I stumbled upon Nexbelt in 2020 when I attended my first handgun fundamentals class. I showed up wearing a standard Walmart-special leather belt. One of the class instructors — also a friend who had come prepared — took a look and said, “This won’t do.” He handed me a Nexbelt, and I was instantly impressed.
I had never seen a ratcheting belt system before. The ability to size the belt precisely seemed like a revolution in belt design, especially considering the varying size requirements depending on which gun, which holster, and whether or not you’re carrying a mag pouch, IFAK, or other gear. And, let’s just face it, as a middle-aged female, waist sizing can vary depending on multiple factors. So, the Nexbelt really was perfect for so many reasons.
As I went through that first round of fundamentals classes, I quickly developed an appreciation for the Nexbelt. And I regularly wore that belt after the class until it eventually wore out. I even kept cutting the strap for a clean edge for the buckle to attach to until I couldn’t cut any more of it away.
I’m on my second belt now, the Nexbelt Rogue EDC Belt 2.0. Like the first one, it’s just perfect for what I need.
The PreciseFit Ratcheting System
The best part of the belt is the ratcheting system, of course. Whether I carry my handgun in a heftier leather holster or a slimmer nylon holster, IWB or OWB, with or without a mag carrier, this belt will handle it. It’s plenty sturdy to carry a tourniquet and an EDC carry IFAK, too.
I wear this belt every day, whether I’m sitting at my desk, working around the house, running errands, or spending time at the range. The width of the belt is just right, allowing me to wear it with any of my jeans or slacks with regular belt loops. I chose the black color because it fits my minimalist preferences — it basically goes with everything I wear and use on an everyday basis. The belt is also available in brown.
The belt is made of cowhide leather, and like anything leather, it is stiff when it’s new. But one of the wonderful things about leather is that it becomes more pliable and conforms to your shape over time. The quality makes it a favorite of mine. It “gets” me.
Sizing
The inside of the belt is marked so you can cut the belt to your relative size. The company recommends adding four inches to your waist measurement for the addition of your gun, holster, and other gear.
When you’re ready to cut the belt, remember that this belt isn’t thin like a nylon belt. You’ll need a pair of heavy-duty shears or a strong knife to cut the leather. And, just to be safe, it’s probably best to cut a little less than what you really might need and try that size before cutting more from the length. Also, people differ on how much extra belt they want to leave for securing under the loops. I like to be able to secure the end of the belt under that first loop, but not much more than that.
Try out the belt by itself and with your gear to get an idea of how it will feel.
Comfort
I really don’t know if it gets any better than this when it comes to EDC belts. If I’m sitting for long periods of time and want a more relaxed fit, all I have to do is toggle the latch at the bottom of the buckle to let it out a half-inch or so. And, so far, the belt accommodates any holster I’ve worn it with.
Style
I went with this belt instead of a nylon belt because it is my everyday belt, and I wanted it to work with my regular apparel: jeans or slacks. The buckle is made of nickel with a knurled front. It’s stable, and I like the simplicity of its appearance. The belt does look just a bit more on the masculine side, but not enough to bother me. Reliability and ease of use are my biggest priorities, but I still think the belt looks nice.
I will say, though, as a female, I have lamented the conflicting demands of fashion and functionality when it comes to concealed carry. There are companies out there who offer ‘tactical leggings’ for women… but I just don’t get it. To me, leggings are too thin, stretchy, and flexible for secure concealed carry. Call me old-fashioned, but I’d rather wear jeans. That said, I haven’t yet tried any of the tactical leggings that are available on the market now. When I do, maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
Until then, I think I’ll stick with this.
You can’t go wrong with this belt.
Keep in mind that I’m writing this from a Gen X perspective. My generation grew up with stiffer fabrics and fewer garment choices than we have now. And though many of the newer, softer, and even more comfortable clothing options available nowadays are nice, practicality trumps all in my book. I’ll just stick to my preference for time-tested, durable garments and accessories with solid designs.
With that in mind, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Nexbelt Rogue. It’s perfect for everyday wear with your casual outfits, and it also goes well with slacks and a loose sweater or blazer for semi-casual wear.
But the function of the ratcheting system — man, that’s the sweetest part of this belt. No matter what I’m carrying, I can pull the belt strap to the exact spot to make everything secure and comfortable. I really do appreciate this belt, and I doubt if I’ll ever wear another type of belt with a different closure system. It’s just that good.
