chrisnoel27
Member
For guys who carry or have carried, what pistol belt do you recommend? Can we keep it under 50 bucks?
Thanks!
Thanks!
CHL Belts, which one?
- Thread starter chrisnoel27
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rodensouth
Member
I like the Wilderness belts. They are stiff, and easily adjustable.
xfyrfiter
Member
I wear a belt from the Aerostich motorcycle accessory catalog. Been wearing it for 4 years now, and it is just now showing some wear. If I remember correctly it was around 25 dollars. Called the last chance totally serious belt
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Lots of choices. Search here in the Handgun Holsters and Accessories forum.
Wilderness Tactical, Beltman, plenty of others.
If you want something hand-made and incredible, at a reasonable price, contact memeber Joel here: http://www.jrcustomleather.com/
Wilderness Tactical, Beltman, plenty of others.
If you want something hand-made and incredible, at a reasonable price, contact memeber Joel here: http://www.jrcustomleather.com/
JTQ
Member
As mentioned, the Wilderness Instructor belt is one of your best bets if you want to keep it under $50. The 5-stich version is the most recommended.
http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=product&id=2309&parent=142
For a good leather gun belt, I'd expect to pay $70 - $100.
http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/index.php?p=product&id=2309&parent=142
For a good leather gun belt, I'd expect to pay $70 - $100.
chrisnoel27
Member
I forgot to mention I want a leather belt.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Don Hume makes a double thickness leather belt for $54, IIRC.
RNB65
Member
Crossbreed Holsters and Don Hume both make leather belts in the $50-60 range. The Beltman is a little more expensive but well worth the money.
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chrisnoel27
Member
I found a Desantis 1.5 inch plain black gun belt for 30 bucks! Thanks Ben.
oldandslow
Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2011
- Messages
- 220
chris- 1/4/12
I'll second the recommendation for a Cabelas double thickness belt. I've had two and they work great. I've also had some from the Beltman and Don Hume which also work great but at less than $40 the Cabelas is a best buy.
best wishes- oldandslow
I'll second the recommendation for a Cabelas double thickness belt. I've had two and they work great. I've also had some from the Beltman and Don Hume which also work great but at less than $40 the Cabelas is a best buy.
best wishes- oldandslow
Elm Creek Smith
Member
5.11 has double thickness, reversible (black and green/black and coyote) TDU belts in 1.5 and 1.75 inch widths. I have one of each. They are well under $50.00.
ECS
ECS
Nushif
Member
I wear a belt by Columbia. Cheap.
rellascout
member
Akers gun belts are a great bargin. pesty3782 sells them here on the forum for $45 shipped IIRC. They are 1 1/2" and are perfect for conceal carry.
I have one in black at is it rock solid. It has a polymer insert to keep it from sagging. Everything stays in the right place with these. It has out performed belts which cost me double the price of this one.
I recommend them highly.
I have one in black at is it rock solid. It has a polymer insert to keep it from sagging. Everything stays in the right place with these. It has out performed belts which cost me double the price of this one.
I recommend them highly.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
5.11 gun belts. They have the internal plastic stiffener to keep it from sagging with a gun. Under $50. I've got a black one and a brown one and they're all I use.
Murcielago
Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2010
- Messages
- 84
For years now I've been using the Patagonia Tech Web belt with my IWB carry and I have found absolutely nothing to complain about. Comes in a panoply of colors, runs around $25, and you can even use the buckle as a bottle opener.
Also, nothing about it belies my CCW - if anything it telegraphs "tree hugger."
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/tech-web-belt?p=59190-0-761
Also, nothing about it belies my CCW - if anything it telegraphs "tree hugger."
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/tech-web-belt?p=59190-0-761
Joel
Member
I have a somewhat vested interest in this so I will try not to sound too bias...
Of the belts mentioned, I only have experience with the 5.11 with the plastic stiffener and of course my own belts so I will comment in as generalist of a way as possible.
If you want a belt that will last, find a full grain leather belt. This is leather that has not had the surface altered or "fixed" but is as it comes off the beast. This outer layer, or grain, is what gives a leather belt its strength and durability. Top grain leather belts will stretch and once the finish wears, is very hard to correct and make look nice again. Full grain belts will stretch as well, but not nearly as much as a top grain and they will maintain their stiffness (in that they will not roll over on you) for years.
For a carry belt, you ideally want a dual layer belt with both layers being vegetable tanned leather of at least 8oz in thickness. There is no need for fancy plastic liners with this setup (there are exceptions but they are outside the scope of this discussion). Many belts are made with oil-tanned leather. They look nice, but will stretch and not maintain their stiffness. Latigo leather is often used as well. Durability is better than oil-tanned but they are loaded with waxes which will break down over time and make them floppy (that's a technical term) and they tend to rub their color off on your clothes. Both of these are common in wilderness/sporting goods stores as they repel the elements well but neither is ideal for a gun belt. If, when the belt is brand-new, you can curve the belt the narrow way with your hands, it is not well suited for a gun belt.
I prefer a smooth liner (interior) but as long as the liner leather is full grain, having the flesh-side out for the liner is a personal preference. Expect the belt to be about 1/4" thick. I have two belts that I swap between. One is a 10 oz cowhide exterior with 9oz horsehide liner the other is 5oz sharkskin exterior with a 10oz cowhide liner. The sharkskin belt is not ideal for a heavy firearm, but works fine for my Kahr that is carried daily. The cow hide belt has been in daily service for 2 years and the sharkskin has been in daily service for about 6 months. Both have fomed to the nartural curve of my belt line but neither shows any significant signs of wear or distress. I'm a little more careful with the sharkskin belt, but the cowhide belt has had the piss beaten out of it.
Size should be no less than 1-1/2" and you should decide how important it is to "blend in" with your surroundings. 1-1/2" belts are now very common in most work environments but may stick out in a Business Formal dress environment. Ranger belts, well, unless you have a horse within 100 feet of you, they just stick out (IMO).
You will find that with a full grain belt, it can be cared for like a fine pair of shoes and will last many years. I routinely find myself on the pavement working under my truck scratching the heck out of my cowhide belt. A quick cleaning and some black shoe polish and it looks just like new again. A top grain belt would most likely be ruined from this type of ordeal. As a good rule-of-thumb, if the belt is made in China, it is most likely top grain.
Bottom line, regardless of who you buy from spend the money on a belt made with top-quality leather. You will be much happier in the long run and the belt will serve you much better.
Of the belts mentioned, I only have experience with the 5.11 with the plastic stiffener and of course my own belts so I will comment in as generalist of a way as possible.
If you want a belt that will last, find a full grain leather belt. This is leather that has not had the surface altered or "fixed" but is as it comes off the beast. This outer layer, or grain, is what gives a leather belt its strength and durability. Top grain leather belts will stretch and once the finish wears, is very hard to correct and make look nice again. Full grain belts will stretch as well, but not nearly as much as a top grain and they will maintain their stiffness (in that they will not roll over on you) for years.
For a carry belt, you ideally want a dual layer belt with both layers being vegetable tanned leather of at least 8oz in thickness. There is no need for fancy plastic liners with this setup (there are exceptions but they are outside the scope of this discussion). Many belts are made with oil-tanned leather. They look nice, but will stretch and not maintain their stiffness. Latigo leather is often used as well. Durability is better than oil-tanned but they are loaded with waxes which will break down over time and make them floppy (that's a technical term) and they tend to rub their color off on your clothes. Both of these are common in wilderness/sporting goods stores as they repel the elements well but neither is ideal for a gun belt. If, when the belt is brand-new, you can curve the belt the narrow way with your hands, it is not well suited for a gun belt.
I prefer a smooth liner (interior) but as long as the liner leather is full grain, having the flesh-side out for the liner is a personal preference. Expect the belt to be about 1/4" thick. I have two belts that I swap between. One is a 10 oz cowhide exterior with 9oz horsehide liner the other is 5oz sharkskin exterior with a 10oz cowhide liner. The sharkskin belt is not ideal for a heavy firearm, but works fine for my Kahr that is carried daily. The cow hide belt has been in daily service for 2 years and the sharkskin has been in daily service for about 6 months. Both have fomed to the nartural curve of my belt line but neither shows any significant signs of wear or distress. I'm a little more careful with the sharkskin belt, but the cowhide belt has had the piss beaten out of it.
Size should be no less than 1-1/2" and you should decide how important it is to "blend in" with your surroundings. 1-1/2" belts are now very common in most work environments but may stick out in a Business Formal dress environment. Ranger belts, well, unless you have a horse within 100 feet of you, they just stick out (IMO).
You will find that with a full grain belt, it can be cared for like a fine pair of shoes and will last many years. I routinely find myself on the pavement working under my truck scratching the heck out of my cowhide belt. A quick cleaning and some black shoe polish and it looks just like new again. A top grain belt would most likely be ruined from this type of ordeal. As a good rule-of-thumb, if the belt is made in China, it is most likely top grain.
Bottom line, regardless of who you buy from spend the money on a belt made with top-quality leather. You will be much happier in the long run and the belt will serve you much better.
bigfatdave
Member
BeltMan
no
Zundfolge
Member
bigfatdave is correct ... pony up the extra $30 and buy the Beltman belt (the "Quick Ship" belts are $79.95) I swear to you that you'll not regret it.
If you really must stay under $50 than forgo leather and get a Wilderness belt.
If you really must stay under $50 than forgo leather and get a Wilderness belt.
bigfatdave
Member
The horsehide is worth it, too.
That's getting into some serious money, though.
That's getting into some serious money, though.
chrisnoel27
Member
I went with the Cabelas Double Duty belt in Black. Could not find it on sale but was still below my 50 buck limit. Man, is this thing stiff as a board. I like that though. I don't like the the tongue on the buckle, not strong enough for that thick leather. I can change out that buckle if I want to though.
doc540
Member
"Akers gun belts are a great bargin. pesty3782 sells them here on the forum for $45 shipped IIRC. They are 1 1/2" and are perfect for conceal carry.
I have one in black at is it rock solid. It has a polymer insert to keep it from sagging. Everything stays in the right place with these. It has out performed belts which cost me double the price of this one.
I recommend them highly."
this
Wear my Aker every day.
I have one in black at is it rock solid. It has a polymer insert to keep it from sagging. Everything stays in the right place with these. It has out performed belts which cost me double the price of this one.
I recommend them highly."
this
Wear my Aker every day.
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