Belts, padding, and MOLLE... [Archive]

View Full Version : Belts, padding, and MOLLE...

LOKNLOD

10-05-06, 18:55

I know we've had "battle belt" threads before but let's get specific on the key component -- the belt itself. What are you using for the belt? What do you like and dislike about your choice?

I have been very slowly but surely piecing together a first line "battle belt" type setup. I've got a holster set up, know what pouches I want to use, etc., but the last thing I am unsure about is the belt. I was pretty set on the ICE belt (mostly because of the subload compatibility) but it seems like getting my hands on one could be a big hassle (little guy with big orders syndrome). It's hard enough to justify cost of gear right now without tying up funds indefinitely.

So help me out here - what do you run, and what do you think of it?

Impact

10-05-06, 20:49

I'm interested as well :D

VA_Dinger

10-05-06, 23:24

I have been using the Eagle duty belt & belt pad and could not be more pleased. I honestly could not bitch if I wanted to.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/2004_0117Farm20001.jpg

Steve

10-06-06, 02:36

I run a spec ops countured MOLLE belt, it has loops as well on the inside of the belt for attachments of holsters and the like
i have been very happy with it

SuicideHz

10-06-06, 10:37

If you are looking for inexpensive, I've got the answer for you! But, alas, it's not padded. I've found it to be comfortable enough though.

Here's the main setup:
http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/8e07624eaeba8dfe8d4563c019fa5b03-.jpg

Better shot of some of the gear on it. A double M16 mag pouch from Marsgear.com and on the outside of it is a small zippered pouch that holds pencils and for some goofy reason, an iPod video. The other tubular pouch is the battlecloth pouch that Doug included with my SRT Matrix:
http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/a61b3a74c183dc1fbc0427f51014ffd6-.jpg

This is just the little "admin" pouch attached to the M16 pouch:
http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/2fa2b29602c2c9511a4b42c8ccfdef58-.jpg

Here is the admin pouch opened up to show where I keep my Form4:
http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/09d6283edaf0e79ca36bdaf2f900436d-.jpg

Here's the multicam pouch next to the main "gob" of pouches. It's an Emdom USA 6o4 holding 4 M9 mags full of Black Hills 147gr. subsonics. In this picture I'm recreating militarymoron's photo of it holding two mags tightly while upside down:

http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/6b0e80bfb2ebcd1cc7cf7106b2c51bf2-.jpg

Here is a picture of the pistol for this setup:

http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/054360abe9c95c6455dac1fea37000aa-.jpg

In case you didn't notice, the belt is the Sears Craftsman Tactical in Coyote Brown and it retails for $6.99.

The Marsgear dual M16 was IIRC $10 or $11 and the admin was $9 or $10.

The EmdomUSA 6o4 was the big splurge at $29.xx.

The Battlecloth suppressor pouch was $445 but came with a free suppressor :D

I need a knife and sheath and a better holster and maybe a grenade pouch for one of Grant's ALS (?) CS grenades!

Harv

10-06-06, 16:56

Here's my latest..Simple and what I use for range practice for both Carbine and Pistol.
ICE Tactical belt pad
2X Eagle FB pouches with Kydex Insert
1 Tactical Tailor 2 mag pistol pouch with Kydex insert.
1custom Eggroll single pistol pouch I use for either a Cool guy tool or a G2 surefire
1 Maxpedition Rolly Polly dump pouch
Modified 6004 high ride for my G-17

and that's it...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/harv24/IMG_1188.jpg

LOKNLOD

10-06-06, 17:25

Suicide -- Interesting setup, thanks for the pics. I never would have guessed that was a $7 craftsman belt. Definitely the winner in the budget category.

Harv -- seen your setup before...nice and simple. How hard was it to get your hands on the ICE belt?

Harv

10-06-06, 20:43

I was one of the Lucky ones. Mine only took a little over 2 months from order to delivery. I think I got in before he got swamped with orders. The one thing I have learned about the custom stuff is order it with no intent on when your going to get it. Just order and forget it, eventually you get it. The Pad was worth the wait for me.

TWR

10-06-06, 22:32

This is the only belt I've ever used so I don't know how it compares but it works for me. All Tactical Tailor except for the pistol mag pouch. Came 3 or 4 days after I ordered it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/TOM64/100_0793.jpg

Neeglik

10-07-06, 05:02

I've used, and still have in some form or another, the Specter gear duty belts. My old one had a pad attached and it was pretty nice. I wanted to go the modular route though and picked up a DBT padded molle belt. It has worked for me so far.

Here's a couple pics of the DBT in an older configuration I used:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Neeglik/SafarilandHolsterMolleAdaptor1.jpg

back shot...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Neeglik/DBTModularBelt3.jpg

top shot...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Neeglik/DBTModularBelt2.jpg

Here is an old pic of the Specter belt:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Neeglik/1stLineGearPacked.jpg

For a budget molle belt, and since I wasn't 100% I wanted to go with molle, I used the belt portion off an used USGI FLC. Worked just fine for testing.

Pat_Rogers

10-07-06, 06:20

I have been running either the Gen 1 or Gen 2 version of the Crye Blast Belt for a few years now. Easily the best belt that i have ever worn, but may be beyond the mission requirements of hobby shooters.
The fact that it is armored makes it more attractive to many (including me).
The fact that it is generally unavailable to all but a few probably makes it desireable to a lot.
I'd post a pic, but i am errornet challenged...

ShortyB

10-07-06, 08:30

I used an ICE padded belt in a 3 day class, it was very comfortable. My complete load was carried on the belt. 3 m4 mags, 3 pistol mags and a pistol.

The only thing I did not like is the open space on the off side. There should be molles' all the way around.

As far as just the belt.. I like the Eagle duty belt. It is inexpensive, rigid and easy on and off. I use it in the ICE padded belt and by itself.

Triad Tactical

10-07-06, 09:00

Pat,

Email me your pics, I will get them up for you.

Damon

10-07-06, 09:04

Pat, If you want to email me the pictures, I'll try to post them for you.

I use an Eagle duty belt and a Blackhawk pad for long gun classes. I have had the Eagle belt for more than 9 years. Its durable and there are many pouches available for it. The velcro back locks the pouches in place so they don't shift. You don't have to use a pad unless you run a lot of stuff on the belt. It won't break the bank either.

LOKNLOD

10-07-06, 11:07

Pat,

I have seen your setup in threads over at 10-8 where I read a lot but am not a member. With your permission, here's a pic of it I dug up over there:

Glimpse of Pat's belt/holster attachment (http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/postimages/12659-lc20.jpg)

You are right, though, in that my need for an armored rig is minimal, at best.

ShortyB,
Apparently you aren't the only one that had complaints -- if you'll look at Harv's ICE belt above you'll see that the design has been changed to have webbing over the slits for drop legs. That said, I don't mind the spaces so if anyone feels like upgrading, let me know...

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

Pat_Rogers

10-07-06, 12:37

Steve, Damon- thanks for the offer.
Loknlod- thank ypou for reposting that pic.
That is the Gen 1 belt.
Prior to that i wore an Eagle war belt that was a contract item for the IAK. .
It was pretty good, and the MOLLE webbing made it versatile.
I like the Blast Belt for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the support it gives to all of those damaged discs....

Damon

10-07-06, 13:41

I see that Steve and I posted about the same time.

I just found a new review of the Crye belt here:

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9046084761/m/7001077172?r=1611028172#1611028172

Pat_Rogers

10-07-06, 14:15

I'll have a SWAT story on the Blast Belt and a second piece on the armored chassis

LOKNLOD

10-10-06, 21:42

Just a few links for posterity - hopefully this thread can be a good reference later down the road since these rigs are fairly popular.

Crye Blast Belt (http://www.cryeprecision.com/product1.asp?P=B14)

ICE Battle Belt (http://www.icetactical.com/battle-belt.html)

Tactical Tailor Modular Padded Belt (http://www.tacticaltailor.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11)

Blackwater Gear I-O Load Bearing Belt (http://www.blackwatergear.com/pc-48-6-i-o-load-bearing-belt.aspx)

Diamondback Backpack/Assaulters Accessory belt (http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/BattleLab-BackpackAssaulters-Accessory-Belt-33-42-P279C127.aspx)

Resq47

10-10-06, 23:31

I've been happy with the blackwater I-O belt. It's also available in under a week from optactical. Gear in hand is worth many catalogs of backordered stuff ;)

LOKNLOD

10-11-06, 07:39

I've been happy with the blackwater I-O belt. It's also available in under a week from optactical. Gear in hand is worth many catalogs of backordered stuff ;)

Good info -- their price is also pretty good. Does the I-O have a built-in belt or is it just a pad?

Hoplophile

10-11-06, 17:24

Aubrey

10-11-06, 18:40

Not an endorsement, but I believe that HSGI has one as well:

High Speed Gear, Inc. Modular Padded Belt (http://www.highspeedgearinc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HSG%2FMPB)

Cold Zero

10-11-06, 20:18

has anyone had trouble reaching the ice tactical guys? no tel. # of the web site and no response to emails. hate to think what would happen if you had a problem...

LOKNLOD

10-14-06, 18:02

Well, in the interest of being able to use my holster until I find the right belt, I went super old-school:

http://home.off-road.com/~loknlod/gear/LC1.jpg

That's right, it's the ever-popular BELT, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, LC-1. Yes, that's some sort of weird discoloration. Molly may be young and sexy, but Alice is experienced. Experienced in a 55-year-old truckstop hooker kinda way, but as long as you're up on all your vaccinations... That belt is older than I am, I'm pretty sure my dad found it in a junk car when he worked at the salvage yard before I was born. I've had it as far back as I can remember. I found it stashed in an old footlocker with the webgear I used to carry my massive .22LR loadout around the woods when I was in middle school (kids with guns, acting responsibly, with no injuries, property damage, or lawsuits - oh the humanity).

Anyway, this'll let me run my holster a bit on my next few range..er, pasture trips and sort out some stuff before commiting to anything further. Pretty comfortable, too, but we'll see after some extended wear.