Cloak Chest Holster vs Kenai Chest Holster: Which Should You Choose?
When the griz is closing from forty yards, no one cares how photogenic your rig is—only whether the gun clears leather before the teeth clear distance. In the chest-holster world, two names dominate camp-fire debates: Gunfighters Inc. Kenai and Alien Gear’s Cloak Chest Holster. Both promise center-line draw, mountain-proof retention, and comfort under a week-long pack.
But dig past the marketing gloss and the differences get real: elastic harness versus ballistic webbing, bare Kydex versus ventilated polymer, four-week lead time versus ship-this-week readiness.
This comparison isn’t a fan-boy puff piece; it’s a field-strip of specs, materials, and user-reported failures—so you know which rig wins when the brush explodes. Grab coffee (or bear spray); we’re going shot-for-shot on price, build, retention, comfort, and modularity to find the holster that deserves the space on your sternum.
Quick-Glance Comparison: Cloak Chest Holster vs Kenai
| Feature | Cloak Chest Holster | Gunfighters Inc Kenai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $149.99 | $159 – $189 |
| Shell Material | Boltaron polymer + TPE + neoprene backing | Kydex shell, nylon laminate |
| Harness System | Non-elastic ballistic-nylon straps (no bounce) | Elastic straps (users report shift / sag) |
| Breathability / Comfort | CoolVent™ moisture-wicking neoprene | No dedicated ventilation layer |
| Optic / Light Fit | ✔ Included (model-dependent) | Extra surcharge for light/optic cuts |
| Weight (empty rig) | 13.3 oz | ≈ 16 oz |
| Lead Time / Shipping | Ships in 4–8 days (standard) | 3–4 weeks (longer in busy season) |
| Modularity / Shell Swaps | Swap-in shells for 800+ models (one rig, many guns) | Fixed shell; no swaps |
| Warranty & Test-Drive | Lifetime warranty + 30-day Test Drive | Lifetime breakage guarantee (situational returns) |
| Heavy-Pistol Support | Rated for 2 lb+ magnum revolvers; zero sag | Elastic can sag with heavy calibers |
| Color Options | Black (standard, in-stock pricing) | Multiple colors (+ up-charge) |
| Made in USA | 100 % made & serviced in North Idaho | Made in USA (Washington) |
| Retention System | Adjustable passive retention; cant optimized | Fixed friction retention; anti-screw marketing claim |
| Standard Harness Sizing | Regular 33-43″ | Large 43-60″ | Up to 55″ (XL option costs extra) |
Fit &; Comfort in the Field
A chest rig only earns its keep if it stays planted through miles of climb, crawl, and recoil. Both holsters deliver workable carry, but their harness designs create very different real-world experiences.
Cloak Chest Holster – Rigid Stability, Cooler Ride
Alien Gear anchors its rig with non-elastic ballistic-nylon webbing that refuses to stretch under load. Once adjusted, the holster doesn’t creep upward on a hard climb or roll off-center during a downhill scramble. Against the body, a full panel of CoolVent™ neoprene wicks sweat and cushions high-spot pressure, so the rig can ride all day under a pack or plate carrier without hot spots.
Kenai – Flexible but Prone to Shift
Kenai’s harness relies on elastic straps. The flex adds initial comfort, but it can also introduce bounce—especially with heavy magnum pistols or during sudden draws. One owner summed it up after field use:
“It has elastic straps so you have to grab the gun quickly since the holster moves.” User in Glock Talk.
For light, compact pistols the movement is minor, yet with long-barrel revolvers the elastic can sag over time, forcing mid-trail readjustments.
Breathability Matters
Where Cloak’s CoolVent™ panel keeps a dry barrier between rig and torso, Kenai’s bare Kydex backer sits directly on clothing. In cool climates that’s fine; on hot, humid hikes it traps sweat and can chafe.
Takeaway
If you prefer a solid, non-shifting platform that stays centered under weight and vents heat, the Cloak harness has the edge. If you like a bit of give and don’t mind occasional strap readjustment—especially with lighter sidearms—the Kenai’s elastic system may suit you.
Retention & Draw Speed
Retention is worthless if it slows the draw. Both rigs rely on level-1 passive retention, but the way each holster releases the pistol — and what the shooter must do with the support hand — is very different.
| Gunfighters Inc. Kenai | Alien Gear Cloak Chest | |
|---|---|---|
| Retention Style | Fixed friction; no tension screws | Adjustable passive-tension screws |
| Support-Hand Needed? | Often brace with off-hand |
True one-handed draw |
| Draw Motion | Horizontal pull; longer muzzle clearance | Up-and-out 45° cant for faster clearance |
| Tension Adjustability | None (“no screws” policy) | Twin steel screws—loosen/tighten at will |
| Stability with Heavy Guns | Elastic harness can flex or sag | Rigid nylon straps keep shell angle fixed |
Kenai: (video review)
Cloak: (video review)
What the gif shows
- In the Kenai GIF, the shooter reaches across with the support hand to pin the holster, then draws — a two-step motion that adds fractions of a second.
- In the Cloak GIF, the shooter goes straight to the grip, clears the shell, and achieves presentation without ever touching the harness.
Bottom line:
If you prefer a “set-and-forget” friction fit and don’t mind bracing the rig on the draw, Kenai delivers consistent retention. If you want tunable tension and a truly one-handed, bounce-free pull — especially with heavyweight pistols — the Cloak chest rig shaves movement, time, and complexity off every presentation.
Weather & Durability — Material Science in the Mountains
When winter temps dip or summer storms roll in, shell chemistry—not marketing—decides whether a rig stays service-ready. Below is a neutral breakdown of how each holster’s build-materials behave under real-world extremes; you choose the trade-offs that matter most.
| Factor | Cloak Chest Holster (Boltaron + CoolVent™) |
Kenai Chest Holster (Bare Kydex) |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Temp Impact | Boltaron marketed as “cold-temperature and abrasion-resistant” and retains high impact strength below freezing. | KYDEX drop-dart impact plunges from 576 in-lbf at 73 °F to ≈54 in-lbf at -20 °F, showing brittleness creep. |
| Flexibility in Sub-Zero | TPE + neoprene layer stays pliable; straps cinch over parkas without shell crack. | User reports note Kydex can crack if struck hard in deep cold. |
| Heat / Sun Resistance | Boltaron resists warping up to ≈200 °F; neoprene spacer keeps hot shell off skin. | Kydex HDT ≈173 °F; no insulating backer, shell surface can get hot. |
| Moisture Management | CoolVent™ wicks sweat & sheds rain; nothing to soak or chafe. | Bare Kydex traps condensation against clothing; no ventilation layer. |
| Chemical / Fuel Exposure | Closed-cell Boltaron shrugs off DEET, gun oil, solvents. | Kydex also chemical-resistant, but finish may scuff faster under abrasion. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Noise Signature | Neoprene panel dampens knock when rig bumps gear. | Hard Kydex clacks audibly against metal or rock. |
See more about this material: Boltaron
Key Takeaways
- Polar Vortex Ready – Boltaron’s low-temp impact rating means fewer worries about shell cracking on an icy fall, while neoprene keeps the rig flexible next to your body.
- Sweat & Rain – A ventilated backer doubles as an insulation layer; Kydex’s bare interior can turn clammy on multi-hour climbs.
- Heat Waves – Both polymers laugh at high summer temps, but Cloak’s neoprene keeps the hot shell off your shirt.
Bottom line: If your carry calendar runs from August desert hunts to January predator calls, the Boltaron / neoprene stack offers a wider comfort window. If you operate mostly in mild climates and prefer an ultra-rigid feel, Kenai’s bare Kydex shell remains a proven option—the choice is yours.
Verdict – Choose the Rig That Fits Your Mission
Both chest holsters have earned loyal followings for a reason:
- Kenai keeps things simple with a pure-Kydex shell and elastic harness. If you prize zero-adjustment friction retention, don’t mind a two-hand brace on the draw, and can wait out a longer lead-time, the Kenai remains a proven back-country companion.
- Cloak Chest Holster adds breathable CoolVent™ comfort, adjustable tension screws, swap-in shells for 800-plus handguns, and ships in under 8 days. For those who run optic-equipped pistols, heavy magnum revolvers, or just want one rig that can evolve with every new firearm, the Cloak system offers the broader envelope.
Bottom line? Either choice is smarter than forcing a heavy sidearm onto your belt—pick the design that matches your carry style and climate.