So, while the subject of today’s review, as noted in title, is the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band holster, might as well talk a little about this unique type of holster – one which I personally put into a class of its own, only because the design of belly band holsters is quite unique as compared to most other holsters in the marketplace, thus, in my humble opinion, setting them apart from the rest.
A belly band holster, as I have mentioned in previous reviews, is a method of concealed carry that wraps around your midsection and allows lightweight clothing to conceal smaller firearms. Belly band holsters are great for use when clothing options are limited or are lightweight by necessity.
Also, as I have mentioned many times in the past, to carry a firearm that can afford comfort as well as good concealment is much more difficult than what it may appear at first.
For most shooters who like to stay strapped-in, activities such as jogging, wearing jeans, leather belts and an overshirt or jacket, a belly band holster could be the ideal asset to own.
So, I am not going to beat around the bush here, let me just say at the outset that “no,” belly bands are not for everyone. As such, I contend the very first thing you need to do is to qualify yourself as a true candidate for one of these.
Before you begin your purchasing expedition, just make sure that a belly band holster is, indeed, the holster that you want to get for yourself.
To that end, in this review, I figure I start of by providing in the next section some of the “Pros” and “Cons” relative to belly band holsters. Suggest that you consider all these criteria prior to moving forward with your purchase.
Pros and Cons of Belly Band Holsters
So, if I had to choose one leading criteria on whether or not you qualify as a candidate for purchasing a belly band holster, that would have to be your lifestyle, the way you dress. Say, for example If you are used to wearing clothes that fit your body, the belly band holster should definitely be a consideration for you. Vis-à-vis, if you are used to wearing loose style clothes, then a belly band holster may not be your ideal system.
Whether or not we realize it, dressing habits are very much a part of who we are; of your personality, and, again, whether or not you realize it, holsters will be an integral part of your attire. Whenever we buy a holster, we must think of it in terms of having to wear it for prolonged periods of time where comfort and/or discomfort will become critical issues.
As I said earlier, before you go out and purchase that belly band you have been thinking about, you should first consider the Pros and Cons of belly bands as per the following detailed list.
Pros
Cons
About The CrossBreed Brand
History
CrossBreed Holsters were born in 2005 under the leadership of Mark Craighead. As the story goes, Mark was an avid shooter who grew his knowledge of firearms becoming intimately familiar with holsters, learning what worked well and what did not.
Mark decided to create a holster design of his own – one intended to incorporate the best features of what other holsters had to offer, discarding the non-functional elements. Within a brief period of time Mark’s hybrid IWB tuckable design achieved such popularity that his company gained national recognition as a leading manufacturer of some of the best and most functional concealment holsters available nowadays in the market.
Modular Belly Band Holsters
While there are all kinds of reviews out there on so-called modular systems, seldom, if ever, will you find mention of what a modular system is all about.
To put It as simply as I possibly can, the modular concept gives users the ability to wear the holsters in multiple positions.
CrossBreed offers a Modular Belly Band package, which not only includes the wraparound belly band, but also a Kydex holster than can be worn in multiple positions, so you can put it anywhere you want, front or back, as well as it and can be worn by men and women as well.
One of the most common obstacles found in carrying concealed has to do, like I said earlier, with dress attires. This is especially true when you wear gym shorts, yoga pants, sweatpants and/or anything that lacks belt loops.
Some holsters have the versatility to work in multiple ways by moving parts around, but typically, they only work well in one or another position.
Vis-à-vis, with a “modular” system, such as the one offered by CrossBreed, you can easily customize the belly band to whichever configuration makes it most comfortable for you.
CrossBreed Modular Belly Band Holster
Overview - How it Works
So, the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band starts-off with a long, wide, and extremely comfortable elastic fabric belt which has multiple hook-and-loop patches around the outside for holster placement.
As such you can attach your holster in any position around the waist to put it exactly where you want it, including cant adjustment, without the need to attach clips between your belt loops.
Your gun is held in place by a custom-molded holster that provides the added second function of having a hook-and-loop backing plate that allows you to remove the entire holster from the belly band and put it somewhere else without taking the gun out.
CrossBreed Belly Band Holsters – Development
As it usually happens, with time, tactical gear systems are improved and developed over their original versions. The CrossBreed Belly Band holsters are no exception to this rule.
The first CrossBreed belly band model was introduced several years ago and used a Kydex shell, but the band did not wrap around the holster which led to many folks worrying if the holster with a gun inside would detach itself if moved too much, more so when carrying a heavy, full-size firearm.
CrossBreed then introduced an updated version and added several more inches of wide band that wraps over the holster and secures it to the other side of the band, forming a more stable platform.
About the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Holster
Overview
So, as mentioned before, our pick for today’s review is the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 – a system designed to fit your lifestyle. Whether you go out jogging through a park, or a quick trip to the grocery store or around the office, the Modular Belly Band 2.0 is the ideal system you want to wear.
In essence, CrossBreed took their original design, the original CrossBreed Modular Belly Band and made some minor functional alterations to it, combined with significant upgrades in the material, creating an all-around impressive system for concealed carry.
Among others, some of the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Holster features are its:
The outer polyester jersey shell was designed to provide a soft, form-fitting feel and comfort to the wearer on their skin. The materials offer breathability for carry in warmer weather or while performing active tasks such as yardwork or exercise.
The outer polyester jersey also includes an antimicrobial treatment that lasts 25 hand washing cycles. The band on the Modular Belly Band 2.0 system also comes with additional pockets that allow for the wearer to stow items such as a cell phone and additional ammunition magazines.
The band is also stitched with anti-slip panels to help keep everything in place for optimal concealment as the wearer goes about their day.
The Modular Belly Band 2.0, combined with CrossBreed’s Modular Belly Band holsters are designed for a gun-specific Kydex shell that attaches to a leather backing panel that has a Velcro hooking arrangement on its backside. This hooking system integrates with Velcro loops found on the Modular Belly Band 2.0.
Compatible Firearms
Following are some of the unlimited number of firearms that will work best with the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 system:
Key Features
While CrossBreed did not invent the belly band concept, it upped the ante and raised industry standards with their Modular Belly Band Package 2.0. CrossBreed’s original belly band version featured the Kydex holster molded to your gun make and model.
It also featured hook and loop field attachments as part of a modular system that lets you move the holster to other products and gives you almost infinite carry positions, front, side, rear.
The one added-value improvement CrossBreed made to the original version is comfortability as the 2.0 version just happens to be much more comfortable than the original CrossBreed Belly Band system.
The new 2.0 setup is simply great for running, walking, working out, or just wearing an outfit that does not allow the traditional belt carry option.
I personally liked the original a lot, but the minute I strapped myself onto the updated version, I was sold on it. Mind you the Kydex holster pouch stayed secured through my busy day after going through multiple practice draws and reholsters.
The magazine pouches in the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Package are generous for large double stack magazines, elastic enough to securely tuck a slim single stacker inside.
Potential Drawbacks of Belly Bands
From my perspective, one of the major drawbacks of belly bands in general is that they have a strip of material, usually neoprene or elastic, which will have a gun-shaped pocket sewn into it as a holster, this creates problems, especially with soft-sided holsters having significant weaknesses relative to protecting the trigger from being depressed.
The issue with soft-sided holsters being that, while it may be more difficult to press the trigger, the trigger can still be pressed through the fabric of the holster. In addition, with a soft-sided fabric once the gun is drawn, returning it safely to the holster can become problematic.
Once CrossBreed identified these drawbacks, they responded by adapting their leather and Kydex holsters creating the Modular Belly Band Package which virtually eliminates all these drawbacks associated with belly band systems.
The magazine pouches in the Modular Belly Band 2.0 Package are generous for large double stack magazines, elastic enough to securely tuck a slim single stacker inside.
Summary and Conclusion
If you paid close attention to what I have said before, maybe the one key feature that stands out for the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Holster Package, is that it allows for you to carry a gun with clothing that will not support the use of a belt.
There are, nonetheless, other key features that come with this system, one of them is concealment. The 2.0 package allows you to carry a gun under a tucked shirt with zero indication of a gun being carried at all.
For their holster part of the package, CrossBreed attached Velcro to the back of one of their hybrid holsters, allowing users to place the holster in various positions on the belly band, and essentially able to adjust the holster’s ride height and cant as desired, thus their fitting name “modular” in the systems’ name – pretty slick feature if you ask me.
And, as they say, last but not least, about prices and price-points. Well, at a retail price that starts at approximately $75.00 ±, depending on the options you choose, you can not go wrong, can you? By way of summary, again, belly band holsters are not for everyone.
That said, however, if upon reading this review, you do find this could be a system for you, by all means give the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Package some thoughtful consideration.
As I always say, the choice is ultimately yours and yours alone.
In the event, however, that you do purchase the CrossBreed Modular Belly Band 2.0 Package, I do hope our review would have met with my original objective and mission statement, that of providing you with information about this product that enabled you to make the best decision possible to suit your needs.
Good luck!