blackhawk vs. wilderness

[iamhistory]

what are your opinions folks?

which is better...........the blackhawk rescue rigger belt or the wilderness 5 stitch tactical belt?

consider design, ruggedness, variety of uses, foundation for weapons/pouches system, life saving, etc.

they are both around the same price if you shop around, within a few bucks give or take.

which one would you choose if you could only have one?

 

[444]

I can tell you which one I picked, and I have only one. I wear it as a professional firefighter and also use it as a gun belt. I have worn it for several years. : The Wilderness.
I also buy all my single point slings for carbines and shotguns from them.

 

[dghboy315]

wilderness for me too. while i've never personally used blackhawk products, during my reseach on equipment, i have heard mixed reviews on their products.

as for wilderness, i've had their instructor belt for a few year new. used it quite a bit and it still looks like new. i've also just ordered their single-point sling.

 

[TechBrute]

My response is on your post on AW

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for the Wilderness!

 

[Zip06]

No complaints regarding my Wilderness in seven years. It has not seen hard duty except once we towed a car using it.

 

[TechBrute]

once we towed a car using it.

Just how big IS your waist??

 

[Zip06]

40 inch waist. The Wilderness belt was threaded with about a six foot piece of nylon rope. Anyway it all held.

 

[gyp_c2]

Hey...

...I don't have any info re: Blackhawk belts...The Wilderness company equipment on the other hand is without peer. The gear I've purchased is the belt without the extra plastic inside. I'm glad they called me to confirm my order before shipping because this one is perfect. The extra support would have made the belt TOO STIFF, I forget his name but the man that called me was very helpful and made sure I ordered the correct size and saved me the extra hassle of returning that re-inforced belt. Nice people and they definitely know their product lines...This is perfect for a steel 1911 with Kydex-wear and assorted "web gear"...I suppose I should get another one, I'm getting FAT! There's absolutely no OTHER REASON TO STOP USING MY 4yo Wilderness Rigger though...except for the increase in my manly figger'...

 

[VaughnT]

I love my WIB. What I don't like about the BHI and others is that the triangular piece is usu separate from the rest of the buckle, whereas the WIB has the tie-off as an integral part of the buckle. Considering that I don't need to tie off very often (read: never for this fat-butted man), I don't want to look like a ninja wannabe.

Quality is first-rate. Even though the velcro on the tag end has come off, the belt functions perfectly and serves wonderfully under my duty belt. I have the 1.75" model, 5-stitch, and nothing has ever distributed the weight of all my gear better.

 

[stevelyn]

I recently bought a Wilderness Instrutor Belt. I have the 2" three-stitch model (they also have a five stitch). It's fantastic for supporting holsters, radios and other gear, and it's comfortable to wear. I have only one problem with it which has led me to having to buy another in the thinner version. I have a DeSantis Cozy Partner IWB I carry my G-22 in when I'm in Los Anchorage. The belt loops on the CP are a tad short when looped under the wider belt to fasten without bending the belt to accomodate them. With the thinner version this won't be a problem. Outside the waist band holsters........ the wider belt is an ideal choice. IWB, you should probably go with the thinner (1 1/2 or 3/4" I think) belt. Since I carry both ways, I'm going with one of each.

 

[mercop]

My inner duty belt is a black Wilderness. My off duty belt is a tan Wilderness. Nuff said.

 

[B27]

Buy the one made in the USA.

Wilderness.

 

[Kalrog]

gyp_c2,

"The extra support would have made the belt TOO STIFF"

Any guidelines on what belt to get then? What is the suggested weight limit for each style (3 stitch, 5 stitch, plastic inserts)? I carry a fairly heavy gun in an IWB along with a pager and cell phone and sometimes more attached to the belt so I was thinking the reinforced one would be the way to go. But now I am not so sure...

 

[..]

The 5-stitch is nice and I've had a few. If you have a gut the belt will bite some from the "hangover". So be warned.

I don't have any experience with the other brand but the Wilderness is top notch. www.dillonprecision.com and www.gunnersalley.com has better pricing and shipping IIRC.

 

[vertigo7]

I picked The Wilderness 5-stitch. Love it and wear it daily. If I ever manage to wear this one out, I'll gladly buy another.

 

[Rabbit9]

Anothr vote for the Wilderness belt. I use their shooters belt, which has the plastic insert; it's very comfortable and stable even with a lot of gear.

 

[specwar]

Need we say more

Bro' go with the Wilderness belt - I got the 5 stitch and couldnt be happier!

 

[Rabbit9]

Another vote for the Wilderness belt.

I'm using the plastic reinforced shooters belt. It's very stable, even with a lot of gear.

 

[rennaissancemann]

Wilderness...

I have and use both brands.

My Blackhawk belt it upwards of 8 years old and gets daily use on my uniform pants.

I have three wilderness belts: 1.75", 1.5", and 1.25." All three of them are 5 stitch belts with the insert. These get used when I'm off duty. Personally, I don't think that they are "too stiff" YMMV.


Regards,

 

[sendec]

I have several of both. My BHI rigger's belt is unlined and considerably "softer" than the Wildeness, but still does a good job with a holster and gear. My preference is for the wilderness, because they seem like a super company with a great product line. Unless all your holsters have the larger loops I would recommend the 1.5 inch belt, which is stiffer than the wider belt and doesnt need the extra stitching. I have had issues with the wider, lined and stitched belts being too stiff and destroying belt loops. I have pretty much settled on the 3 stitch 1.5 as a happy medium and find it to be plenty stiff enough to carry the equivalent of a full duty rig plus. Anything more is bordering into overkill.

 

[fix]

Wilderness

 

[BerettaNut92]

I have had the Wilderness belts in 1.75" CSM, 1.5" 5-stitch and 1.25" ring belt.

I haven't had any Blackhawk belts so can't give you an honest comparison, but the Wilderness belts are excellent and Michael Novak is good people.

IMO the CSM is too thick for my body type and lifestyle. My favorite one is the 1.25" belt because people think it's cute.

 

[Blue Jays]

Good Evening All-

Currently running a variety of belts, both in synthetic and leather. My preference is to go top-of-the-line with any items that will be utilized daily. SOE and Andrews Custom Leather have superb customer service while The Wilderness has acceptable customer service. With that in mind:

Synthetic / Casual

• Instructor's Belt in 1.50" khaki 5-stitch by The Wilderness. Perfect for hiking shorts. Pair this with a Safepacker.
• Rigger's Belt by Special Operations Equipment in 1.75" black webbing. Also great with their various pouches or a Safepacker.

Of the two, The Wilderness belt seems "easier" to use in typical weekend clothing because the tapered and heat-sealed end makes it easier to don and doff with ease, plus it lays slightly flatter. The SOE belt is absolutely stronger, and cinches tighter with extremely aggressive velcro. If you rarely get out of denim jeans or RR 5.11s, the SOE is the much better choice. The buckle design also strikes me as superior between the two. The velcro loop lining on the back allows their variety of pouches to be securely positioned.

Either of these belts will need to "grow" on you as you get accustomed to the greater stiffness they offer. For those using common, mall-purchased belts, you'll be totally shocked at the performance difference.

Leather / Dress

• 1.75" down to 1.50" taper-end belts by Sam Andrews at Andrews Custom Leathers.

I have several of his belts, the fancy-stitch look great with denim jeans. The plain, no-taper models look superior with dress pants when ordered a bit narrower. Double-thickness leather ride better than the suede-backed, but that can simply be preference. Sam is a complete gentleman and professional with whom to do business. Wait until you see some of his holsters, yowza!

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~