The Truth About Holster “Hot Spots” — Causes and Real Fixes

If you’ve ever worn a concealed carry holster for a full day and thought, “Why does this feel fine for the first hour… then suddenly it’s miserable?” — you’re not alone.

That uncomfortable pressure point is what most carriers call a holster hot spot. It might feel like a sharp edge digging into your hip, a pinch at your stomach, or a sore spot that builds throughout the day.

The good news is this: hot spots are common, and they’re fixable. Most holster discomfort doesn’t mean you bought the wrong holster — it usually means your setup needs a small adjustment (or one comfort upgrade) to make it feel right.

In this guide, we’ll break down what causes holster hot spots, what myths to ignore, and the real fixes you can apply today to make concealed carry more comfortable.

What Are Holster Hot Spots?

A holster hot spot is a localized area of discomfort caused by pressure, rubbing, pinching, or friction between your holster setup and your body. It can start as a minor annoyance and turn into something that makes you want to stop carrying altogether.

Hot spots happen to:

• New concealed carriers
  
  
• Experienced carriers switching gear or positions
  
  
• Anyone carrying for long hours (work, driving, travel)
  
  

And here’s the key: a hot spot is usually a symptom, not a failure. Once you identify what’s causing it, the fix is often simple.

Why Hot Spots Happen: The Three Core Causes

Almost every hot spot comes down to one (or more) of these three issues:

1) Pressure Points From the Holster Shape

Your holster is rigid by design — and that’s a good thing for safety and retention. But rigid materials can create localized pressure if the holster contacts your body in the wrong place.

Common causes include:

• Sharp edges or corners pressing into your body
  
  
• High-contact points around the trigger guard area
  
  
• Holster shape that doesn’t match the curve of your waist
  
  
• A setup that digs in more when seated
  
  

This is why body type matters so much. The same holster can feel perfect for one carrier and create hot spots for another.

That’s also why holsters like the JX Tactical Fat Guy Holster®, IWB 2.0, and Skinny Guy Holster are designed around real-world comfort and concealment—not generic fitments.

2) Carry Position & Angle (Not Just “The Holster”)

A lot of people blame the holster when the real issue is positioning.

Even moving a holster ½ inch can completely change where pressure lands on your body.

Key factors include:

• Ride height (how high or low it sits)
  
  
• Cant (forward/back angle)
  
  
• Carry position (appendix, strong-side, behind the hip)
  
  

If you’re feeling pain while sitting, bending, or driving, your ride height and cant are usually the first things to check.

3) Belt Support & Holster Stability

This is the one most people overlook.

A weak or flexible belt causes holsters to rotate, sag, and shift — which creates hot spots because your holster is constantly moving and pressing into new areas.

A proper concealed carry belt often fixes hot spots instantly because it stabilizes your entire setup.

That’s why we recommend purpose-built carry belts like Kore Belts or C.O.B. Belts. A stable belt foundation keeps your holster planted and reduces the “digging” that causes pressure points.

Common Myths About Holster Discomfort

Let’s clear up the bad advice:

Myth #1: “If it hurts, you just need to get used to it.”

Sometimes there’s a short break-in period, but pain isn’t required for concealed carry.

If you’re getting sharp pressure, pinching, or bruising, something needs to change.

Myth #2: “More padding solves everything.”

Padding helps, but only when it’s used correctly. If your holster is unstable or positioned wrong, padding may only hide the problem temporarily.

Myth #3: “Appendix carry is always painful.”

Appendix carry can be extremely comfortable — especially when the holster is designed for it and adjusted correctly.

Body Type Realities: How Your Build Affects Comfort

Comfort is personal, and your build changes where hot spots show up.

• Athletic builds: more likely to feel pressure on the hip bone/iliac crest
  
  
• Bigger midsections: can experience pinch points when seated or bending
  
  
• Narrow waists: may deal with holster rotation and shifting
  
  
• Short torsos: more likely to feel muzzle pressure while sitting
  
  

This is exactly why having adjustable holsters and comfort accessories matters. The goal isn’t “one perfect setup for everyone”—it’s the ability to tune your setup for your body.

Diagnosing Your Hot Spot: A Simple 3-Step Process

Before you buy anything new, do this:

Step 1: Identify the exact hot spot

Hip bone? Stomach pinch? Slide rubbing? Edge digging?

Step 2: Check belt tension and holster stability

If the holster shifts during movement, your belt setup is part of the problem.

Step 3: Make one micro-adjustment at a time

Move it slightly, then test:

• ½ inch left or right
  
  
• small cant change
  
  
• ride height adjustment
  
  

Tiny changes can create major comfort improvements.

Real Fixes: Practical Adjustments That Make the Biggest Difference

Here are the fixes that actually work in the real world:

A) Adjust Ride Height and Cant

Ride height is huge for comfort.

Too low = more digging when seated
Too high = more movement and instability

Cant changes where pressure lands. A small tweak can completely eliminate a hot spot.

B) Slide the Holster Along the Belt in ½-Inch Increments

Don’t underestimate this.

Moving your holster slightly can:

• shift pressure away from bone
  
  
• reduce rubbing
  
  
• improve concealment
  
  

C) Upgrade Your Belt (Often the #1 Fix)

If your holster feels “fine at first” but becomes uncomfortable over time, belt stability is usually the issue.

A solid carry belt like Kore Belts or C.O.B. Belts helps prevent:

• holster sag
  
  
• shifting
  
  
• rotation
  
  

That means fewer pressure points and less friction throughout the day.

D) Add a Holster Pad (One of the Best Hot Spot Fixes)

If your hot spot is caused by hard contact points or pressure against your body, a holster pad is one of the fastest solutions.

The JX Tactical Holster Pad is designed to sit between your holster and your body to help:

• reduce pressure points
  
  
• eliminate sharp edge contact
  
  
• add comfort for extended wear
  
  
• resist sweat with closed-cell neoprene
  
  

It’s compatible with all JX Tactical IWB holsters, including the Fat Guy Holster®, IWB 2.0, and Skinny Guy Holster.

If you’ve ever thought, “My holster is great, but I wish it felt softer against my body,” a holster pad is the upgrade you want.

E) Reconsider Your Carry Position

Sometimes the fix is simply moving to a better spot.

• If 4:00 rubs, try 3:30
  
  
• If behind-the-hip hurts when seated, try appendix
  
  
• If appendix pinches, raise ride height slightly
  
  

F) Improve the Clothing Interface

Simple changes help more than people think:

• thicker shirts reduce friction and printing
  
  
• undershirts prevent rubbing against skin
  
  
• avoid overly tight waistbands that force the holster inward
  
  

When a New Holster Is the Right Answer

Sometimes you do need a different holster — especially if your current one lacks adjustment or stability.

A new holster may be the answer if:

• ride height and cant aren’t adjustable
  
  
• retention isn’t adjustable
  
  
• the holster shifts unpredictably
  
  
• it feels generic or outdated
  
  

A holster should work with your body, not fight it.

That’s why many carriers choose options like the Fat Guy Holster®, IWB 2.0, or Skinny Guy Holster — because the design supports comfort, concealment, and real everyday wear.

Hot Spot Prevention Checklist

Quick checklist to keep hot spots from coming back:

• stable belt support (Kore or C.O.B.)
  
  
• correct ride height
  
  
• correct cant
  
  
• small placement adjustments
  
  
• holster pad for pressure relief
  
  
• clothing that supports concealment and comfort
  
  

Final Thoughts: Comfort Is Achievable

Holster hot spots are frustrating — but they’re not permanent, and they’re not something you should “just deal with.”

Start with micro-adjustments. Stabilize your belt setup. And if you want one of the most effective comfort upgrades available, add the JX Tactical Holster Pad to reduce pressure points and improve all-day carry comfort.

At JX Tactical, we design concealed carry gear that solves real problems — because the more comfortable your setup is, the more consistently you’ll carry.

Holsters for Every Body.