Decent belt that isn't a bagillion dollars?

[kavity]

I am a college student and don't really have (or really want to spend) $100 on a "holster belt".

The belt I have now is too flimsy though and it doesn't hold my holster in the same position. It lets it tilt a little bit and i would prefer to have my holster in the same place every time I need to reach for it. It would suck to have to draw quickly only to have my gun tilted at a different angle.

What are the best INEXPENSIVE belts I should look into? I can't imagine why a $100 leather belt is much different than a $15 leather belt...


edit: I have a XD9 in a blackhawk serpa holster.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Pete]

Here's what I wear, a De Santis leather belt for $39 from MidwayUSA.

It's plenty strong enough, thicker than a department store belt, and has a suede liner to stop it slipping around.

You'll appreciate the difference.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=517054

[azchevy]

I wear a wilderness belt. I know the owner. Great guy. Great product.

http://thewilderness.com/catalog/pro...products_id=36

[TonyW]

You might also want to try the Looper Kydex. It's like $30.

http://www.looperleather.com/KydexBelt.html

[past60]

One of the differences is the twist you describe. Better belts don't. There are several other features and benefits that accrue to the amount you spend. That said, there are also some dollars that are spent that don't accrue the benefits you expect. Until you have enough experience to be sure what is or isn't important to your personal preferences, you should probably try something that is a fairly basic, but sturdy and durable compromise. I would suggest you look at the belt from Simply Rugged. It's at the lower end of the price pyramid, but I think has most of what's important. I've ordered one recently, but haven't seen it yet. Mine will be for a lighter weight pistol and I imagine that will have a bearing on my level of satifaction when I do get it.

None of this even touches on style - not particularly important to me, but maybe an issue for the average guy. Good luck.

[Smith&Wessonfan]

Carhartt leather and web belt. Two layers stiff (Cordura webbing outside, leather inside), comes in black, Carhartt brown, tan, and OD green, and $25 at Gander Mountain.

I have two of them and they carry my guns just as well as a $50 to $100 belt. I do have a Wilderness Instructor belt, so I have some basis for comparison.

[kavity]

SWEEET. Gander Mountain is only 20-30 minutes away.

[Martini13]

I am a college student and don't really have (or really want to spend) $100 on a "holster belt".

The belt I have now is too flimsy though and it doesn't hold my holster in the same position. It lets it tilt a little bit and i would prefer to have my holster in the same place every time I need to reach for it. It would suck to have to draw quickly only to have my gun tilted at a different angle.

What are the best INEXPENSIVE belts I should look into? I can't imagine why a $100 leather belt is much different than a $15 leather belt...


edit: I have a XD9 in a blackhawk serpa holster.

You might want to look at LAPoliceGear.com , the have the 5.11 belts for $29.95 purchased through them.

I have one and like it very much.

[kavity]

I tried to order through LAPoliceGear before and everytime I place an order the item is on backorder. :/ It's not very good business practice to advertise an item on your site and then not actually have it "for 3 or 4 more weeks" imo. This has happened to me 2x's with 3 different items. I sorta gave up on them because of that.

Also, shipping costs basically price their products close to or higher than local shop prices...and I don't have to wait for local shops to send me my items or worry about getting a call 2 days later telling me that they don't REALLY have the item I ordered.

[Gary Brommeland]

+1 on The Wilderness. $39.95 (Shipped) & I've got 'em in stock and ready to go!

[Blackeagle]

+1 on the Wilderness belt (and I'm not even selling them ).

[cockedlocked01]

I don't have either, but if I was looking at saving $$, I think I'd get the Wilderness belt or the leather/kydex Looper belt, depending on what I want.

[maclean3]

+1 on The Wilderness. I've got 'em in stock and ready to ship!

That's where I got mine, had it in just a few days time. Being a diehard leather guy I was a little skeptical at first but I have to say I'm impressed with the performance, especially at that price range. As far as the $100+ gun belts being that much better than department store belts, as long as you buy from a reputable maker then yes, they're worth it. On top of the added support they offer, they also last many years longer then the cheap stuff so when you break it down to cost per year they're actually cheaper to wear.

While I haven't been able to try one yet, belts from http://www.thebeltman.net get rave reviews from pretty much everyone that buys one - and they tend to be on the lower side of custom leather prices. Bruce Gibson of http://www.gibsonprorodeo.com (and a member here) is also cranking out some really nice stuff at fairly affordable prices.
Jack

[wmhawth]

I tried to order through LAPoliceGear before and everytime I place an order the item is on backorder. :/ It's not very good business practice to advertise an item on your site and then not actually have it "for 3 or 4 more weeks" imo. This has happened to me 2x's with 3 different items. I sorta gave up on them because of that.

Also, shipping costs basically price their products close to or higher than local shop prices...and I don't have to wait for local shops to send me my items or worry about getting a call 2 days later telling me that they don't REALLY have the item I ordered.

I tried ordering from them twice. Both times the merchandise was not in stock although advertised on their site. Gave up on them after that.

[Smith&Wessonfan]

SWEEET. Gander Mountain is only 20-30 minutes away.

Be aware that while these Carhart belts are 1.5" wide, they are pretty thick where the leather tabs for the buckle join the belt itself. Try it on several pants before you decide.

I have some jeans that have 1.5" loops but the loops don't have enough slack for the tripple layer of material near the ends.