Holster hostility: How Kydex has muscled its way to the top

By Jacki Billings

A holster display showcasing both leather and Kydex models. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Causing immense debate between the two sides, much like the mere mention of 9mm vs .45 ACP, Kydex holsters vs leather holsters is a battle between old school vs new school.
Kydex sheets were first developed in 1965 by Rohm and Haas, originally designed for interior use on aircraft. Its thermoplastic acrylic-poluvinyl chloride construction allows the plastic to be both rigid yet formable so it can be molded into various shapes, including a variety of gun makes and models.
Kydex materials chiefly benefit from being readily accessible and cost effective, with supplies available on popular purchasing platforms like Amazon. This accessibility makes it easier for small businesses and mom and pop shops to create affordable holster solutions — an advantage not granted to high quality leather holsters.
“Kydex holster making was made popular by simple DIY videos available online, and the fact that just about anyone can start making Kydex from their home kitchen for about $500 to $1,000,” President of L.A.G. Tactical Evan Prive-Shereck told Guns.com in an email.
Kydex has steadily permeated the holster industry, with more consumers choosing the plastic platform over its leather predecessor.
“Leather holsters are about as dead

Source: Guns.com