If you’re an outdoor enthusiast or if you work in law enforcement, you most probably understand how important a tactical belt is. Be it for rock climbing or wall scaling during field operations, you’ve most probably been through one or two situations where you feel like you’re hanging your life onto that single belt around your waist. If you’re into outdoor activities or take your security seriously, won’t you agree that the best tactical belt will come in handy?
With a tactical belt, you would not need to worry even if you’re hanging hundreds of feet above the ground. We understand that a great tactical belt is one that can give you peace of mind, and that’s precisely what we promise to give you through this review of the top rated tactical belts currently available on the market.
In this article, we would first introduce you to the basics. Once you’ve got a better idea of what you should be looking for in tactical belts, we’ll move on to the recommendations. Once you’re done with this article, you’ll be able to challenge even the most extreme sports or operations with no worry. Let’s take a look.
Our top picks
| Product | Width | Size | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiduy Military Style Tactical | 1.5 inches | M - XL | 1000D nylon | Check price on Amazon |
| AGPtek Police Security | 2 inches | L | Double layer utility nylon | Check price on Amazon |
| Kenley Tactical Military | 2 inches | XL | 380D nylon | Check price on Amazon |
| CQR Tactical EDC Duty | 1.5 inches | S - L | Nylon webbing | Check price on Amazon |
| JASGOOD Tactical Webbing Buckle | 1.5 inches | L | 1000D nylon | Check price on Amazon |
| Propper Tactical Duty | 1.5 inches | S - XL | Nylon webbing | Check price on Amazon |
| Yisibo Military Style | 1.5 inches | S - XL | 1000D nylon | Check price on Amazon |
| Freehawk Military CQB | 1.5 inches | L | 800D nylon | Check price on Amazon |
Things to Consider Before Buying
Tactical belts aren’t cheap, but a good one is well worth it because if it’s durable enough to save your life during crucial times, it’s durable enough to stand the test of time. To buy a tactical belt that would last you a lifetime, here are the quality markers you should look for:
Material
If you take a look at the title of the article, you’ll notice that nylon is mentioned pretty decisively. That’s because all of the tactical belts we have listed on this list are made from nylon, although they may differ in color and denier. There is a reason for this.
High quality tactical belts are more often than not made from nylon. Nylon is strong, durable, and has an amazing capacity to support extra weight. Of course, it is possible to find tactical belts made from other materials if you have something against nylon, but you’ll have to contend with a lower level or durability and sturdiness with those.
Waistline Fit
It is important to consider how the belt would fit around your waistline when you’ve decided you’d like to purchase it. Even the sturdiest belts wouldn’t be able to offer you the maximum level of protection if it fits loosely around your waist and keeps slipping off.
The waistline fit of tactical belts are typically adjustable, but only by a small margin. Traditionally, you’ll only be able to adjust the fit by around two inches and no more, so if you accidentally purchased a tactical belt that’s categorized for people with a waistline of 31 – 33.5 inches when you have a waistline of 40 inches, you better hope the manufacturer accepts returns.
Width
The width of a tactical belt also matters for two reasons. The first one is because naturally, the wider a belt is, the more weight it should be able to bear. Two inches is considered quite thick for a tactical belt. A belt with this width certainly had an edge over a belt that’s say only 1 or 1.5 inches wide.
On the other hand, this can also be considered as a double edged sword. Belts that are two inches wide cannot fit into the belt loops on most pants. You’ll either have to cinch it very tight so it doesn’t slip off or you’ll have to pair it with a separate belt casing.
Length
The length of the belt and whether it is adjustable or not are also very important factors to take into consideration. A belt that’s too long would certainly get in the way whereas a belt that’s too short won’t feel comfortable. There’s also the matter of natural weight gains and weight losses to consider, as one’s waistline cannot possibly stay the same over that person’s lifetime.
Of course, it’s better if the manufacturer gives you the ability to adjust the length of the belt by default design, but even if they don’t, it shouldn’t be too big of a problem as long as the material isn’t impossible to cut. You can just trim it yourself to the length you desire.
Belt Buckle
The material that the belt buckle is made from and its design are also important. If you don’t plan to wear the belt to places where you have to go through a metal detector such as the airport, then a metal buckle would be the best choice since it’s more durable. But if you do plan to do that, you should go for a belt with a plastic buckle.
Design wise, there are all sorts of belt buckles, such as a D ring buckle or a molded belt buckle. Molded belt buckles are usually thought of as rather loose and unreliable, but this isn’t always the case. Also, for extreme sports such as parachuting, you might want to consider purchasing a belt with a quick release buckle.
Best Products on Today’s Market
Now that we’ve gone over the factors you should take into consideration before purchasing a tactical belt, it’s time to move on to our top 8 recommendations:
Aiduy Military Style Tactical Belt
Size: M – XL
Specific features: 1000D nylon canvas fabric, D ring metal buckle, resists wear and tear, molle webbing, adjustable length
Best use: As shooter belt, outdoor use, EDC
The Aiduy Military Style Tactical Belt are designed for heavy duty work. The 1000D nylon canvas fabric that this belt is made from is tough enough to withstand wear and tear even if you put it through the wringer. Not just the fabric, the buckle too is made from high quality materials and designed in such a way so as to be able to withstand maximum pressure.
Although this belt buckle is mainly targeted at the military or law enforcement market, it is also a great option for everyday use. Measuring 1.5 inches wide, this belt should have no problem fitting into belt loops on pants.
This belt is also strong enough to hold pouches and holsters, although they don’t come in one package with those extras. You’ll have to purchase them separately if you want them.
Aiduy is a dependable company that is dedicated to ensuring their customers’ satisfaction. If you find a manufacturer’s defect or if you purchased the wrong size, the company promises to either exchange your belt with a new one or give you a refund.
PROS:
- Really dependable buckle
- Sturdy and durable
- Adjustable length makes it a foolproof choice
- Made by a company that stands behind their products
- Pouches or holsters need to be purchased separately
- Expensive
Related: This belt goes really well with these CQR Men’s Tactical Pants. They are both designed to be able to withstand heavy duty tactical work, so they are perfect for those of you who work in law enforcement. Although, even if you don’t, they are still fashionable enough that you might just be tempted to wear them anyway.
AGPtek Police Security Belt
Size: L
Specific features: Adjustable length, water resistant coating, four dual retention keepers, double layer, utility nylon, quick release buckle
Best use: For military or law enforcement use, for outdoors use, for everyday use
Tactical belts are usually quite expensive because they have to be made from the best and most durable materials so they would be able to withstand pressure. This AGPtek Police Security Belt is an exception to the norm because it is unexpectedly affordable for a tactical belt.
Even though it’s cheap, the manufacturer certainly does not cut corners when it comes to quality. At 2 inches wide, this belt should be able to withstand any amount of weight you may pile on top of it without snapping. Although, this width may also be seen as a con for some because it makes it difficult for this belt to fit into smaller belt loops.
This belt comes with a quick release buckle, which makes it perfect for most outdoor activities that may require you to be able to release your belt with one hand while the other one is otherwise occupied. This may also be an important feature that could mean the difference between life and death in law enforcement.
PROS:
- Affordable price
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Adjustable length makes it very versatile
- Comes with a quick release buckle
- Too wide to fit through most belt loops
- Feels a bit stiff
Related: This belt may slip off of your waist often if you wear it as it is because it is too wide to fit into most belt loops and without them, there’s nothing holding the belt in place. It is recommended that you purchase this Condor Gen II Battle Belt in addition to the belt so it can act as a holder to substitute the belt loops.
Kenley Tactical Military Belt
Size: XL
Specific features: Comes with 7 utility pouches, 380D nylon, adjustable length, quick release plastic buckle, removable pouches
Best use: Security and law enforcement, outdoor activities
The Kenley Tactical Military Belt is the perfect belt for those in the line of work that requires them to always carry some tools around. The price tag might look expensive at first glance, but not if you consider the fact that it comes in an all in one package with 7 utility pouches.
It comes with a small all purpose bag, an intercom package, a flashlight package, an expansion pack, a debris bag, a work package, and of course, the belt itself. All of the aforementioned pouches can be freely removed and adjusted as you see fit.
This belt also comes equipped with a quick release buckle, which makes it the perfect belt for outdoor enthusiasts or those of you who work in law enforcement.
Having a 2 inches width makes this belt quite dependable and durable, but it can also be troublesome because it won’t fit into most belt loops. That’s why it’s important for you to choose a size that fits perfectly around your waist so it won’t slip off easily. Thanks to the adjustable length, it shouldn’t be difficult to do just that.
PROS:
- Comes in a package of 7
- Durable
- Useful quick release buckle
- Handy removable pouches
- Heavy
- Too wide to fit through most belt loops
Related: No matter what kind of mission you plan to wear this belt on, there’s one thing that you should never forget to bring with you. MAIGG Tactics Torch Flashlight is an important part of every operation. Slip it into one of the pouches on your belt and you’re good to go.
CQR Tactical EDC Duty Belt
Size: S – L
Specific features: 30 days money back guarantee, nylon webbing, rip resistant, plastic polymer buckle
Best use: Military, law enforcement, maintenance work, outdoor activities, everyday use
The CQR Tactical EDC Duty Belt is an all purpose belt that’s loved by many because of how versatile it is. Not only is it affordable, it is available in all these different sizes that make it a great choice for everyone. It’s also lightweight, durable, and just generally well made all around. Truly a belt for all needs.
This belt is one of the few belts that is Tesla Brand Certified Guaranteed. No doubt you’ll be able to get exactly what you need from this belt, but even if against all odds you find it unsatisfactory, there’s no need to worry because CQR offers a 30 days money back guarantee. This is a no risk purchase.
Another great thing about this belt is how heavy duty the clasp is. You can be sure that once you’ve put the belt around your waist, it would stay there. It helps that it has a standard width of 1.5 inches and should be able to fit into the belt loops on your pants without a hitch.
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Affordable price
- Durable fabric and clasp
- 30 days money back guarantee
- Runs a bit long. May need to be manually shortened
Related: As this is an all purpose belt, you’ll probably need a pair of all purpose pants to go with it. Mr. Stream Men’s Outdoor Convertible Pants are a great choice. These pants are fashionable enough for everyday use and durable enough for outdoor activities.
JASGOOD Tactical Webbing Buckle Belt
Size: L
Specific features: 100% 1000D canvas nylon, money back guarantee, alloy buckle, 500 kg weight bearing capacity, adjustable length
Best use: All purpose
Tactical belts can be a bit stiff and inflexible. That’s generally understandable because they need to be sturdy enough to be able to withstand pressure after all. That’s why when a belt that offers both durability and comfort comes around, you know that it’s truly one of a kind.
The JASGOOD Tactical Webbing Buckle Belt is one such product. The canvas nylon that this belt is made of is so high quality it can support a weight of up to 1102 pounds, but it doesn’t stop there. The nylon is also amazingly breathable and boasts a strong sweat evaporation capacity that few other belts do.
The length of this belt can be adjusted, but unfortunately, it is only available in one size. As long as your waistline doesn’t exceed 40 inches, you should be able to wear this belt, but those with a smaller waist might find it a bit of a hassle because this belt would sometimes slip off. Luckily, if you are unsatisfied, you can always ask for your money back.
PROS:
- Can withstand a weight of up to 500 kg
- Comfortable
- Adjustable length
- High quality material
- A bit unpractical for people with a smaller waist
Related: Since this belt is good for people with all waist sizes, it goes well with pants that come equipped with an elastic waistband such as LA Police Gear Operator Tactical Pants. The versatility of both of these gears also makes them a great choice for people who are losing weight or are putting on weight.
Propper Tactical Duty Belt
Size: S – XL
Specific features: Nylon webbing, single layer, molded belt buckle, adjustable length, plastic buckle
Best use: Everyday use, maintenance work, law enforcement
The Propper Tactical Duty Belt is one of the few tactical belts on this list that comes with a molded buckle. Some people adore molded buckles because of their versatility while others avoid them because they often cannot hold the belt in place well enough.
This belt tries to break that generally accepted notion offering a sturdy molded buckle that holds the belt in place properly, and this belt has generally been quite successful in achieving that.
The molded buckle here truly offers the best of both worlds by being easily adjustable and sturdy. It should be able to keep the belt in place with no problem, but if you’re going to hang heavy items such as a gun holster onto this belt, it might still slip off.
As long as you keep to standard usage, this belt should be a great choice. It comes in all sorts of different sizes, so you might want to consider which one you purchase a bit more carefully. It’s better to be safe than sorry so you should probably go for a longer option. It can be easily trimmed down if that’s what you need.
PROS:
- Easy to trim
- The length is easily adjustable
- Available in many different sizes
- Heavy duty nylon
- The buckle is not strong enough to hold heavier things without slipping off
Related: Be it for everyday use or law enforcement, if you plan to wear this belt, you should also purchase a pair of tactical pants to go with it. 5.11 Men’s TacLite Pro Pants are fashionable and durable enough for both purposes, so they are a great choice.
Yisibo Military Style Belt
Size: S – XL
Specific features: 1000D nylon webbing, quick release metal buckle, 20% molle attachment, adjustable length
Best use: Everyday use, law enforcement, outdoor activities
Made of 1000D heavy duty nylon, the Yisibo Military Style Belt boast the capability to withstand even the roughest conditions when you’re out there handling tactical matters.
The metal buckle also adds to the overall durability of this belt, although that does make it a bit of an unsuitable choice if you’re planning to wear this belt to places where you have to go through a metal detector such as the airport.
The 20% of this belt is layered with molle. That makes it possible for you to attach pouches or holsters to the belt, which is a handy thing but could also prove to be a reason to complain because 20% means the belt can only support very few extras.
This belt is available in an array of sizes, and each one has an adjustable length, so it shouldn’t be difficult to pick the right size for you. One caveat that you should note about this belt is that the metal buckle is the strongest part of the package. It appears that the belt itself is, unfortunately, a bit flimsy.
PROS:
- Heavy duty nylon
- Adjustable length makes it versatile
- The buckle is well designed and easy to use
- Not very durable
- Metal buckles can be troublesome when going through customs
- 20% molle can be lacking
Related: This belt does not come with Velcro, but you can add one yourself to the molle if you purchase this Binboll Nylon Velcro Clip. This clip is highly sturdy and should be able to complement your belt well.
Freehawk Military CQB Belt
Size: L
Specific features: Adjustable length, 800D nylon webbing, V Ring attachment, triangle hook for accessories
Best use: Military, law enforcement, outdoor sports
If you’re looking for a tactical belt that’s both dependable and affordable, Freehawk Military CQB Belt could be the one you need. One touch and you’ll understand why. Even amongst tactical belts that are usually known for their durability, this belt is something else.
Without being too wide, this belt offers enhanced durability thanks to its heavy duty 800D nylon. It should be able to withstand any kind of field operation or outdoor sports you throw at it.
Unfortunately, the toughened material also makes this belt really stiff and inflexible. It is not built for comfort, so it might be best for you to consider another option if you’re looking a belt that’s good for everyday use.
The V Ring attachment is a great addition. It makes it simple to carry around even some of the heavier items, and the belt should be strong enough to support them. Another great extra is the Velcro attachment that makes the length of this belt easy to adjust.
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Affordable price
- Very durable
- The length is easy to adjust
- The material is quite stiff and uncomfortable
- Only available in one size
Related: This belt is strong enough to support a heavy knife like the Benchmade Protagonist 169 Knife complete with its holster. This is a great knife that’s good for either hunting or combat purposes.
Wrap Up
All eight tactical belts that we’ve covered in this article are top of the line products that you can entrust your safety to. They can withstand a lot of pressure and won’t break easily if ever. Be it for tactical operations or extreme sports, you’ll want dependable belts like these around your waist.
Don’t forget to measure your waistline first before you go shopping. When in doubt, it’s better to go for a belt that’s a bit longer than one that’s too short. You should be able to deal with a too long belt easily by trimming it manually or adjusting the length as indicated by the manufacturer.
