KORE Essentials Gun Belt Initial Impressions

[minderasr]

I've been on the Keto diet since February, and dropped about 40 lbs so far. Time to invest in new pants and gun belt. The old tried and true Hank's belt ran out of holes, and looked ridiculous on me lately. I didn't want to cut it and add new holes so I thought I'd try out a new belt.

Hearing good things about the KORE Essentials line, I thought I'd give it a shot. I like the idea of the ratchet design, using quarter inch increments rather than one inch holes. The thinking being tighter increments would make for a more precise fit. So I ordered the X6 Gunmetal buckle on a black "top grain" leather reinforced gun belt.

Kore Essentials | #1 Rated Gun Belt X6 Buckle Black Leather Gun Belt

X6 Gunmetal Buckle & Black Top Grain Leather Reinforced Gun Belt [hex wrench & set screws] Best fitting, most comfortable EDC gun belt you’ll ever wear. Precise, secure fit provides a smooth, fast draw every time. NO Belt Holes. Instead our Kore concealed carry belts use a hidden track with 40+...

www.koreessentials.com

The belt itself seems nice enough, very stiff. However the first red flag, stamped right in the belt "Made In China". Wasn't happy about that at all. Guess I should have been a little more observant while viewing the website.

On to the belt buckle. I like the look and it was easy enough to install, with two issues. The included set screws and hex wrench. Instructions state to tighten until flush. But that's about impossible with the included hex wrench for two reasons. The wrench itself is small. I had a hard time grasping it firmly enough to tighten the screws. Which brings us to the second reason.

I have no idea what size wrench these screws are made for. I have both standard and metric hex wrenches with handles, making them much easier to work with. Both the 5/64 and 1.5mm wrenches fit exactly the same into the set screws. None of the three wrenches allowed me to properly tighten the set screws. The heads are not flush, but I was able to drive them in far enough (I think). So there we have it.

I haven't had the chance to wear the belt while carrying yet, as it just arrived today. So I'll have to continue this review at another time. I just wanted people to be aware, in case they're in the market for a gun belt.

The fact that this belt is made in China is a HUGE negative to me. If I had the chance to do it over again, I would not buy the KORE. I would have much rather supported a US based company like Hanks. But I already spent the money, so I'll have to live with it.

 

[stokes]

I've had mine for over a year now.Had no problems you describe putting the buckle on.I think its the best gun belt I've owned in over 35 yrs carrying.

 

[Celt]

congrats on the weight loss!

Blue Alpha Belts

Here at Blue Alpha Belts we believe in delivering an exceptional shopping experience. We will always believe in free shipping, and great gear.

www.bluealphabelts.com

This is my favorite belt currently, it fits through standard belt loops.

I also have a browncoat tactical belt that is really good, but the buckle doesnt fit through standard belt loops and needs to be removed to put through.

 

[minderasr]

congrats on the weight loss!

Thanks! Nearly 42 lbs so far.

 

[Podmonkey]

Those belts are great until the buckle pulls off the end. Then you trim the end off and reattach the buckle and you are good for another month or so. Then the buckle comes off again, trim reattach, rinse repeat and eventually belt is too short to fit.
And should the buckle pop off when actually carrying it particularly sucks. I run a Blue Apha Gear Belt now.

 

[MuttCat]

I too lost a bit of weight and needed one belt altered. So off to the cobbler rather than a MuttCat cob job. They will shorten the belt at the buckle end...no new holes.

 

[MuttCat]

And yes, great job on the weight loss. I too was interested in the KORE belts...somebody here had once spoke well of them. They don't sound so great now....

 

[Criticalt]

Ive heard good things about Kore.
But my personal opinion is that gun belts are overrated.
Just like the advice I got about gun selection when I first got my permit that the smaller the gun the better, the same people told me a good gun belt is MANDATORY!!
Well, I bought a Shield 9mm and an Alien Gear gun belt.
I have not used either in a long time.
I carry a Glock 20 on a $6 leather belt from Kmart. I am really, really into comfortable cloths and such. With my cheap ass belt and huge gun, I have zero, nil, none, no issues at all. I can barely feel that I have a gun and my gun is held firm and safe.

 

[stokes]

Those belts are great until the buckle pulls off the end. Then you trim the end off and reattach the buckle and you are good for another month or so. Then the buckle comes off again, trim reattach, rinse repeat and eventually belt is too short to fit.
And should the buckle pop off when actually carrying it particularly sucks. I run a Blue Apha Gear Belt now.

Going on 2 years and havent had any problems like you describe.For over 30 years I used any old belt with no problems.The Kore is better because it is stiffer and doesnt tend to fall over like a regular "non-gun belt" tends to do as it ages.

 

[Podmonkey]

Going on 2 years and havent had any problems like you describe.For over 30 years I used any old belt with no problems.The Kore is better because it is stiffer and doesnt tend to fall over like a regular "non-gun belt" tends to do as it ages.

Well, I used it daily as it was the only belt I had at the time. What would happen is the end would delaminate leaving nothing for the buckle clasp to bite onto. I would trim and remount until the belt got too short and then I'd have to buy a new one. After the third belt I got tired of it.
I am very happy with the Blue Alpha Gear belt which I also wear everyday as it is also my only belt........... apart from my battle belt which I don't think would be suitable for trips to the store.

 

[minderasr]

I run a Blue Apha Gear Belt now.

I looked at the Blue Alpha Gear belt. Looks like a great gun belt but a little too tactical looking. I need something I can comfortably wear to the range and the office.

 

[Criticalt]

Going on 2 years and havent had any problems like you describe.For over 30 years I used any old belt with no problems.The Kore is better because it is stiffer and doesnt tend to fall over like a regular "non-gun belt" tends to do as it ages.

See, this is where opinions on gear get tricky.
@Podmonkey had issues with a core, but you have had none.
I have used a $6 Kmart belt for over 5 years with no rollover issues.
I know rollover can be a problem with cheap belts, but not all.
Fun fact.....
My friend had his Bigfoot gun belt taken by TSA at the Phoinex airport because it has a thin metal core.

 

[Podmonkey]

See, this is where opinions on gear get tricky.
@Podmonkey had issues with a core, but you have had none.
I have used a $6 Kmart belt for over 5 years with no rollover issues.
I know rollover can be a problem with cheap belts, but not all.
Fun fact.....
My friend had his Bigfoot gun belt taken by TSA at the Phoinex airport because it has a thin metal core.

It all depends on usage I suppose, and body type. My body type puts perhaps more *ahem* strain, we shall say, on a belt. also I wore the Kore every single day through long hours, getting into and out of a large 18 wheeler and getting it caught up in the seat belt often. In my ample experience I found both the buckle to eventually tear off and also the plastic core band to fracture. Prior to that I had a leather gun belt and found that it took a pronounced sag. So for a bigger guy like me that wears the same belt everyday, all day, day after day I think one might find the durability of the Kore lacking. As for the cheap dress belts, well for me the ol' love handles induce more outward roll than you might experience and I need a stiff belt to ameliorate this. So for me, the active fat fuck on the go, I find my current belt to be ideal.

 

[Podmonkey]

I looked at the Blue Alpha Gear belt. Looks like a great gun belt but a little too tactical looking. I need something I can comfortably wear to the range and the office.

They make all different kinds. Some have a plastic buckle some just are velcro. I have the mini Cobra buckle one and I wear it everywhere. I wear it at work, while running errands, visiting family, you name it. I don't think anyone pays the slightest bit of attention to one's belt honestly. It might look out of place on slacks but I only wear jeans so......

 

[stokes]

Wear mine every day as well,maybe they should put a weight limit on the belt.

 

[Apeman]

I have a nexbelt. Basically the same as kore but it's not as stiff. That's the main reason I chose it. It's still a lot stiffer than a normal belt. I can't comment on durability yet because I don't wear it everyday. I don't wear it to work and with this covid crap going on there's not many places to go.

Same as criticalt- I've used a $10 walmart belt with no issues. The biggest advantage of a ratchet belt is the adjustability without punching new holes.