a practical and concealed means of carrying a firearm while ensuring warmth and fashion during winter. In addition to keeping your weapon covered, proper clothing can help you access it in self-defense. One way to do this is a jacket with a hidden pocket designed for your IWB holster. Often, these jackets have left or right-hand holster options for quick and easy access, no matter your preference.
Other options for concealing a firearm in winter include a sweater and a hoodie. However, these are more difficult to cover in cold weather. Even a slight breeze can blow open a sweater and reveal your gun.
Generally, thicker fabrics are ideal for concealed carry because they don’t print as easily. Additionally, shirts with buttons or other distracting features can help hide a weapon by drawing attention away from the pistol.
Prevent Cold Weather Injuries
Cold weather can lead to many injuries, including frostbite, numbness, hypothermia, and exhaustion. These injuries can become life-threatening quickly if not addressed properly.
Wear mittens, gloves, and a hat to warm your hands and feet. Wearing lightweight, warm clothing and a wind-resistant coat is also helpful. Having extra blankets and sleeping bags on hand is also a good idea.
If you’re shoveling snow, work slowly and take frequent breaks. Heavy lifting in freezing temperatures can cause heart attacks, especially in people with preexisting conditions. Also, carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous in homes without working heating systems during a winter storm. Make sure to have carbon monoxide detectors and test them periodically. Finally, keep drinking water to avoid dehydration. Dry air can also irritate the lungs, particularly those who have asthma. This can result in bronchospasm. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Keep Your Gun Safe
As the weather gets colder, evaluating your concealed carry setup is essential. Cold temperatures can slow reaction time and make it harder to access a firearm when needed. Having your gun in an ideal location and not hindered by other layers can save you valuable seconds in a defensive situation.
Wearing a coat with buttons rather than a zipper can help to keep your pistol easily accessible. Having a shoulder holster that can be worn with the unzipped coat is also helpful to ensure you can draw from it quickly. Lastly, carrying in a pocket holster is also an option. Just be sure it’s positioned in a spot that’ll be easy to access when you remove your jacket or if you need to exit your vehicle in an emergency. You can also use a tee shirt with concealed carry pockets for the same purpose. Just make sure the holster is on the dominant side.
Keep Yourself Warm
Like pants, your choice of concealed carry shirt is a crucial element for cold-weather carry. Choose a shirt with a loose, flowing fabric that covers your firearm without showing it’s there. Look for a sweater with a longer tail that will allow you to tuck your weapon into your waistband. Find a shirt patterned or made from thicker material to help obscure your weapon and reduce printing.
The CDC notes that hypothermia can occur at temperatures above freezing, so it’s essential to dress appropriately in cold weather. Wearing layers of clothing can help prevent hypothermia and frostbite. An excellent layering strategy includes a base layer that wicks away moisture and helps your clothes maintain warmth. This layer should also have a waterproof shell to protect you from rain and snow. It would help if you also considered wearing a scarf or balaclava to warm your neck and face. Ensure your footwear provides adequate traction to avoid slips and falls while navigating snow, ice, or uneven terrain.
