Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Holster: The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 is a highly compact, concealable pistol, and selecting the proper holster is critical to safe, comfortable, and practical carry. A poor holster undermines even the best firearm. This article explores:
- The unique challenges of holstering the Bodyguard 2.0
- Holster types suited for it
- Top recommended holster models & reviews
- Fit, retention & concealment trade-offs
- Material, build quality, and customization
- Tips for selecting and breaking in your holster
Let’s dig in so you can carry your Bodyguard 2.0 with confidence.
Challenges & Special Considerations with the Bodyguard 2.0
Before shopping for a holster, it’s vital to understand what makes the Bodyguard 2.0 different from other pistols—and how that affects holster design.
- Ultra compact dimensions: The pistol’s slide is very short, which limits how much of the slide can be captured by the holster for retention without interfering with draw. The short slide also means many holsters must extend extra “keel” length to stabilize the grip.
- Slim profile / thin frame: Because the frame is slim, excessive retention or overly thick holster walls may feel bulky or make drawing awkward.
- Concealment priorities: Many users will pocket-carry or carry in lightweight IWB (inside the waistband) holsters. Thus, minimizing printing (outline showing through clothing) is more critical than for larger handguns.
- Retention vs draw speed: With such a small pistol, a balance is required—too much retention can slow the draw; too little risks a gun falling out.
- Trigger guard coverage & safety: Because of small size, the holster must fully cover the trigger guard reliably to avoid accidental discharge.
- Compatibility with accessories: Some Bodyguard 2.0 variants may have extended magazines or slight differences; holsters must account for those variations.
Recognizing these constraints helps you evaluate holsters more intelligently rather than picking by brand only.
Holster Types for Bodyguard 2.0 & Their Pros/Cons
There are several categories of holsters that people commonly use with the Bodyguard 2.0, each having trade-offs.
1. IWB Kydex / Rigid Inside-Waistband
Pros: Strong retention, adjustable cant, good concealment, relatively fast draw.
Cons: Needs good belt / pressure for stability; may rub or press against body more than soft holsters.
A good example is the PHLster Skeleton holster—minimalist, molded, ambidextrous, and works well with small pistols like the Bodyguard 2.0.
2. Pocket Holsters (Leather / Kydex / Hybrid)
Pros: Ideal for deep concealment, good for minimal carry days, best when your clothing is light.
Cons: Risk of printing, slower draw, may require “thumb break” or tension system.
Reddit users report that pocket holsters often leave part of the grip or slide exposed, which can outline the pistol. Others have tested sticky or compact pouch styles but ended up returning due to too much gun outline.
3. Appendix / AIWB Kydex or Hybrid
Pros: Very accessible draw, good concealment under a shirt, minimal printing with proper cover garment.
Cons: Comfort while sitting, printing depending on angle, often more demanding on belt stability.
Some IWB holster overview videos (e.g. by Muddy River Tactical) show designs tailored for AIWB carry with extra length to stabilize short slides.
4. Minimalist / Slim Carry / Micro Kydex
Pros: Lightweight, discreet, good for ultra-carry setups, minimal footprint.
Cons: May sacrifice retention or protection of slide, limited adjustment.
PHLster’s Skeleton falls in this category.
5. Belt Slide / OWB (Outside Waistband) Mini Holsters
Pros: Easier draw, less pressure on body, better control.
Cons: More visible, more likely to print, not as deep concealment.
Some users prefer small OWB holsters for around-the-house carry or on vehicles.
For the Bodyguard 2.0, many will mix and match holster types depending on clothing, activity, or concealment needs.
Top Holster Reviews & Models for the Bodyguard 2.0
Below are some holsters that have positive reviews or adoption in the Bodyguard 2.0 community.
PHLster Skeleton
As mentioned earlier, the PHLster Skeleton is lauded as a “quality minimalist ambidextrous holster” that works well with ultra-compact pistols. It uses Boltaron, affords fully symmetrical design (right or left hand), and allows tall sights. The clip system (Modwing / Griphook) aids concealment by pressing the holster to the body.
Generic IWB Kydex Holster (Amazon style)
There are affordable, adjustable IWB Kydex options on marketplaces. One is described as giving perfect fit, retention, adjustable clip, and effective format, even for the small Bodyguard 2.0.
These budget options can work well—especially for users who want to experiment before investing heavily—but quality and retention vary.
CYA Supply Co IWB Holster
A user video praises CYA Supply Co’s IWB holster made for the Bodyguard 2.0, citing its high quality, price value, and lifetime warranty.
Custom / Boutique Makers & Community Options
In forums, users mention Alabama Holster (particularly for pocket-style holsters) as fitting well and providing good coverage without pressure or “jabbing.” Also, Muddy River Tactical publishes an IWB Kydex holster overview in a YouTube walkthrough.
Community threads suggest that the Alabama holster provides reliable trigger guard coverage and is comfortable for daily pocket carry.
Holster System Observations & Fit Notes
- Some users warn that small clips (like Ulticlip models) may not hold well on minimal frame pistols, and the holster can flip or shift.
- Many community users emphasize the need for a holster that doesn’t print or outline the pistol.
- Some custom makers adapt foam or “bulge breakup” padding to reduce printed outline in pockets.
When choosing, factor in your clothing, pocket style, and how much grip exposure you can tolerate.
Fit, Retention, & Concealment: What to Watch For
Selecting the right holster isn’t just about brand or style—function matters most. Here are critical metrics and trade-offs:
Retention & Adjustment
Your holster should securely retain the pistol under movement, but allow a smooth, deliberate draw. Adjustable retention screws or tension systems in some Kydex designs can fine-tune this. If retention is too tight, draw speed suffers; too loose, and the pistol may fall out.
Trigger Guard Coverage
A must: the holster must fully cover the trigger guard with no slop. This ensures safety and avoids accidental discharges. Avoid holsters that leave edge exposure or require “indexing” the draw.
Ride Height & Cant
Ride height (how high/low the grip sits) and cant (angle) help position the pistol for access and concealment. For IWB or AIWB, lower ride and slight forward cant often blend better under clothing.
Outlines & Printing
With such a small gun, printing is a real risk. Holsters that mask the shape (rounded edges, bulge breakup designs, offset clips) help reduce the chance that passersby detect a firearm. Community users frequently mention that a holster that outlines the gun is undesirable—even pocket holsters must address this.
Comfort & Body Contact
Since the holster often contacts your body, material edges, padding, and shape matter. Kydex can be rigid; hybrid or leather backed styles may soften edge feel.
Holster Stability
Especially for extreme carry such as AIWB or strong-side IWB, the holster must stay in place and not twist or shift. Good belt tension, clip design, or wing attachments can help stabilize.
Clearance for Extended Mags / Accessories
If you carry an extended magazine or accessories (like lasers), the holster must accommodate them. Some minimalist holsters don’t permit that flexibility.
Tips for Choosing & Breaking in Your Holster
Here are practical recommendations to get the most out of your Bodyguard 2.0 holster:
- Start with a reliable holster (like PHLster, Alabama, or well-reviewed Kydex) before experimenting with cheaper ones.
- Test draw speed under real clothing. If draw is slow due to retention, adjust or re-evaluate.
- Check retention after wearing for a few hours—body heat and flex may loosen fit.
- Modify clothing / carry position to optimize concealment (e.g. raise shirt tail, use looser dress shirt).
- Practice drawing from every typical carry position you plan to use.
- Rotate holsters if possible—gives each time to rest or break in.
- Inspect periodically for wear, cracks, retention loosening, or clip fatigue.
- Consider layered carry—e.g. pocket holster for light days, IWB for others.
Also, many users test several holsters before settling on one they like—because every body and carry style is different.
Conclusion
The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 is a strong candidate for deep-concealment carry, but its compact size compounds the challenge of effective holster selection. Knowing the trade-offs—retention vs speed, printing vs concealment, rigidity vs comfort—is critical.
Top holster models like the PHLster Skeleton offer excellent minimalist options with good retention and ambidextrous design. Other market and custom holsters (from Alabama, Muddy River, CYA, etc.) also earn positive reviews. Community feedback underscores the need for full trigger guard coverage, adjustable retention, and printing mitigation.
