Do you have trouble picking out a belt to tote your EDC items around? Guns, pouches, etc.? The available selection out there can be bewildering! Join Mike from Tactical Considerations [YouTube channel] as they explore options. Which EDC belt is the winner? You’ll have to tune in until the end to see.
There are law enforcement belts, duty belts, battle belts, EDC belts…the list goes on. However, this video deals specifically with EDC belts. These are belts that you and I would wear out there every day. The kind that is comfortable and not uber-tactical that will blend with everyday clothing.
Mike mentions having a lot of experience from his time in the military, law enforcement, and time as a private citizen. He has tried a lot of belts of all varieties!
This video is going to cover a plethora of belts, so buckle up, we’re going to hit you with a bunch of knowledge. Mike clearly states that he’s not going to model each belt for viewers, turning it into a “tactical fashion show.” Amen! He’s just going to talk about the pros and cons of each one.
The EDC Belt Lineup — Six Options
Blue Alpha
The Blue Alpha Cobra Buckle Belt is up first. The buckle is sort of a “parachute rig” set up and locks together with two metal pivots that are squeezed to release the buckle. It is a very strong buckle, being of a hybrid design, so it has a smaller attachment that will fit through a regular belt loop. The belt material is double-thick nylon and is very well stitched all around. The overall adjustment is done via Velcro. This belt is 1 1/2 inches wide. Mike notes that this is not your “average guy” belt (as far as being low-key), although he mentions that it’s one of his favorites. The price is $69.00.
5.11 Belt
Next, we look at the 5.11 belt, which Mike says is kind of a hybrid belt, and it has a massive cobra-type buckle. The buckle on the other side is smaller and there is a small tab next to it so you can attach a snap link or other gear.
Rather than an EDC belt, Mike considers this 5.11 belt to be more of a range-style belt. It has a sort of built-in curve to it to fit to the waist. The width is 1 3/4 inches. He says the quality overall is good, but it “just falls by the wayside because that’s just a lot of buckle right there,” and it’s difficult to get through a standard belt loop because of the size. The cost is around $89.00, which Mike thinks is way overpriced.
Klik Belt
The Klik belt features a normal-sized Cobra buckle. Mike says the nylon is basically the same as the Blue Alpha belt, in that it is double thick. It’s quite stiff and rigid. A nylon retainer secures the loose, floppy end of the belt, as there is no Velcro to secure it. He suggests cutting off part of the loose end and then melting the edge to keep it from fraying. Overall, Mike says this is not a bad belt, although some of the stitching on the inside of the belt is coming undone. Price is $79.00.
Groove Life Belt
The Groove Life Belt is one of Mike’s favorites. Its slick, magnetic buckle is easy to buckle and is strong, locking together with teeth. He likes it because the material gives some stretch and the buckle is thin. Speaking of thin, the belt’s material is incredibly thin (as thin as a few sheets of paper), and yet it is uncharacteristically stiff. Another plus is the loose end of the belt actually threads underneath the belt itself, so it’s out of the way.
Mike says that the Groove Life belt is a good option unless you’re carrying an OWB holster, in which case the material is probably not stiff enough to hold up. For smaller pistols, it works well, but for heavy ones, the belt will eventually begin folding over under the weight. The price is $59.00.
Nexbelt
Mike introduces the Nexbelt ratchet-style belt, a style that is gaining in popularity of late. He says that this belt isn’t overly tactical-looking. To fit the belt, you cut the end off, giving yourself an extra inch or two. That way, you get a custom fit that’s just for you. Keep in mind that if you decide to carry IWB, you’ll need to add an additional four to five inches. It will fit waist sizes up to around 67 inches. The buckle has a release tab that you pull up to release the belt. The material is fairly rigid and you’ll need very solid scissors to cut the material. Mike says the belt is not bad, overall. The price is $59.00.
Kore Essentials
The Kore Essentials belt is the next one in the lineup. It’s another ratchet design belt. Just depress a little lever that’s attached to a swing arm and the buckle slides along the belt, opening it up. There’s a track inside that the buckle interfaces with (called Power Core Technology), helping it to lock into place more securely. Mike notes that the material on this belt is extremely stiff (from the video, it appears to be the stiffest material yet).
This is also a belt that you need to cut for a custom fit. It’s recommended to add four inches to the length if you plan on carrying IWB. A small attachment loop keeps the end of the belt locked into the belt itself so it’s not hanging out there. A special note is that this brand not only comes in nylon but also in leather and other more tactical-looking materials. The cost is around $59.00.
The Chopping Block — Five Must Go
That’s a lot of material to digest! Mike runs down the list, eliminating belts based on his subjective taste. The first belt on the chopping block is the 5.11 belt because of its massive buckle and the pre-curved shape that he thinks is weird. It’s big, wide, and not the most comfortable—plus it’s the most expensive.
The next belt to go is the Klik Belt. Although it has a smaller buckle and the material is good, the buckle often jams, making it hard to unbuckle.
After that, the Groove Life belt bites the dust in the lineup. He likes the belt quite a bit, but it mainly works only with light carry items, which limits its versatility. It won’t work well for OWB carry holsters and heavier handguns. He does say the stretchy material is nice, though.
The next to fall is the Blue Alpha belt. Mike likes the smaller buckle because you can wear it with normal pants. He says it’s his favorite belt, but most people don’t want to wear a cobra-style buckle because they’re not familiar with it.
That leaves two belts to go. The “Next Runner Up” in the belt contest is the Nexbelt. It gets the axe because of issues with the release; it sometimes gets jammed and will not open. Additionally, the material is kind of pliable, and not rigid enough.
Which EDC belt wins?
And the winner is…the Kore Essentials belt! Mike likes the Infinite Adjustment System, along with the belt’s rigidity. The release lever is easy to get to and operate. Mike says this is the X5 model, and that he has several other belts from Kore Essentials that he likes as well.
Well, there you have it, Mike’s pick for the top EDC belt out there. Do any readers have experience with any of these belts? Leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
