Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch or 5.11 Tactical Trainer

[zdc1775]

Just like the title says which one is the better belt? The 5.11 Tactical Trainer or the Wilderness Tactical 1 1/2" 5 Stitch Instructor belt. They are both about the same price so that's a wash. They seem to both be well made and stiff but the local stores that carry them carry one or the other so I can't actually compare side by side.

So does anyone have any firsthand experience with both? If so what's your opinion? Which would you buy if you had it to do again?

 

[jdmb03]

I would take the Wilderness over the 5.11. I like the quality and stiffness of the Wilderness. I have a black 36" and 38" if your interested in buying.

 

[Yo Mama]

5 stich instructors belt by Wilderness Tactical has my full support. I still have my first one, could have worn it another decade if my mid section didn't grow. I wore that one for 8 years, every day.

If this tells you how much I love mine, I bought another to replace it a few inches larger, and have been wearing this one now for the last year. There was no question for me, I didn't look around at other options. The company will replace the velcro for a small fee, makes the belt almost brand new. I can't say enough good things about them. They are local to me, and I've bought both from the factory, it's a few employees who are great people.

Side note: get a few inches greater than your actual mid section if you carry IWB, otherwise the velcro will not grip where it's needed

 

[jdmb03]

I carry IWB with a 34" waist. The 38" belt worked great.

 

[DT Guy]

I used the Wilderness until I discovered the Propper 180, basically the same belt without the huge climbing buckle, for about $14 on line. Since then, nothing but...the instructor belts just scream 'gun', in my opinion.


Larry

 

[Yo Mama]

Some pretty big differences in materials used between that Propper 180 and the Instructors Belt, but all being material and not looks, so how does the Propper 180 not scream "gun" as well?

Besides, I never tuck my shirt, so no one knows what belt I have on.

I'm glad the belt works for you. That's all that really matters.

 

[Armored farmer]

I am also looking at the Wilderness Instructor as a work belt and for carry when in my work clothes. I wear 36" jeans and will be carrying IWB when my ccp finally comes. I also carry a sheathed multi-tool or pliers, so I need the support of a good rigid belt. The heavy buckle will be appreciated when I need to snap on a safety line.

Any help about size or where to order from would be appreciated.

 

[Yo Mama]

^ You can order directly from them. There are many options, color, stich, even an ability for adding a thin kydex liner inside the belt which you may want to look into.

 

[DT Guy]

The Propper is similar to the Wilderness in the actual webbing/belt part; it's heavy, two ply nylon with five rows of stitching running the length of the belt.

The difference is the change from the goofy (IMHO) climbing buckle to a simple BDU style buckle; when worn, it looks like any other nylon BDU belt, since you can't see the extra layers of webbing in the body of the belt.

 

[ahtoxa]

Looked at both and ended up buying a heavy, thick 1.5 inch weaved cotton belt from Walmart.

I didnt really buy it as a gun belt but after having used it with an IWB holster, it worked far, far better than I anticipated.

All for $8

 

[9mmepiphany]

The difference is the change from the goofy (IMHO) climbing buckle to a simple BDU style buckle; when worn, it looks like any other nylon BDU belt, since you can't see the extra layers of webbing in the body of the belt.

Maybe I'm just not seeing much difference between this



...and this



I actually think the extra attachment point makes it look less "gunny"

 

[zdc1775]

Web belts in general scream gun, or military/wannabes, to me but I don't really care since I'm looking at this for summer carry in shorts and untucked t-shirt so no one will see it either way. Just wanting something more comfortable than leather for those occasions.

So it seems like not many people have experience with the 5.11 belt and I just happen to fall right at the high side of one of their sizes at 42" with gun and carrier IWB, same issue with the Propper, which I had never heard of before this thread. So I guess I will get one of the Wilderness belts for now. If I ever have to replace it I might order one of the others but we will have to wait and see for that.

Oh and the only experience I have with web belts is the cheap one that Uncle issued at Basic Training and the BLACKHAWK! CQB/Rigger's belt so the buckle doesn't bother me.

 

[Hagen442]

Web Belts

I have been wearing 5.11 Clothes for a number of years , but I prefer the Wilderness Web Belt over the 5.11.
My Old 2 Cents

 

[raze]

The wilderness is a great belt I wore it for years working construction/ heavy equipment repair and it held up really well. With that said I switched over to the ares gear ranger belt which is a little bit more money but imho is well worth it. I like the way its adjustable vs Velcro on the wilderness. I find having the buckle is nicer than the loop system. http://www.aresgear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6

 

[Bovice]

I've worn the same 5.11 Tactical Trainer belt pretty much every day for the past 4 years. It's been in fresh water, salt water, everywhere. It's good.

 

[Ankeny]

I have both. They are both good belts, but I prefer the Wilderness belt. Wildnerness will refurbish the belt (replace velcro) for 10 bucks.

 

[Armored farmer]

I picked up an Uncle Mike's belt from Midway. It appears to be a shameless knock-off of a Wilderness Tac. It is stiff and appears very durable. Supports the weight of my 1911. The buckle/velcro combination is pretty slow to put on or even loosen to tuck an iwb holster in.
I like it.
We use a safety belt quite often for high work on the loader tractor. I feel confident that the belt will be sturdy enough to attach to the safety line.