If you're thinking about buying your first Kydex holster, there are a few things I think you should know before spending your money.

I'm not going to tell you which holster you should buy, which company you should buy it from, or that there's one setup that's right for everybody.

There isn't.

A holster is personal equipment. What works perfectly for one person may be completely wrong for somebody else.

So before you start shopping, here are four things I think are worth considering.

1. Don't Buy a Holster Just Because It Looks Cool

I like a good-looking holster as much as anybody.

Different colors, prints, textures, patterns, hardware and accessories can make a holster look great.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But don't let appearance make the decision for you.

A holster is equipment first.

It needs to fit the firearm correctly. It needs to provide appropriate retention. It needs to attach securely. And most importantly, it needs to work for the way you're actually going to use it.

Before worrying about how it looks, ask yourself:

What do I need this holster to do?

Figure that out first.

Then make it look cool.

2. If It's Your First Kydex Holster, Keep It Simple

If you've never owned or carried a Kydex holster before, my advice is simple:

Don't spend a bunch of extra money making your first one fancy.

You probably don't need the expensive print, special texture, fancy hardware, specialty colors, or every doodad available.

Start with something basic and learn from it.

You may discover that you don't like the carry position you originally chose. You might want a different belt attachment. Maybe you'd prefer a different ride height or cant. You may decide IWB isn't for you and you'd rather carry OWB—or the other way around.

That's information you usually learn by actually using the holster.

Your first Kydex holster can teach you a lot about what you'll want in your next one.

Once you know what works for you, then spend the extra money making one exactly the way you want it.

Learn what you like first. Make it fancy later.

3. Know the Return Policy Before You Buy

This is something that's easy to overlook when you're excited about ordering a new holster.

Read the return policy before you spend your money.

Don't assume you can return a holster simply because it doesn't work for you.

Ask some questions:

Can it be returned if you don't like it?

What happens if the fit isn't right?

Are custom-made holsters returnable?

Are personalized colors, prints, or options excluded from returns?

Is there a restocking fee?

Who pays the return shipping?

Will the company adjust or correct a holster if there's a problem?

These aren't exciting questions, but they can become very important after the holster arrives.

This matters even more with your first Kydex holster because you may not know what you like yet.

There's nothing wrong with that.

You're learning.

Just make sure you know what your options are if the holster you chose turns out not to be right for you.

4. Don't Judge a Kydex Holster by the “Snap” or “Pop”

This is one I think surprises some people.

You've probably seen a video where somebody inserts a firearm into a Kydex holster and—

POP!

You hear that loud, satisfying sound as the firearm seats into the holster.

It sounds good.

But don't automatically assume:

Big pop = good holster.

And definitely don't assume:

No pop = bad holster.

Depending on the firearm and the way the holster was designed, you might hear a loud pop, a quieter click, or very little sound at all.

That doesn't automatically tell you whether the holster has proper retention.

Different holster designs can retain the firearm in different ways. The firearm itself, the location and design of the retention point, adjustable tension, weapon-mounted lights, and other factors can change both the feel and sound when the firearm is inserted.

What matters isn't whether the holster makes an impressive noise.

What matters is whether it retains the firearm properly and functions the way it was designed to function.

Judge the retention—not the sound.

The Bottom Line

Buying your first Kydex holster doesn't have to be complicated.

You also don't have to get everything perfect the first time.

Start simple.

Think about function before appearance.

Understand what you're buying.

Know the return policy.

And don't get caught up in things that look or sound impressive but don't necessarily tell you whether a holster is right for you.

Most importantly, pay attention to what you learn from actually using it.

Your first holster may teach you exactly what you want in your next one.

And that's okay.

Experience is part of figuring out what works best for you.