I just got mine today XIPHOS ELITE quick ship. I added a large wide wedge to mine as well. This was my first TIER1 holster and man, very comfortable. My G19 rides nice and discreet in this holster.
I have the Axis Elite and the new Xiphos Elite for my holsters The onlg change I made was using Neomags Alias Belt receiver so used the Neomag bottom mount clips on my Axis. I may use just one bottom mount clip in the gun side. Just keep the tier 1 clip on the mag side. See how it works
Im waiting on mine to get here. I love my axis elite. They are more comfortable than the trex sidecar 2.0 in my opinion. The adjustable wing / claw makes a huge difference. I just dont need the mag carrier all the time and its not as stable with just 1 clip so i was thrilled when the xiphos was released.
I’ve found on my Axis elite, if you remove the paracord and mag carrier you can attach the second clip from the mag carrier in place of the paracord and still have 2 clips without the mag carrier. Just a little extra work but I figured that is basically the same as this new one.
I exclusively use the Tenicor Velo4 appendix holsters for all my pistols, but this new offering from Tier One looks really impressive! I’ve got a new Shield Plus and might have to give this one a try! I completely agree with your assessment of the Tenicor Zero belt being a fantastic design and I use it quite a bit, but my goto is actually the Groove belt!
Great feedback, thanks! The Velo 4 has been my primary aiwb holster as well. I like the new Xiphos Elite so much that it’ll now be in the rotation with my Velo.
Glad it was helpful! I’m still loving it. It’s been my daily choice since I got it. The stability has really helped my cold start drill times. I did another video on it with some additional insights, if you’re interested. I made it 5 months after this one. It’s called ‘Xiphos Elite vs Velo4 revisited’.
@ I watched that one as well, the audio was messed up but you still made some great points! I am using a sig xmacro and the only issue I’ve heard is that the Xiphos is a very big holster even with a small firearm
They are shorts made by Jackson & Driggs. My favorite feature is their “Flex” waistband, works great and they aren’t “tactical” shorts so no one is the wiser.
Because of the clip placement, I can wear it at 1 o’clock but not 2 o’clock. If you take the flexible clip off and move it in, you could probably carry at 2 o’clock. I find that the grip of my Glock tends to print more at 2 o’clock. The spacing of your belt loops and the button on your pants will vary from mine, so ymmv.
First time buyer. Is a wedge a major difference for comfortability? You would highly recommended having a wedge? How uncomfortable is it without. Thanks.
Honestly, I haven’t worn this holster without a wedge so I’m not sure. In general, I do find wedges make appendix carry more comfortable and they definitely help with concealment. Because purchasing a single wedge from T1C is so cheap, I would get one and try it out for sure. You may want to see how comfortable it is and how well it conceals before putting the wedge on. If you decide to put one on and don’t like it, it’s not that hard to remove it.
Agreed, I’m NOT a fan of polymer clips but Tier 1’s are the best out of the bunch. I prefer the DCC clips and ordered a pair of those for my Elite. As a side note, some of the guys at T1C use the polymer clips and they train more than 99% of the population does, so that gives me a little more faith in them. Tier 1 offers several different clips (Polymer, DCC, and UltiClips for beltless carry).
Awesome review, you do a great job! I will be getting a Shadow Systems cr920p soon, which is the same size as the glock 48. Is this the holster you would recommend for appendix carry? I’m having a hard time deciding between this holster and tenicor velo4, amongst many others as well! KSG armory Lexington is another I was looking at.
Thank you! I would definitely recommend this or Tenicor’s Velo 4. You can’t go wrong with either, imo. Which one you choose kind of depends on personal preferences. I will be doing a comparison video between those two holsters in the next two weeks.
@@tommygun4059 Thank you for the reply! I’d love to see that comparison video, look forward to it. I have a beer belly. You appear to be deficient in this area haha. I imagine it makes it easier to carry appendix. I like the velo4, but concerned about the built-in wedge, no recourse it it’s uncomfortable. The other option, the Certum3, looks good, but those clips are kinda close to each other.
@@daviddiina2066 From the sounds of it, you might want to go with the Xiphos Elite. The hard wedge doesn’t work for some people and the Elite has more adjustability, which means there’s a better chance of you finding the sweet spot. The other advantage of the Elite is that you can always switch to strong-side if you want. The Certum3 is more adjustable and versatile than the Velo 4, but it’s definitely NOT as stable as the Velo 4 and it’s a lot less stable than the Elite. Hopefully this helps
Would there ever be any benefit to running a more narrow wedge, or is a wider one generally better? Especially on a light-bearing holster I don't see why you wouldn't go as wide as possible, but would love some more info from someone with experience. Great video!
For me personally, I find that a wider wedge distributes the weight/pressure better because there’s more surface area. Imo, a narrower wedge would work better if you had less room in that area due to body type but I’m sure peoples preferences vary widely on this one.
You could definitely try that but it wasn’t designed with adjustable cant, so I’m not sure it would work out very well. I don’t think both clips would be completely secure if you staggered their ride height
I find the wider wedges are more comfortable because the larger surface area helps to distribute the pressure better. If moisture control and airflow are more of a priority, you could try using two of the narrowest wedges, spread apart as far as they’ll go.
My Tier 1 holsters are the best of many I have tried however I wish the sweat guard was wider. When I exercise via walking or jogging, I'm forced to wear 2 T-shirts, one behind the holster to protect my tummy from the beaver tail and protect the too of the slide from belly sweat. Then another outer T-shirt to conceal the weapon. 2 shirts in Nevada heat while exercising is killer.🥵
Honestly, I’m not sure yet. It’s hard to decide because they each have their own pros and cons. They are equally comfortable for me but hard integrated wedges don’t work for every one. If you prioritize adjustability and stability then the Elite is the way to go. If you prefer a more minimalistic holster then the Velo 4 wins out. Tenicor light bearing holsters DONT need the light attached to maintain retention because of their full-friction design, which is a cool feature. It all depends on your personal preferences. I’m doing a comparison video real soon between the two.
@@tommygun4059 Look forward to that video . I have a g48 as well , use a T. rex sidecar it’s a good setup . Looking for a holster for a mp shield plus , I normally pocket carry it , want a holster option for it as well . Narrowed it down to a velo4 , t1 concealed XIPHOS ELITE, and a g code Syncron’s. Looking for something smaller without a magazine carrier attached to it. Thank you for the reply
Yes, you can tuck a shirt in with it 🤙 I find the DCC clips work best for that, simply because they are lower profile and less noticeable on a bel but either will work. Also, if you don’t tuck your shirt in between your pants and the EZ Adjust claw, your shirt will get bunched up on the claw.
Awesome review/video! I like that belt. Online pricing them now. I just picked up another Werkz M6 AIWB and a Ragnarok OWB holsters.... So far so good... Looking into a Tier ! holster for my Prodigy.... Trying to keep my holster considerations broad and top tier.. Just sub'd. Keep going.
Just order one.... I cant call it pricey but it aint cheap. I was comparing it to the KORE equivalent which comes in a little cheaper. I ordered that one too from a different website. Gonna see which one works best for me. The loser goes back home... lol. Thanks for the tip. I'll make and post a comparison video when I get them@@tommygun4059
That’s a great question! Still trying to decide but I would probably choose the Tenicor. The Elite definitely has some advantages over my Tenicors, so I’m doing a comparison video soon. Then people can decide what features will work best for them 🤙
@@tommygun4059 The Tenicor Velo right? Thanks, I’ve been wanting to order a Tenicor. I’ve subscribed and I’ll watch the comparison video when you do make it also.
I haven’t had that issue. Because of the micro-adjustability, I’m able to find a comfortable adjustment point. If you’re not used to wearing an edc belt, that could be it. They are stiffer than regular belts and can take some getting use to. Sorry, other than that I’m not sure what’s going on.
I don’t wear a gun with gym shorts for that exact reason. I can’t keep them from falling down. One great option for beltless carry is Phlster’s Enigma chassis system
I run the hunter constantine/tier one edc belt with elastic and its been an absolute game changer. Its also comfortable enough to wear under gym shorts and conceals very well.
I've gotten lucky and not had to wear a gun belt. All of my holsters (except one where I had to replace the clip) are able to hold onto my belt very well. For the record, I am using a GRIP6.
@@Lilkevin1209able I will be switching off between them. I still love my Tenicors!The Velo 4 conceals better with a tucked in shirt, especially in dress slacks. I’m going to post a comparison video in the next 10 days. The Elites stability is what really sets it apart for me. Still getting used the much larger footprint of the Elite compared to the Velo 4
Excellent review nothing against the reviewer :) . I did not like the Xiphos V2 it took sooo much space inside my waist compared to my other holsters. Keep in mind you cant do returns. The quality iss excellent. Super sad it didnt work for me. (Im 6'0 190lbs athletic I wear clothes one size up for CCW if that helps)
Nice! I have the Quick Ship Axis Elite light bearing & T-1M is gun only. I’m waiting on the MSP Pro Series w/ TLR-1 to come. I only use Tier 1 for conceal carry. My OWB Holsters are all Safariland. Excellent review! I subscribed, check my review out.
@tommygun4059 even if it gets big you should take free items just to review them , stay impartial , most people hate watching reviews to them find out they are bought and paid for reviews .
![Is AIWB carry for Idiots?!? [and Tier 1 Concealed holsters]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xui0NAIpyRk/mqdefault.jpg)
I just got mine today XIPHOS ELITE quick ship. I added a large wide wedge to mine as well. This was my first TIER1 holster and man, very comfortable. My G19 rides nice and discreet in this holster.
This was great. You answered every question I have.
Thanks, glad it helped!
Love your reviews. You should try out and review the mastermind tactics pillow. It's a game changer for comfort and concealability.
Thank you and thanks for the tip! I have seen those and wanted to try them out, but now I’m definitely going to get some 🤙
I have the Axis Elite and the new Xiphos Elite for my holsters
The onlg change I made was using Neomags Alias Belt receiver so used the Neomag bottom mount clips on my Axis. I may use just one bottom mount clip in the gun side. Just keep the tier 1 clip on the mag side.
See how it works
Thanks for sharing
Outstanding review, you hit on numerous really great points of this holster. Thank you.
Thanks! I’m glad it helped
I think I'll try this out. I started carrying with their Axis Elite but am curious to try a holster only setup.
I still love mine! If you like their Axis Elite, I think you’ll really like the Xiphos Elite.
I haven’t tried this brand out yet. Have you tried the alien gear holster?
I haven’t tried Alien Gear holsters but I know a lot of people love them. T1C makes great holsters! They are worth trying, for sure.
Great tip on the clip help remove printing with optic. Thanks!
Im waiting on mine to get here. I love my axis elite. They are more comfortable than the trex sidecar 2.0 in my opinion. The adjustable wing / claw makes a huge difference. I just dont need the mag carrier all the time and its not as stable with just 1 clip so i was thrilled when the xiphos was released.
Great feedback, thanks!
I’ve found on my Axis elite, if you remove the paracord and mag carrier you can attach the second clip from the mag carrier in place of the paracord and still have 2 clips without the mag carrier. Just a little extra work but I figured that is basically the same as this new one.
@@bailey.5456 It's close but not the same, the flexible shock cord makes a difference
I exclusively use the Tenicor Velo4 appendix holsters for all my pistols, but this new offering from Tier One looks really impressive! I’ve got a new Shield Plus and might have to give this one a try! I completely agree with your assessment of the Tenicor Zero belt being a fantastic design and I use it quite a bit, but my goto is actually the Groove belt!
Great feedback, thanks! The Velo 4 has been my primary aiwb holster as well. I like the new Xiphos Elite so much that it’ll now be in the rotation with my Velo.
So your basically saying you got your groove back
Mine just shipped. Lead time was 4.5 weeks
That sucks! I guess I got lucky. It’s definitely worth the wait, imo.
How is the holster working a year later? Thank you for making such a great video to educate the community
Glad it was helpful! I’m still loving it. It’s been my daily choice since I got it. The stability has really helped my cold start drill times. I did another video on it with some additional insights, if you’re interested. I made it 5 months after this one. It’s called ‘Xiphos Elite vs Velo4 revisited’.
@ I watched that one as well, the audio was messed up but you still made some great points! I am using a sig xmacro and the only issue I’ve heard is that the Xiphos is a very big holster even with a small firearm
@@chasestout7491 Ya, it has a bigger footprint than the holsters I was used to. For me, it really wasn’t noticeable after a few days.
Kind of a wierd question but what kind of pants are you wearing, I like how the front belt loops are so far apart
They are shorts made by Jackson & Driggs. My favorite feature is their “Flex” waistband, works great and they aren’t “tactical” shorts so no one is the wiser.
Thank you for the video. Is it possible to wear the holster at the 1-2 o’clock position?
Because of the clip placement, I can wear it at 1 o’clock but not 2 o’clock. If you take the flexible clip off and move it in, you could probably carry at 2 o’clock. I find that the grip of my Glock tends to print more at 2 o’clock. The spacing of your belt loops and the button on your pants will vary from mine, so ymmv.
Thank you for the reply. I think I will be good at 1. Just ordered the same one.
@@Mike-4547 Nice! You should love it
Just had one of my Tier 1 holsters break… If they replace the side car, I’ll pick one of these up next.
Dang, that sucks! Thanks for sharing and I’m guessing they will take care of you 👍 Let us know how it turns out
I've heard good things about their customer service, hopefully that holds true with your situation. Def reach out to them about it.
@@Racin3 They did. They took care of the problem, no issues at all.
@@tommygun4059 Yep, they were happy to take care of it.
@@rl2862 Great to hear it!
First time buyer. Is a wedge a major difference for comfortability? You would highly recommended having a wedge? How uncomfortable is it without. Thanks.
Honestly, I haven’t worn this holster without a wedge so I’m not sure. In general, I do find wedges make appendix carry more comfortable and they definitely help with concealment. Because purchasing a single wedge from T1C is so cheap, I would get one and try it out for sure. You may want to see how comfortable it is and how well it conceals before putting the wedge on. If you decide to put one on and don’t like it, it’s not that hard to remove it.
@@tommygun4059 Awesome, thank you so much for the thorough reply.
Why are the clips plastic? As an appendix holster, that part seems a little worrisome to me.
Agreed, I’m NOT a fan of polymer clips but Tier 1’s are the best out of the bunch. I prefer the DCC clips and ordered a pair of those for my Elite.
As a side note, some of the guys at T1C use the polymer clips and they train more than 99% of the population does, so that gives me a little more faith in them. Tier 1 offers several different clips (Polymer, DCC, and UltiClips for beltless carry).
Awesome review, you do a great job! I will be getting a Shadow Systems cr920p soon, which is the same size as the glock 48. Is this the holster you would recommend for appendix carry? I’m having a hard time deciding between this holster and tenicor velo4, amongst many others as well! KSG armory Lexington is another I was looking at.
Thank you! I would definitely recommend this or Tenicor’s Velo 4. You can’t go wrong with either, imo. Which one you choose kind of depends on personal preferences. I will be doing a comparison video between those two holsters in the next two weeks.
@@tommygun4059 Thank you for the reply! I’d love to see that comparison video, look forward to it. I have a beer belly. You appear to be deficient in this area haha. I imagine it makes it easier to carry appendix. I like the velo4, but concerned about the built-in wedge, no recourse it it’s uncomfortable. The other option, the Certum3, looks good, but those clips are kinda close to each other.
@@daviddiina2066 From the sounds of it, you might want to go with the Xiphos Elite. The hard wedge doesn’t work for some people and the Elite has more adjustability, which means there’s a better chance of you finding the sweet spot. The other advantage of the Elite is that you can always switch to strong-side if you want. The Certum3 is more adjustable and versatile than the Velo 4, but it’s definitely NOT as stable as the Velo 4 and it’s a lot less stable than the Elite. Hopefully this helps
Would there ever be any benefit to running a more narrow wedge, or is a wider one generally better? Especially on a light-bearing holster I don't see why you wouldn't go as wide as possible, but would love some more info from someone with experience. Great video!
For me personally, I find that a wider wedge distributes the weight/pressure better because there’s more surface area. Imo, a narrower wedge would work better if you had less room in that area due to body type but I’m sure peoples preferences vary widely on this one.
@@tommygun4059 +1
Are you able have the clips at different ride heights? So I can tilt the gun handle more inwards
You could definitely try that but it wasn’t designed with adjustable cant, so I’m not sure it would work out very well. I don’t think both clips would be completely secure if you staggered their ride height
What made you choose the extra wide wedge?
I find the wider wedges are more comfortable because the larger surface area helps to distribute the pressure better. If moisture control and airflow are more of a priority, you could try using two of the narrowest wedges, spread apart as far as they’ll go.
Awesome thank you!
My Tier 1 holsters are the best of many I have tried however I wish the sweat guard was wider. When I exercise via walking or jogging, I'm forced to wear 2 T-shirts, one behind the holster to protect my tummy from the beaver tail and protect the too of the slide from belly sweat. Then another outer T-shirt to conceal the weapon. 2 shirts in Nevada heat while exercising is killer.🥵
Thanks for sharing your experience with T1C holsters! Makes sense, two shirts in 100 degree heat is rough.
I cut my sweat guard down a bit since the mid height was still a tad too high
How about just regular undershirts instead of t-shirts? I've had good success with them in Maryland's humid summers.
Do you like this holster , or the VELO4 better ? Great review .
Honestly, I’m not sure yet. It’s hard to decide because they each have their own pros and cons.
They are equally comfortable for me but hard integrated wedges don’t work for every one.
If you prioritize adjustability and stability then the Elite is the way to go. If you prefer a more minimalistic holster then the Velo 4 wins out. Tenicor light bearing holsters DONT need the light attached to maintain retention because of their full-friction design, which is a cool feature. It all depends on your personal preferences.
I’m doing a comparison video real soon between the two.
@@tommygun4059 Look forward to that video . I have a g48 as well , use a T. rex sidecar it’s a good setup . Looking for a holster for a mp shield plus , I normally pocket carry it , want a holster option for it as well . Narrowed it down to a velo4 , t1 concealed XIPHOS ELITE, and a g code Syncron’s. Looking for something smaller without a magazine carrier attached to it. Thank you for the reply
@@justin5345I’m currently trying to decide on a shield plus holster as well.. thinking xiphos elite, T1-M, certum3, or velo4 …
@@BransBowler I did a comparison video between the Certum3 and the Velo4, if you’re interested. Both are amazing holsters!
@@justin5345 I plan on having that video posted by next Wednesday 🤙
Was considering buying this one and now my mind is made up. Thankyou 👍🏽
Nice! You should love it
@@tommygun4059 thanks i cant wait, i got the wedge pack, will i be able to put one of the wedges on my other holster the xiphos v2?
@@St0n3rlif3 For sure! The wedges work great on the V2 🤙
Does it work with tucking in your shirt?
Yes, you can tuck a shirt in with it 🤙 I find the DCC clips work best for that, simply because they are lower profile and less noticeable on a bel but either will work. Also, if you don’t tuck your shirt in between your pants and the EZ Adjust claw, your shirt will get bunched up on the claw.
Awesome review/video! I like that belt. Online pricing them now. I just picked up another Werkz M6 AIWB and a Ragnarok OWB holsters.... So far so good... Looking into a Tier ! holster for my Prodigy.... Trying to keep my holster considerations broad and top tier.. Just sub'd. Keep going.
Thank you! Tenicor’s Zero belt is amazing. It’s by far my favorite gun belt.
Just order one.... I cant call it pricey but it aint cheap. I was comparing it to the KORE equivalent which comes in a little cheaper. I ordered that one too from a different website. Gonna see which one works best for me. The loser goes back home... lol. Thanks for the tip. I'll make and post a comparison video when I get them@@tommygun4059
Hey Tommy.
If you had to choose this holster or the Tenicor, which one would you choose?
Thanks
That’s a great question! Still trying to decide but I would probably choose the Tenicor.
The Elite definitely has some advantages over my Tenicors, so I’m doing a comparison video soon. Then people can decide what features will work best for them 🤙
@@tommygun4059 The Tenicor Velo right?
Thanks, I’ve been wanting to order a Tenicor. I’ve subscribed and I’ll watch the comparison video when you do make it also.
@@rl2862 Yep, the Velo and thanks for watching. You can’t go wrong with either, imo.
@@tommygun4059 Just bought the velo 4. I’ll let you know my thoughts when I get it.
Thanks again!
@@rl2862 That’s awesome and congrats! Yes, please let us know how you like it.
Question for ya. I have a zero belt and i feel like its to tight no matter what. Have you had any issue's?
I haven’t had that issue. Because of the micro-adjustability, I’m able to find a comfortable adjustment point.
If you’re not used to wearing an edc belt, that could be it. They are stiffer than regular belts and can take some getting use to. Sorry, other than that I’m not sure what’s going on.
@@tommygun4059 I'll have to mess around with the adjustability a bit. Thank you
Buen video , una para mí Glock 45 MOS ?
Yes, their G45 option will fit the MOS version as well.
Thank you for the review!
Would anyone know how this holster works wearing only gym shorts? From the weight of the gun, it may pull down?
I don’t wear a gun with gym shorts for that exact reason. I can’t keep them from falling down.
One great option for beltless carry is Phlster’s Enigma chassis system
I run the hunter constantine/tier one edc belt with elastic and its been an absolute game changer. Its also comfortable enough to wear under gym shorts and conceals very well.
I have one its got to much going on hard to get off should have got tulster
Thanks for sharing…
I've gotten lucky and not had to wear a gun belt. All of my holsters (except one where I had to replace the clip) are able to hold onto my belt very well. For the record, I am using a GRIP6.
Thanks for sharing
The lead times are never as bad ad the website says. Usualy youre looking at 2, 2 1/2 weeks
That’s been my experience as well. Thanks for sharing!
I ended up waiting 4 1/2 weeks for the holster to get to my door, but the quality is worth waiting for.
I ordered the quick ship Xiphos Elite and had it in 4 days
Great review
Very nice review!
Thank you!
Awesome review my friend!!!!
Thank you 👊
@@tommygun4059 is this replacing your velo 4?
@@Lilkevin1209able I will be switching off between them. I still love my Tenicors!The Velo 4 conceals better with a tucked in shirt, especially in dress slacks. I’m going to post a comparison video in the next 10 days. The Elites stability is what really sets it apart for me. Still getting used the much larger footprint of the Elite compared to the Velo 4
Excellent review nothing against the reviewer :) . I did not like the Xiphos V2 it took sooo much space inside my waist compared to my other holsters. Keep in mind you cant do returns. The quality iss excellent. Super sad it didnt work for me. (Im 6'0 190lbs athletic I wear clothes one size up for CCW if that helps)
Thanks for sharing!
Yeah I don't like mine ether way to much stuff
It looks like they made a sidecar 2.0 without the mag carrier.
Ya, it’s very similar to their Axis Elite but without the mag carrier.
Great review!
No link?
Nice!
I have the Quick Ship Axis Elite light bearing & T-1M is gun only.
I’m waiting on the MSP Pro Series w/ TLR-1 to come.
I only use Tier 1 for conceal carry.
My OWB Holsters are all Safariland.
Excellent review! I subscribed, check my review out.
Thanks for sharing and subscribing! I will definitely check that out
@@tommygun4059 drop a comment for sure and sub!
@@tommygun4059why do people cry about lead times
They don't send a bunch of free gear , do they send any free gear ?
Haha, not to me unfortunately. My channel is way to small
@tommygun4059 even if it gets big you should take free items just to review them , stay impartial , most people hate watching reviews to them find out they are bought and paid for reviews .
@@nonetheless01 Agreed! Thanks for the feedback
Great review!