Best Camera Holster Reviews 2023

As with most products, camera holsters vary in price even if you find some that offer the same benefits. The materials used, size, compatibility, and a number of options included in the design are some of the factors that will affect the pricing. Those high-end holsters that are waterproof, wear-proof, and compatible with most DSLRs will cost over $100 while those that won’t drill a hole in your pocket, but still give great benefits, will go for a little less than $30.

The cheap camera holsters we came across while researching are made with watered-down materials; they won’t last and will start showing signs of wear in less than a month. The price might seem tempting, but if you fall for it, you can kiss your money goodbye and kick yourself for making such a choice.

A camera holster is said to be the best camera bag type for a blend of accessibility and mobility. Depending on the type of photographer you are, a camera holster just might be all you need for your outdoor photography. So, if you’re looking to get yourself one, here are some of the features you should be looking out for:

• Compatibility
• Type
• Material
• Interior
• Design
• Protection

The above list shows you the important features of a good camera holster. The features you consider the most critical will depend on what you need the holster for and what kind of style you personally prefer.

Choosing a camera holster can be a daunting task, but you can make it a whole lot easier by knowing how you’ll be using your camera. The first thing you might want to consider is your camera type and if the holster you’re looking at is compatible. You don’t want to buy a feature-rich, sleek holster that won’t fit your camera. Most camera holsters are compatible with standard SLR/DSLR cameras with their lenses fixed and other accessories that come with it. There are some holsters that can even house a compact camcorder. That said, it’s still important that you confirm if the holster will fit your camera, especially if you’re buying online.

Most holsters come as a shoulder bag, but there are some that are worn like a vest or around the waist. The shoulder bag types are actual bags that house your camera and gear, offering total protection. The vest and waist holsters just have secure clips you can hang your camera with. Even though this leaves your camera rather exposed when not in use, you have the advantage of quick access when you need to take those spur-of-the-moment shots. The vest type has the extra advantage of weight distribution. Unlike the shoulder bags that put all the weight of the camera on one side of your body, the vest type spreads it over both shoulders and your upper torso. Unless your camera is built with rocks, this makes the weight almost unnoticeable!

The protection your holster has to offer is essential, and the material it’s made with has a lot to do with that. Most holsters are made with fortified nylon or canvas. Most of them are water resistant and will protect your gear in all weather conditions. A lot of camera holsters are designed with recessed zippers to prevent it from scratching your camera and lenses, while some zippers are designed to be abrasion-resistant making them durable with heavy usage.

Still, on protection, some camera holsters will keep your lenses suspended above the base of the bag so it doesn’t come in contact with the surface. This is to further protect your camera from impact and scratches especially when you have to set the bag down. There are some camera holsters that have a molded base that’s meant to absorb impact shocks, starting the defense of your camera from the outside.

The interior of camera holsters is where the practicality comes into play. They’re well-padded on the inside, securing your equipment from bumps and scratches. Some brands even use memory foam for the padding while others use high-density, closed cell foam. This is to make sure your camera and gear stay as safe as possible regardless of what is happening on the outside. The interior not only protects your stuff, it also helps keep things organized. Some holsters have spacious interiors to keep your camera, lens, and other accessories in easy to reach areas. Some have detachable separators on the inside and let you customize the interior, so you can arrange your gear the way you want.

Manufacturers have been very creative with how they design their camera holsters. There’s one particular brand that designs the interior of its holsters as yellow. This is to provide a sharp contrast between the interior and its contents to enhance visibility so you can easily see everything in the bag. Some holsters have multiple pockets both inside and out so you can carry more things you need. Some holsters have space to keep your complimentary card so you can network while you’re out shooting. An ideal camera holster will open away from your body while you’re carrying it so you can have unencumbered access to the interior. Most camera holsters have anti-slip or well-padded handles on top. They’re usually sold with shoulder straps bundled in so you carry them around with both hands free. One awesome quality some brands add to their holster is embedding metal wires in the straps to prevent them from being slashed. That camera thief is in for a shocker!