To effectively and comfortably concealed carry a gun, you need more than just a good holster and the right gun. You need a gun belt.
A gun belt is a must-have to support your gun and ensure proper concealment. A good carry belt should be known for its dependability and its ability to support your firearm.
What makes a gun belt different from a regular gun belt? What kind of gun belt do you need? Where do you find a good CCW belt? Those are all solid questions we are going to answer now.
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7 Best Gun Belts: Outdoor Empire Reviews
Here is a list of the top gun belts:
- Best Cheap #1: Blackhawk CQB Belt
- Best Cheap #2: Uncle Mike’s Off-Duty and Concealment Belt
- Best for the Money #1: Daltech Force Gun Belt
- Best for the Money #2: Titan EDC Tactical Belt
- Best Overall #1: Crossbreed Holsters Executive Gun Belt
- Best Overall#2: Magpul Tejas Gun Belt
- Best Leather: Hank’s Stitched Gunner Belt
| Category | Best Cheap | Best for the Money | Best Overall |
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| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Best Cheap Gun Belt #1
- Incredibly Strong
- Perfect for heavier firearms
- Mil-spec, parachute-grade buckles
- 1.75-inch width isn’t compatible with all holsters
Blackhawk is easily the most recognizable tactical gear maker in the world. They produce a wide variety of gear, and one of their most basic pieces of gear is the CQB belt.
This is a general-purpose tactical belt, and one of those general purposes is the ability to carry a gun. The Blackhawk CQB belt is designed for daily wear and is insanely secure.
Features and Specs
- Sized from 32 to 51 inches
- Tensile strength of 7k pounds
- 1.75-inch wide.
It’s made from synthetic materials and features the standard rigger’s belt, D-ring setup. You may never hang from SPY webbing over Camp Lejeune, but you could technically hang your keys on it.
The belt uses a healthy degree of hook and loop material to lock the belt down once its adjusted. This is critical for keeping things perfectly adjusted.
The benefit here is for OWB you can get it nice and tight. For IWB, you can get it tight enough to carry the gun, but not so tight as to cause the gun to jab into you.
The 1.75-inch belt width is rigid and does allow you to carry a big gun if you are planning to use a belt for both range use, firearms training, or tactical applications on top of concealed carry.
2. Best Cheap Gun Belt #2
- Remarkably affordable
- Polymer core helps support heavy guns
- Rigger’s style belt buckle
- Available in limited colors and only in 1.5 inches wide
Uncle Mike’s is another company known for producing budget gun gear that works quite well. The Off-Duty and Concealment belt is a perfect option when budgets are tight.
Uncle Mike’s belt is a synthetic belt with a rigger’s style buckle and friction fit. The heart of the belt is a polymer reinforcement with two layers of nylon strapped over it.
This gives it the support you need to carry guns both big and small. On top of that, the belt comes in a variety of different sizes and styles.
Features and Specs
- 1.5 inches wide for maximum compatibility
- Heavy-duty stitching for the utmost strength
- Made for concealed carry
The Uncle Mike’s Concealment Belt is designed for those on a tight budget who want to save some money while seeking out a quality concealed carry belt.
We all have a budget, and sticking to it can be a challenge, but the Uncle Mike’s Concealment and Off-Duty belt is well made and well suited for budget everyday carry.
3. Best Gun Belt for the Money #1
- Extremely durable
- Will support heavy duty gear
- 100% leather for an ultra-long-lasting design
- It’s so thick it can be difficult to force the belt through holster loops.
The Daltech Force Gun Belt is an interesting combination of both leather and steel and is one of my favorite gun belts. Until I lost a lot of weight, this was my go-to belt for concealed carry.
Its hybrid design gives it a lot of strength and durability. If you want to carry a gun, some reload, a knife, and more, the Daltech Force will support it all.
The Daltech belt is also very well priced, and I’m always surprised by just how affordable these gun belts are. The belt is durable, and it also looks nice, which is a concern for plenty in regard to fashion.
Features and Specs
- Metal and leather hybrid belt
- 1.5 inches wide for max compatibility
- Add 2 inches to your pants size when ordering
The Daltech Force Gun Belt is a serious gun belt at an amazing price. Its design incorporates a steel core on top of leather to support the heaviest of guns, spare magazines, and anything else you want to stick on your belt.
This is a great option for those who like a full-sized gun and don’t mind carrying a heavy load.
4. Best Gun Belt for the Money #2
- Stylish and low profile
- Very easy to tighten to a specific degree
- Perfectly adjustable for IWB and OWB carry
- Slightly small width wise.
The Titan EDC Tactical Belt is a synthetic design that incorporates both a very modern buckle and a tough synthetic design. The Titan’s belt buckle and belt incorporate a ratcheting technology that allows you to tighten the belt to the most comfortable degree possible.
You can really latch this belt down, and it won’t budge even a fraction of an inch. The nylon in the belt has a very rugged and strong design that is an advanced composite of ultra-fine polyester fibers, adding strength and rigidity to the belt.
Features and Specs
- Belt is 1 ⅜-inches wide and can fit up to a 48-inch waist.
- Comes in five different colors
- Features a ratchet tightening system
The Titan EDC Tactical Belt is very state of the art, and its modern design is quite nice for concealed carry. The Titan EDC Tactical Belt makes it easy for you to tighten your belt down for a very specific level of tightness.
The Titan EDC belt is also stylish and doesn’t have an outward appearance of being a gun belt.
5. Best Overall Gun Belt #1
- Blends both tactical and dress belt into one
- Very strong and incredibly durable: this belt will last
- Perfect for use with Crossbreed Holsters
- One pricey belt
Crossbreed makes some of the best gun holsters out there. They are extremely comfortable and designed for carrying a wide variety of guns in a wide variety of positions.
The Crossbreed Executive Belt is the culmination of a ton of concealed carry experiences and design developments. The belt is made from leather and a lot of it.
It’s .25 inches thick and 1.5 inches wide. This makes it a very strong belt that will support guns both big and small. It’s a thick but strong belt that will last for a long time.
Features and Specs
- .25 inches thick and 1.5 inches wide
- Made from top-grade cowhide leather
- A nylon web core liner adds an internal mechanism for superior stiffness
The Crossbreed Holsters Executive Belt is perfect for those who want a belt that looks at home in the field, on the range, and with a suit and tie. The Executive Belt isn’t cheap, but it does work as both a gun belt and a stylish formal design.
6. Best Overall Gun Belt #2
- Slimmer than most belts, but strong enough for a full-sized pistol
- Stylish and well designed
- Easily handles the weight of a full-sized pistol
- An expensive belt option
Magpul makes everything for guns, from the famed P-MAGS to Glock mags, to stocks and even rifle chassis systems. They produce a number of clothing options as well, and one such option is the Tejas gun belt.
The Magpul belt is made from a combination of both strong bull-hide leather and a rugged polymer internal core. This internal core is incredibly strong and provides a crazy level of stiffness.
This allows you to carry a gun all day, every day, without being bothered or letting your belt sag.
Features and Specs
- 1.25 inches wide
- Made from bull-hide leather
- .25 inches thick
The Magpul Tejas gun belt is for those who want a proven design from a proven company. Magpul has strived to produce an extremely durable belt and has done so in spades.
The Tejas gun belt is a well-made piece of gear that will last you for years. The Tejas belt is for those who demand satisfaction and won’t expect anything less than excellent.
7. Best Leather Gun Belt
- Extremely durable and well made for a long-lasting belt
- 100-year warranty
- Classy and fashionable
- No internal core for extra rigidity
When it comes to gun belts, I always get a slight chuckle at the number of people who always suggest Hank’s gun belts. It’s almost like an in-joke in the gun community or hidden secret. Hank’s Gun Belts are extremely well made and are designed to last.
These all-leather, supportive gun belts are made from one strip of leather by Amish craftsmen. Hank’s Gun Belts are designed for rugged use, and they do maintain a stylish old school appeal.
The belts are perfect for everyday carry and have been designed to last nearly forever. Hanks has the market cornered extremely well, and they are an excellent brand for daily carry.
Features and Specs
- .23 inches thick
- 1.5 inches wide
- Easily swapped buckle
Hank’s Gun Belts are some of the best on the market. They are also well priced and made entirely of leather. If you want something simple to use and easy to thread through belt loops, Hank’s Gun Belts are for you.
These belts are well designed and affordable for those looking for a fashionable and useful gun belt.
Why You Need a Quality Gun Belt?
When it comes to concealed carry, we give a lot of credence to quality guns and holsters, but what about your belt? It’s tasked with holding your gun up and allowing you to carry it all day long.
A quality gun belt is a must-have. Without a gun belt, you’ll feel the pain. A supportive belt does more than you think.
1. First, it keeps you comfortable and allows you to carry guns both large and small comfortably.
2. A gun belt prevents the gun from sagging and becoming difficult to conceal. Also, a gun belt keeps your gun positioned in a manner that makes it easy to draw and easy to get into action.
3. A quality gun belt is designed to keep the gun in one position and to make it easy to access and easy to draw. Your everyday belt may allow the gun to sag downwards, and this makes it pretty damn hard to draw from.
I remember when I started concealed carrying and used a normal Dickies belt. It tried hard, but damn did it make my little Walther a pain to carry. However, my life changed once I purchased a well-made gun belt.
Good belts cost good money. Here is the thing: a good belt will last for years and years. I still wear one that I bought during my first marriage, so that tells you a thing or two.
Gun belts are designed to last and to be the strongest belts possible. They aren’t just good gun belts; they’re the best belts—period. They are stronger than they need to be, and a good gun belt is well worth its money.
How to Choose a Gun Belt?
Choosing a gun belt is a lot like choosing a holster, which means you need to consider the type of gun you are carrying. Larger, heavier guns will require a stronger belt.
The SIG P226, for example, needs a much more rigid belt than a Glock 43.
Material & durability
Step one is realizing that heavier guns will need sturdier belts.
If you carry a compact, lightweight weapon you will be good to go with a solid nylon or leather belt. The belt should be strong and durable, but it can still be small and flexible when it comes to smaller guns.
Heavier weapons may require a leather or nylon belt with an insert made of metal or polymer inside of it. These strong cores will help support the sturdiest of weapons and provide you with a comfortable experience while concealed carrying.
The downside is obviously these belts are very stiff, and it has to be a compromise you are willing to make for carrying a larger, more capable weapon.
Nylon and leather are chosen because of how tough they are. Both materials resist ripping and shredding and can carry a holster without you worrying about them breaking or dropping your holster and gun.
Belt size
Belt size is a critical component to carrying a gun. You have to have a dedicated means of carrying, so are you choosing an IWB or OWB holster? If you go OWB, you need to order maybe only one size up from usual, meaning 2 extra inches.
If you are rolling with an IWB holster, you’ll need to add more to the belt to accommodate the IWB holster and gun. This may mean adding 4 to 6 inches to your belt depending on the size of your gun.
Some gun belts have their own specific instructions on sizing a belt, so check the manufacturer’s website prior to ordering.
Looks
A belt is still a piece of clothing, and therefore you have to consider how it looks. Some belts are extremely tactical.
Rigger’s belts, nylon CQB belts, and duty belts look tactical, and that may clash with your everyday apparel. For your everyday street clothes, these belts may not be perfect.
Plenty of companies are out there producing all manner of leather gun belts and even stylish nylon belts. These belts are a bit more formal, and this should allow you to carry in almost all situations.
With the concealed carry industry being so big, you can find a concealed carry belt for any situation and clothing choice you encounter.
Gun Belt Brands to Check Out
Daltech
Daltech is an interesting company. They produce a wide variety of different belts, and their entire focus is on producing high-quality gun belts in a wide variety of styles.
They focus on leather designs and have belts with both internal steel cores and coreless variants. They also have a ton of variety to allow you to pick and choose a variety of different styles and colors.
Daltech’s main claim to fame is the fact they produce a belt for every style you could imagine. Simple plain black or brown belts are available, as are belts with basket weave, distressed leather, and patterned styles.
Daltech’s belts are incredibly durable and will last for years. I’ve worn one for years, and they are absolutely amazing in terms of strength and durability. They also support the heaviest of guns.
Daltech belts are perfect for all manners of dress and are designed for both casual and business wear. These belts are developed for concealed carry but are strong enough for duty use.
The craftsmanship in these belts is fantastic. They produce these belts based on a certain set of user requirements from both practical and fashionable aspects. They use a variety of different materials, and this includes cowhide, bull hide, and horsehide.
Variety is the name of the game when it comes to Daltech belts.
5.11 Tactical
5.11 Tactical produces just about everything when it comes to guns and gear. They produce an extreme amount of gear, and one big piece of gear they’ve gotten deep into is gun belts.
They actually produce a wide variety of gun belts, including formal and tactical belts. They’ve developed these belts by working with concealed carriers, law enforcement officers, and military members.
5.11 Tactical belts range both in design and price. You can find a 5.11 Tactical gun belt for under 20 bucks or a 50-dollar leather belt.
They even have their unique Elas-Tac belt that is incredibly well made and likely one of the most comfortable belts out there. 5.11 goes above and beyond and produces well-reinforced gun belts for women as well.
While the majority of their belts are designed for tactical use, they even produce extremely well-made duty belts designed for police and military use. There are also MOLLE belts that allow the use of common tactical pouches and designs.
5.11 Tactical prides themselves on making belts with the latest and greatest in both craftsmanship and technology. Their belts and gear are constantly evolving and updated to work longer, harder, and under more stressful conditions.
Magpul
Most people may look at me cross when I suggest Magpul as one of the top brands for gun belts. Magpul is most well known for their AR-15 accessories, but don’t sleep on their belts.
They make not only some of the best belts for supporting guns, but they make belts that are designed to look as good as they work.
Magpul makes four distinct belts that look amazing and modern in their styling. They are also available in a wide variety of colors, more than any other.
Some of the belts are made from a rigid but comfortable polymer material that is designed to support a lot of weight. It gives off the appearance of leather but has the performance of synthetic materials.
Other belts include leather models that have a polymer insert to support a gun and other gear. Regardless of the model you choose, you’ll end up with a comfortable, well made, and modern holster that just happens to look outstanding.
The belts are very fashionable and are an extremely high-quality option for the average concealed weapon carrier. The belts range from 1.5 inches wide to 1.25 inches wide. These designs are perfect for formal wear and daily duties.
F.A.Q
Gun belts are complicated, but the more knowledge you have, the easier it is to choose the right model for you.
What’s the best gun belt width?
Some belts can work great at 1.25 inches, and that’s great. However, on average, the 1.5-inch models are the best for concealed carry. Some models are up to 1.75 inches, which may be a bit much, but sometimes you need a bit much.
What is a tapered gun belt?
A tapered gun belt is designed to be thick for about 80% of the design then tapers off into a thinner tail. Thick gun belts can be difficult to put on and take off due to their thickness. A Tapered belt is easier to put on and take off.
What is a reinforced gun belt?
A reinforced gun belt utilizes a metal or polymer insert in the middle of the belt to make the belt more rigid and stronger. Therefore, it’s more supportive.
What size gun belt should you get?
This is a hard one. When choosing a gun belt, the first step is to consult the manufacturer’s product page. They may have specific instructions for how to size your belt.
For IWB carry of a larger weapon, you may want to add at least 2 inches, possibly 3 to 4, to ensure a proper fit. For OWB carry, an extra inch or two is typically all you need to accommodate the gun.
Get Belted
Choosing a gun belt isn’t difficult, but you should apply a few fundamentals. Know how it is sized, choose one that works for your daily needs, and of course, choose a comfortable option. I hope you guys learned a thing or two from our gun belt buyers guide.
If you are not yet sure which holster to buy to go along with your gun belt, check out our:
11 Best Glock 19 IWB & OWB Holsters Reviewed
KORE Essentials makes the best gun belts and tactical belts in both 1.5″ and 1.75″ widths. Our belts feature 40+ micro size position to adjust with in 1/4″ increments. In addition they feature a Power-Core center that’s supportive, flexible and virtually impossible to break. The photo at the top of the article is our belt. Visit http://www.KoreEssentials.com
Kore belts are superior to these others with the holes that never seem to fit well, its the belt in the pic at the very top of the review here.
I would have to say Kore essentials makes the most adjustable and the most comfortable belt if you carry 5 days a week like I do. I cc a glock19 owb setup so I need support and a fair amount of stiffness with no sag.