Hosking Chest Holster... First Impression

[TraderMike]

I have been searching for a chest holster for my XDM that would work with a bino-pac and a backpack. I had my eye on one that is well reviewed on this forum but I couldn't justify the expense for such a simple affair. I am referring to Kydex holsters and not leather. It took some digging on the internet to find this outfit in Lewiston, ID but I am glad I found them. I placed my order on Monday, had my holster on Friday. I would say that is a good start.

Seems very well made. I wore it most of the weekend on a camping/camper trip with my family. Comfortable right from the start and offers some adjustability that I am still tinkering with.

I have not hiked with a backpack while wearing this holster but am optimistic it is going to meet my expectations. (I did get into my backpack to get an initial feel for the straps and everything seems good.)

The chest holster comes with generous length straps that I will trim after I determine what I will need for wearing over a few layers.

The owner (Matt) was a pleasure to speak with on the phone as well. I expect I will be ordering from Matt again...

$99 with shipping.

Chest Holster | OWB - IWB | Hosking Holsters | Kydex

Hosking chest holsters - Shop now for your perfect holster. Custom chest holsters, OWB, IWB, Thigh, Appendix carry. We can design your chest rig.

www.hoskingholsters.com

 

[D_lawrimore]

Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking at picking up a chest holster and this might just do the trick!


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[muddydogs]

How is it under a bino harness? Looks like the wider straps and big buckles might be to much with a bino harness and pack on?
A Razco holster came with my XDM 5.25", I fitted it to my bino harness but it's not all that impressive sure glad I didn't spend $100 on it.
I wonder if a pistol under the harness would just be to much bulk on the chest.

 

[TraderMike]

How is it under a bino harness? Looks like the wider straps and big buckles might be to much with a bino harness and pack on?
A Razco holster came with my XDM 5.25", I fitted it to my bino harness but it's not all that impressive sure glad I didn't spend $100 on it.
I wonder if a pistol under the harness would just be to much bulk on the chest.

My bino pack is a FHF with 10x42 glass and I was pleased the additional "bulk factor" with my XDM was pretty minimal. The Hosking is quite similar to the Kenai chest holster by Gunfighter, which is well reviewed by other fellows who wear bino packs at the same time. The Hosking has the added feature of being able to adjust the cant to dial in your draw and the clincher for me is that it is much more reasonably priced. The buckles are stout but didn't seem noticeable when I had holster-binos-backpack on. If you check out the videos on Hosking's site he does a comparison with the Kenai and the buckles are pretty much the same dimension on both holsters.
I am hoping to hit one of my favorite high elevation lakes next weekend and that will be a 3 mile hike with backpack and bino pack and XDM so I will have a better formed opinion to share...

 

[etapia]

Any fellow up review after using the holster? I'm really interested in these after seeing this. Looks to be a more affordable version of the Kenai.

 

[TraderMike]

I finally got away for a long weekend of hiking and fishing. I wore my XDM for 5 days, with a back pack and a chest pack for fishing gear- about the same as a bino pack. I tweaked the carry height a bit higher on my chest as I was bending over and kneeling quite a bit due to the trout really liking my fly. I found the holster comfortable and pretty much forgot I was wearing it. I may play with the draw angle some but only because the design allows for it. At this point I can say I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.