Belts are often overlooked and underrated pieces of gear for hunting. They serve two main purposes: to hold your pants up and to carry gear or a sidearm while hunting or fishing.
In this article, we’ll discuss various types of hunting belts and their pros and cons.
- Leather Belts
- Cotton Canvas Belts
- Riggers Belts
- Instructor’s Belts
- Marsupial Gear Belt
- First Lite Flex Field Belt
- Groove Belt
Leather Belts
Leather belts have been used for years in hunting. Top grain leather is rigid enough to hold a gun holster firmly without sagging or stretching. These belts have soft edges and easy-to-use buckles. However, leather belts are heavier and less flexible than other belts, making them less suitable for long, strenuous hunts. They also don’t handle wet environments well and may not last as long as synthetic belts.
Cotton Canvas Belts
Cotton canvas belts are likely the most comfortable belts to wear. They’re soft and more forgiving than leather, allowing better range of movement. These belts are perfect for those who do a lot of road hunting or sit in a blind for long periods. However, they aren’t very durable, don’t support gear mounted to the belt well, and tend to soak up water.
Riggers Belts
Riggers belts were originally designed for repelling and became popular among civilian tactical schools in the 1990s. They are made with heavy-duty nylon and have a D-ring attachment. These belts provide fantastic support for a holstered sidearm and attaching gear, but they are also one of the most uncomfortable belts due to limited range of movement, heaviness, and the D-ring getting in the way.
Instructor’s Belts
The instructor’s belt is an evolution of the riggers belt, offering great retention of holstered sidearms and belt-mounted gear. Initially, these belts used Velcro, but designs evolved to incorporate a Cobra-style buckle. Instructor’s belts are great for carrying sidearms, but they are heavy and don’t allow much freedom of movement.
Marsupial Gear Belt
The Marsupial Gear Belt is a lightweight and extremely simple belt with a minimalist design. This belt has some stretch to it, allowing freedom of movement while still holding pants up securely. It’s also rigid enough to carry a buck knife or a spare ammo pouch. This belt is the first in this review that’s specifically made for hunters, offering a low profile buckle and thin design to reduce hot spots when wearing a pack.
First Lite Flex Field Belt
The First Lite Flex Field Belt has the right amount of flex and rigidity, but its buckle design may cause issues when wearing a pack. This belt is more rigid than the Marsupial Gear Belt, making it suitable for carrying a sidearm. However, the belt is made in China and is more expensive than most USA-made belts.
Groove Belt
The Groove Belt is currently the most popular men’s belt on the market and has gained popularity in the hunting world. The material is stretchy for comfort and movement, and the buckle design is innovative. However, some users may find that the buckle loosens throughout the day, especially while wearing a pack.
