I know we’ve had “battle belt” threads before but let’s get specific on the key component – the belt itself. What are you using for the belt? What do you like and dislike about your choice?
I have been very slowly but surely piecing together a first line “battle belt” type setup. I’ve got a holster set up, know what pouches I want to use, etc., but the last thing I am unsure about is the belt. I was pretty set on the ICE belt (mostly because of the subload compatibility) but it seems like getting my hands on one could be a big hassle (little guy with big orders syndrome). It’s hard enough to justify cost of gear right now without tying up funds indefinitely.
So help me out here - what do you run, and what do you think of it?
I run a spec ops countured MOLLE belt, it has loops as well on the inside of the belt for attachments of holsters and the like
i have been very happy with it
If you are looking for inexpensive, I’ve got the answer for you! But, alas, it’s not padded. I’ve found it to be comfortable enough though.
Here’s the main setup:
Better shot of some of the gear on it. A double M16 mag pouch from Marsgear.com and on the outside of it is a small zippered pouch that holds pencils and for some goofy reason, an iPod video. The other tubular pouch is the battlecloth pouch that Doug included with my SRT Matrix:
This is just the little “admin” pouch attached to the M16 pouch:
Here is the admin pouch opened up to show where I keep my Form4:
Here’s the multicam pouch next to the main “gob” of pouches. It’s an Emdom USA 6o4 holding 4 M9 mags full of Black Hills 147gr. subsonics. In this picture I’m recreating militarymoron’s photo of it holding two mags tightly while upside down:
Here is a picture of the pistol for this setup:
In case you didn’t notice, the belt is the Sears Craftsman Tactical in Coyote Brown and it retails for $6.99.
The Marsgear dual M16 was IIRC $10 or $11 and the admin was $9 or $10.
The EmdomUSA 6o4 was the big splurge at $29.xx.
The Battlecloth suppressor pouch was $445 but came with a free suppressor
I need a knife and sheath and a better holster and maybe a grenade pouch for one of Grant’s ALS (?) CS grenades!
Here’s my latest…Simple and what I use for range practice for both Carbine and Pistol.
ICE Tactical belt pad
2X Eagle FB pouches with Kydex Insert
1 Tactical Tailor 2 mag pistol pouch with Kydex insert.
1custom Eggroll single pistol pouch I use for either a Cool guy tool or a G2 surefire
1 Maxpedition Rolly Polly dump pouch
Modified 6004 high ride for my G-17
Suicide – Interesting setup, thanks for the pics. I never would have guessed that was a $7 craftsman belt. Definitely the winner in the budget category.
Harv – seen your setup before…nice and simple. How hard was it to get your hands on the ICE belt?
I was one of the Lucky ones. Mine only took a little over 2 months from order to delivery. I think I got in before he got swamped with orders. The one thing I have learned about the custom stuff is order it with no intent on when your going to get it. Just order and forget it, eventually you get it. The Pad was worth the wait for me.
This is the only belt I’ve ever used so I don’t know how it compares but it works for me. All Tactical Tailor except for the pistol mag pouch. Came 3 or 4 days after I ordered it.
I’ve used, and still have in some form or another, the Specter gear duty belts. My old one had a pad attached and it was pretty nice. I wanted to go the modular route though and picked up a DBT padded molle belt. It has worked for me so far.
Here’s a couple pics of the DBT in an older configuration I used:
back shot…
top shot…
Here is an old pic of the Specter belt:
For a budget molle belt, and since I wasn’t 100% I wanted to go with molle, I used the belt portion off an used USGI FLC. Worked just fine for testing.
I have been running either the Gen 1 or Gen 2 version of the Crye Blast Belt for a few years now. Easily the best belt that i have ever worn, but may be beyond the mission requirements of hobby shooters.
The fact that it is armored makes it more attractive to many (including me).
The fact that it is generally unavailable to all but a few probably makes it desireable to a lot.
I’d post a pic, but i am errornet challenged…
Pat, If you want to email me the pictures, I’ll try to post them for you.
I use an Eagle duty belt and a Blackhawk pad for long gun classes. I have had the Eagle belt for more than 9 years. Its durable and there are many pouches available for it. The velcro back locks the pouches in place so they don’t shift. You don’t have to use a pad unless you run a lot of stuff on the belt. It won’t break the bank either.
You are right, though, in that my need for an armored rig is minimal, at best.
ShortyB,
Apparently you aren’t the only one that had complaints – if you’ll look at Harv’s ICE belt above you’ll see that the design has been changed to have webbing over the slits for drop legs. That said, I don’t mind the spaces so if anyone feels like upgrading, let me know…
Steve, Damon- thanks for the offer.
Loknlod- thank ypou for reposting that pic.
That is the Gen 1 belt.
Prior to that i wore an Eagle war belt that was a contract item for the IAK. .
It was pretty good, and the MOLLE webbing made it versatile.
I like the Blast Belt for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the support it gives to all of those damaged discs…
I’ve been happy with the blackwater I-O belt. It’s also available in under a week from optactical. Gear in hand is worth many catalogs of backordered stuff
