The 12 Best Tactical Belts
If all your belt does is hold up your pants, then you’re missing out — because the best tactical belts can make you feel like an urban commando. With their rugged durability, wide adjustability, military cool style, and hidden survival features, you may never want to go back to a plain old leather belt again.
Today, we’ll be getting into a tactical mindset as we give a thorough review of our favorite belts that would make Batman blush. By the end of this guide, you’ll know just which belt to use for such diverse activities as: Creating a makeshift sling, commuting to work, building a fire from scratch, and yes, holding up your pants.
Tacticon Battle Belt
This is no ordinary belt: Tacticon’s Battle Belt is built to perform as well as what members of the military are outfitted with. That makes sense, too, given that the company is owned by a bonafide combat veteran. The 1000D PVC Nylon webbing is fused with a quick release metal buckle, and can support over 100 pounds of loadout hanging from your belt. It’s crazy affordable, too, and a fantastic first choice for anyone looking for a serious tactical belt.
Elite Survival Systems Cobra Rigger’s Belt with D Ring Buckle
Rock climbers and backwoodsmen take note: The Elite Survival Systems Cobra belt is built for riggers. The D-ring buckle is rated for 4,000 pounds of straight pull tension, while the D-ring itself is rated at a whopping 5,000 pounds — more than enough to perform rescue maneuvers in tense situations. As if that wasn’t enough, it has a super thorough full rigger’s stitch on the D-ring side for complete peace of mind.
SlideBelts Survival Belt 2.0
As far as we’re aware, the SlideBelts Survival Belt 2.0 is the only belt that’s fully equipped for starting a fire from scratch. You read right: Equipped with a firestarter kit, stainless steel knife, LED flashlight, and bottle opener right inside of the buckle, this is a tactical belt that lives up to its motto of “wear your backup plan.” The internal webbing gives it excellent tensile strength, and continual notching allows for a custom-tuned fit.
5.11 Tactical Maverick Assaulters Belt
A minimalist rigger’s belt with an ergonomic design and stay-fast sizing, the 5.11 Tactical Maverick Assaulters Belt looks just as at home in the wild as it does on city streets. Caveat: It’s a 1.75-inch wide belt, which may not fit your standard jeans or shorts. Measure before buying, and you’ll love the fit and convenience of this tactical belt.
Filson Togiak Belt
Lightweight and quick drying, Filson’s Togiak Belt is probably the handsomest tactical belt on this list. It comes in three thoughtful color combinations, each with a matching low-profile aluminum hook buckle. They’re fitted for standard jeans and shorts, and great for everyday wear or the occasional impromptu hiking trip. Overall a great choice for crossing that borderline between work and play, it’s the sort of classy casual that might make you the best dressed hiker on the trails.
Mission Tactical Belt
The most easily customizable of all the belts featured here, Mission’s tactical belt comes in six different buckle colors and five sizes, letting you customize your style and fit to your heart’s content. It’s exceptionally affordable and aimed at the casual buyer, who will appreciate its lightweight nylon construction and minutely adjustable track system for fine-tuned fits. If you’re looking for a statement piece to go with your streetwear cargo pants, check out their Storm, Carrier, or Blackout belt styles too.
Condor Tactical Belt
Condor’s Tactical Belt is the exact sort of belt that Batman would wear — if he was on a budget and couldn’t have Alfred deck him out with millions of dollars of custom gear. The quick release buckle, removable pistol mags, and 2-inch width make it capable of holding a full loadout of gear for any tactical situation, and its three colors (olive drab, black, and coyote brown) can discreetly blend into any environment. This is a genuine tactical belt for strategic operations, and not compatible with the belt loop size of everyday clothing.
Trayvax Cinch Belt
The buckle system on Trayvax’s Cinch Belt is truly novel, featuring an instant tensioning design that takes the guesswork out of getting your best fit. And since the heavy-duty nylon webbing is stiffened for extra carrying capacity, it does a great job of operating as both an everyday belt and a standby for loading guns, ammo, or tools for whatever job needs done. Choose from two webbing colors, four buckle colors, and four sizes to get it exactly suited to your desires.
Bison Designs Last Chance Belt
The Bison Designs Last Chance Belt is an aptly named tactical belt for when your wallet’s feeling a little bit slim. As the most affordable belt on this list, though, it cuts admirably few corners. Made of lightweight but durable nylon and an aircraft-grade aluminum buckle, it’s designed to hold up to hard work and casual wear alike. If you’re looking to add a tactical belt to your wardrobe without dropping a lot of cash, go for the Last Chance.
Kore Essentials G1 Garrison Tactical Belt
Ultra low-profile and designed for use in real-world tactical situations, the Kore Essentials G1 Garrison belt is exceptionally stiff and supportive. Its 1.75-inch width makes it suitable for uniform pants (but not everyday jeans or shorts), and capable of carrying up to 10 pounds of gear on your belt without sagging. Particularly of note is its adjustability: A hidden track system makes for ¼-inch adjustments that are far superior to traditional gun belts.
Blackhawk Rigger’s Belt With Cobra Buckle
One of only a handful of belts on this list to be certified for emergency parachuting, the Blackhawk Rigger’s Belt meets the intense PIA-H-7195 standards set out by the Parachute Industry Association. An industry-leading 7,000 pound tensile strength puts it far beyond the performance of most tactical belts in straight pulling power, and the quick-detach buckle backs it up with lightning-fast adjustments.
5.11 Tactical Alta Belt
Blending style, performance, and affordability, 5.11’s Alta tactical belt is a lightweight and versatile choice for the weekend warrior or dedicated gear junkie. The parachute-grade metal buckle will hold up to heavy use — even as a tie-down or carrying strap — while the bonded nylon thread will dry quickly and stand up to years of use. Overall, it’s a great choice for the tech lover on a budget.
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