REVIEW: concealed carry belts

[A-R]

So I just recieved my $7.99 closeout 5.11 Tactical leather detailed stitched belt this week from LAPoliceGear. Been wearing it now for three straight days and really like it. Heckuva good deal for $7.99. They still have a few of the "buckskin" colored belts available at this price. But you better hurry. I ordered a brown belt and they ran out before shipping to me. http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-tactica ... seout.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyway, this is my third dedicated concealed carry belt and I like it so much I found and ordered two more (one brown, one black) from an eBay auction for about $15 each. I already have two other gun belts, so I thought I'd take a moment to review all three of my belts for those who're still looking for a good carry belt. For those new to CHL, trust everyone on this forum when we tell you that a quality very stiff belt is the key to comfortable belt carry regardless of gun or holster selected. Any handgun larger than a Ruger LCP will ride better, more securely, and be significantly more comfortable to wear if attached to a stiff gun belt.

5.11 Tactical Leather Detail Stitched Belt 1 1/2 inch
The stiffness of this belt comes from a rigid polymer (kydex?) inner lining sandwiched between two pieces of leather. The leather is thinner and not nearly as attractive as more expensive belts (see below) and the white detail stitching is not really my style (though some may really like this). Also the buckskin color is downright ugly, IMHO, reminding me of the general color of baby poop (my son is only 14 months old, so let's just say the sight is still very "fresh" in my mind).

But for 90% of our CC use, no one is going to see the belt under our cover garment anyway, right? So who cares what it looks like. How does it perform?

This belt so far performs flawlessly. Very comfortable to wear. It is stiff and "stays there" once you've tightened it down with the solid belt buckle, which is fastened securely to the belt by two "Chicago screws". And the gun/holster does not move either. I've carried this mostly with my Glock 27 in an old, worn Bianchi "Black Widow" belt-slide holster I picked up on eBay. Belt keeps this holster very secure and tight against my body. Worn it once for a short time with my Crossbreed Supertuck and it performed well with that also.

Only future concerns would be the longevity of the thinner leather. I liked this belt enough order two more just like it (price is right) in different colors that I will be more inclined to wear uncovered in public (like when tucking my Crossbreed holster) or when pocket carrying.

The Beltman bullhide double-layer belt with sewn-in velcro 1 1/2 inch
This is the primo "Cadillac" of all the gun belts, IMHO. This guy really knows how to make a great gun belt. Beautifully dyed double-layer bullhide leather. These belts are not "fancy" by any stretch (though he does offer some more exotic leathers like shark and elephant), just classic hard-working good lucks. Actually, the "Cadillac" label doesn't fit this belt. It's more like a great hard-working pickup truck, but not the "work truck" style that gets beat to heck and then replaced by a nicer car to go into town. This is more like a truck that works hard all day, but is still nice enough to take your lady out for a good time on a Saturday night.

This is my second Beltman. First one I picked up at Champion Firearms in College Station off the rack for $65. It wasn't quite big enough for IWB carry with my Glocks, so sold it and ordered one direct from The Beltman's web site: http://www.thebeltman.net/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... When ordering pay particular attention to how he tells you to measure yourself so you order the right size. It's very helpful and made me realize how much more room I needed to fit my Glock IWB comfortably. Also, prepare for a wait of 30 days or longer.

Options include either a Velcro strip (for "hidden" holster clips on tuckable IWB holsters such as Crossbreed) or a rigid polymer insert. I went with the velcro, thus no insert. The double-layer bullhide is plenty stiff by itself (stiffer than cowhide, not as stiff as horsehide), however the polymer insert might just make this the best gun belt you can buy. I now regret choosing the velcro, as I just don't use it much (prefer the regular belt clips after trying both) and it actually gets in the way of other belt-worn "products" like small camera pouches that I use to carry extra ammo which attach with belt loops that velcro back around to the main body of the pouch (thus always "sticking" to inside of my belt when trying to attach).

Because of the lack of an insert, this belt has started to take that unusual twisted shape to conform to my body. I find that this leads to it drooping a bit in the back at times. The polymer insert would certainly rectify this.

This belt performs expertly with IWB holsters like Crossbreed, with either hidden velcro clips or regular over-the-belt clips. Does very well also with belt-slide OWB holsters, but the leather is so thick that occasionally it can be hard to get the holster to slide on properly (which, on the other hand, of course means the holster is locked down tight once it's on).

As great as this belt is, it ain't cheap. They start at $80 and go up to $100 depending on size. I'm a big ol boy and was still able to keep my base price at $80 which goes all the way to a size 49. Then add $10 for either velcro or internal stiffener options plus $15 is you want a "tapered" front.

Is it worth the money? I think so. This is my "presentation" belt that I wear whenever people can see my belt. The fact that I can hide a tucked handgun hung from this belt in a Crossbreed holster and no one knows makes it worth the money. This could be your one and only belt with no other belt needed.

5.11 Tactical trainer belt 1 1/2 inch
Picked this up as a "backup" belt for about $30 at GT Distributors in Austin http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.asp ... -59409-XXX" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In addition to "backup" duty, I also like that this is nylon belt, and not leather, for times when there's a good chance I could get wet (boating, fishing, fixing the sprinkler system in my lawn) and don't want to damage the leather on a nicer belt.

This looks like a basic military/LE "TDU" web belt. But it's wider (1.5 inches) and thicker (double layer) and thus serves adequately as a gun belt. Using it all day on a heavier full-size firearm with more than 10 rounds loaded and it will sag a bit. But the fix is easy, just retighten by pulling the strap tighter though the steel buckle and resecuring it to the velcro on the belt. I also think this belt works better with IWB holsters, as it will allow a OWB to "flop over" away from your body a bit. But that also depends on the holster, as both of my OWB holsters are "high ride" types and have this "flop over" probelm with any belt.

This belt is pure functionality and 99% of the time is worn unseen under a cover garment. My wife didn't even know I owned this belt for three months. But with the right attire, it will look good in public view too (though it could garner those - what is this guy, a wanna be Rambo? looks) . It looks very "military" or "tactical" to most folks simply because of it's design/material. This belt is made purely to be functional, not look good holding up Dockers or Wranglers.

[RHenriksen]

Great write-up, thank you. I have the Beltman bullhide w. velcro so far as my one & only. It would be good to get a more casual belt for use w. shorts.

[cougartex]

Very good review. Thank you.

[toddlinder]

Thanks for the review. Just ordered one of the 5.11 buckskin belts. Certainly is a good price, will just live with the color.

[casingpoint]

I got two of the buckskins from LA Police Gear via UPS earlier this week. Terrific belt for the money, good fit via their sizing chart. Eight bucks apiece plus shipping, what's not to like? This was my second order in two weeks from this retailer, with very prompt service

[USA1]

Thank you austinrealtor for taking the time to write such a comprehensive review.

I personally wear the 5.11 Leather (Black) belt every day and couldn't be more happy.
Even though I paid full retail..$34.99 , it's still a great value.
Other than some wear and tear where the buckle is, the stiffness has not changed.

[FL450]

Has anyone have a belt from Looper police supply

[LostInAustin]

Thanks AustinRealtor! Great review.

I use the Com-Tac belt with the insert and double layer. Velcro lined for IWB Minotaur. Couldn't be happier.

[samobius]

What is the benefit of a gun belt over just a standard leather 1.5" belt? I always wear belts that completely fill the loops because I think it looks better. I haven't had any problems with these belts keeping everything in place.

[USA1]

What is the benefit of a gun belt over just a standard leather 1.5" belt? I always wear belts that completely fill the loops because I think it looks better. I haven't had any problems with these belts keeping everything in place.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Photo courtesy of "TheBrit " ...with link to thread..http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... 10#p357157" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Abraham]

"Simply Rugged" sells the latest gun belt I've bought.

At first, I thought the belt wouldn't be able to do the job because it ISN'T stiff. It's actually comfortable and really does a great job as a gun belt.

My extra magazine of fifteen rounds and the heft of my Glock 19 present some fairly serious weight - and this comfortable belt does the job of properly keeping all in place admirably.

[chabouk]

I also received two of the 5.11 buckskins this week. I've been wearing one, and I'm thinking about taking the second to a boot shop to get it dyed black. I agree it's a really good belt, and an outstanding bargain. I've paid $20-30 for good heavy belts from Cavender's, but they were single layer without stiffeners, and they might work fine at first, but simply don't last as gun belts.

[03Lightningrocks]

I also bought one of the buckskin colored belts they had on close out. It was definitely worth 8 bucks, but I would stop short of saying it is high quality. I don't think this belt is real leather and It feels as if there is a metal strip or something in it to make it stiff. It is actually too stiff for my comfort. I have a Beltman that is very durable and at the same time flexible, making it more comfortable. Maybe it is because I am weight challenged, but it feels like it is jabbing me all around my waist. My first thought when It arrived was that it seemed stiff...but cheap. I don't feel ripped off paying 8 bucks for it, but if I had payed full retail, it would have gone back without ever being strapped around my waist.

[A-R]

What is the benefit of a gun belt over just a standard leather 1.5" belt? I always wear belts that completely fill the loops because I think it looks better. I haven't had any problems with these belts keeping everything in place.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Photo courtesy of "TheBrit " ...with link to thread..http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... 10#p357157" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Samobius, USA1's "thousand word" answer (courtesy of "The Brit") is a great visual depiction. Try this with one of your standard belts and you'll quickly see the difference. Double layers of thick 1.5-inch wide leather makes a huge difference. Polymer rigid inserts go the extra mile.

But why is this important? I used to not think it was - carried a Glock 23 for years on a 1.25-inch leather belt I bought at Target - until I tried a real gun belt and quickly wised up.

Once you try a dedicted gun belt, it will be obvious. But what is not obvious until then is how much of the "discomfort" from carrying a gun (especially IWB; inside the waistband) is caused by the constant shifting, moving, drooping and general unsteadiness of the gun in a particular holster/belt rig. Within reason, the less a gun/holster/belt system moves, the more comfortable it will be for the person wearing it.

My old 1.25-inch Target belt used to sag easily, requiring me to constantly re-adjust the belt and holster. The belt would also "flop over" causing the upper portion of the holster to tilt out away from my waist and the lower portin to tilt toward me, digging into my thigh. And I was not carrying a particularly heavy gun (Glock 23 with a then mandatory 10-round magazine pre-2004) and had a very nicely made stiff and durable holster (Galco Summer Comfort/Royal Guard IWB in unstained horsehide with leather belt loop attachments). Also replacing this holster - which again is very durable and well made - with the even more stable Crossbreed Supertuck (double belt clip struts on either side of holster make it more stable than standard IWB with one set of clips/loops located in middle of holster) helped tremendously with making it more comfortable to carry a large Glock IWB.

Anyway, hope the above helps. Try one of these relatively inexpensive 5.11 leather belts and compare it to your existing 1.5-inch "standard" belt. If you get the 5.11 belt at $7.99 from lapolicegear or for about $15 on eBay, it won't cost you much to experience the difference for yourself.

[bayouhazard]

Also the buckskin color is downright ugly

I ordered a closeout from LAPG and I don't wear it to the office but I think it looks good with jeans.