I am strongly leaning towards the El Burro and Emissary as they don’t scream “tactical” to me, but I’d like to hear your opinions on why/why not. I am also open to suggestions. I’ll just say, riggers belts, cobra belts, D rings, etc are all a no go for me.
I can only comment on the Aegis belt, but it’s a great belt for what you’re describing. My only gripe is that it’s REALLY stiff! Way stiffer than any rigger belt I owned, but I have zero doubt that it will support a handgun and accessories.
If you want less Tactical, you also might want to check out a biothane belt like this:
Or look at the daltech force line of biothane belts. They’re more conventional looking but any shoe repair shop can punch extra holes in the belt if you need to cinch it down more.
I own both and wear them daily. the Boxer is great due to the range of adjustment, but, the daltech biothane is thicker/stiffer. First Spear also makes a good biothane belt as well.
If you’re looking for a casual belt that works well the Kore belts are great with the ratchet buckles. Also the 5.11 leather belts are good and look like a normal belt.
Congrats on the weight loss. I’m down a bunch of weight myself. I recently picked up an enhanced Aegis and holy **** it’s a stiff ass belt. With that said it does a damn good job holding up my trousers and Tier 1 Agis with full EDC set up. The buckle is rather large but due to the holster set up I it have moved much further to one side. It hides well…
I’m guessing you tuck in your shirt a lot.
If you’re into the social media thing take a look at Instagram and search hashtags using the belt make and model. You’ll see pics and get an idea of how they look with different kinds of dress.
I have the Emissary Belt and I like it…stiff enough to support a handgun, multiple mag pouches/mags and a couple of other items. I wear it to work on biz casual or jean days. It’s flexible enough to bend with the body and AIWB holster. It did take almost 4 months to get it from Alonso Defense, so you’ll likely need something in the interim if you go with it.
I have a Volund Atlas G-Hook, it hangs in the closet. It appears to be a well made belt, ultimately I just didn’t care for the looks of the G-Hook attachment. I honestly didn’t wear it enough to give you a report on durability, it looks to be made with attention to detail and of the same scuba material as the one I replaced it with several years ago.
If you don’t mind the tactical look and are looking for a functional belt that, IMO, improves on the G-Hook, give these guys a shot:
Wanted to add, I’ve been look at these in the Blue Press for a while, I’m thinking it has that hipster vibe that a 64 year-old guy like me is looking for:
I got this belt from LAPG, I honestly don’t remember ordering it, it is black and I would have ordered brown. It came in a box of about a dozen pistol cases and it fit, so I guess it was meant to be. I found it to be durable. I still wear it, even after the dog chewed the end because I don’t believe I’ve tucked in a shirt (unless I’m wearing a suit) since I retired.
I like low profile belts for appendix carry. Less issues with the buckle getting in the way. I picked up the below after watching a video by Sage Dynamics on YouTube. Price is Right in this one too
That Emissary looks interesting. How would you compare the stiffness of it to a single or two-layer riggers belt? Wilderness Frequent Flyer, or Instructor?
So I remembered that I owned a G Hook belt way back when Volund first started. It was well constructed, but like 26 Inf, mine sat in the closet as it just didn’t fit my style of dress.
I took a look at the Mean Gene Victory Aegis, and it’s probably the best looking belt out there, especially with the brass colored Aegis. However, it’s just way too thick. And the Aegis belt itself seems too thick for what I am looking for, so that rules out the Ares Gear as well.
I was not a fan of the Boxer Tactical Apogee belt buckle. Looks too strange for my taste.
I am intrigued by the Beltman Leather Belts. I think, when I finish my body transformation, (I am at 15% BF now and beginning a bulk phase) I’ll order a nice leather belt from them.
So, I decided to order the Emissary Belt. I like the looks and how it appears to be constructed. It’ll be ready in two months, so in the interim I ordered a Blue Alpha Gear Low Pro EDC Belt in gray.
I think you made 2 good choices. Looking forward to your feedback on the Emissary belt. Garandthumb helped with the design of this i believe and i have heard really good things.
The Blue Alpha Gear is a solid belt and should definitely work out until the other arrives. Options are always a good thing
No pics. I happen to have the Wilderness Instrutor belt too. Emissary isn’t as stiff, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue thus far. I’ve had the Emissary belt since July and have been using it quite a bit at the range when practicing and running drills.
I usually run a two mag pistol carrier, a rifle mag carrier and a IFAK in addition to a pistol. The belt has held the load fine and my pants stay up! I like Wilderness belt but wanted something I could wear to work, etc that doesn’t look out of place.
I’m curious to see how rugged the Emissary belt is, and if I can destroy it. Wilderness has held up well.
Full disclosure - I designed this belt and am affiliated with this company - if this is taken as an ad, please delete.
I tried most of the belts mentioned in this thread, did reviews of twl volunds and a wilderness instructor. They are good but for AIWB there is a very specific need for a particular type or design.
When I was designing the Megingjord - https://vdevgru.com/products/megingjord - I wanted to take into consideration the things I learned from first hand experience carrying aiwb on duty. Comfort was important but application is more important. I found that I didn’t want a “halo” effect that thick or hard belts create. They are good for owb or maybe strong side carry. But for AIWB a thick belt is not only overkill it’s just not needed. Also thick belts don’t move with you.