Belts: Wilderness Tactical vs. 5.11

[seeker_two]

I'm looking for a good nylon belt for casual wear. Background: I'm a pretty big guy with a "Dunlop" body, no hips, and no butt. Normally, I wear a stiff leather belt and Perry suspenders. I'd like a nylon belt that would work with the suspenders (kinda like not having to pull my pants up constantly.) Right now, I'm looking at two options:

5.11 Trainer belt 1.5"
Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer belt 1.25" 5-stitch

Has anyone here had experience with these belts? Did they provide enough support & comfort for everyday wear? Which do you prefer? And, are there any others I should look at before deciding?

Many thanks in advance.....

 

[highorder]

I own and love this:

http://www.yatesgear.com/rescue/tactical/harnesses/index.htm#1

(scroll down the page)


1.5 Inch Uniform Rappel Belt
Same as our standard Uniform Rappel belt sewn with camlock waist buckle in narrower 1.5" version for pants with small belt loops.
Front V ring used for attachment point. Made with 6,000 lb webbing. Strength 4000 lbf.
• One size, fully adjustable and XL
• Available in colors: Black, OD Green, Terra, Foliage Green



ITEM#
461 Regular $27.00
462 XL $29.00

 

[greenled]

Haven't used those, but I have a Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt. Bombproof construction and very comfortable and stable - it kinda feels like it's hugging my waist. It's a little on the heavy side compared to other belts, though, but the quality is superb.

 

[VHinch]

I have tried the 5.11 Trainer belt and don't care for it, but I do like the 5.11 Operator belt. It's 1.75" instead of 1.5", and has a polymer stiffener for support. I like it at least as well as my Wilderness Instructor, and it sees about the same amount of wear.

 

[Kor]

I've used a both a Wilderness 5-stitch 1.5" Instructor Belt and a 5-stitch 1.5" Frequent Flyer with Perry suspenders, and the system works well enough to carry a fully-loaded Glock 35, 2 spare mags, a S&W 642, 2 Bianchi Speed Strips, SureFire A2 Aviator, Benchmade 710, pepper spray, keys, cell-phone and wallet for 8+ hours, both standing and driving, in reasonable comfort.

Although, since I lost about 20 lbs, I haven't had to use the Perry suspenders for over a year...

 

[Teufelhunden]

I've got a 511 1.5" 5-stitch belt and a WIlderness 1.75" CSM (polymer stiffener) and far prefer the Wilderness.

In my eyes 511's quality has continued to fall off as they get mode popular and spread themselves thinner across a product lineup instead of focusing on keeping quality up on the things that got them famous to begin with.

OTOH, construction quality on the Wilderness belt is second to none, and the belt is absolutely bombproof.

Unequivocally, the Wilderness wins.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think I'd go with the 1.5" Frequent Flyer.

The metal buckles on my Wilderness and similar Bison Design belts are heavy enough to feel the load. I have a 1.25" Bison Designs and would not get another 1.25" belt unless I had pants with narrow belt loops that would not take a 1.5".

 

[sgphoto]

I have three Wilderness Instructor 5-stitch belts with stiffener, 1.5 inch.

Wear like steel, holds a CZ97B all day and night without discomfort, easy on and off.

I'm 5'10 and 180lbs without a gut (well at least not much of one). But some "bigger bellied and/or broader" people may have comfort problems.

Haven't tried the 5.11 belt, but I'm completely satisfied with the WB and have recommended it to many people. Those who have bought one love it.

Plus, being an old East Nashville boy, the heavy steel belt buckle makes a dandy knocker up-side-of-the-head!

Steve