If you want to carry your tactical gear with you, then it’s very important to invest in a tactical belt. This is a great investment because it allows you to store all the items you need, and it can even be suitable for carrying weapons as well. The challenge when it comes to choosing a tactical belt is that there are so many options on the market. So you have to figure out which is the best tactical belt according to your needs. With that in mind, here are some great ideas.
Identify what you need in a tactical belt
The first thing you want to do is to write down everything that you want from a tactical belt. Every person has different requirements, so it’s imperative to start by figuring out what activities will you be using the tactical belt for. Some use it for fishing, hunting or hiking, and in that case you want a tactical belt that’s not very stiff, and also rather comfortable. You will need a belt that’s allowing you move freely while also being reliable. In case you are in law enforcement, you want a belt that’s strong and rigid, as that’s what will convey the results you expect.
What materials is the belt made of?
Usually, when you want to invest in a tactical belt, you expect it to be very strong and durable. What a lot of people don’t realize is that a tactical belt will usually be made out of different materials. The best tactical belt models are using very strong base materials, with scuba webbing being a prime example. These are a blend of polypropylene and nylon, which is something to keep in mind. On top of that, the webbing should have some reinforcing, be it a loop liner or double stitching. If you see glued reinforcing, stay away from that.
Going for a belt with a great width does come in handy, and it will make it more rigid. Yet despite that, most tactical belts will fit the 1.5” belt loops, which is great because you get a lot more variety and value. There are also leather based tactical belts, but these are not as great. In fact, most of the models are very inexpensive, and they also say they use genuine leather, which is obviously not the case here. They are not rigid and strong as a tactical belt should be, so those are the models that you may want to avoid, just keep that in mind.
The belt buckle
A tactical belt buckle isn’t there just for the sake of it. Instead, it will allow you to adjust the belt and ensure that it fits exactly the way you want. After all, comfort is key when you wear any belt, let alone a tactical one. We recommend staying away from a tactical belt that has a frame buckle and any traditional holes. These are not that great to adjust.
What you want to do is to use a belt that has a micro-adjustable buckle. That’s way better and it helps deliver exceptional results. The best buckle materials are either metal or impact resistant plastic. Both of them are efficient and help you get the job done, which in turn is exactly what you want to pursue. With that being said, you can also find some concealed carrying tactical belts, and these don’t have any belt buckle. There is a reason for that, because they are easier to conceal and you reduce the overall profile, which is always a major plus.
What about rigidity?
Ideally, you want to ensure that a tactical belt is rigid and it will be able to hold all the equipment you need in it. With that in mind, you don’t want to cross the line and have it too rigid, because it can be very uncomfortable to wear. In the end, that detracts from the value and you want to stay away from a situation like that.
If you just want to use the tactical belt for a little bit, then going for a flexible one is a very good idea. This is when comfort is a priority. Yet if you want the tactical belt for duty use like carrying a pistol, magazines and other pieces of equipment, a bit more rigidity never hurts, if anything it will make things even better. That’s definitely something you want to take into consideration as much as you can.
How strong is the tactical belt?
What you will notice when you wear a good tactical belt is that it does have a lot of strength to it. Many of these are using mil strength nylon for the webbing. That material adds a lot of strength and it makes everything very sturdy. Which is great, because it adds to the experience, while implementing a very high quality result.
In addition, you do want to ensure that you have access to an exceptional tactical belt, and the benefits themselves are second to none all the time. if you need a wide duty belt, a tree-ply option becomes a priority. So yes, thicker and durable materials are crucial if you want a solid, powerful and strong tactical belt.
What type of tactical belt do you need?
The two-piece tactical belts have an inner and an outer belt. You need these when you have to rely on a strong belt and that on its own is very helpful. On the other hand, the sleeve-type tactical belt has a heavy duty mole sleeve that you can mount on any belt. That means these tactical belts have to be worn on other belts in order to work properly.
Tactical belt length
In this case it all comes down to personal preference. Just pick what makes you comfortable and you will be more than ok. If the belt is too large, then that will interfere with gear access. It might also hinder your ability to move around properly. The idea is to check the belt, see if it fits well and if it delivers the comfort that you want. Then you just go from there, and you will be very happy with the results.
Other things to keep in mind
Aside from those major points above, there are a few other things to consider when you want to buy a tactical belt. The color of the belt is important, since it allows you to express yourself. For a lot of people, a camo belt will be fine, but others will want a different color. Think about the grip of your belt, you want to avoid a belt that will slip down on you.
Also, you want to ensure that the belt has a very good comfort too. The last thing you want is for the belt to not deliver comfort, so going for a belt with extra padding is certainly a thing to keep in mind. Check the mole webbing of the belt, and also see what price you have to pay for it. A tactical belt can be anywhere from $20 to $300, so it’s important to set a budget. Once you know all these things, it becomes a lot easier to pick the best tactical belt, and the results can be amazing!