Choosing a Good Concealed Carry Belt

Ares Gear Ranger Belt with Armatus Protego Holster

Lately, I have had quite a few people ask me what belt I wear for concealed carry.  The reality is, I don’t have just one concealed carry belt that I use.  I do, however, have one that I wear most of the time, because it is the best on the market (more on that belt in a minute).  Before I tell you what belts I personally use and recommend, let me explain the two qualities major that I look for in a concealed carry belt.

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1.     Stiffness.  It amazes me how many people carry concealed weapons with flimsy, cheap belts that were designed for style, and not utility.  Sorry to break it to you, but a Dickies belt from Wal-Mart isn’t going to get the job done (properly) if you are carrying a weapon.  You need to pick a belt that was specifically designed for concealed carry.  Concealed carry belts place function above form, although many of them look pretty damn good too.  A stiff belt, which was designed for concealed carry, will hold your holstered pistol firmly in place.  You don’t have to constantly be worrying about shifting your gun back to your comfort zone if you have a properly designed, rigid concealed carry belt.  Ultimately, having a stiff belt, which was designed for people who carry concealed weapons, is going to be more comfortable for you. 

2.     Comfort.  I just spent a whole paragraph talking about function over form.  A stiff belt will be more comfortable in the long run, and comfort is a HUGE thing when it comes to consistently carrying a concealed weapon.  If your rig isn’t comfortable to wear, the chances of you strapping it on every time you leave the house (as you should), will dwindle over time.

Belts that I suggest:

1. Ares Gear Ranger Belt – This is, by far, my favorite belt.  It is also the most rigid belt that I own.  It doesn’t matter how heavy or bulky your rig is, this belt is strong enough to hold it firmly in place, and the Cobra QR buckle on this belt is the best that I have used.  This belt is perfect for any style of carry, but OWB is where this belt really separates itself from the rest.  I can cinch a Kydex OWB holster tight against my body with my Ares Ranger belt, and it disappears under an un-tucked shirt.   At $89.99, it’s not cheap, but if I could only have one belt for the rest of my life, this would be it.

2. Wilderness Instructors Belt – This belt was my first “real” concealed carry belt many years ago.  I wore it almost every day, from the day I bought it to the day I got my Ares Gear Ranger.  It is a good belt.  Far more rigid than a regular big box store belt (remember Dickies), but definitely lacking for OWB carry.  This belt is very comfortable, and is ideal if you are only going to carry IWB.  It has a tension bar belt buckle and Velcro, so once you cinch this belt down it is staying put.  At $39.95, it is an excellent first concealed carry belt.

3. Beltman Belt – I have two of these belts  - one in black, one in brown.  I wear these belts if I need to be a little dressier than what my Ares Ranger would allow me to be.  These belts are made from top-grain leather and double stitched for the rigidity that you need for proper concealed carry.  These are not cheap either ranging from $80.00 – well over $100.00 depending on the options you choose.  Belt man belts are plenty stiff for OWB or IWB carry, but just as beautifully made as any high-end designer fashion belt.

There are plenty of fine belt options on the concealed carry market, but I have personal experience with all three of these belts, and I have no problem recommending any of them (unless you want to carry OWB with a Wilderness Instructor Belt).  Like I said earlier, I have looked at belts from a lot of different companies, such as 5.11 and Blackhawk, and those belts may be affordable options that serve your purpose for them well, but none of the other belts hold a candle to the Ares Ranger belt for concealed carry.