Which Holster Belt, Leather or Nylon Web?

[thercman]

Hey All!

My Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 showed up yesterday and now I need a belt for it. I was looking at 5.11 1 1/2" Nylon and 1 1/2" Leather. I was thinking the nylon version would seem to work better with jeans since that's all I wear. I also like the unlimited adjustable length. Some are saying the leather has better support. So what do you all wear (leather or nylon) and why?

 

[walker944]

Leather

I picked up a 1 1/2" black leather belt a few months ago from a guy selling belts and other leather items at a gun show here in Texas. At first I really wasn't sure about it. I sort of looked at for a week or so. You might could say I even had a little buyer's remorse. After all I had been wearing the same old brown leather belt for the last 13 yrs or so. The old belt had gotten so nicely worn in that it didn't have a lot of rigidity at all. In fact, holsters would sag on it. So, I was apprehensive to start wearing the new belt. I guess I should say that when I buy new shoes, it takes me a while to start wearing them too. It's like they are just too new and nice looking to want to wear them. So, one day I finally decided to take the new black leather belt on a test drive. I strapped it on and wore it for the day in my jeans. I absolutely loved it. The new belt was firm and stiff and the good news was my OWB holsters stayed right in place with no sagging. I have never tried a nylon web belt...don't know if I would like it, or if it would feel 'normal' to me. I've always worn leather belts. JMTC

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you're thinking about a nylon belt, i would highly recommend the Wilderness Instructor belts.

i'm wearing a 1.5" 5-stitch model and it is comfortable,lightweight and stiff. when i travel by air, i wear their "ring" model...that way i don't need to take it off when going through the metal detector

 

[Dorkfish]

Go with the leather belt. The nylon stuff has too much flex/give under the weight of a pistol. J-clips or otherwise. I have a set of the 5.11 tac pants that came with one of their new nylon belts and the belt doesn't agree with my Crossbreed holsters or my leathers w/ j-clips.

 

[CPshooter]

http://www.thebeltman.net/bh112.htm

http://www.ttgunleather.com/catalog/c7_p1.html

http://www.miltsparks.com/

I believe in functionality and style. A nice leather belt accomplishes both. Some people just don't know how to dress themselves. A good-looking leather belt is a must these days and it adds a touch of sophistication to any nice pair of jeans, dockers khakis, cargo shorts, etc.

I don't know how some people leave the house wearing an olive-green woven cloth belt. Range use is one thing, but they don't exactly give off a professional appearance while out in public.

I'm not the fashion police or anything, but c'mon..get yourself a nice leather belt. Forget that tacky cloth belt!

 

[Nugilum]

Repeating everyone else, leather!

 

[Gordon]

I have 5 Liger belts. For CCW nothing comes close IMHO.BTW I got my first Sparks leather belt in 1977.
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=16

 

[devildog66]

1.5" double thick leather from a reputable belt maker would be/is my choice but I also use a 1.25" belt form Beltman for shorts and jeans.

 

[glassman]

try the every day belt from LL Bean. Reasonably priced, a little thicker than what you see in the stores and is good with jeans. supports IWB and belt carry very well.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...entCategory=502865&feat=502865-tn&cat4=502855

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Go with the leather belt. The nylon stuff has too much flex/give under the weight of a pistol.

A Wilderness Instructor five-stitch doesn't have any.

 

[thercman]

Thanks everyone! Wow there are lots of options out there. I might order a Milt Sparks belt in a few months. In the mean time I picked up a leather belt from Cabelas. Boy this thing is rigid. Now I have the freedom to leisurely look around for a nice belt.....

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

One of the best leather belts you can buy is from Jim Speidel, the Beltman. For more adjustability you can order the option of seven holes 3/4-inch apart, instead of the usual 5x1-inch spacing.

 

[chupacabrah]

+1 for the wilderness tactical 5-stitch belts. cheaper than leather, but work great, and don't really wear out.

It fits in with my dress better, also, as I wear mostly jeans.

I wouldn't mind a leather belt from the beltman, though. the wilderness belt just fit my budget better

 

[EMT40SW]

The beltman horse hide belts are awesome. The wilderness tactical instructors belts work well too.

 

[thercman]

Yeah I was checking out their web site... They are on the list for sure..

 

[Maia007]

I got a Beltman 1.25" horsehide and a Wilderness 1.5" belt at the same time and wore them both......changing them out every couple of days in order to evaluate each for carrying. I did that for several months.

The only factor under consideration was comfort and utility in carrying a pistol. Not looks, not price, etc.

A stiff horsehide belt, like that from Beltman, wins hands down with no contest. Hands down. No contest.

I won't even wear the 5.11 belt anymore if I have something to carry. The horsehide belt is THAT much better. The only thing I can say that is good about the 5.11 is that it is not too bad "for the price".

 

[9mmepiphany]

Maia007 -

just for clairification, you reference the Wilderess belt and then talk about the 5.11 belt.

which one did you mean?

 

[Davek1977]

A good-looking leather belt is a must these days and it adds a touch of sophistication to any nice pair of jeans, dockers khakis, cargo shorts, etc.

While I'd generally agree, no one should be SEEING your belt if you are carrying concealed on or in your waistband, which to me, eleiminates the need for a gunbelt to be "pretty" unless it does double-duty

 

[trayzor]

Leather from the Beltman. I have a Black and Brown one in 1.25". Best belt I ever owned.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is room in your "CCW toolbox" for both kinds of belts.

It does seem incongruous to pair a handmade crafted holster with the nylon belt, but on the other hand no one else is going to see it anyway.

 

[Commander Crusty]

My Maxpedition Liger gun belt is plastic, very stiff, doesn't twist, looks great, holds my revolvers well and is in stock for immediate shipment.

I drilled extra holes in mine and now have adjustments of 1/2".

Then only problem is the belt is "sticky," but since most people want their holster to stay exactly where they put it, that's tacky inner surface is probably a good thing.