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We’re in a golden age of concealed carry gear. There are more companies designing holsters, belts, clothes, and bags for concealed firearms than I can count. Unfortunately, a lot of these products are so focused on being “tactical” that they jump the shark.
That’s where a company called Arrowhead Tactical enters the picture. The brand’s whole mission is to make it easy to carry a pistol while dressing relaxed, casual, and just plain normal.
But is Arrowhead Tactical clothing worth it?
I rounded up a stack of Arrowhead Tactical pants, shorts, shirts, and hoodies, gladly wore them all for a month, and begrudgingly shuffled in front of the camera so you can decide for yourself.
Black, chalk gray, navy blue, olive drab, sandman, slate gray
Arrowhead Tactical Standoff Concealment Hoodie
$40
S - 3XL
Black, gunmetal gray, woodland green
Arrowhead Tactical Durable Concealment Hoodie
$54
S - 3XL
Black, ghost gray, navy blue, stone, woodland camouflage
How We Tested the Best Arrowhead Tactical CCW Clothing
This article represents more than a month of hands-on testing and evaluation. I personally wore each item you see here.
CCW Clothing has to be comfortable, so I started by wearing everything around the house to identify any discomfort or inconvenient features. I also wore these clothes to the gym to check for breathability, durability, and their ability to freshen up in the laundry.
This included a particularly grueling crucible of tensile strength that has left many a pair of gym shorts in tatters.
Next, I added the Mantis TitanX training system to the mix by wearing these clothes during my routine dry-fire training.
Finally, once I had built confidence in this clothing’s ability to secure and conceal a pistol, I wore it out of the house. This included running errands in the car, hiking, and other daily activities.
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott’s experience with pistols includes professional training both in the military and civilian sectors, as well as countless reviews and hands-on testing. He carries concealed on a daily basis with CCW bags, belts, and various articles of clothing. For this article, Scott personally wore every piece of clothing you see here.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Best Arrowhead Tactical CCW Clothing
1. Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Joggers Mk. II - Best Pants
Easy to recognize once you know what you're looking for
The Bottom Line
I still can't believe how much gear the Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Joggers Mk.II fit -- I've used CCW fanny packs that hold less. There's room for a pistol, spare magazine, a knife, a flashlight, and the usual phone/keys/wallet. These pants are fantastic for exercising, running errands, or hanging out at home without leaving anything behind.
Specs
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Material: Cotton-polyester blend
Colors: Army green, black, carbon gray, riptide blue
Country of Origin: China
Let’s kick things off with the Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Joggers. These sweatpants aren’t just designed to be comfy; they’re built to covertly carry a full suite of EDC gear. I’m no fashion expert, but these seem reasonably stylish, too.
The Carrier Joggers feature an athletic fit that’s more flattering than old-school sweatpants. Depending on your body shape, it might be worth sizing up.
I appreciate the cuffed legs, which keep the pants above my ankles and out of road grime when I walk the dog. The material is very soft and comfy; I found myself reaching for these so often that they’ve kind of become a work-from-home uniform.
Concealment is the whole point of this brand, and the Carrier Joggers knock it out of the park. Starting with the cut, there’s extra material in the frontal area that fills out and lies flatter when I add a holster. Normally, even baggy pants can look a little unnatural while carrying – not these.
Support is essential when hanging a loaded pistol off your waistband, so Arrowhead Tactical offers several belts for these joggers.
I threaded an OmniCarry retention belt through the large internal belt loops and tried it with a Springfield Hellcat Pro and, later, a Glock 45 with a Trijicon RMR green dot and a Streamlight TLR-7X in the appendix position. Both stayed nice and secure. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the whole system works. Even after walking the dog for an hour, I was perfectly comfortable with no chafing or loosening of the belt.
If you opt for the OmniCarry belt, make sure to take the buckle off before putting your Carrier Joggers in the laundry. It’s fine to leave the belt installed.
The Carrier Joggers are so good at flying under the radar that it took me a while to appreciate all the more subtle design details. One important feature is the zippered fly. That makes using the restroom with an AIWB holster a whole lot more convenient and discreet.
How about storage?
There are open front pockets, zippered rear pockets, and a small hip pocket on each side. These look like they’d only hold a pen, but I can actually squeeze in a 17-round Glock mag or folding knife without too much effort. There’s also a magazine pocket inside each zippered rear pocket if you want to keep your spare hidden.
Honestly, the only potential drawback I can think of is that these joggers are very warm. When I’m hanging out at home or walking to the gym, that’s awesome. When I’m actually exercising, they get hot in a hurry (but, as is the case with fit, this is subjective).
I’ll stick to normal pants when I’m out and about, but these take the cake for exercising the dog, walking to the gym, and relaxing at home. Now you don’t have to disarm yourself to kick back on the couch or go for a jog. If sweats match your everyday style, these will rock around town, too.
2. Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Shorts Mk.II - Best Shorts
Appearance is appropriate for the gym or around town
Cons
Not as breathable as normal gym shorts
The Bottom Line
Most shorts never look quite right with a pistol in the waistband, but the Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Shorts Mk.II pull it off. I appreciate thoughtful design features like the zippered fly and rear pockets. There are several length and color options, so pick whichever shorts fit your style.
I started rotating the Arrowhead Tactical Carrier Shorts into my rotation once the spring weather started warming up. They don’t have as much cargo room as the joggers, but definitely more than normal athletic shorts.
They’re more fitted than most gym shorts without being uncomfortable. You can take your pick from 5-, 7-, and 11-inch inseams. For reference, my test shorts had a 7-inch inseam.
The material is surprisingly breathable for how thick it is, and that thickness is important because it helps smooth out the outline of a holster. Mesh panels on the inside of the thighs add breathability, and I suspect they’ll hold up better to constant rubbing than the material used for the rest of the shorts over time.
In general, the Carrier Shorts Mk.II feel well made. They survived a little testing protocol I like to call the Inseam Ripper 5000, which is quite regrettably more than I can say for some shorts I’ve worn.
The problem with most shorts that are even remotely fitted is that they never look quite right with a holster inside. They’re either stretched to the breaking point or baggy everywhere else. The second-generation Carrier Shorts have an elastic waist and enough material built into the front that they look more natural with a holster than without.
The zippered fly is a convenient feature, and the drawstring adds a casual appearance while the hidden OmniCarry belt (sold separately) does all the work.
Carrier Shorts have fewer storage options than the joggers. There are two open pockets up front and two zippered pockets in the rear. The zippered pockets are important for anyone who lives in a permit-to-carry state. I appreciate being able to secure my wallet and trust that it isn’t going to slip out while I’m exercising.
The only drawback I encountered with these shorts was that they got pretty warm at times. I was never uncomfortable, just warmer than I would have been in my usual gym shorts. That’s subjective and I run very warm, so your experience may vary.
I don’t carry while I’m lifting, but these would be a great upgrade to your current wardrobe if you do. I wholeheartedly recommend them for walking, jogging, hiking, and dressing casually in general.
3. Arrowhead Tactical Standoff Concealment Hoodie Mk.II - Most Comfortable Top
Doesn't allow as smooth of a draw as the Durable Concealment Hoodie
The Bottom Line
The Arrowhead Tactical Standoff Concealment Hoodie is one of my favorite hoodies I've ever worn; it's that comfortable. Somehow, the athletic cut looks fitted while still making plenty of room for a pistol. And that reach-through pocket design? Very clever.
If there’s one fashion principle I understand, it’s dressing for comfort. In that regard, the Arrowhead Tactical Standoff Concealment Hoodie MK.II is a resounding success. When I want to get snuggy on the couch without ditching the pistol, this is what I reach for.
Somehow, Arrowhead Tactical made this hoodie semi-fitted up top and roomy enough for a pistol at the bottom without making it look pear-shaped.
This fabric’s waffle texture works like camouflage; it visually breaks up the outline of a concealed pistol to keep a low profile. It’s also double-layered to prevent the outer fabric from catching on your red dot or the butt of your pistol’s grip and giving it away.
This hoodie’s zippered pass-through center pocket supports one of my favorite techniques: the slow draw.
Blazing-fast draw times are great, but sometimes it’s better to see a problem coming, initiate your draw process, and be one step closer if you need to fire. If not, you can walk it back without causing a scene.
Unlike the Durable Concealment Hoodie (up next), the Standoff Concealment Hoodie Mk.II has conventional pocket openings. Drawing from the pocket is still totally doable with this hoodie; it just might require a smaller pistol and a little more finesse.
This is one of the most comfortable hoodies I’ve worn, and it looks the part. If you’re going to kick back, relax, and stay cozy, this is the concealment garment to wear. If you want to hit the town or go for a jog, hang tight and check out my next pick.
4. Arrowhead Tactical Durable Concealment Hoodie - Quickest Draw Top
Runs small; plan on sizing up one or even two sizes
The Bottom Line
Can a sweatshirt count as dressing up? Maybe not, but the Arrowhead Tactical Durable Standoff Hoodie one gets closer than most. The deceptively simple exterior hides magnetic pocket openings and a zippered pass-through to the pistol on your waist. This is clever CCW clothing design at its best.
Specs
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Material: Polyester
Colors: Black, ghost gray, navy blue, stone, woodland camouflage
Country of Origin: China
As cozy as the Standoff Concealment Hoodie is, the Arrowhead Tactical Durable Concealment Hoodie is one of the best CCW garments I’ve tried. Everything from the materials and construction to the innovative features is top-notch.
I would describe the fit as athletic. It’s not quite form-fitting, but it’s less baggy than most pullover outer garments. Aesthetically, it’s probably closer to a quarter-zip than a sweatshirt.
Solid colors occasionally make concealment tricky. With no visual contrast to act as camouflage, any amount of printing is typically easy to spot. This hoodie manages to defy that trend with material that’s thick enough to create gentle contours and slick enough to slide over a pistol instead of getting snagged on it.
Like Arrowhead Tactical’s other hoodies, the Durable Concealment Hoodie has a zippered pass-through inside the pocket. This time, though, the corners of the openings are held in place with hidden magnets instead of stitching. During testing, that meant I could draw smoothly by taking advantage of a much wider opening.
All the while, it looks like a normal garment. I really don’t see drawbacks to this hoodie unless the athletic cut isn’t your style. If it is, plan on sizing up. I’m 5-foot-9-inches and 200 pounds, and the large was tight enough that I’d rather wear an extra large or 2XL.
This is the hoodie I recommend wearing while you’re out and about. It’s just nice enough to look natural in more environments, and the easier draw process is a huge advantage – especially if you carry something larger than a subcompact pistol.
How to Pick the Best Clothes for Carrying Concealed
Shopping for clothes is a little different when you’re buying specifically for concealed carry. Here are some key points to consider, regardless of which brand you’re looking at.
Dressing for the Occasion
When you’re carrying concealed, your clothes shouldn’t reveal the pistol – that’s a given. But they shouldn’t draw attention to you in general, either.
If you’re lounging at home, joggers and a hoodie make total sense. If you’re going someplace where everyone is dressed in jeans and a button-up, you should do the same. The less you stand out, the less time people are going to spend eyeballing you.
One thing I appreciate about Arrowhead Tactical is the discreet, low-visibility branding. I’m happy to see more manufacturers getting on this trend, because wearing clothes slathered in firearm-related brand names and logos doesn’t do you any favors when you’re trying to keep your business to yourself.
Fitting for Firearms
If you’re new to carrying concealed, be prepared to buy a lot of new clothes. Pants that fit well normally might be stretched to the max when you stuff an IWB holster inside them. You’ll want extra room in your shirts, too, but not so much that extra material gets hung up on your pistol as you move, giving it away.
I find that sizing up and avoiding light colors can help make concealment easier. Patterns and dark colors seem to hide shadows better than a plain white shirt, but find what works for you.
Arrowhead Tactical also makes great CCW T-shirts. The tapered cut works well for concealing a pistol, but there's more to it than that. The material is smoother and thicker than the fabric most shirts are made from, so it avoids printing and slides out of the way during the draw process really well.
Ultimately, this is going to involve some experimentation. Not only do I have preferred clothes for carrying concealed, but I also have certain outfits that work best with certain holsters. It’s a never-ending puzzle.
Support is Key
Arrowhead Tactical sells a few different belts that offer plenty of support with the brand’s pants and shorts. I used the OmniCarry, and that's what I recommend.
When you wear other brands, it’ll be worth the money to pick up a dedicated gun belt.
For everyday carry, I really enjoy Kore Essentials belts. They have no problem keeping a Glock 45 with a red dot and weapon light snug, secure, and comfortable all day long. The ratcheting belt buckle lets me dial in a perfect fit and make rapid, one-handed adjustments – that’s super handy when I’m getting into or out of the car.
Train, Train, Train
If I sound like a broken record, that’s fine with me. You have to train with all your gear, and that includes your clothing.
Some shirts are easier to clear during the draw stroke than others. Some belts let your holster slide around, making it hard to establish a consistent draw stroke. Certain clothes just aren’t very comfortable when paired with a firearm. The only way to find out is to use them yourself.
If you typically wear the same hoodie or pants when you carry, those should be your uniform for dry-fire training. If you always wear joggers around the house, make training in them part of your home defense plan. Remember to revisit this every time the seasons change and you adjust the way you dress.
Final Thoughts
If I look like Ricky Recon at the range, that’s fine – but I want to blend in everywhere else.
Arrowhead Tactical put a ton of thought into these clothes, and it’s apparent every time I wear them and see how easily a pistol disappears underneath them. Everything from the cut to the low-viz branding adds to an overall aesthetic that says, “I’m definitely not carrying right now.”
When you want to fly under the radar, this a great place to start.
Have you worn Arrowhead Tactical CCW clothes? Share your experience in the comments. Looking for more tips, tricks, and gear recommendations? Head over to our Concealed Carry Definitive Guide!
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