Tactical belts are belts with upgraded functionality. While they help keep your pants in place, they are additionally used to carry numerous gears, such as a radio, a gun, backup ammunition, handcuffs, and more.
Uniformed officers and those working in occupations involving gun handling are commonly seen donning these belts. Because of this association, tactical belts are also referred to as battle belts or police duty belts.
Nowadays, however, tactical belts are worn by a more diverse group of people and for various purposes beyond combat-related ones.
This article will provide you with instructions on how to wear a tactical belt, its different types and brands, as well as answer some FAQ’s on the subject.
Table of Contents
Tips to Wear a Tactical Belt
Whether you are a uniformed professional in need of a trusty belt, or simply an outdoorsy person looking for reliable gear, here are some tips to consider when looking to wear a duty belt.
What to Prepare
1. A belt that best fits your preference and needs
Of course, your belt choice should weigh on both comfort and functionality. Here are a few options you might want to consider:
- Riggers Belt – This type of belt was originally used for rappelling. As such, the belt can hold considerable weight and is durable, owing to its nylon webbing material. Its identifying feature is a D or V-ring, which a typical carabiner can be clipped into.
- Qingyun Tactical Belt – This is a military-style belt commonly used for hiking. Its strongest point is its affordability and its attachment capacity. The only thing this belt seems to compromise is its weight, as it uses a black coated alloy buckle, whcih is heavier than aluminum.
- Jukmo Belt – Jukmo is a dedicated brand for men’s belts. Their tactical belt’s special quality is its use of sturdy but stretchable material.
- 11 Tactical Belt – When it comes to the perfect balance of style and utility, 5.11 tactical belts top the game. Their belt selection includes belts that can be worn casually or used on the field, on deployment, for example. The brand also offers attachment pouches and other belt accessories.
- Western Gun Belt – On the more rustic edge of the spectrum, western gun belts offer a period-authentic type of tactical belt.
Its common styles include the Mexican Loop and the Slim Jim. These belts usually come with a gun holster and, therefore, are usually used as gun-carrying belts.
Unlike the previous belt types, the western gun belt is made of leather and is usually handcrafted.
2. Your gear
Your tactical belt set up isn’t complete without your accessories and attachments. These are the common tactical belt attachments:
- Gun Holster
- Flashlight Pouch
- Mace Pouch
- Baton Pouch
- Radio Pouch
- Cuff Case
- Belt Keepers
- Inner Belt
You can attach a belt buckle to a regular belt if you want to further personalize it.
Step 1: Assemble and position your tactical belt
The rule of thumb is arranging the balance of the accessories you intend to attach to the belt. Make sure defense gear, such as your gun (if any) is placed by your dominant side. For comfort, flat objects such as cuffs are better situated at the back side of the belt.
Step 2: Put on a belt by setting it around the waist.
Now, the process of buckling up your belt differs depending on its tactical belt buckle type. Refer to the guide below:
- Loop and Hook belt buckle: After wrapping the belt around your waist, thread its tip through the hole of the buckle; do this from under the buckle.
Thread the tip once again through the same hole, but this time, do so from above the buckle. Tighten to your liking by pulling the tip.
- Frame buckle belt: Similar to dress belts, thread the tip from under the buckle, making sure the prong is left open. Slip the prong through a hole in the belt, according to your desired tightness.
- Snap buckle belt: This involves a quick fastening method with the joining of the two ends of the buckle until it produces an audible snap.
- Double ring belt: A belt with two loops is worn by threading the belt’s tip through both loops first. Then, loop the belt over the first ring and then under the second ring.
These belts usually don’t have holes in them. So, to tighten a belt without holes, simply pull the tip of the belt for a more snug fit.
Step 3: Test it out.
To properly wear your tactical belt, make sure to test it out in order to gauge its collective weight, the accessibility of the gears and accessories as they are placed around the belt, and, most importantly, its overall comfort level.
The ideal tactical belt fit is a breathable, snug fit that does not weigh down or sag but also gives breathing room to the wearer, especially when in a sitting or squatting position. The belt should not compromise mobility.
FAQs
What is a tactical belt?
A tactical belt is a belt with the extended function of carrying additional gear and accessories commonly for combat. Nowadays, however, more people use tactical belts for outdoor outdoor activities, such as hiking and climbing.
What is the purpose of a tactical belt?
For uniformed personnel like those in the military or the police, tactical belts serve the purpose of keeping important gear accessible, especially for those deployed on the field.
For the common person, however, tactical belts can also be used as every day carry or EDC belts, customized to the needs of the individual.
Do belts go left or right?
The belt direction military personnel follow is the left side for males and the right side for females. However, if you simply intend to wear the belt casually, then the best way to wear it would be whatever is most comfortable for you.
Can you wear a tactical belt without loops?
Yes, there are buckle types that don’t involve loops, such as the snap buckle belt, as introduced in the previous section of this article.
Conclusion
Now that you’re familiar with how to wear a tactical belt, aren’t you at all convinced to have one yourself? If you already have a belt of your own, did this article help you use it to its full potential?
Whether you’re looking to use your tactical belt on the job, or simply for every day carry, hopefully this guide got all your belt-related questions covered.
Until the next one!
John Cotton is Safecallnow’s copywriter. He is an authority on research and reviews. He is responsible for locating information and guidance on riot and disturbance control equipment, training equipment, correctional products, watch house products, tactical equipment, government regulation information, and more. His work guarantees a high level of proficiency and authority.