EDC Belt

[Nightowl66]

I'm just getting into carrying. Looking for a EDC belt for OWB holster. I've read a lot online about getting a good belt and looked at a Nexbelt at the local gun store the other day which I liked.
Does Bass Pro carry any decent belts? The reason I ask is I have gift cards from Christmas.

 

[Spats McGee]

I briefly looked at Bass Pro's website. I didn't see anything that just blew me out of the water, nor anything that I've ever used, to be honest. I've used the Aker B21, DeSantis Econobelt, Wilderness Frequent Flyer belt, a Daltech Italian leather belt (steel-lined), and a Beltman belt. Depending on your budget and usual wardrobe, any one of them might work for you. For some folks a belt is a belt is a belt, but I don't wear the same belt on the weekends that I do in a suit.

 

[guyfromohio]

I just cruised the Bass Pro Site. Lots of good options from Galco and 5.11 in particular. You want a belt made for holster carry. You will appreciate this. I’ve had the Galco holster belts and they have been great. Expect a good belt to be around $100. I wear TT Gunleather exclusively now, but if I had a gift card to burn at Bass Pro and wanted a carry belt, I’d do the Galco Leather.


https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/galco-sb2-belt

 

[Speedo66]

For inexpensive choices this is a good place to start. https://www.crossbreed-seconds.com/belts/

Keep in mind though, belts specifically designed for carry can be really stiff, maybe stiffer than some find comfortable.

 

[JTQ]

I have no experience with them, but the Nexbelt you mention, seems like a reasonable choice https://www.nexbelt.com

My default belt for those starting out would be The Wilderness Tactical, either the Instructor belt or Frequent Flyer belt, both in 5-stitch stiffness https://www.thewilderness.com/belts/

Whatever you order, make sure you follow the makers sizing instructions. Don't order your jean size, it will be wrong. Each maker seems to have a different way of measuring. Their measuring instructions may seem odd, but they work.

Another recommendation, get a 1.5" width belt. Unless you are predominantly wearing dress pants, this width will fit most chinos and jeans, and is the default loop width for most holster makers.

 

[Old Dog]

I'm currently wearing mostly my Crossbreed leather belts. Sportsman's Warehouse typically has a decent selection in stock, both black and brown. Quality buckles, nicely lined with an inner stiffener layer. Holding up quite well. Don't know what you consider pricey, but they run about $75, which is reasonable for an off-the-shelf belt.

Another recommendation, get a 1.5" width belt.

Yep!

 

[trackskippy]

The best belts Ive used have been the Wilderness Instructor and Frequent Flyer belts. I switched to the FF when they first came out as they dont look as much like a "gun belt" as the Instructors, and they dont have any metal in them.

The best thing about these types of belts is, they are infinitely adjustable within their size range, allowing for a perfect comfort fit. You dont have to try and hit a notch on the belt. They also dont stretch and get nasty looking, and in some cases, smelling, like leather tends to do overtime.

Wilderness offers a number of different widths and stiffness levels so you have a lot of options. I use the 1.75", 5 stitch versions and find them to be very comfortable, and offer great support. Once snugged up, the gun doesn't move.

 

[Buzznrose]

Wilderness are outstanding belts, but if you need something less “tactical “, I love my Kore belts. Been using them for years…haven’t carried every day but worn only Kore belts since 2018

https://www.koreessentials.com/collections/all-edc-gear

 

[Old Dog]

. I’ve had the Galco holster belts and they have been great. Expect a good belt to be around $100.

I've gone through a couple of the Galco leather belts; they do fine but after a couple years of wear, the inner (plastic) stiffener actually breaks, right underneath where it's buckled. And yeah, at upwards of 100 bucks, I think they're overpriced (like all Galco products) - don't get me wrong, I think Galco offers decent quality for OTC holsters and belts, but the Crossbreed belts are about 20 bucks less and have nicer buckles, and before they get too worn, are nice enough that they can be worn with a suit (unless you're a skinny-belt suit-wearer).

 

[guyfromohio]

I've gone through a couple of the Galco leather belts; they do fine but after a couple years of wear, the inner (plastic) stiffener actually breaks, right underneath where it's buckled. And yeah, at upwards of 100 bucks, I think they're overpriced (like all Galco products) - don't get me wrong, I think Galco offers decent quality for OTC holsters and belts, but the Crossbreed belts are about 20 bucks less and have nicer buckles, and before they get too worn, are nice enough that they can be worn with a suit (unless you're a skinny-belt suit-wearer).

I wouldn’t argue with that, but his post states that he wants to use his Bass Pro gift card….unless crossbreed sells there (no sarcasm intended as I know I’ve seen Super Tucks at cabelas).

 

[herrwalther]

Kore gun belts. I have used a lot of the brands already mentioned here and Kore have been the best belts I have used.

https://www.koreessentials.com/coll...oDf4GumUDfPe2y51uQ30OMD8RpeeeQTgaAmhNEALw_wcB

 

[alfsauve]

Currently wear a Carhartt 1-1/4". Will probably splurge and go with a Hank's 1-1/2" down the road.

My biggest beef with typical consumer leather belts is they are composite, made with two piece of leather. I don't carry a particularly heavy gun and I'm not over rough on my belts but all those composite belts start to separate on me in short order.

 

[Old Dog]

I wouldn’t argue with that, but his post states that he wants to use his Bass Pro gift card….unless crossbreed sells there (no sarcasm intended as I know I’ve seen Super Tucks at cabelas).

I get wanting to use the Bass Pro gift cards, unfortunately, Bass Pro doesn't have much of a decent selection of dedicated gun belts.

Another alternative are the BladeTech belts sold by many retailers of firearms and tactical/military/LE accessories. I've got one of their initial leather offerings that's about ten years old and still in pretty good shape.

 

[Anchorite]

Milt Sparks or Ken Null.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I only wear my own creations currently but have, in the past, purchased good gun belts from the Belt Man, A&G Gunleather, and Milt Sparks.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I use the stiff inner linings of a rig belt. It’s light, stiff, and infinitely adjustable

just the velcro inner belt, been wearing it for 6 years and it can hold a 35# toddler

$10-ish

 

[Mark_Mark]

$43 for the set!!! on saie

https://blade-tech.com/products/competition-shooter-belt?variant=6067163562012

 

[ms6852]

I would recommend the Kore essential belts over the Crossbreed leather belt. The Kore belt is much stiffer and more comfortable to wear when you are wearing your EDC. I carry a 686 .357 and the Kore belt supports the revolver better than the Crossbreed belt I wore. Their dress belts are pretty great as well. Use the link provided my @herrwalther and check them out.

 

[FL-NC]

My carry pistol is a S+W shield 9. It doesn't seem like what belt I am using matters with such a light and slim pistol, as long as I'm not using a piece of rope like Jethro. I'm getting one of those Groove belts soon. I'm curious how it will do, not just for the pistol but for general wear/comfort. There are some videos on it on you tube.

 

[EMC45]

I like Wilderness Instrutors Belt. Got mine on right now.

I will check out the Crossbreed seconds store though. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Infinitely adjustable buckles are amazing.

My favorite belt setup is a Beltman horse hide with a crossbreed buckle.

I also use an "emissary" belt (can't remember the company) on a regular basis as it is slimmer but about as stiff.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’ll take one in .45 ACP

 

[equin]

For OWB, I think it also depends on how heavy the gun is. I need a thick, strong belt, like a Beltman or a Mean Gene Leather belt, to properly support my 5”, all-steel 1911 when carrying it OWB. But my Mastermind belt works fine carrying my much lighter Shield Plus OWB.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Beltman has a clearance sell right now. I got an email on it earlier. I guess I'm on their mailing list from past purchases. They make great belts.

Personally though I concealed carry with a plain old braided leather belt. I just prefer it. Body type matters. I use my Gun belts (Hanks, Safariland, Galco, and beltman) when I'm carrying a hunting revolver owb. I just don't like driving or sitting with those stiff belts on. My Glock 27 or sig 229 work just fine with the dress belt for the past 20 years iwb

 

[Stefan A]

I am using a kore essentials belt. Very stiff. But for me the draw is how easy it is to loosen and tighten. I like to keep the belt very tight when I'm walking - fat guys understand . But when I sit I like to loosen. Very quick and easy.