Best Gun Belt?

[Browning]

This is how a Bullhide creased edge belt holds up after a few years.

Bought this when I was a 44 and now I have a 38 inch waist. Diet, exercise and cut out Coke, Dr. Pepper and sweet tea (really miss that last one). Obviously wasn't going to just pitch the belt, so I bought an oval hole punch from Amazon and increased the number of holes. So the number of holes isn't standard.

Also keep in mind that I even sleep with this thing on, so it gets more wear. I'm an EMT and when at the station we have to be ready to get toned out on a call so most of us sleep with our pants on so we can get out to the ambulance, engines, booster, command or whatever and call enroute within one minute. I also sometimes sleep with cargo shorts on, if so I usually have it on at home too.

I typically condition the leather once every 6 months. It has a bit of scarring at 3-4 o'clock from my pistol (obviously when I'm not at work), at 6 o'clock from the radio and at 9 o'clock from a double mag carrier. iPad pics don't really show it. The conditioning has also kept it to a minimum, but it's a little bent at the back. I use the double snap Galco Summer Special IWB holster and the double snap two mag carrier and just loosen the belt and put the straps inbetween the pants and the belt and then pull it up to the top and snap it.

At any rate I'm happy with it.

 

[Frank V]

Someone else who makes a fine heavy duty belt is Simply Rugged. I have their holster but not their belt.
www.simplyrugged.com

Give them a look. I particularly like the Cuda holster.

 

[coondogger]

I have the Jake Belt which is made by Tommy Thiel. I've even used it with a Ruger Super Blackhawk in a Simply Rugged pancake holster. Hardly knew it was there. Tommy makes a very high quality product and he is as decent a man as you'll ever know.

 

[Shaq]

Armour Belts. Custom made, reasonably priced & fast shipping.

https://www.armourbelts.com/

 

[Water-Man]

http://www.tuckergunleather.com/gun-belts/ Tucker Gun Leather.

 

[340PD]

Rick at http://www.rgleather.net/ makes a great belt (I have three). For heavier duty when carrying full size firearms I have the ultimate reinforced from Mike at http://www.abetterbeltusa.com/
Both make a great product depending on your needs.
A good belt cost money but I have found it to always be a solid investment.

 

[RealGun]

Well guys I got the Alien Gear belt in today.

Frankly, I'm not that thrilled with it.

It's thick, actually just thicker than my old Beltman belt, but somehow it's much flimsier. Comparing it to even my 4 year old Beltman, no contest, the Beltman was far more sturdy. The Beltman will literally almost stick straight out if you hold the belt up, this one does not, it dangles like a noodle. It is also much easier to flex down the middle.

Guys I can't say this was the best choice. I am going to try and return it for a refund and if they won't take it back, I'll sell it on ebay I guess.

Definitely look at Hank's. It is stiffened and matches the criteria you mentioned.

 

[Shed]

I grabbed one of the Bigfoot Gun Belts with a steel core over a year ago:
http://gunbelts.com/gun-belts

Has held up quite well and the steel is great for keeping the gun in place. Can be just a bit uncomfortable sometimes because it is not as pliable due to the steel, but I'd get it again.

 

[Red Cent]

Most gunbelts are made of two strips of 8-9 ounce vegetable tanned leather. Each strip is 1/8" thick. That makes a 1/4" thick gunbelt standard. The two strips glued together and professionally sewn is stronger than a one piece of leather that is termed 14 ounce. A two ply (total 16-18 ounce) is more than enough for most any handgun used for concealed carry.
Putting conditioner on any leather will make it supple and "limper". A well made belt is "conditioned" when made. Neatsfoot Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aussie Cream Conditioner, or any home brewed concoction of beeswax/paraffin/NF Oil will last for a few years. You know that "conditioned" rag that you buy to wipe down your guns? That is all you should put on your leather.
When you buy belts or boots, your main cost should the expertise. And belts ain't that difficult to make. Boots, well.................

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21-Tall-Cus...801013?hash=item2cbc9a7875:g:KBsAAOSwTM5YwJ9c

 

[RealGun]

Most gunbelts are made of two strips of 8-9 ounce vegetable tanned leather. Each strip is 1/8" thick. That makes a 1/4" thick gunbelt standard. The two strips glued together and professionally sewn is stronger than a one piece of leather that is termed 14 ounce. A two ply (total 16-18 ounce) is more than enough for most any handgun used for concealed carry.
Putting conditioner on any leather will make it supple and "limper". A well made belt is "conditioned" when made. Neatsfoot Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aussie Cream Conditioner, or any home brewed concoction of beeswax/paraffin/NF Oil will last for a few years. You know that "conditioned" rag that you buy to wipe down your guns? That is all you should put on your leather.
When you buy belts or boots, your main cost should the expertise. And belts ain't that difficult to make. Boots, well.................

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21-Tall-Cus...801013?hash=item2cbc9a7875:g:KBsAAOSwTM5YwJ9c

I bought my Hank's Belt because the two-ply, costly belts you describe soon sag under weight of a heftier gun. The addition of a stiffener seems to be the answer. I have shoes as well that seemed pretty nice at first but did not wear well for long. Leather stretches and softens with use, and that is what a good gun belt needs to address.

 

[Red Cent]

A glued and sewn belt won't stretch unless someone has put oil or anything on it that will affect the natural leather. I have a bunch of 2 ply gunbelts for CC running around the streets of Greensboro and other local towns. I have a number of SASS holsters and belts running around the SASS clubs here that do not stretch. The SASS holsters are developed to a hardness of fiberglass which is preferred by the gamers.
I had one great guy/local call and asked if I would repair his belt that he bought from me. The belt was literally falling apart because he thought you should continually use NF oil on leather. No brag, just fact. I made him a new one. And I "repaired the old belt.
And one more important fact. Some manufacturers go down too far to the belly. Now there is some soft leather that feels like sponge and it will stretch.
This guy is local to me and makes some really good belts. And they are a little unique.
http://twofoolsleathergoods.com/fatboy-belts/

 

[Jimster]

Armored Farmer, I also wear an Uncle Mikes. Just you and me I guess. Mine's two years old and going strong. I like the infinite adjustment that Velcro instructor belts offer.