Best Battle Belts (& Setups) To Protect & Defend

If You’re Looking For A New Battle Belt  (Or The Best Setups), You’ve Come To The Right Place!

Why? Because for most people, their belt choice comes down to how well it matches their clothes.

These folks are part of what we like to call “the fragile masses.”

Instead, YOUR belt should be more useful than just color coordination.

A belt should not only keep your pants up, but it should also carry a ton of self-defense and survival gear on it as well.

Something more important than preventing an embarrassing “wardrobe malfunction.”

And for combat professionals, soldiers, and law enforcement officers, their very lives depend on their choice of battle belt and its setup.

A belt that will carry the proper gear to defend and protect – make holes and plug holes!

And that’s why today I’m going to share everything I know about battle belts, specifically:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Battle Belts For Sale

Battle Belts Vs. Tactical Belts

“Philosophy” Behind Battle Belts

Why You Should Own A Combat Belt

Best Battle Belt Features

How To Build A Battle Belt System

Are You Ready For The Tough Times Ahead? Take My 60 Sec Quiz To See If You’re Part Of ‘The Fragile Masses’ Or Not… Start Quiz Now!

Best Battle Belts On The Market Today

Looking online, you’ll find a wide array of battle belt designs. And each design has both its proponents and critics.

So, look for those with lots of positive reviews and with features that interest you most.

Here are a few that we like as a starting point for your own search:

↓ HSGI Laser Sur Grip Padded Belt Review/Loadout ↓

↓ Condor Gen 2 Battle Belt ↓

↓ Blue Alpha Gear – MOLLE 1.75″ Double Belt Rig ↓

↓ Ronin Tactics Shuto Range Belt Review ↓

↓ I HATE Cobra Buckles: The Solution – KORE Tactical ↓

Battle Belts Vs. Tactical Belts

Many use the terms “tactical belt” and “battle belt” interchangeably. But there are distinct differences between the two:

Tactical Belt

A tactical belt (and survival belts) typically serves as a discrete EDC (everyday carry) item.

That’s why they’re often made to fit in the loops of your pants. But this design feature limits them to 2″ widths max – and sometimes even narrower.

So larger gear items will not fit through standard-sized belt loops.

That’s why most tactical belts won’t allow for permanent attachments – pouches, sheaths, or holsters.

Yes, you can put them on as you thread the belt into your pants.

But that takes precious time and leaves you adding and removing equipment daily.

This act quickly becomes cumbersome and can be an organizational nightmare.

Plus, it leaves you at risk of not properly securing each item as well as it should.

Battle Belt

Instead, you can wear a battle belt independent of (or in tandem with) a tactical belt.

A battle belt has NO width limits because they’re not designed to fit through belt loops. So, they’re free to provide a wider surface for more attachment points.

And thus, more support for heavy items.

And they also tend to feature more rugged materials and stiffer construction vs. tactical belts.

This upgrade helps to reduce the amount of sagging under heavy loads.

And it makes them far more comfortable than a similarly loaded tactical belt.

Some feature extrapadding as well.

This feature further increases comfort by preventing your gear from digging into your hips over time.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

“Philosophy” Behind Battle Belts

Now, before we get into specific features and setups, you must understand the “justification” behind wearing one.

First off, YOU get to choose WHAT to carry on a battle belt.

And this choice will be a very personal one.

But there are two general guidelines to keep in mind to help you accomplish your goals.

1. Battle belts are primarily for making holes and plugging holes
2. The lighter, the better – so minimal fighting essentials only

Making Holes / Plugging Holes

First, a combat belt is ideal for combat-based survival situations. Times when your very life depends on the outcome of a fight.

In such a situation, your choice of belt may determine who gets to walk away.

It can support a more aggressive attack.

And success may come down to always having those extra magazines of ammo or a fighting knife at hand (“making holes”).

OR, if you or a teammate gets severely injured, you’ll be glad you attached a compact Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) to your battle belt.

An IFAK with the right supplies to control significant bleeding (“plugging holes”).

Lighter IS Better

Secondly, it allows you to carry only a limited number of supplies – primarily those needed in a fight.

So, it’s essential to resist the urge to attach EVERYTHING!

Now, many battle belts feature suspender attachment points. These setups are compatible with drop-leg pouches and holsters.

But if you’re putting so much gear on your belt that you require suspenders and large accessory pouches, double-check how much gear you’re carrying.

It’s probably way too much!

Remember, your belt isn’t your only way to carry things.

Instead, you could easily dump some extra gear into your other body armor gear such as;

Heck, pockets are often a better location for smaller items, like a folding knife, notepad, or a cell phone.

Of course, none of these rules exist in a vacuum.

So take the time to honestly assess the overall weight and bulk of your battle belt.

The bottom line is this:

It’s often both faster and safer to keep your combat belt gear to a minimum.

Adding too much equipment for every remote survival possibility will only slow you down.

Why You Should Own A Combat Belt

A combat belt isn’t the kind of thing most of us wear in an office setting.

That’s because a combat belt is a visible piece of gear.

It will draw attention in most situations.

These military-style belts are NOT compatible with a gray man strategy.

But it’s one of the best ways to secure and organize all your combat essentials. It’s a great way to keep them all in one place, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

You can throw one on as you run out the door, knowing that all the items you might need in a fight are in place.

Also, unlike a chest rig or survival backpack, a war belt won’t hinder your ability to cool off under heavy exertion.

And it helps keep your center of gravity lower for better balance.

So, if combat is inevitable and you’re not worried about staying unassuming, nothing beats adding a combat belt to your combat gear setup.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

Best Battle Belt Features

As with any piece of tactical gear, there are plenty of choices on the market.

Choosing the right one for your needs will greatly impact your comfort. And your ability to carry your load and your efficiency in a fight.

Independent vs. Inner/Outer Belt Systems

There are two types you should consider when it comes to battle belts.

Independent Belt System

The first is a stand-alone belt. These are battle belt setups you wear over whatever clothing you have on at the time.

They don’t rely on belt loops and are entirely independent of your tactical pants.

These systems allow you to wear them on the outside of extra cold or wet weather layers. And do so without any adjustments other than the overall length.

The second option is an Inner/Outer belt system.

Inner/Outer Belt System

This battle belt setup pairs a wider belt with a standard tactical belt.

This configuration allows you to thread your belt through standard pant loops.

These attach with a long strip of heavy-duty Velcro along the entire matching surface.

This design keeps your belt secure and in place without fear of any rotation around your body.

But the outer belt is often not as stiff as a stand-alone belt and relies on the inner belt for some rigidity.

So, it may not be as capable if used alone or over outer clothing layers.

Comfort

Comfort is of utmost importance when carrying a load of ammo and medical gear.

Because if you’re distracted by a belt holster digging into your hip or a sagging belt, your focus isn’t completely on the emergency situation.

And if this happens at a critical moment, you might find yourself on the losing end of the fight before it even begins.

A comfortable belt will keep your mind in the game and your critical gear at your fingertips.

Or you could look into adding a drop leg holster and get your gun off your belt entirely.

Materials

As with all survival gear, you typically get what you pay for – so be sure to find a belt with rugged materials and construction.

Look for quality stitching and reinforcements in high-wear areas.

If you settle for a cheap nylon belt, it will perform cheaply.

Closures

Similarly, any belt is only as good as the buckle.

I am a HUGE fan of the COBRA metal buckles because they are one of the only fast-release buckles with a full load rating.

These buckles have been making appearances on all kinds of tactical and rescue gear, including airborne med/evac litters designed for chopper rescues.

If you get one WITHOUT a COBRA buckle, make sure it’s strong and rugged.

Look for a steel buckle or an aluminum one with “double-back” webbing.

Attachment Systems

The standard PALS, MOLLE, and other laser-cut mounting designs are all common in tactical gear.

And most of these belt systems will accommodate one or more of them.

Be sure to check that you have enough space for all the attachments you plan to add.

Also, ensure the belt’s width supports even the widest one without it rubbing too much on your skin.

Price

I hate to admit it, but in the end, price does play a role in the decision.

Factor in the cost of extra attachments (holsters, sheaths, pistol mags) as well.

When you are pricing out your battle belt – these attachments add up quickly.

If you find yourself over budget, DON’T skimp on the belt itself.

Why? Because you’ll likely change and reorganize your attachments over time. And you can always upgrade them later.

But changing the belt itself is usually the most expensive part, so try to get that right the first time.

How To Build A Battle Belt System / Setup

When it comes to building your battle belt, it comes down to personal preference.

For example, the exact weaponry you plan to carry and how much overall weight.

Watch this video for an excellent tutorial on setups:

↓ How To Setup A “Gunfighter” Belt | War Belt ↓

I’ve also found the following two references helpful in my approach to building a battle belt.

1. The Practical Application of Tactical Gear, Load & Weight Considerations
2. The Battle Belt: 3 Essential Tips for Carrying Gear Like a Boss

These articles help to provide a good compromise between agility and carrying for every eventuality.

These authors are both tactical instructors and former military.

So, they’ve put systems through the wringer and determined what works best for them. But they both understand their approach might not work for everyone.

In the end, a good list for a battle belt setup will contain:

• Handgun holster
• Pistol magazines x2-4
• Rifle mags x2
• IFAK pouch
• Small dump pouch
• Tactical knife

From there, you’ll have to work with your belt and with the weapons you use in training.

You’ll soon find the right amount of weight and the tools that you can’t live without.

It will help if you read lots of these long-running online threads. These are resources where people discuss their own war belt setups in extreme detail.

You’ll also discover that most people have an evolving battle belt.

One with different weapons, pouches, and accessories showing up and disappearing over time.

And you may decide someday to branch out from what you can carry easily.

That is when you’ll want to research your options to build a chest rig, plate carrier, or tactical backpack.

Final Thoughts

A battle belt is an ideal way to carry the supplies you need in a fight in a compact, lightweight system.

If you want to be agile and always ready, this tool keeps you from laboring under a heavy pack.

Yet, it can be set up and ready at a moment’s notice.

It’s like a utility belt for the modern firefight.

That’s why it’s an indispensable part of wartime preparedness.

Jason K.

P.s. Are you ready for the tough times ahead?

Find out now by taking my short Readiness Score Quiz – it’s absolutely free.
Once complete, you’ll know exactly where you stand on the “fragile” vs.” resilient” spectrum.

So click here to start the Quiz….And don’t worry; the questions are so easy a 3rd grader could answer them.

Click on the image to begin the Quiz and find out once and for all if you’re part of “The Fragile Masses” or “The Resilient Few.”

Recommended Reading