Finding the best tactical belts can be a tough task or an easy one, depending on your familiarity with the product. In either case, it’s important that you find one for the purpose of EDC use or when you are using it for certain occupations like law enforcement or military.
It may take a bit of time and a little bit of detective work before you find the best tactical belt that will fit your personal needs and preferences.
We managed to find some belts that we believe are the best on the market as of this writing. First, let's talk about what purpose these tactical belts serve and how you can choose one for the purpose of your own personal use.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Tactical Belt
- OUR TOP PICK: Tactical Instructor Belt
- RUNNER-UP: Aegis Enhanced Belt Stainless Buckle Coyote Webbing XXL
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Operator Utility Belt Gen 2
Comparison of the Best Tactical Belts
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What Purpose Does a Tactical Belt Serve?
A tactical belt is one of the most important accessories that anyone can use. But the question is, what are the common intents and purposes for a tactical belt? Here are just a few of them:
Everyday Carry (EDC)
If you are keeping yourself one step ahead of danger and want to prepare yourself for when SHTF, then you may want to consider carrying a tactical belt on a regular basis. You don’t have to carry a lot when you are wearing these belts. It can be used for simply carrying a holstered pistol or will be allowed to accommodate some tools like knives or whatever else you need in order to get you through the day (or for when the unexpected happens).
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers will often rely on tactical belts on a regular basis. They typically carry such things as service pistols, flashlights, radios, and other provisional items like pepper spray and handcuffs to name a few. Typically, officers will more than likely put these to good use if they are proven to be tough enough to handle various items.
Military Service Members
Members of the military are always prepared for whatever danger that may lie ahead (especially in combat zones). But even in times when there is no conflict, a good soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine is never ill-prepared. They will certainly put these tactical belts to good use for some of the same items that are used for both law enforcement and themselves (and even tools that are exclusively used by the military themselves).
How to Choose a Tactical Belt
If you are interested in looking for a tactical belt, then it’s important to find one that will stand out in more ways than one. You should find one that will fit your personal needs and preferences so you can rely on it for as long as possible. Let’s take a look at a few things that you should look for in a belt:
Price
The price tag might not be a feature or a characteristic of itself. But it’s one of the more important factors for those looking for a tactical belt, but are on a budget. If you are one of the handfuls of prospective buyers on a budget you should find a belt that is affordable for you when it comes to quality and performance.
Find High-Quality Material
One of the best things about tactical belts is the structural integrity of the belt itself. This comes down to the materials used to make it. It’s important to find a belt made from materials that are proven to hold up well and won’t allow for any sagging. It should also be able to handle a good amount of weight in the process (since some users will be loading it up with tools).
Size
There are many tactical belts on the market that you can find that will fit you well enough. However, some will be adjustable while others will be a one size fits all kind of belt. Consider the measurements of your waist and make the determination of which belt is better for you.
Review of the Best Tactical Belts
The following is a list of tactical belts that are currently considered the best on the market. Be sure to make notes of the characteristics and features of each belt so you can make a choice that is based on aspects that will be a make or break factor for you. Let’s start with the “best overall” choice on our list:
Best Overall:
Tactical Instructor Belt
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers say that they were quite happy with this belt. For one, they said that it was a perfect fit that was snug and comfortable. They were impressed with the overall strength and quality of the belt even when it was loaded lightly or with tools all throughout.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This belt is made from high-quality nylon. While it might look thin at first, the sturdiness is outstanding to say the least. It doesn’t rip or fray easily and will be able to fit most tools, including your concealed carry pistol of choice. Plus, it’s adjustable to fit any body sizes. So, if you range from a 32 to a 38 in waist size, then there’s a belt for that (and it’s definitely this one, if you think this will be a good choice for you).
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great tactical belt that will be more relied on by civilians who are more prepared for when things go south than anyone else. It will be a nice belt to have on hand if you intend to carry a few EDC tools that you must have on hand, because you never know when you might need to use one of them.
Bottom Line
The Wilderness Tactical Instructor Belt gets the “best overall” nod and deserves it. It’s got the sturdiness, the ability to carry accessories, and will certainly be the everyday belt that can be quite useful for any dangerous situation or when you need to bug out if necessary. This belt will certainly keep you ahead of the curve for as long as you wear it.
Runner-up:
Aegis Enhanced Belt Stainless Buckle Coyote Webbing XXL
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new users said that they were able to easily tack on holsters and other tactical tools with this belt without a single instance of snagging. On top of that, they were really happy with the solid structural quality. In other words, they reported no sagging, snagging, or any flimsy quality. One user said that it was a nice perfect fit and it worked perfectly for carrying various tools like flashlights, pistols, and knives to name a few.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is another belt made from nylon. But the only difference is this type of nylon is a hell of a lot sturdier than all the other belts made from the same material. So if you want something that will truly last you a long time, then this could be the belt you’ll want to strap on. At about an inch and a half wide, that’s plenty of width for you to carry a variety of tools without worrying about this belt sagging on you in the slightest. It can handle some serious weight no matter what you add on.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an excellent tactical belt that will definitely be useful for law enforcement and security officers. It’s got the toughness to handle all sorts of tools at the same time. Not to mention, it blends in quite nicely with the uniforms as well. If you want something that is sturdy, sleek, and will be reliant when duty calls this could be the tactical belt worth getting a hold of.
Bottom Line
The Aegis Enhanced belt is really solid and sturdy in quality. And it is the closest thing you can get to a law-enforcement grade tactical belt up to this point. If you want something that will handle the light or heavy loads of tools, this belt will certainly live up to the challenge and possibly beyond that. Whether you are a police officer or a citizen, this belt is definitely worth using for the purpose of survival and preparation.
Best for the Money:
Operator Utility Belt Gen 2
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers said that they got a whole lot of what they paid for. They said the quality was excellent and was able to handle many pistols and tactical tools. One user was able to strap this on with ease and loaded it up with the tools he needed for camping and hiking. He said that he was also able to holster his 380 pistol that provided excellent concealability, but it didn’t weigh the belt down in the slightest.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is no one size fits all kind of belt. This can fit a various range of waist sizes while serving its purpose as a super tough tactical belt that can handle your gear. In fact, it can handle light-duty and heavy-duty applications. The only difference is the amount of tools that you’ll be carrying on a regular basis. It’s excellent in quality but definitely forgiving on the wallet. So if you want a belt that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, this is a good one to look at a bit further.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be a great tactical belt for those who might just be looking for a starter belt. In other words, something that is affordable but really good in quality instead of cheap and flimsy. This will work out great for the newbie who has never used a tactical belt in his or her life. To get a good sense of what these are really about, get this belt and give it a try for yourself. You might just keep it around for a few more years if you like it.
Bottom Line
The Blackhawk Operator Utility Belt Gen 2 is one of the best solutions that you can find for EDC carry at a price that would be hard to beat when it comes to affordability. This is in no way a cheap or flimsy tactical belt. And it definitely isn’t one of those belts that will rip or wear on you. It’s tough and sturdy like the rest of them (and really comfortable to wear).
Best Tactical Gun Belt:
Fairwin Tactical Rigger Belt
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
About all of the buyers were concealed carry or open carry gun owners. They were looking for a really tough tactical belt that could handle their holsters with ease and be able to draw their pistols when they need to without having to deal with any sagging. Of course, this belt passed with flying colors when they tested it out for a whole day. The general consensus was that it was perfect for EDC carry and thus excellent for those who are civilian gun owners and law enforcement officers as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Often times, concealed carry users would rather use a tactical belt as opposed to a waistband for obvious reasons. Gun owners like you deserve something with a bit of stability and toughness so that your holster will ride exactly at the right height. Even better, it should also be a belt that will be reliable for when you need to tack on some extras like magazine pouches. Bottom line, this belt was made for gun owners like yourself (assuming you have one).
Who Will Use This Most
This will be the perfect tactical belt for those who frequent the indoor or outdoor ranges or carry a pistol as part of their EDC setup. Either way, it’s a belt that has excellent structural integrity and will make sure your holster stays in its respected carry position for as long as possible. That way, you won’t have to deal with your holster slipping up when you are moving around all day long.
Bottom Line
The Fairwin Tactical Rigger Belt is second to none one of the better options you can find for concealed and open carry use. If you have a pistol with a good quality holster, then it should have no problem fitting on a belt like this. And best of all, it’s perfect for carrying all your handy gun accessories as well.
Best Condor Tactical Belt:
Condor Tactical Belt
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, not a single new buyer was disappointed in this belt. They said wearing this was very comfortable no matter how many tools they had on hand. The belt was able to stay firm and didn’t feel like it was weighing down the users much despite having a good load of tools intact.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Condor is mostly known for making some really strong and reliable gear for tactical purposes. This belt is no exception to the rule. It’s made from high-quality nylon and is available in various colors that would blend in with what you will normally wear on a regular basis. If you are wearing everyday street close for instance, then the black colored belt will be good enough since it might come off as a typical everyday wear belt.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be ideal for a good number of users who want nothing more than a belt that is easy to wear, easy to adjust, and can handle as many tools as possible. Whether you are carrying a light load or a heavy load of EDC tools, this belt will still maintain its structural integrity and be able to support what you need whether you are out in the woods or just have a few tools you need handy just in case the unexpected happens (like getting caught in a dangerous situation or locking yourself out of the house).
Bottom Line
The Condor Tactical Belt is proven to be tough, reliable, and long-lasting. It’s the kind of belt that will go above and beyond the call of duty no matter how many tools you are carrying. Whether you have never used a tactical belt before or need a better upgrade, this is one belt that should not be overlooked.
Best 5.11 Tactical Belt:
5.11 Tactical Trainer Belt 1.5in
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers say that the belt was very tough in quality and it was easy to adjust to fit their respected waist sizes. This was a belt that could be useful in various applications and was able to handle either a few to a full load of EDC tools and pistols. One user said that he loved the quality and the ability to tack on a few tools as he wanted. They included his SIG Sauer P293, a multi-tool, a couple of additional magazines inside their pouches, and a small EDC bag.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The 5.11 brand is another trustworthy name in the survival biz. In fact, they might give other names like Condor a run for its money. But what makes this belt stand out is the wide range of sizes it can be able to fit. This can fit the smallest of waists all the way up to fit the bigger folks. So no matter what your size, this belt can certainly give you the best comfort possible all while being able to carry the tools you need for when you are out and about or off the grid.
Who Will Use This Most
This belt will certainly be an odds on favorite for someone who might be willing to drop a reasonable amount of money for a tactical belt. We’re not talking an expensive or cheap amount. But it’s enough to where you might have another option if our “best for the money” option doesn’t seem to cut the mustard.
Bottom Line
The 5.11 Tactical Trainer Belt is probably one of the toughest tactical belts on the block. And that’s probably one of the handfuls of reasons why users (and probably yourself) will love it a lot. Just tack on this bad boy and you’ll be able to use it however you see fit. For everyday use or when you are out in the wilderness, this belt is the sidekick to have on hand for all of your survival tools and pistols.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Tactical Belt
A quality tactical belt can go a long way. But what other benefits will you get out of one other than the potential of longevity? Here are some benefits you’ll get to enjoy:
Handles All Your Gear
Whether you are carrying a pistol, extra magazines, a cleaning kit or if you are carrying a flashlight, lock pick set, or a multitool there is no limit to what you can fit on a tactical belt. You can carry a few tools or just enough so long as you have enough space. But don’t try to overload it if the temptation sets in. Carry just enough to what you might use if and when the situation presents itself.
Comfortable Fit, Even For Every Day Wearing
If you are in need of a belt and your pants seem a bit loose then you can use this just as an ordinary belt. It will still be just as comfortable as if it were a regular fashion belt. So you don’t necessarily have to have tactical tools in place.
Can Be A Life-Saving Tool
If you are looking to prepare yourself in case some kind of danger strikes and you are in the vicinity of it, then this tactical belt will serve its purpose. All it takes is the right kind of tools. Your belt can also be used in a few clever ways that may not even require the use of tools. Don’t believe us? Check out online what some people have used with their tactical belts in life-saving situations.
How to Use a Tactical Belt
If you want to learn how to use a tactical belt, then this brief little guide will show you how it’s done. Here’s what you need to do:
- One of the most important things to have intact on a tactical belt is a pistol. It can be a pistol that you prefer for EDC concealed carry (or open carry where legal). Some pistols that should be useful if you have yet to purchase one are Glocks (preferably 17s or 19s).
- If you are carrying a pistol, then carrying magazines are a must. Carry at least two at a time in their respected pouches and keep them close to your pistol.
- Sometimes, accidents can happen and you can get hurt in the process. So you may want to consider carrying medical gear like a first aid kit so you can have easy access to any bandages, gauze, and other medical tools that will treat injuries in a quick and timely manner.
- If you are at the range or target practicing in the woods, a dump pouch might be recommended for discarded rounds.
- Always carry a knife and a multi-tool. It’s pretty self-explanatory why these are needed. Also, always keep your knife sharp. If you cannot shave with it, it ain’t worth it.
Conclusion
A great tactical belt will certainly get you out of some hairy situations. But it can save your life in more ways than one. If you want a sturdy and reliable tactical belt, a good place to start would be the list above. You may find one there or find a belt that is not even listed. Either way, find one that will stick with you for as long as possible and will come through in the clutch whenever you need a certain tool or item.
