Gear Review: Hidden Hybrid Holster AIWB Claw

Hidden Hybrid Holsters quietly entered the holster market boasting a variety of hybrid style holsters for consumers who prefer to blend Kydex and leather. The holsters, available in OWB and IWB configurations, aim to give carriers a comfier concealment option. When the company approached me about doing a review on their latest design – an appendix inside the waistband outfitted with a claw, I jumped at the opportunity to put Hidden Hybrid through its paces.

The AIWB rig itself marries two popular platforms into one seamless holster design. The leather backing makes for a comfortable carry while the Kydex shell mounted on top delivers retention and safety. The Kydex, measuring .093-inches in thickness, is cut to specifications of each gun model. In my case, Hidden Hybrid sent over the AIWB claw molded for my Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm.

The AIWB claw is an extension of Hidden Hybrid’s AIWB holster, offered as an $5 upgrade to its standard AIWB package. The claw itself is made from plastic and appears to be the same material as the belt clip that secures the holster to the pant line. Equipped with adjustable retention, the holster also allows users to customize how tight the firearm fits inside the Kydex shell.