One item that used to be a staple in every household that people rarely buy anymore is the flashlight. Smartphones have rendered this tool somewhat redundant. However, that doesn’t mean flashlights are entirely obsolete. Many occupations, such as plumbers and electricians, still need a high-quality flashlight to see what they’re doing.

However, no one needs them more than police officers. At any point, an officer might need to pull out their high-intensity flashlight to get a better view of what’s happening, but they can’t do that unless they have a proper flashlight holder. If you need a new one but don’t know where to start, this guide covering tips for choosing a tactical flashlight holder will be of great use to you.

Decide on the Material You Want

Let’s start by looking at the materials used on these holders. While there isn’t a significant tactical advantage to having one over the other, some of their slight differences are worth mentioning. Materials like leather or nylon are both great options for flexibility. Not only will they make pulling your flashlight out faster, but they will also be more comfortable when pressed up against the seat of your vehicle.

On the other hand, plastic or Kydex holders aren’t as comfortable. They tend to stick out further and don’t have any give to them. However, that can also be a plus. With a Kydex holder, your flashlight will be much more secure if you fall on it or it crashes to the ground. Furthermore, Kydex can be cleaned easily and offers long lasting durability in comparison to Nylon or Leather. Most of these pouches have a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects in the event of a failure during normal duty use.

Consider How Accessible You Want It To Be

Regardless of the tactical flashlight holder material you prefer, there are other aspects to consider when looking at accessibility. Many flashlight holders come with a buttoned flap that closes over the top of the light. While these are easy to open with a finger or two, they will slow down your response time. Still, we can’t overlook that these flaps will hold your flashlight in place when moving.

However, many holders that don’t have flaps tend to grip onto the flashlight a bit tighter to compensate for this. Leather and cloth ones usually have narrow openings, while some plastic ones have the flashlight click into place. In the end, though, it all comes down to personal preference.

Look Into Special Features It Might Offer

Now it’s time for the fun part of choosing a tactical flashlight holder: looking at the special features. These can make any of the previously mentioned problems obsolete. The first one to look out for is a universal flashlight holder. Not all law enforcement flashlights are the same size, so having a holder you can adjust is a game changer. Leather or nylon pouches tend to be more forgiving as they can “break in” / stretch the size of the flashlight over time. Kydex flashlight holders may not be as universal but can be slightly adjusted with the retention screws typically installed on the sides of the holder.