AIWB Belt - My Experience + Your Feedback/Suggestion

[Contramnky]

All,

I decided to start AIWB-carrying my S&W Shield 9mm. I am using a JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster with the belt claw doo-dad.

I started off using my existing CCW belt, a Hank's Amish Leather. I found that the size of the leather and the belt buckle caused a MASSIVE bulge right above my crotch, and not the kind I want to be noted for.

I then tried out Wilderness Tactical's Frequent Flyer belt. It is a very high-quality belt, but the double plastic ring belt buckles cause the same problem: crotch bulge. Again.....not the kind I want to be notable for.

I recently discovered the Graith Specialist belt, which looks like it will present a very low-profile buckle, minimizing the undesired bulge near my crochtal region.


Does anyone have any feedback regarding the Graith Specialist belt?

Or

Does anyone have any good belt recommendations for AIWB?


Thanks much, all!

- P -

 

[Ranger007]

Pretty good thread that might help.

battle belts?

 

[citoriguy]

Aside from having a loaded gun pointing at my dick, the discomfort described above is why I carry IWB at 4 o’clock.

 

[E.Stoner]

I've been wearing this one for a year and half now and its excellent:
Emissary Gun Belt V3

 

[Contramnky]

I've been wearing this one for a year and half now and its excellent:
Emissary Gun Belt V3

What do you like about it?

 

[Contramnky]

Pretty good thread that might help.

battle belts?

Thanks for the share! I'll read through it. Any suggestions pop to top of mind? It's a long thread...

 

[golden chicken]

I've been wearing my belt buckle offset to 11:00 to reduce the bulk at 12:00.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

I slide my buckles over to the left.

I carry a glock 19 in a tennicore velo with discreet carru concepts clip, stupid 5.11 tdu belt. I dont print.

I need a new belt that isnt 5.11 or an overly complicated cobra nerd belt that i wont wear, any suggestions?

 

[Andy in NH]

I use the Volund Gearworks Atlas G-hook Belt.

SOE makes a similar belt.

Some reviews (not mine) of both here.

 

[E.Stoner]

What do you like about it?

1. Stiff enough not to twist or sag. I've used it for IAWB and OWB with Glock 43,19,34 and Sig 365
2. flexible enough to be comfortable and not bulge outward
3. Looks great and doesn't look like tactical belt
4. Very very durable and has held up perfectly. I've also hiked about 150+ miles in it.

 

[Contramnky]

1. Stiff enough not to twist or sag. I've used it for IAWB and OWB with Glock 43,19,34 and Sig 365
2. flexible enough to be comfortable and not bulge outward
3. Looks great and doesn't look like tactical belt
4. Very very durable and has held up perfectly. I've also hiked about 150+ miles in it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I appreciate the considerate and useful input.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

I just got a unity clutch belt for deep concealment in jogging clothes, so far i like it.

 

[Contramnky]

Does anyone have any experience with the Gilbraith "The Specialist" belt?

 

[Soundwave]

Custom Mens Belts - Leather, Suede and Cotton - Made in the USA

I've had good luck with their bankers belt for a light compact pistol. Certainly not a gun belt but good for concealment in an office environment.

 

[Wendell]

I haven't yet tried the Graith, because I'm supremely satisfied with my Volund Atlas G-hook.

volundgearworks.com

The G-hook might look unconventional, but it's perfect for AIWB, in my experience. I still wear other belts, but the Volund has become my hands-down favorite.

 

[Al-Jim19]

I’ve run into a similar problem with my hanks as I usually carry aiwb too. I’ve learned to deal with it because I haven’t found a solution I like better. Putting the belt buckle above my left pocket works well if I’m going to be out all day.

I don’t love that solution just because it’s sort of a pain to take the pants off and put them back on.

I’ve been considering buying a Bravo Concealment Cinturon belt since it’s infinitely adjustable and looks like it’s a little lower profile up front than the hanks.

 

[92G]

there are so many great belt choices. a lot of it comes down to aesthetics. personally i do not like belts that give impression of a swat member or correctional officer. the bravo concealment cinturon has been great at least to me. the buckle is infinitely adjustable which is great if you need a little more or less tension. the belt buckle looks fashionable such that it will work with a pair of khakhis or something moderately dressy.

The Cinturon Gun Belt 1.5 inch

 

[allen-1]

Low Profile EDC Belt

I don't appendix carry, but do carry inside waistband, this belt works well for me.

 

[Al-Jim19]

there are so many great belt choices. a lot of it comes down to aesthetics. personally i do not like belts that give impression of a swat member or correctional officer. the bravo concealment cinturon has been great at least to me. the buckle is infinitely adjustable which is great if you need a little more or less tension. the belt buckle looks fashionable such that it will work with a pair of khakhis or something moderately dressy.

The Cinturon Gun Belt 1.5 inch

Is there anything to interfere if you have put a pistol at about 1230? How thick is the buckle?

 

[SgtHal75]

I use a basic Propper tactical belt. It’s cheap, extremely rugged and flexible as a noodle at the same time. The buckle is very low profile and strong polymer. I carry my 9mm shield with a iwb bladetech holster in between 1 and 2 o’clock. The belt comes in all earth tone colors and doesn’t look overly tactical. It can be bought everywhere online or at a army navy store.

 

[oppressed]

I went to the local police and fire supply store and found a leather belt stamped Dutyman for about 30 bucks. Thick but not too thick and 1.5" wide, so you need larger loops. Doesn't look out of the ordinary or tactical, just beefier. I bought a second.

.

 

[92G]

Is there anything to interfere if you have put a pistol at about 1230? How thick is the buckle?

if you shift the buckle over to the left like around 11 o'clock then should be fine. the buckle itself is fairly normal size. maybe a tad bit larger than a typical belt but nothing crazy. the great part is it looks like a regular belt. taking it off can be a little weird until you get used to it. basically have to tighten it (put pressure inward) to get the tensioner to release the belt. a little practice though and it's fine. in full disclosure i've only tried a handful of belts so my perspective on the topic is a little narrow.

 

[scatter]

I've been AIWB carrying with a Wilderness Instructor belt for years. Never really liked the way that it doubles back through the D-rings and then velcro sticks. Pretty bulky.

Went to the NRA meeting last week, saw this and picked up one of the nylon ones: Nexbelt Ratchet Belt - The Belt with No Holes

It's got the lowest profile of any belt I've come across. Only been wearing it for a week now but I think it's going to permanently replace my Instructor belt.

 

[golden chicken]

I just picked up a BladeTech Ultimate Carry belt. It has the ratcheting system like a Kore or the Nexbelt mentioned above. It can be had in both nylon or leather--I chose leather. It seems to have a leather face, polymer reinforcement and nylon web back.

It is 1 3/8" wide and about 1/8" thick. If you lay the buckle on a table and measure the tallest point (how much it sticks out from your body) it's about 5/8" tall, so I still have to wear it at 11:00.

Compared to a standard leather belt with roller buckle that is also 1/8" thick, the roller itself is 5/8" and the tongue makes it 3/4" with the belt buckled. Where the belt attaches to the buckle plus the belt is also 3/4" and where it goes through the leather loop it's about 5/8".