Which riggers belt?

ThinkOfTheChildren

ThinkOfTheChildren

Joined
Jul 7, 2000
Messages
1,556
Ok, no one bit on this over on GlockTalk which suprises the hell out of me... so maybe you guys can put them to shame :D

After reading numerous ravings about the Wilderness belts, I picked up a 1.5" 5-stitch model and I really love it! I've worn it daily for a couple months now with the only complaint being that I should have gotten a larger size :( I don't think that's my fault though because I ordered the belt in the same size that all my pants are in. In fact, all my pants give me a fair amount of breathing room in the waist, but the Wilderness belt in the same size has to be worn almost at its loosest to achieve the same result... weird...

Anyway, I'm interested in picking up another riggers belt, and rather than just go for another Wilderness, I wanna spice things up a little.

The three prudent choices seem to be SOE, CQB, or LBT: http://lightfighter.com/generic.html?pid=143

So of the three, which have you tried and which would you recommend? I've already heard one good recommendation for the SOE saying that it blows BlackHawk out of the water. And since that name is coming up, let me just say I'm not really interested in picking up a BlackHawk.
 
SOE all the way. When ordering a Wilderness belt, do as they recomend and take a tape measure to your belt as illustrated. You will probably find that it adds about two inches to the size your pants are.
 
Thanks for the recommendations and thanks for the link!
I don't visit the Firing Line so I woulnd't have found that thread otherwise.
 
If you can do a search, this topic also came up here a while ago. Search is not working for me anymore, do basic members not get that function any more?
 
TOTC, it was like you dropped off the face of the earth for a few months... You missed some serious action on Cheese and Whine...LOL

I use the Blackhawk a lot and I love it, but my next one will be the AOG Tac Belt which features a hidden money pocket and a "soft" tie in which allows less wear on the Carabiner as well as correct biner positioning.

 
Just by another Wilderness like I did. I have one in tactical black and one in khaki for evening wear.
 
MelancholyMutt,

I've been around the forums, I've just been reading more than posting. Also, I don't venture into Whine and Cheese often.
 
Good Evening Everyone-

Originally posted by ThinkOfTheChildren
After reading numerous ravings about the Wilderness belts, I picked up a 1.5" 5-stitch model and I really love it! I've worn it daily for a couple months now with the only complaint being that I should have gotten a larger size :( I don't think that's my fault though because I ordered the belt in the same size that all my pants are in. In fact, all my pants give me a fair amount of breathing room in the waist, but the Wilderness belt in the same size has to be worn almost at its loosest to achieve the same result... Weird...

Anyway, I'm interested in picking up another riggers belt, and rather than just go for another Wilderness, I wanna spice things up a little.
Click to expand...

ToTC, I'm in "the same boat" as you. I purchased a tan, 5-stitch, 1.5" Instructor Belt from The Wilderness and have experienced the same thing as you. The belt was ordered in a 32" length and I must fidget with it...especially if I use an IWB holster. Oddly enough, if I'm not wearing a holster/sidearm, the "spare end" practically wraps around to just above my butt! My humble solution is that they should be a bit more generous with the Velcro on both sides of the belt. Other than that, I simply love it. It seems to "go" with so many casual garments while still retaining lots of utility.

There has been a flurry of threads about rigger's belts on both BF.com and TFL.com for some reason, so they have been very helpful for this decision. I've participated in most of the discussions, so if you do a search on "Blue Jays" you should see most of the threads.

Anyway, for the same "spice-it-up" reasons you mention, I am going to order a 1.75" black SOE rigger's belt to add to my collection. Before ordering, I'm going to telephone them to see what they say about ordering in 32" or 34" for multi-purpose use. So far, my only concern about this belt is that the buckle is unfinished and some have reported minor rust in wet conditions. The matte-black finish on The Wilderness model is no-nonsense and glare-free. I'll be sure to post my anecdotal feedback on the SOE as soon as it arrives. :cool:

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I followed their (the Wilderness) ordering instuctions and got a belt that fits me perfectly. Their design is original and well built.

I choose not to support knockoff's so, would not consider a Blackhawk belt if I had a choice.
 
It could well be my imagination but I think Blackhawk's been sliding on quality in recent years. Yet what annoys me most is this: behind those patriotic slogans there's always a label that says made in Vietnam/Korea/Taiwan. OK I'm not an American, but if I were I'd blush a little.
My rigger belt being a LBT, it will rust but it's extremely well built. I buy them coz my own country don't make shxt as good. It's a cultural thing, period.
 
The "tie in" is different...

Now, the Wilderness is a knockoff of what guys used to do during the Vietnam war, which was use parts of Parachute Harness Webbing and Cargo Straps as a belt, so there's no real original.

I'm not a big fan of using the buckle as a tie in... it just always struck me as awkward.

Now, I'm not sure where the Blackhawk Belt is made, but I don't really care where as long as the damn thing works.

On a good note for Blackhawk, I live a few blocks from the World Trade Center and was under it when it was attacked. Guys from Blackhawk dropped everything they were doing to bring and distribute, at their expense, hundreds of Hydrations Packs to aid the rescue effort. For that, they would get my business even if their stuff cost twice as much as the competition.
 
I certainly appreciate what BlackHawk did on 9/11... but...
Clement's observations certainly aren't the first I've read about BlackHawk's slipping quality. I also agree with him that it's pretty ridiculous to have their gaudy ads all about America and kicking ass and all that when meanwhile everything is being built overseas.
I buy plenty of foreign products, but BlackHawk's advertising and philosophy just doesn't fit their production methods, in my humble opinion.

Thanks for the thread on using your Riggers belt, Mutt.

Back to what Blue had said, I agree with him that the Wilderness doesn't offer enough velcro for a wide enough variety of positions.

I will certainly admit, that I never measured my old belt before ordering my Wilderness. I simply ordered in the size I buy my pants. It should be noted, however, that I buy all my pants 2" larger than my actual waist for reasons of comfort and for IWB carry of various items. By this reasoning, my Wilderness belt is 2" larger than my waist size...
I think my main problem is that depending on what I'm carrying, I wear my pants at different heights. So when I'm at the range wearing a ton of gear and have my pants pulled way up for support, my Wilderness belt fits me pretty well. But for everyday wear, it's too small for my tastes.

This is what draws me to the LBT: it's sized for a very large range. I see the draw in getting a belt that's made for your specific waist size but I think the LBT might work better for me since it has such a large range.

Clement,
Can you tell me more about your LBT? Stiffness, fit, etc?
 
TOTC,
While the LBT's not quite as stiff as AOG/Yates, it's certainly stiffer than Eagle/Blackhawk.

I've been wearing it daily for over 2 years. Usually with lots of stuff attached (SOE pouch for LM Wave and phone, PDA pouch, camera flash battery pouch, radio pouch, Strider GB, Surefire etc). The 1.75" LBT's still as new (even at belt's end, nil loose thread), while my friend's one-year-young Eagle looks worn, and constantly needing a lighter to touch up stray frabics.

Mind you, I do like Eagle products. They're of respectable standard.

As for strength, got to say I have no intention to crush my balls, so I've never rapelled with the LBT, a Black Diamond BOD takes care of that.
 
Thanks. Sounds like an LBT is right up my alley.
I have an Eagle pack that I consider to be top-notch, so if the LBT belt rivals their quality, I should be very pleased.
 
Hey guys - I know that this might sound dtupid, ,but could you please help me understand what you primarily use this belt for? If it is to simply keep your pants up .. I got it. But if it offers other premiums, I would love to know about them. Specific uses would be appreciated. Being a gadget knut myself, I love to find other ways (read: BETTER ways) of doing the ordinary.

Thanks for your help and info!

DPS
 
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