I wear athletic clothing most of the time, and I prefer carrying inside the waistband. Because of that, I'm always looking for products that let me comfortably conceal carry regardless of what I'm wearing.
Recently, I've been testing the Concealment Labs Concealment Liner, and after spending some time with it, I think it's one of the best solutions currently available.
Overview
The Concealment Liner is a fairly simple system built around a rigid Tegris frame. It's available in two sizes:
Flex - 8.5 inches wide
Mini - 6.5 inches wide
On each side of the frame is a proprietary buckle secured with two bolts. Instead of a traditional rigid connection, Concealment Labs incorporates shock cord into both ends of the frame.
The idea is to allow a small amount of stretch without requiring you to constantly adjust the belt. As you sit down, bend over, or even after eating, the shock cord allows the system to flex slightly while maintaining support.
The buckles are also adjustable, allowing you to change their angle and cant. That's something you don't commonly see on products like this, and it helps the belt conform better to your body instead of forcing everyone into the same geometry.
The belt itself uses webbing that feels very similar to a car seat belt. It's smooth, flexible, and surprisingly comfortable.
How It Works
Using the Concealment Liner is straightforward. You can either loosen the belt enough to step into it or wrap it around your waist and buckle it. Once it's in place, simply clip your holster directly onto the Tegris frame.
Because the system supports the weight of your firearm independently from your clothing, you can comfortably carry in almost any type of bottoms, whether they have belt loops or not.
Why It's Become My Favorite
I've tried quite a few concealed carry systems designed for athletic clothing. Most of them work reasonably well, but they all feel like different takes on the same basic concept. The Concealment Liner stands out in several important ways.
It Actually Stays Put
This is probably the biggest reason I've grown to like it. With other belt systems I've used, repeated draw and reholster drills gradually cause the belt to ride upward and loosen. Eventually I have to stop training and readjust everything. That hasn't happened with the Concealment Liner.
Oddly enough, the belt material is actually quite smooth, like a seat belt, so I expected it to shift even more. Instead, it has remained securely in place throughout my dry fire sessions. I'm sure there's eventually a point where enough repetitions would cause it to move, but I simply haven't reached that point yet. For my training, it has stayed exactly where I put it.
It's Extremely Comfortable
Because the Concealment Liner stays put on its own, it doesn't require extra accessories like the leg leash found on the Phlster Enigma. Likewise, it doesn't rely on clips like the Leisure Carry Clip-On Belt. The result is a thinner, simpler setup that reduces bulk while also helping minimize printing. Out of every athletic carry solution I've tried, this has easily been the most comfortable.
It's Not Perfect
Even though it's become my favorite system, there are still a few things I'd like to see improved.
The buckle works, but it's not particularly quick to use.
Personally, I don't want to loosen the belt enough to step into it every time, nor do I enjoy completely undoing the belt whenever I put it on or take it off. A quick-release buckle would make a huge difference here and would immediately improve the overall user experience.
The Shock Cord Makes Tightening Harder.
I actually like the idea of incorporating shock cord into the design. The problem is that it's used on both sides of the frame. Whenever I tighten the belt, part of my effort goes into stretching the shock cord instead of tightening the belt itself. Personally, I think the adjustment side should be rigid while leaving the opposite side elastic. That would preserve the flexibility during movement while making it much easier to achieve a tighter fit.
Long-Term Durability
Another question I have concerns the longevity of the shock cord. I'm stretching it multiple times every day, and eventually elastic wears out. Time will tell how durable it is, but I'd like to see Concealment Labs offer replacement buckles or rebuild kits if the cords eventually need servicing.
Loosening the Belt
The adjustment mechanism is also a little cumbersome when loosening the belt. Concealment Labs demonstrates loosening it with a single finger, and while that's technically possible with slack in the belt, I haven't found that to be the case once it's fully tightened.
When the belt is under tension, I usually need both hands. I first have to relieve pressure on the shock cord before I can move the buckle's locking bar and loosen the belt. It's definitely the slowest adjustment system I've personally used.
What I'd Like to See
If I could make one suggestion, it would be to borrow a few ideas from the Phlster Enigma. I've been using an Enigma for nearly four years, and its Fidlock magnetic buckle remains my favorite belt closure system. The quick-release mechanism is incredibly fast, and more importantly, I can loosen the belt with one finger regardless of how tight it's adjusted. Combining that style of buckle with everything else the Concealment Liner already does well would make this system extremely difficult to beat.
Final Thoughts
Even with those complaints, I'd still choose the Concealment Liner over the other athletic carry systems I own on most days.
There are certainly situations where something like the Phlster Enigma still makes sense, but for general concealed carry in gym shorts, joggers, sweatpants, or other athletic clothing, the Concealment Liner has become my preferred option.
It stays in place, it's exceptionally comfortable, and it allows me to carry inside the waistband without relying on whatever clothing I'm wearing.
Overall, I think Concealment Labs has built one of the best concealed carry solutions for athletic apparel currently available, and it's a product I can confidently recommend.
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