I find myself in the market for a brown belt that looks good enough to wear with a suit but is sturdy enough to hold a holster pretty firmly without bending. There are some steel core leather and synthetic belts out there for between $45 and $70. Anyone have any good suggestions?
Belt recommendation
- Thread starter Redshirt
- Start date
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
I just got a new belt from Hanks Belts. I'm happy with it.
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
+1 for Hanks Belts.
Larue
.38 Special
Crossbreed
spat
.700 Nitro Express
Another satisfied Hanks customer here.
Karpteach
6.5 Creedmoor
I got some too. I love them!!
I'm a The Belt Man man myself. Bullhide CCW Gun Belts for Concealed and Open Carry by Beltman
They've treated me well and the belts are great.
I've told the story on here, perhaps multiple times, but..well.. some years ago I ordered another belt (my second from them) because I got a little fatter but I needed it for a Christmas trip to family in AZ. Because of that I got a 'quick ship' one, with no fancy stuff other than an internal stiffener. I got it with some time left, but found I'd ordered the wrong size. I sent it back with an apology letter for getting it wrong and needing a replacement, but also mentioned how I really needed it fast and would pay extra for shipping if that could do it, but completely understood I probably wouldn't get the replacement on time.
They sent a replacement one, in the holiday gift season, no questions asked, within a week, and at no extra cost, along with a return 'letter' that simply said "Merry Christmas".
Whomever there did that earned a customer and recommendations for life, but the belts actually are also excellent.
They've treated me well and the belts are great.
I've told the story on here, perhaps multiple times, but..well.. some years ago I ordered another belt (my second from them) because I got a little fatter but I needed it for a Christmas trip to family in AZ. Because of that I got a 'quick ship' one, with no fancy stuff other than an internal stiffener. I got it with some time left, but found I'd ordered the wrong size. I sent it back with an apology letter for getting it wrong and needing a replacement, but also mentioned how I really needed it fast and would pay extra for shipping if that could do it, but completely understood I probably wouldn't get the replacement on time.
They sent a replacement one, in the holiday gift season, no questions asked, within a week, and at no extra cost, along with a return 'letter' that simply said "Merry Christmas".
Whomever there did that earned a customer and recommendations for life, but the belts actually are also excellent.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
I've had a Kore essentials belt for about 3 years now,best belt I ever used.You can find them at koreessentials.com
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Plus one on Kore. I have their leather western belt and it's been awesome.
PaperShooter
9mm
I’ll put in another vote for Hanks. Worth every penny and you will probably never buy another belt. I have three. Been looking at picking up one of their wallets lately.
Steal2B
.700 Nitro Express
If you are going to carry every hour of everyday, you will eventually want more than one gunbelt.
My first gun belt was a Hank's, it is much better than a generic leather belt from the mall but it pales in comparison to my beltman belts, which are obviously higher quality, wear better for concealment, and age better under frequent use but do cost more.
I also have a narrower Galco dress gun that I wear with more formal suits but it will not likely hold up to everyday wear like the more casual Hank's or Beltman.
If you are going to carry everyday 24/7 and are not interested in owning a few gun belts, I recommend you get a better gun belt than a Hank's.
If you just want to try a real gun belt or may not be committed to carry every minute for the rest of your life, Hank's is a decent start.
My first gun belt was a Hank's, it is much better than a generic leather belt from the mall but it pales in comparison to my beltman belts, which are obviously higher quality, wear better for concealment, and age better under frequent use but do cost more.
I also have a narrower Galco dress gun that I wear with more formal suits but it will not likely hold up to everyday wear like the more casual Hank's or Beltman.
If you are going to carry everyday 24/7 and are not interested in owning a few gun belts, I recommend you get a better gun belt than a Hank's.
If you just want to try a real gun belt or may not be committed to carry every minute for the rest of your life, Hank's is a decent start.
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MikeyCNY
6.5 Creedmoor
I'm a big fan of the "ratchet" style belts like the Kore. Allows precise adjustment for IWB, AIWB, OWB carry and if you happen to have a bigger dinner than normal. 
I have a couple of belts with the "Cobra style" buckle but they obviously stand out as tactical so they are mostly range belts.
I have a couple of belts with the "Cobra style" buckle but they obviously stand out as tactical so they are mostly range belts.
S&W Fan
.475 A&M Magnum
I’ve owned a Hanks gun belt for a few years now and really like the support that it gives for both IWB and OWB . Over those few years it’s shown Very minimal wear.
I did check out Kore as well and I will be getting one of their EDC gun belts in the very near future as well.
you will be well served with either one of the currently suggested belts.
I did check out Kore as well and I will be getting one of their EDC gun belts in the very near future as well.
you will be well served with either one of the currently suggested belts.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I have a Bigfoot gun belt in brown and I love it. I wear it daily since I’ve owned it and that’s probably been 3-4 years. Other than where I touch it the color and everything has held up. Where I touch it my greasy Italian hands have darken the leather but hey I expect that. It is 1.5” steel core but not too stiff. Gives good support but I haven’t tried many others to compare it too.
MikeyCNY
6.5 Creedmoor
Forgot to mention I have a "NexBelt" but it isn't anywhere near stiff enough for carry, IMO. I used it as a daily work belt and after almost a year the buckle fell apart. They sent me a replacement buckle that seemed much more robust.
The Kore belts are made in China unfortunately; if anyone finds a ratchet-style MiUSA brand please let us know.
The Kore belts are made in China unfortunately; if anyone finds a ratchet-style MiUSA brand please let us know.
spat
.700 Nitro Express
I've got a couple of hanks belts. I've had one for a few years now.
Looking at the construction, I can't imagine them *ever* wearing out.
Pretty sure they will last the rest of my lifetime.
MikeyCNY
6.5 Creedmoor
I wish I had found this 'new' NexBelt model the other day - Supreme Appendix Black 38mm
One thing I don't like about ratchet-style belts is the larger buckle. This buckle is nice - I don't carry appendix often but this looks like a good one. I can't anywhere on the website where it's made so I'm guessing NOT the USA.. The KORE I recommend above isn't either so..
I just ordered a new KORE belt the other day, got it yesterday. This is a reinforced model compared to the standard EDC belt.
Top is the new one (with elastic keeper), bottom is the one I've worn for about two years now. Hard to tell in this picture, but the top one is slightly thicker and a little more rigid.
One thing I don't like about ratchet-style belts is the larger buckle. This buckle is nice - I don't carry appendix often but this looks like a good one. I can't anywhere on the website where it's made so I'm guessing NOT the USA.. The KORE I recommend above isn't either so..
I just ordered a new KORE belt the other day, got it yesterday. This is a reinforced model compared to the standard EDC belt.
Top is the new one (with elastic keeper), bottom is the one I've worn for about two years now. Hard to tell in this picture, but the top one is slightly thicker and a little more rigid.
ppbass
.177 BB
I have 2 Crossbreeds-one black and one brown and I wear them everyday and they are excellent. They support well and do not look like a gunbelt.
MothMan
.338 Win Mag
This. For about 8 years. No stretch no sag very adjustable.
Don’t care if people look at the buckle.
Don’t care if people look at the buckle.
stokes
.338 Win Mag
Whats wrong with the buckle?This. For about 8 years. No stretch no sag very adjustable.
Don’t care if people look at the buckle.
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
Their wallets are pricey but appear well made. I got a trifold at the same time I got the belt. Took a while to break it in but it's coming around.