Prepping your Summer Body for Conceal Carry

summer conceal carry

Seasons are changing, the weather is warming, and Summer looms on the horizon. It’s the time of year that many people start thinking about their “Summer bod”, and how they’ll look in a swimsuit, usually with a grimace. Unfortunately, what I have to see here won’t make your body image issues any better. There’s more than just looking good a risk for those of us who bear extra weight around our midsection. Our ability to properly conceal while carrying is also impacted by changing weather and a rotund figure.

Spring and Summer clothing often means we’re shedding layers in favor of lighter colors and thinner materials. No more will we have thick wool or flannel shirts and coats to help hide our pistols from prying eyes. Instead it’s T-Shirts and airy button-ups capping off shorts and breathable pants. Hiding our curves works much the same as hiding a gun, and many people are in for an unwelcome surprise the moment they swap out their wardrobe for the year. Suddenly we don’t look so cute, and our compact carry piece is starting to look like a tumor in our side.

How to Prepare for Summertime Conceal Carry

What can we do to prep ourselves for warmer weather? First, don’t wait until the last minute to try on your warm weather clothes. Give yourself some leeway and validate your outfits with your typical carry gear well ahead of time. That will help you see any problems before they arise, and provide a chance to make changes if necessary. These changes can be adjustments to our holsters and belts, swapping to a smaller gun, or even sizing up in clothing.

holster selection
There are at least two full size Glocks here

Realistically, that should also drive a change in lifestyle. I’m no stranger to fluctuations in weight, and the holidays are notorious for helping people pack on the pounds. Cut portion sizes, eat clean(er), and get active! If we can slim down, then we don’t need to spend time and money swapping out gear and clothing. Plus we’ll feel better, improve our longevity, and have more flexibility in our carry options.

Remember, it’s never too late to make positive change. You don’t need to flip your life upside down overnight, and you shouldn’t expect dramatic results in short order. This is a process. You may need to modify your carry setup in the interim, but don’t use that as an excuse to get complacent. The gun certainly matters, but your health should be of utmost importance. See where you stand, evaluate those findings, and make a plan, then get to work!

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About Daniel Reedy 509 Articles
Daniel holds instructor certifications from Rangemaster, Agile Training & Consulting, and the NRA. He has received training from Craig Douglas, Tom Givens, and Steve Fisher among others. He also has experience competing in USPSA, CAS, 3 Gun, and Steel Challenge. In his free time Daniel enjoys petting puppies and reading the Constitution. His work is also published by Athlon Outdoors, AmmoLand, Recoil Concealment, Air Force Times, and other publications.

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