These two brands both make holsters, but they are built for almost opposite jobs. Safariland has armed law enforcement and militaries since 1964 with retention holsters engineered to keep a pistol locked in during a fight. Alien Gear showed up in 2013 and rethought the everyday concealed-carry holster as one modular, adjustable, affordable system. Both are made in America. Here is the data, side by side, and which to actually buy.
Short answer: buy Safariland if you carry openly, on duty, or want active retention that locks the gun in place — the ALS system on holsters like the 7378 is the law-enforcement standard for a reason. Buy Alien Gear if you want the most versatile, comfortable everyday concealed-carry holster for the money — the ShapeShift system converts between IWB, OWB and appendix carry, is made in Idaho, and is backed by a forever warranty. Safariland wins on retention and duty; Alien Gear wins on versatility, comfort and value.
Table of Contents
Who wins each category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Active retention | Safariland |
| Duty / open carry | Safariland |
| Modularity & versatility | Alien Gear |
| Concealed-carry comfort | Alien Gear |
| Value & warranty | Alien Gear |
| US manufacturing | Even (both USA) |
| Best for duty | Safariland |
| Best for everyday CCW | Alien Gear |
Safariland vs Alien Gear at a glance
| Safariland | Alien Gear | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1964 (Neale Perkins) | 2013 (Tedder Industries) |
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, Florida | Post Falls, Idaho |
| Made in | USA | USA |
| Known for | ALS retention duty holsters | ShapeShift modular CCW system |
| Flagship holsters | 7378 ALS, 6354DO, 6360 SLS | ShapeShift, Cloak Tuck IWB |
| Best for | Duty, retention, open carry | Everyday concealed carry, versatility |
| Warranty | Limited | Forever warranty |
Safariland vs Alien Gear: flagship holsters compared
The signature holster from each brand, head to head — the Safariland 7378 ALS against the Alien Gear ShapeShift modular system. Specs from the manufacturers.
| Spec | Safariland 7378 ALS | Alien Gear ShapeShift |
|---|---|---|
| Carry type | OWB (paddle + belt loop) | Modular: IWB / OWB / AIWB / drop-leg |
| Retention | ALS active locking system | Passive (adjustable) |
| Converts positions | No (fixed OWB) | Yes (one system, many positions) |
| Material | SafariSeven non-marking nylon | High-strength polymer |
| Adjustable ride/cant | Yes | Yes (fully adjustable) |
| Best use | Duty, retention, open carry | Everyday concealed carry |
| Made in | USA | USA (Idaho) |
| Warranty | Limited | Forever warranty |
| Street price | around $97–119 | around $50–130 (system) |
The spec sheet makes the split obvious: the Safariland is a fixed OWB holster whose whole reason for being is the ALS retention that locks the pistol in until you deliberately release it — exactly what a duty or open carrier needs. The Alien Gear trades active retention for modularity, converting between carry styles on one platform and undercutting the Safariland on price, with a forever warranty behind it.
Who each brand is
Safariland has been building holsters since 1964, when Neale Perkins started the company in California; today it is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and is the dominant name in duty gear. Its ALS (Automatic Locking System) and SLS retention holsters are worn by law-enforcement officers and militaries around the world, engineered so the pistol cannot be pulled from the holster in a struggle yet draws cleanly for the wearer. Made in the USA, Safariland is the benchmark for retention and duty carry.
Alien Gear (Tedder Industries) was founded in 2013 and builds everything in a 70,000-square-foot facility in Post Falls, Idaho. It rethought the concealed-carry holster as a modular, adjustable, affordable system: the ShapeShift converts between inside-the-waistband, outside-the-waistband, appendix and even drop-leg carry on one platform. Made in the USA and backed by a forever warranty, Alien Gear built its name on comfort, versatility and value for the everyday concealed carrier.
Retention
This is Safariland’s whole world. Its ALS system uses an internal locking mechanism that secures the pistol until the wearer deliberately releases it with the thumb on the draw — the kind of active retention that keeps a gun holstered in a physical struggle, which is why it is standard for duty and open carry. Alien Gear’s holsters use passive, adjustable retention (friction you tune with screws), which is perfectly good for concealed carry but is not the locked-in security of an ALS holster. For retention, Safariland is in a class of its own.
Edge: Safariland.
Modularity and comfort
Alien Gear owns this one. The ShapeShift system lets one purchase become several holsters — carry inside the waistband today, switch to a paddle OWB for the range tomorrow, all with adjustable ride height and cant. Its hybrid and polymer designs are engineered for all-day concealed comfort. Safariland’s holsters are excellent but purpose-built and fixed; they do not convert. For versatility and everyday comfort, Alien Gear wins clearly.
Edge: Alien Gear.
Durability and track record
Both are tough, American-made holsters. Safariland has the deeper résumé by far — decades of hard duty service protecting officers worldwide, in thermoformed materials built to take abuse. Alien Gear’s polymer and hybrid holsters are durable and proven for civilian carry, and the forever warranty removes the risk, but it does not have Safariland’s generations of duty track record. Give Safariland the nod on pedigree; call the everyday durability a wash.
Edge: Safariland (slight).
Value and warranty
Alien Gear built its brand on value, and it shows. A ShapeShift system that converts between multiple carry styles undercuts what you would pay for several dedicated holsters, and it is backed by a forever warranty that replaces the holster no matter what. Safariland’s duty holsters are fairly priced for what they are but cost more per holster and carry a standard limited warranty. For dollar-for-dollar value and warranty coverage, Alien Gear leads.
Edge: Alien Gear.
Where each one wins
Buy Safariland if…
- You carry on duty or openly: the 7378 ALS for concealment-duty, the 6354DO for a red-dot duty rig.
- You want active retention: the ALS system keeps the pistol locked in until you release it.
- You want the law-enforcement standard: decades of proven duty service.
Buy Alien Gear if…
- You want everyday concealed-carry versatility: the ShapeShift converts between IWB, OWB and appendix on one system.
- You want all-day comfort and value: adjustable, affordable, made in Idaho.
- You want zero risk: the forever warranty replaces the holster no matter what.
The honest verdict
There is no wrong answer — it comes down to how you carry. For duty, open carry, or anyone who wants a pistol actively locked into the holster, Safariland is the choice: the ALS system is the law-enforcement retention standard and nothing Alien Gear makes replaces it. For the everyday concealed carrier who wants comfort, versatility and value, Alien Gear is the smart buy: the ShapeShift converts between carry styles on one affordable, American-made, forever-warrantied platform. Safariland for retention and duty; Alien Gear for versatile everyday concealment. Match the holster to how you carry and you will be well served.
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Read the full brand profiles
- Safariland parts & accessories — the full Safariland lineup and history.
- Alien Gear parts & accessories — the full Alien Gear lineup and history.
- Best concealed carry holsters — our overall picks across every brand.
Safariland vs Alien Gear FAQ
Is Safariland better than Alien Gear?
They are built for different jobs. Safariland wins on active retention and duty carry; Alien Gear wins on modularity, everyday concealed-carry comfort and value. For duty or open carry, Safariland; for versatile CCW, Alien Gear.
Which is cheaper, Safariland or Alien Gear?
Alien Gear generally offers more value — its ShapeShift system converts between multiple carry styles for roughly what one Safariland holster costs, and it carries a forever warranty.
What is Safariland’s ALS retention?
ALS (Automatic Locking System) is an internal lock that secures the pistol in the holster until the wearer deliberately releases it with the thumb on the draw — active retention that keeps the gun holstered in a struggle, which is why it is a law-enforcement standard.
Are Safariland and Alien Gear made in the USA?
Yes, both. Safariland manufactures in the USA (Jacksonville, Florida); Alien Gear makes everything in Post Falls, Idaho.
Which holster is more comfortable for concealed carry?
Alien Gear, generally. The ShapeShift and Cloak Tuck lines are engineered for all-day inside-the-waistband comfort, and everything is adjustable for ride height and cant.
Do police use Safariland or Alien Gear?
Safariland is the dominant duty-holster brand for law enforcement and military, thanks to its ALS and SLS retention systems. Alien Gear focuses on the civilian concealed-carry market.
What is the best Safariland holster?
The 7378 ALS is the popular concealment-duty pick; the 6354DO is the standard for a red-dot-equipped duty pistol.
Which should I buy for everyday concealed carry?
For most everyday concealed carry, the Alien Gear ShapeShift or Cloak Tuck offers the best comfort, versatility and value; choose a Safariland if you carry on duty or openly and want active retention.
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