How to Choose the Right Gun Holster Belt

You may know that having the right holster for your gun is essential, but having the right belt for your holster and other equipment such as magazine carriers is just as crucial for your everyday carry setup.

Many first-time gun owners make the frequent mistake of spending too little time choosing the right belt to go with their carry gun and holster.

However, it is essential to look for a proper gun belt, as the belts you already have may not be suitable for carrying a firearm.

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Why Can’t I Use My Existing Belt?

Regular clothing belts are designed to be fashionable and complete or enhance your looks, but more often than not, they are unsuitable for carrying firearms every day.

The weight of a typical  concealed carry holster and handgun usually ranges between 2 and 3.5 lbs., not counting the weight of any additional magazines and mag carriers. Open-carry setups where you may be carrying a larger, full-size pistol may weigh even more.

Most of the weight is concentrated on the end of the belt where the holster is attached. Your belt must also hold up your pants and everything you carry in your pockets.

A belt not designed to support a gun and holster’s weight quickly suffers from a phenomenon called gun sag, which stretches and warps your belt, causing your pants to sag down. Gun sag may render the experience of carrying a firearm uncomfortable and undesirable, which may discourage new gun owners from continuing to concealed carry.

In contrast, a purpose-built quality belt is rigid, does not sag easily, and conserves its form even with the holster and handgun installed.

What Makes a Good Gun Belt?

The first trait you should look for when shopping for a gun belt is sturdiness. Most gun belts are leather or nylon. Nylon belts are lighter and have a more militaristic or tactical appearance, whereas leather belts have a more classic and presentable look. 

If you choose a leather gun belt, make sure it is the highest grade you can find. Full-grain leather is the best for gun belts because it is the most durable and resistant to  everyday wear.

The weak point of a full-grain leather belt is usually the stitching. Avoid limited-stitching belts and select models with uniform and robust stitching. Such belts are durable enough to last a lifetime.

If you prefer to use nylon or fabric, look for the highest grade or denier rating you can find, at least 600-denier. Heavy-duty materials such as 700D or 1000D Cordura are an excellent choice for this type of gun belt.

Pay attention to the looks and style; belts intended for use in public, particularly for concealed carrying, should be relatively presentable and match a regular civilian look. Even if your holster  does not print, there is no point in carrying a concealed firearm if your dress and appearance advertise you are armed.

Good Gun Belt Elements

Your gun belt material is critical, but do not neglect its features, such as belt thickness, the quality of the belt buckle, and the presence or not of reinforcing elements.

Most Kydex and leather holsters are designed to fit 1.5” belt loops. Some accept 1.75” belt loops. If you already have a holster, choose your belt accordingly. Otherwise, make sure the gun belt you’re looking at is 1.5” or 1.75” because it provides you with the best fit and compatibility with most holsters.

The best belt in the world is not useful if the belt buckle is weak or made of low-quality materials. Use a sturdy metal belt buckle. Specific gun belts may also feature metal end tips; they are desirable because they protect the belt’s end from wearing out but are optional.

The best belt buckles are frame-type (with a center bar) or plate-style buckles (such as those seen on cowboy belts). Avoid box-framed or ring buckles, as they simply aren’t as sturdy. Many nylon belts possess snap buckles made of cheap plastic, which you should also avoid at all costs.

If your preferred carry style is appendix carry, you may need to offset the belt buckle away from the 12-o’clock position so it doesn’t interfere with your holster. Doing so may cause printing issues with regular belt buckles, and you may want to invest in a low-profile buckle or a special gun belt designed for appendix carry.

The Last Word

You need both a high-quality gun belt and gun holster for everyday carry. It is unsafe to tuck your firearm directly between your pants and your belt because you risk snagging inside your trigger guard, which may cause a negligent discharge. Always carry your gun in your holster and your holster on your belt.

If you’ve found a good gun belt but haven’t found the right holster yet, Incognito Tactical offers an extensive selection of  Kydex holsters and magazine carriers. Our IWB, OWB, and paddle holsters are 100% handmade in the USA.

Our holsters are available in 30 color schemes so that you can find the perfect size and style for your firearm.

We make holsters for the best and most popular handguns on the market from over 15 gunmakers, such as Glock, SIG Sauer, H&K, and Smith & Wesson. We mold each of our holsters to provide the perfect fit for the handgun model of your choice, allowing you to carry safely and confidently.

Incognito Tactical is proud to offer a 10% discount for our military, police, and first responder customers. We are happy to serve those who serve and protect us. If you have questions or requests for information, call us at  (586) 333-4240.