Whether you’re playing hide-and-seek, hiding from someone who annoys you, or pulling a prank on friends, keeping yourself as small as possible is essential. Crouching, stooping, and sitting are all good ways to stay hidden. A concealed carry jacket can help you do just that. These coats look like regular winter jackets but have ambidextrous pockets that accommodate EDC gear without printing or snagging.

Fit

A concealed carry jacket should have a good fit. A good fit will hide your gun while allowing you to move freely without the gun sagging or pinching. It should also let you back up mags easily. It should also be durable enough to withstand the elements and support your duty belt and any equipment you may need for your job. Concealment jackets are an excellent choice for cold environments and can be worn over your uniform shirt for warmth. 

Style

Having clothing that blends into the environment and looks great is important, but so is having gear designed for your specific use. That’s why concealed carry jackets are so helpful. They’re shaped to work over other layers without looking out of place, and they’re oversized to accommodate a gun and magazines without pinching or sagging. They also have ambidextrous holsters to switch between left and right-hand draws. The fabric used is durable enough to keep you warm, while the fit is comfortable and not too tight — which could impede your draw if you need to clear the cover in a hurry. Plus, some have pockets with snaps instead of zippers, which can be opened more quickly to get to your firearm.

Comfort

A concealed carry jacket must fit comfortably and do the job it’s supposed to do. It should not hinder access to your gun or get in the way of the draw, nor should it give away your firearm’s position by allowing it to be visible through the holster pocket. Look for jackets shaped like a cardigan or blazer, work over other layers without looking out of place, and are oversized to accommodate the gun and mags without pinching or sagging. The pockets should also have snaps or zippers of high quality to prevent weapon printing and snags and to facilitate movement while wearing the jacket. The gun storage should be accessible from either side of the coat for draw preference, and a backup magazine pocket is a plus. Consistent dry fire practice with the jacket on will help form muscle memory and improve your drawing speed.

Security

A good concealed carry jacket looks like a regular coat, which makes it easy to wear. It should resist elements like wind and rain without making you look overly rugged. A quality concealment jacket supports your firearm and backup mags and accommodates EDC gear such as keys, cash, maps, passports, wallets, and more. It must also allow you to clear cover quickly with your gun without snagging or getting in the way. Ideally, you want to zip up and open the jacket without it having to come off ultimately. It should also accommodate your firearm’s normal draw position without printing or sagging. Having dedicated gun storage pockets will help you do this.

Storage

Unlike regular winter jackets, concealment coats are designed to accommodate your firearm and backup magazines while hiding them from view. They can look like a sports or work jacket and be worn over almost any outfit. Ideally, they should be cut on the long side and have a padded lining to hide bulges while giving your firearm the shape of a gun. The concealed carry jackets must also be easy to draw from when you need to access your handgun in self-defense situations. That means they should have large pockets for car keys and cell phones, ambidextrous pocket holsters, and left/right hand warmer pockets so you can adjust your gear as the temperature changes. If your jacket doesn’t have these features, consider taking it to a tailor for alterations.