Belts.

XD45 said:
Last one I bought was a Columbia Sports Wear leather belt last summer/fall and it's already falling apart
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If you bought a lightweight leather belt, chances are it was made with "bonded leather". Think presswood with leather instead of wood. As you've found out, they don't hold up well when carrying a weapon. Almost all of the makers listed above in this thread use full grain cowhide or other equivalent leather. Full grain leather tends to hold up well for a long period of time.

I've got several belts I've made, one of which is over 10 years old. Other than taking a waist contour, it wears as well and looks almost as good as it did the day I made it.
 
I do the Galco dress belt as well. Built for CCW if you do that, looks good and will last ya a long time. If you live in a humid environment or suffer a propensity to sweat, treat it with some saddle soap on occasion for years of service.
 
Best belt I've ever owned is a Milt Sparks gun belt. My pistol instructor had one that he said was nearly 20 years old and still held up. The leather is cut with a slight curve so that it comes already broken in (the way a normal belt looks after wearing it a long time). I like the Filson double thickness belts but some of my holsters (especially IWBs that use belt hooks) don't fit as well with them.

DancesWithKnives
 
I make my own from the side of shoulder leather I make leather sheaths from. I use 10 oz leather. I take a couple of strips from the best part of the shoulder and set them aside for future belts.

I make these about 2inches wide, die them a nice natural brown. The last one I made is over 10 years old and carrys my folder on one side and the fixed blade on the other. Nice solid belt supported by heavy duty Kuny suspenders to hold it all up.
 
I've worn a Wilderness belt for about 8 years. Still looks new.
 
I really like the two Spec Ops Brand Better BDU belts I have. They are not dressy, maybe a little "tacticool", but I usually leave my shirt-tails untucked because I'm concealing "things". I also like them for airline travel so I don't have to take them off going thru the mags and the fact that they can be cinched to the perfect length. I don't like having to choose a hole, especially if I have a paddle or IWB holster or a IWB knife sheath. The Better BDU buckle works extremely, extremely well IMO. I order them longer in length than I need and trim it down to what I like and re-melt the end by torching it and smoothing it out between two pieces of scrap leather.

I suppose if I wanted one that was a little more casual dress looking and not "tacticool", I'd go with the Liger from Maxpedition.

You might also check out the offerings by Eagle Industries. They make some of the best gear IMO, and they have some pretty good web/nylon type belts.
 
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I would like to thank all of you who posted your thoughts and suggestions and just wanted to update. I decided to go with the Wilderness Frequent Flyer Belt. Just on a whim, and I'm glad I decided to, I measured some of the belt loops on some of my pants/shorts and discovered that some were only 1 3/8". So any belts 1 1/2" I would have had a tough time getting them thru, so I went with the 1 1/4" size belt. I may end up getting a Galco in 1 1/4" as well. It arrived last Friday so I was able to wear it this weekend on the roadtrip to my parents and so far it's very comfortable :thumbup:. Also I got the 5 stitch for the added stiffness so I'll see how well it works with the Serpa holster when I got shooting this coming Saturday. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 
I have yet to wear one out, but had to give one away, because I balloned like the Michelin Man, lol. I always use the FIRM belt. I currently own two black(36 &38) and one havana brown.

I can also recommend Mike Snody's dad...built me a real nice one topped with black shark, and Aker Leather makes a heck of a nice belt as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
A major US online retailer sells a variety of nylon belt designs by a company called Bison Designs, a US-based company. I have their 'Ellipse' model. Simple, black, has a black ballistic-type nylon buckle. Great all-around wear. $10. I recommend it.
 
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+1 for www.thebeltman.net I just got my belt from him. It is very nice and a good price. I wear it every day and just like everyone else says...once you get a good belt you will never go back.

Billyp
 
I just picked up some Gun Metal Millenium Belts from Bison Design. I also have their Last Chance Heavy Duty belt for wear on duty.
 
The Titanium Instructor Belt I ordered from The Wilderness came today, and it's the most comfortable belt I ever wore. Quality is there too, highly recommended.
 
I'm still on my first Wilderness 5-Stitch. Could not be more happier with it. Been a 5 day a week work belt for nearly 5 years now. Highly recommended.
 
+1 on Bison belts. Have 2 and they haven't let me down in years. Still cinch tight without any slackening.
 
For synthetic, the Wilderness 5 stitch has served me well for many years now. The velcro allows for micro adjustments. For traditional leather, Milt Sparks has always been my number 1 choice. It' still holding up just fine on its 7th year.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
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