Looking for the most comfortable concealed carry holster on the market? In this CrossBreed holster review, we take a look at the SuperTuck rig and determine if the company’s claims about comfort have merit.
In a relatively short amount of time CrossBreed Holsters made a lasting impact on the firearms industry. One of its products that seems to have influenced more imitation than the Apple iPhone is the SuperTuck.
Using an innovative approach to holster design, founder Mark Craighead designed this inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster to easily conceal most any handgun. From a full-size SIG SAUER P226 to a subcompact Diamondback DB9, these rigs are said to handle it all.
But do they?
That’s where I come in. As the would-be bank robber in Dirty Harry tells Callahan, I got to know. So, I purchased one for my Glock 23 and gave it a thorough workout.
What Is the SuperTuck Holster?
The CrossBreed SuperTuck holster is an inside-the-waistband holster designed for deep concealment and comfortable carry. It is a hybrid holster – a new term used to describe a rig substantially made of two or more materials. In the case of the SuperTuck, the holster has a Kydex shell attached to a leather backer.
Despite being a rather large holster, the SuperTuck achieves its goals of comfort and concealment quite nicely.
Premium Leather
The premium leather is cut to mold the holster to the shooter’s hip while allowing a full range of motion. The holster side of the leather has been smoothed and treated, presenting an attractive semi-glossy appearance. At the top, front of the leather, where the pistol grip and rear of the slide extend out, there is a nicely imprinted CrossBreed Holsters emblem branding the holster.
The backside of the leather has been left in its roughened scraped appearance but is as soft as a microfiber cloth.
CrossBreed offers you a choice in leather materials: black-dyed cowhide, tan horsehide or a special Founder’s Leather.
The holster I purchased has the tan horsehide. I liked the look and feel of the leather. You might ask “Which leather is better for CrossBreed SuperTuck holster?” Fair question.
For black cowhide or tan horsehide, the choice will be very much an aesthetic one. I like the look of the tan better than the stark black. However, you may lean the other way.
However, for my next purchase, I will likely pick the Founder’s Leather version. This backer uses 11 oz cowhide that is 100% vegetable tanned with natural oils and tallows pressure applied. The result is a unique dark brown with light tan “highlights” achieved without any dyes. Additionally, the pressure applied oils help to ensure a quick break-in period, resistance to sweat and a beautiful rig for many years to come.
So, if I had to saw which leather is best for the SuperTuck, I recommend the Founder’s Leather.
Kydex Shell
The premium leather is paired with a custom-molded Kydex shell specifically designed to hold the handgun securely.
It is an open-top and open-bottom design to reduce the number of hard surfaces that could jab at the shooter’s body during carrying. However, the bulk of the gun including the trigger guard is securely encased and protected. I should note that the open bottom covers more of the slide assembly than a Yaqui or other open bottom holster. This design provides superior support and retention capabilities over smaller open-bottom designs.
The Kydex is securely mounted to the leather backing using six rivets, three on each side of the shell. The rivets are smooth and slightly raised on the outside of the Kydex holster, removing any snagging concerns. On the body side, the rivets are smooth and flush making them completely unnoticeable when the holster is worn.
The Kydex and leather combination presses the handgun snuggly into the holster, providing excellent retention without the need for a thumb strap.
Cover, Clips & Ride Height
SuperTuck holsters come with two SnapLok powder-coated steel belt clips, one on each side of the holster. This two belt clip arrangement provides excellent stability for the holster when carried.
A design advantage built into the SuperTuck is the ability to adjust the belt clips to four ride positions. This feature allows shooters to select how high or low the pistol rides in relation to the belt. In addition, the potential to adjust just one of the belt clips allows shooters a fairly wide range of angles their pistol will ride when carried.
CrossBreed uses belt clips that have a hyperbolic curve to reduce unnecessary material bulk. The double belt clip design prevents the SuperTuck from sliding out of position during heavy movement by the shooter.
Of course, one of the key features is that the clip design allows you to tuck in a shirt over the pistol. Only the belt clips are exposed and you don’t need an untucked shirt or jacket to conceal the firearm.
Standard Cut vs. Combat Cut
CrossBreed offers a Standard and Combat cut on their leather backing.
The Standard-cut uses more gentle angles and provides the most leather backing around the exposed grip and rear of the slide when a pistol is holstered. A reverse-L cut is used on the leather backer to produce the Combat cut.
The advantage of the Combat cut is the greater ability to get your thumb around the grip of the handgun quicker during drawing. However, the disadvantage is more of the firearm is touching the body. This can reduce comfort and introduce more sweat to the handgun while being carried.
Although I like the Combat Cut, I opted for more comfort and purchased my CrossBreed holster with a standard cut.
How to Wear a CrossBreed SuperTuck Holster
The SuperTuck holster is designed by CrossBreed to be carried on the strong side of the body. I like to carry mine right behind my hip at about the 4 o’clock position.
Before I make any additional statement – please try donning the holster with an unloaded gun first. Only when you are sure that you can wear the holster and pistol safely should you carry a loaded firearm.
What I found works for me is:
- button up my pants and fasten my belt
- insert the pistol into the CrossBreed holster
- lift my cover garment out of the way
- grab the outside of the holster without putting any body parts in front of the muzzle
- slide the rig into my waistband using my support hand to guide the front belt clip into place
- use my strong hand to secure the rear belt clip into place
- make any comfort adjustments
- tuck shirt in over the top of the pistol (if needed)
CrossBreed has a video showing the process with the company’s appendix holster:
Feature List
- Premium cowhide or horsehide leather
- Custom-molded Kydex holster
- High-cut backing providing a barrier between handgun and body
- Multiple rivets for securing the holster
- Two SnapLok powder-coated steel belt clips with 4 ride positions
- Lightweight – less than one pound
- Lifetime Warranty.
SuperTuck Specifications
- Overall length: 8.5 inches
- Overall height: 8.0 inches
- Overall width: 1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.85 pounds
- MSRP: $69.75.
About CrossBreed Holsters
As I stated previously, CrossBreed Holsters significantly influenced holster design during the past decade. But where did this company come from and who is the brainchild behind the designs?
Founded in southern Missouri, CrossBreed Holsters was Mark Craighead’s baby. Craighead was an avid shooter, and like many of us collected the proverbial box of holsters. You know the box. It’s loaded with rigs that don’t quite fit, rub in the wrong place or just didn’t hold up to regular use.
In 2005, Craighead got tired of looking at his box of holster failures and decided to do something about it: he designed his own.
Craighead incorporated the best features of many holsters into his trademark SuperTuck holster. Although he may have worried about how the holster would be received, on the outside, the SuperTuck looked like an instant success.
Sadly, Craighead passed away from a massive heart attack in 2012 at the all-too-young age of 43, but his holster designs and company continue to provide shooters some of the best-concealed carry options on the market.
SuperTuck Compatible Firearm List
The CrossBreed SuperTuck can be made to fit nearly everything from full-sized Model 1911’s to the subcompact .380 pistols. I’ve listed the impressive handgun fit list for the SuperTuck below:
- 1911 full-size to officer/single and double-stack
- Beretta 92/Apex/Nano/Pico/PX4 Storm
- Bersa BP & Thunder series
- Browning 1911/Hi-Power
- Caracal Enhanced F
- Canik TP9 series
- Charter Arms 5-round .38 SPL only
- Colt Cobra/Mustang
- CZ 75/SP-01/83/85/97B/100/P01/P07/P10/2075 RAMI/Micro Desert Eagle
- Diamondback DB380/DB9
- EAA Witness series
- FNH 509/Five-Seven/FNP series/FNS series/FNX series
- Glock 17-36/41/42/43 (full-size, compact, sub-compact)
- Glock 42 (.380 ACP)
- Glock 43 (9mm)
- HK 45/P2000/P30/USP series
- HK VP9 and VP40
- Honor Defense Honor Guard
- IWI Jericho
- Kahr CM9 /CT series/CW series/K series/MK 9 & 40/P series/PM series/TP 45/S9/ST9
- KelTec P11/P32/P3AT/PF9/PMR 30
- Kimber 1911/K6S revolver/Micro/Solo
- Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle
- Makarov PM
- Remington R51/RM380/RP
- Rex Zero 1S
- Rock Island Baby Rock .380 ACP
- Ruger American series/EC9 series/LC380 & LC9 series/LCP & LCR series/P series
- Ruger SP 101/Security 9/SR22/SR9/SR40/SR45
- SAR 9/B6/B6C
- SCCY CPX-1/CPX-2
- SIG SAUER 1911/P220/P2224/P225/P226/P227/P228/P229/P230/P232/P238/P239
- SIG SAUER P250/P290/P320/P365/P938/SP2022/SP2340
- Smith & Wesson 39/3900/4000 series/5900 series/99/J-frame/M&P series
- Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard/M&P Shield series/SD series/SW series
- Springfield Armory EMP series/XD series/XDE series/XDM series/XDs series
- Steyr C series/L series/M series/S series
- Taurus 24-7/85/605/850/605/651/851/G2C/PT series/Spectrum .380/TH9
- Walther CCP/Creed/P22/P99/PK 380/PPK/PPQ/PPS and PPS M2/PPX/Q5 Match
- Wilson Combat offerings, and a few more.
Carry Time
We were first introduced to CrossBreed several years ago at SHOT Show. They were in one of the smaller booths and had friendly staff demonstrating some amazing holsters. At the time Kydex holsters were already abundant on the market, so we were unsure if this small company would stand out and survive. However, after a brief examination of their holsters, including their flagship SuperTuck, we were very impressed with the quality, materials, and cost. The lifetime warranty is another amazing testament to the CrossBreed mission.
The SuperTuck I purchased was for a Glock 22/23, my standard duty and off-duty handguns. I selected the premium horsehide with its tan color. The tan color tends to blend better with lighter skin tones and clothes and provides variety from the standard black holsters flooding the market today.
Initial examination of the SuperTuck was very satisfying. The fit and craftsmanship were top-notch, the Kydex was perfectly molded to fit my Glock pistols. The Level I retention was more than adequate and confident. When inserting my Glock into the SuperTuck there is a slight click as the handgun reaches is final resting position. Retention is strong enough that when the holster is inverted the Glock remained in the holster without moving. Despite the strong tension retention from the SuperTuck Kydex, drawing my Glocks was very natural and required minimal effort.
Securing the SuperTuck into position may require some test and trial for new owners, and pivots on the shooter’s preference of securing the holster onto the belt before or after donning your pants. Though either method can be successfully performed, we found that mounting the SuperTuck into position on the pants/belt prior to donning pants was the easiest method. In addition, the SuperTuck is a little larger than some IWB holsters, especially ones with only one belt clip. As such, finding the perfect carry position on the shooter’s side may take some time adjusting until that perfect fit is obtained. We also recommend shooter’s use a belt while wearing the SuperTuck for a much more secure fit. Simply clipping the SuperTuck onto pants can be done, but is not nearly as secure.
The CrossBreed SuperTuck leaves the handgun grip fully exposed, allowing the shooter to obtain a good grip during the draw. With the SuperTuck IWB holster fitting tightly against the shooter’s body, the shooter will need to place their thumb flat against the backside of the slide while curling their fingers around the grip for the draw. This is actually a recommended grip technique for securing a Glock into a holster to help prevent the pistol from going out of battery in the event the slide strikes the edge of the holster. As the handgun becomes free of the holster, the shooting hand thumb can quickly and naturally slide down and into position for a master grip. Returning the handgun to the SuperTuck simply requires reversing the motion.
Wearing the SuperTuck really highlights the outstanding design. The premium leather is soft and conforms to the shooter’s body. With the Kydex holster and steel belt clips on the outside, the shooter simply feels the soft, brushed leather against their body. The addition of the holster and sidearm inside the pants does broaden your girth, so if your belt is already a little tight you may have to consider getting the next size up. After no time at all the CrossBreed SuperTuck seems to blend in with your clothing and it is quite easy to forget that you’re carrying a concealed firearm at all.
What Size Belt for the CrossBreed SuperTuck Works Best?
The best belt for concealed carry with the SuperTuck holster is 1.25? to 1.5? in width.
One of the things that people sometimes ask about is what width of a belt is best for concealed carry. Too thin of a belt and it will not support the gun. But, a lot of people do not want a super-wide belt either. In fact, your pants may not have belt loops wide enough for a big belt.
In general, a belt that is 1.25? to 1.5? wide is the best choice. 1.25? belts can fit into business and other formal attire, while the wider 1.5? belts tend to do well with jeans and other more casual pants.
The SuperTuck clips will work with all belts up to 1.75? wide. However, it works great with both 1.25? and 1.5? wide belts.
CrossBreed makes its own belts in a wide range of styles. One style is pictured above. You can see the extensive collection the company offers by clicking here.
Right now, I am testing the Relentless Tactical Ultimate CCW belt. It is proving to be an exceptionally durable belt, and I recommend them.
Final Thoughts
CrossBreed Holsters earned an outstanding reputation for quality holsters in the decade-plus it has been in business. I found the SuperTuck to be an excellent selection for an IWB holster. The SuperTuck provides great friction retention for secure handgun carry, with the Kydex molded perfectly for the selected handgun.
The double belt clip design may make the SuperTuck a little larger than other IWB holsters, but its secure positioning during carrying is a strong feature and one we greatly appreciated. The premium leather backing is both attractive and extremely soft against the body. Branded CrossBreed symbols on the leather and belt clips make an attractive overall product. We highly recommend the CrossBreed SuperTuck for on-duty or off-duty IWB handgun carry.
Where to Buy Crossbreed SuperTuck?
CrossBreed’s own website is the best place to pick up a SuperTuck holster. It is where I purchased mine.
Ordering through the CrossBreed site allows you to get exactly the holster you want as they build it to your specifications including color variations, fitting the Kydex for your pistol with a light and a whole host of other options.
As I said, I ordered my SuperTuck through the site, and it arrived quickly. I was very pleased by the process. You can order yours by clicking here.
Disclosure
All of the opinions presented in this article are those of the author’s alone. This is not a “sponsored” post – which is nothing more than a paid advertisement.
The author purchased this holster with his own money and without the knowledge of CrossBreed. Neither he nor this site has any financial interest in CrossBreed or any other holster maker. CrossBreed is not an advertiser.
BlueSheepdog.com is a for-profit website. I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide.
Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission.
The links do not change your purchase price. I do not get to see what any individual purchases.
We do have an affiliate relationship with CrossBreed, though that relationship began long after this review was originally written. We believe the company makes good products and offers excellent customer service. So, we sought out a relationship with them. Should you go to their site using one of the links above or this link, we will earn a small percentage on anything you buy.
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