Looking for the perfect gun belt for concealed carry and the range?
One that’s sturdy to hold a loaded handgun PLUS mags…but isn’t so tactical that it gives you away?
We’ve got you covered with some of the top brands out there. We’ve worn them for CCW, at the range, and during competitions.
Now let’s get started!
Summary of Our Top Picks
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Editor's PickKore Essentials X7 Tactical Gun Belts
Our go-to belt that's discreet, stiff enough for CCW, and super easy to adjust on the fly.
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Editor's Pick Dressy BeltKore Essentials Leather Gun Belts
Don't want to be as tactical looking with nylon? We love these dressier leather versions from Kore.
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Low Profile AppendixThe lowest profile belt that's still stiff enough for appendix carry.
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Best Gun Belts
1. Kore Essentials
If you’re looking to carry…my new favorite concealed carry belt is the Kore Essentials with X7 Buckle. Use code “PEWBELT10” for 10% off.
It’s super sizeable with its 1/4-inch hidden track system.
Which allows me to size up and down if I’m either going to be carrying or not.
Plus…I love that I’m able to size in and out throughout the day depending on if I’m going to be sitting/driving a while and want to ride my holster/gun a little more upwards.
Check it out in action:
I’m a big fan of their nylon “tactical version” which holds up to 6-pounds. Here’s me in with my P365 in a Hidden Hybrid Holster (my favorite).
Since I wear untucked shirts all the time I could stand it to be a little tactical looking. But it doesn’t scream GUN so you’re probably ok even with a tucked shirt.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Again…remember to use code “PEWBELT10” to get 10% off your purchase.
I like the X7 buckle since it’s the most low-profile and doesn’t create any extra bulge if you shift it slightly with an appendix carry holster.
If you need something more business…check out their reinforced leather versions which carry 4 pounds that’s more than needed for most gun/holster combos. Plus your choice of tons of actual buckles.
I’ve been wearing my leather one for quite some time and there are no noticeable scuff marks from any of my holsters. Use code PEWPEWTACTICAL for 10% off at Kore direct.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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If you want to learn more…check out my complete review of Kore Essentials.
How’s your take on Kore?
2. Blue Alpha
Blue Alpha has solidified itself as the gold-standard for COBRA buckle belts.
You know…the made-in-Austria aluminum buckles that take thousands of pounds to break and trusted by industries ranging from the military to rescue services, SpaceX, and even amusement parks?
Usually they have the annoyance of having the female end slightly larger than the belt and “normal” belt loops.
But the Hybrid belt keeps it in-line with the 1.5″ belt. This makes it a lot easier to take on and off if you’re not sporting tactical 5.11 pants all day long.
And another great thing? Besides the buckle made in Austria…everything else is made and assembled in the USA with a lifetime guarantee.
We love ours!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Plus…if you’re eating too much brisket like me the belt is adjustable up to 2″ in either direction.
Want to go even more low profile that’s perfect for appendix carry?
Check out Blue Alpha’s Low Profile EDC which relies on 1.5″ webbing and a lightweight polymer slide buckle to do the deed.
Slightly more annoying to don on and off compared to other options but if you want low profile that’s the way it is…
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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3. Daltech Bull Belt
The Daltech Bull Belt was the thickest of all (by my guess of 50%) and I have no doubt will stand up to years of use and abuse. Price is fair too.
If you’re looking for the toughest belt out there to carry A LOT of gear or if you’re really ROUGH on your kit…go for the Bull Belt.
The leather is nice and the stitching is also very strong looking. No one will be able to tell it’s a gun belt. The sizing is also easy to figure out…add 2-inches to your normal belt size.
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But keep in mind that because it was so thick it sort of felt like I had a small hula hoop around me when I walked. The feeling went away as I got used to it.
So maybe it’s not the best pick if you’re simply carrying CCW and a mag. But if you’re looking at a 3-Gun competition where your belt has to hold a loaded pistol, rifle mags, pistol mags, AND shotgun shells…you can’t go wrong.
4. Crossbreed Holsters Belt
I really like Crossbreed Holsters (see my Best Concealed Carry Holsters) so I wanted to check out their belts as well.
I ended up getting two of their models, the Executive with a standard buckle.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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And the Crossover.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Again, the leather was great and so was the stitching. I’m sure with their leather-backed holsters they’ve got that part down.
It’s less thick than the Daltech so it didn’t feel like I was wearing something super sturdy around my waist. I went with 2-inches above my normal pants size.
Pricing is steeper, especially for the Crossover…but you’re paying for a more polished look. I especially like the small CB logo on the Executive.
But…for the first few days, I wore either…it CREAKED like no other. It settled down after about a week and I get the feeling I could have put some leather oil on it to help. But I felt like a rusty tin man for a while.
If a sleek look isn’t a priority…their slightly more affordable Classic belt might be for you.
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5. Relentless Tactical
One of my first “stealth” looking gun belts I got to test out CCW holsters. I chose the Relentless Tactical Belt since it has impeccable ratings on Amazon.
At the time of writing it has 2800+ reviews at an average of 5 stars.
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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It’s almost indistinguishable from a normal belt except that it’s much sturdier and could hold a loaded handgun and two mags on the side with ease.
It’s the thinnest of the bunch so it fits the bill for something more comfortable for people who are CCW-ing. I got one 4-inches above my normal waist size.
The drop-down ordering tool helps you out immensely.
The Relentless Belt is what I would recommend for a no-frills concealed carry belt that can do some double-duty at the range or competitions.
Still going strong 4+ years…
6. Nexbelt
Looking for another belt like the Kore that can adjust easily on the fly? All while being stiff enough to carry whatever you can throw at it for CCW?
We also love Nexbelt…
Unlike the Kore, the Nexbelt uses a magnet to hold the belt into position. However the system to release the track and adjust bigger was slightly stiffer than the Kore.
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They also have an Appendix Carry option that has a smaller buckle to make AIWB a little bit easier.
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Final Thoughts
A good belt can make or break a concealed carry setup. Not to mention, make things more (or less) comfortable.
But we think you can’t go wrong with one of the suggestions above.
Which one did you choose? Or do you have another candidate for the best concealed carry belt? And if you don’t have a go-to holster yet…check out our Best Holsters for Concealed Carry.
125 Leave a Reply
Picked up my first kore belt last month and wow!! It is very impressive. Well made and it zips around your waist like a zip tie and fits perfectly. I have been wearing it every day and I just wish I would have gotten it sooner. Holds my glock 17 solidly, no sag or movement when I draw up. I see why they ranked it #1.
Hanks Belts ( hanksbelts) from New York cost more ( for dress models) but are American made of full grain leather. They are incredibly strong and the dress models look great. I have 3 and unless I gain weight I will probably never buy another belt. They even have a model with a steel core lining ( not sure why you’d need something that strong).
I just purchased my 3rd Kore gun belt in the ranger tactical. I have a black tactical and brown leather as well and trust me when I say these belts are fantastic! The short story is you get a perfect micro fit that you can adjust instantly (never had a belt fit like this), the belts have lots of support from a reinforced core and the quality is second to none. I have tried all these other gun belt brands and to be honest I just wear my Kore belts these days. The only negative with them is that once you wear one you wont want to wear your other belts anymore.
Watch put for crossbreed. Their lifetime warranty* includes everything but their belts. I'm at the skinnier end of the spectrum and wasn't stressing the belt any more than its intended use case and the buckle snapped on me within 3 months. Pin sheared right in half.
In addition to the traditional belts, I highly recommend comfort concealment as an alternative to a belly band or the Phlster Enigma™. It was designed to be worn under sweatpants, basketball shorts, joggers, etc. And does an absolutely phenomenal job doing what it advertises.
Can’t believe that Beltman wasn’t used in the article. Hands down the best.
Good insight into what's out there. Know you all can't cover each and every product out there, but, for your next go-round, maybe consider We The People?
I realize this is a repeat, but you need to check the prices before you just repost something. The Daltech belt is no longer $35. It's $50. I didn't check out the other belt prices, but I'd bet they have gone up.
Thanks...updated!
I think you missed it. I have had numerous belts but the absolute best, for me, is the Mag Pul El Empresaro, the best looking and shows absolutely no wear after two plus years. The 1.25 inch is the most forgiving but just be warned on the 1.5 inch is very stff and if you want to inside carry you definitely want to upsize it.
Ok, so I'm not a leave a review guy, but this belt deserves it, I received it yesterday, adjusted it and started wearing it today all day, and let me tell you I have never bragged so much about an item like I have about this belt to my wife and my son, this belt is amazing, comfortable, easy to use and the cherry on the pie is that you can adjust it to any length while sitting down eating and watching the football game, and when you get up you can re adjust, dude this is the best belt I own, as I have several of them but not like this belt, I may be exaggerating but I will not buy another belt from anywhere else but from Kore. I extremely suggest you get one if you are considering buying one, you won't regret it bro.
As a retired LEO Ive had a long relationship with gun belts over the years and I still cc most days. So I would have to agree here that in my mind the Kore is the best based on how it adjusts versus belts tradiional belts with the holes and the cobra buckles. All those belts always feel too tight or loose for me, but with my Kore belts I can acheive a perfect fit. Now the Nextbelt does too but its I can tell you it is a lesser quality knock off of the Kore that frays a lot. And I will say for overall quality and stiffness the Kore is perfect for most of my edc needs; I do glock 17 iwb, as well as sig p365 and I occasionally carry my 1911 owb
A word of caution on the author’s remark about the Klik Belt’s “Austrian-made Cobra Quick Release Buckles that are the gold standard in mountaineering” … a quick release buckle isn’t my gold standard in mountaineering, and nobody should trust their life to a belt that has a quick release buckle.
No idea where they come up with the mountaineering thing when mentioning Blue Alpha belts. The COBRA buckles were designed for use by paramedics and the life flight biz to strap down patients to their gurneys.
I do however have COBRA buckle belts made by Klik Belts that I wear every day and they're not going to accidentally unbuckle.
Are there any good OWB options that do NOT require a belt? I don't like IWB because i find them uncomfortable and they stretch out my pant waist
I bought a kore essentials belt 1 YEAR AGO and still love it! I used to burn though belts due to them stretching out of shape or breaking or having very limited adjustment options. My KORE belt is still in near perfect shape today, the only wear and tear is the normal bend at the rear belt loop. I have recommended these belts to all my friends and family. Its a great belt.
I bought a kore essentials belt 1 YEAR AGO and still love it! I used to burn though belts due to them stretching out of shape or breaking or having very limited adjustment options. My KORE belt is still in near perfect shape today, the only wear and tear is the normal bend at the rear belt loop. I have recommended these belts to all my friends and family. Its a great belt.
One day years ago my top quality $100+ leather belt went into the trash because I had to clean out a rental house I own where someone had died... and the smell got into the belt and I couldn't get that smell out of the leather no matter what. So I started looking for synthetic belts.
I wore Kore belts for probably 3 years and they're very good... but I was always irritated at the "Made in China" aspect that is too common with most things these days.
Then a few months ago somebody talked me into trying a Klik Belt.... the one I tried was a 1.75" wide 3 Ply "Duty Belt" and it is fantastic. It's comfortable and you could hang bricks off of it. I haven't worn anybody else's belt since then.
What about the 5.11 TDU Low Pro Belt, Blue Alpha Gear Low Profile EDC Belt, Wilderness Frequent Flyer Belt, EDC Foundation Belt, Wilderness Instructor Belt, Blade-Tech Ultimate Carry Belt, and the Ciguera Emissary EDC Belt? Not to mention offerings from the more traditional makers like Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen, Kramer, and El Paso Saddlery?
Hey Eric!
Appreciate the recommendations. Been looking for a good range gun belt for some time now. Thanks again.
I have 3 of the Kore Essential belts, black and brown dress and a tan canvas. I love all 3 of the belts. They are stylish and comfortable. I love that I can interchange the buckles as want. They hold up well with or without my holster.
The Kore *nylon* gun belts are excellent, but I do not recommend their leather belts for general concealed carry. The Kore *leather* gun belts work OK for carrying a subcompact single stack, but my double-stack M&P plus a spare mag causes the belt to sag and twist outward (I've tried three different Kore leather gun belts and they all had the same issue).
I strongly recommend the Aker Leather concealed carry belt as an alternative (no ratcheting buckle, but it incorporates a nylon stiffener sandwiched between two layers of leather).
I already own 2 everyday carry gun belts from KORE and love them. So I just picked up their new 1.75 inch wide battle belt for the range and it has not let me down. Great belts highly recommend anything from Kore.
Thanks for the tip. Got the 1.5 wide black web kore and it is solid. I don't want to wear my steel core belt any longer bcause the kore adjustment is really nice and it is plenty stiff to run my g17.
kore is the best belt in my small mind for daily carry.
Relentless get 5 stars from me. I like their IWB holsters too...the Defender.
Love Next Belt EDC. Super stable and love the ratchet buckle
My husband and I both wear the Kore Essential belts even when we don't carry. Our local gun shop here in Phoenix recommended them.
I have been weariung kore ratchet belts for 5+ years and nothing compares. I own 2 tactical nylon in black and the tan web and another in black leather. The tac models are super stiff and solid. I cc iwb or owb my 1911 most days so I need the support and same time they are damn comfortable. I should also say that last year I tried the nextbelts but the buckles are not nealy as good under pressure and belts are not as stiff.
I use Nexbelt for everyday carry and have found them to work great. They deserve a review.
Actually I discovered that nextbelt is a knock-off of the kore ratchet belts. I switched to kore and found them to be superior in rigidity and quality. There is your review.
Interesting.... I googled this and Nexbelt started and in 2011 when Kore didn't start till 2013 have you googled it?
I’ve tried many edc belts trial and error, the Vedder Cobra Quick Release has 2 ply full length which is perfect for appendix carry, great price too and a lifetime warranty—can’t beat them!
Looking for something for the larger guy. trying to find a good gunbelt for myself or other faily members whose waist is not as svelte as the models shown in the vidoes/pictures above. Any recommendations for somone on the larger size ?
I'll give a shout out to 1791 Gunleather and their gunbelt. It's 1.5" width and full-grain, 14-ounce leather and it's built like a tank, and a more traditional look that works for me. I've got a couple of their holsters, and their quality has always impressed me so I tried out their belt. I'm sold. Really nice product and a pretty fair price.
I've been using the Relentless Tactical with a basket weave design for 3+ years and am very satisfied. Looks practically new and I'm not very easy on it. I carry a subcompact or a micro compact every day. Bought on sale and very happy.
The Beltman or AG gunleather ….nuff said
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Everyone has a favorite in this game. Mine fav is the kore because of the way it zips around your waist. I was skeptical at first but its the only way to go now. To top it off they use high grade materials with reinforced core. I cc a 1911 so I need the support.
14 oz leather belt
They send me a rebate offer of 50 dollars if I got their belt thru Amazon which I did by clicking on their link which took me to amazon.
I purchased the belt. When contacting them about my refund I was told the rebate was not for that belt purchased even though the link took me to amazon and to the 14oz belt. Relentless Tactical is scamming people period and it's sad they would do something like this. I have purchased items from them in the past but never again will I recommend this company. SCAM !!!
Over the past 3 years of use Kore has proven itself for my needs. I carry everday most weeks and so the ability to adjust my belt to where my waistline is at in the moment is key. And yes I have a leather hanks and webbed cobra belt hanging in my closet but I never wear them anymore.
I like my Kore. The track system is just the best. I also use some of the Kore accessories on my Kore and other belts.
For me Kore belts have been great for my law enforcement work and OD concealed carry. I’ve used cheap ratchet belts from Amazon and they have broken under the weight of guns and extra mags being mounted on them... but the Kore belts are extremely sturdy and hold everything in place without sagging...I’ve also been using the nylon belt for off duty concealed carry... what a difference a sturdy rigid belt makes... never using a cheap belt again.
Everyone has their favorite belt. And it is always the best one and best thing since sliced bread and the manufacturer is always great. The problem I've discovered with ordering gun belts on line over the years and many belts later is that there is no way to try before you buy. A gun belt is a personal thing that not only needs to fit and be comfortable in use it must also be suitable for its intended use.
When deciding on a gun belt there are three words you must remember. These are quality-quality-quality ... quality in materials, quality in workmanship, and the often forgotten quality in use. For example If the price is ok with you, and the belt has quality materials and workmanship but you find yourself having to adjust frequently or there is the slightest hint of discomfort sometimes you have told yourself you will live with, then that quality of use is not there.
So choose wisely. Brand and price are not the only factors to consider. There is a certain 'quality of life' factor to consider called 'quality of use' especially if you are going to use it all day every day.
You should look into Galco gun belts , they are the best leather gun belts !
Next time you do a belt or holster round up, please look into Versacarry out of Bryan, TX. They use Water Buffalo leather.