Battle belts are also known as war belts, gun belts, tactical belts, etc. You can often see people carrying them at the range, but do you need them for self-defense? Well, no, it is not a necessary accessory for self-defense in most situations.
For the civilian, these items would most likely be utilized when patrolling one’s property, during civil unrest, natural disaster, or some red coat infringing individuals. Don’t let that stop you from having these items on hand. Belts are generally easy to don quickly. If you are your acting QRF (Quick Reaction Force), having the belt in an accessible location will do nothing but increase your own preparedness and the level of threat you are capable of dealing with. Utilizing it as a truck rig is also a good option as some might not want to pack an entire plate carrier, which could lend well to an active shooter situation.
How to pick a battle belt?
It’s the shooter’s responsibility to determine what s/he needs for a battle belt. Today, we will break down the tips for choosing a battle belt that fits your needs. You can also check out our battle belt instruction video if you still need a little extra help.
You want the material to be durable.
When it comes to belts, they are only as good as their weakest link. Tacticon Battle Belts offer the highest-quality and durability on the market. There are certain characteristics in belts that you can look for to help you make an informed decision if a particular belt is worth your time.
First off, the belt buckle. The belt buckle is going to be the most prone to critical failure. Investing in a buckle that uses steel or aluminum will offer you more tensile strength providing greater resistance to breakage when the belt is put under stress.
Secondly, the material used in the construction of the belt itself. Nylon is the current standard that has proven to be resistant to the elements and provides excellent pliability and strength.
This brings me to my next point, rigidity. Rigidity is an essential factor to consider as it will be an indicator of both load-bearing ability and comfort. Too rigid, and you run the risk of being uncomfortable training or participating in day-to-day activities. On the other hand, if the belt lacks rigidity, the belt will sag or bend when more than a bare minimum of weight is added. Therefore, for best results, you want to match the rigidity of your belt with the load you intend on carrying.
Having MOLLE could increase the flexibility drastically
MOLLE is the most readily available mounting system for both belts and carriers. Because of this, you will have an ample number of options available to you from the get-go. MOLLE’s mounting system is simplistic and remains a top-tier option for keeping your gear secure, affording little to no movement of your equipment.
MOLLE typically encompasses the belt’s entire circumference, allowing users to mount their equipment at any location, maximizing versatility. For OWB (Outside the Waist Band) use, I highly recommend the MOLLE system as it has been proven for decades and remains the standard that most manufacturers of add-on belt accessories will have an option for.
The price point is a concern for everything you bought, so as for battle belts.
Price is always a point of contention amongst firearm users. Some want to pay top dollar for every piece of equipment they own. Others are more analytical of the product and the returns provided to the shooter at that increased price.
While others just buy the cheapest option available that fits around the waist. I do not recommend purchasing any item purely off price point. The fact of the matter is that you might be paying for features that have absolutely no benefit to you at all. An example of this would be belts rated for aerial operations. Most civilians will obviously not have a use for this and would offer no return to the user should they not have a helicopter. In conclusion, being analytical with your purchase will benefit you.
If you have some basic knowledge of what constitutes a good belt based on your needs, you will likely find that paying top dollar can often be counterintuitive based on your requirements. This will also give you an eye for feature comparison and which belts are overpriced for what they offer, as there are many.
What do I have on my battle belt?
No one can truly tell you precisely what you need on your belt as it is situation-dependent. But, generally, here are some basic items to consider.
Gun Holsters
In most cases, people will be adding some holster to their belts. However, suppose you fluctuate between using rifles or pistols strictly. In that case, it will benefit you if your holster includes an easily detached mount so you can take your holster on and off with little hassle as your situation changes.
Pistol/Rifle Mag Pouches
Mag pouches are a must for me. I generally keep a 2:1 ratio in favor of pistol mags on my belt, but you will have to determine this aspect for yourself.
Dump Pouches
Although not necessarily essential, having a low-profile dump pouch to put spent mags or any other item can have a high degree of usefulness in any survival situation, especially if you can’t afford just to abandon your magazines.
Med Kit
Making holes, stopping holes, and plugging holes. If you must make a hole in someone, there is a good chance that s/he may have the capacity to make holes back. Having a medkit to plug those holes can undoubtedly make the difference between you or a loved one surviving an encounter or being killed.
Think about the motion flow before deciding battle belt setup.
Some get the temptation to put every gadget they own on your belt. While it is nice to have everything in such a convenient location, I would avoid over cluttering your belt.
Take into consideration how it feels to sit in a vehicle, shoot from prone positions, and maneuver in confined spaces. Your setup may work well in a controlled range from a firing line, but I would consider that the point of the belt is to be capable of operating off of the range.
