REVIEW: ZENTAURON Battle Belt (ballistic) with weight transfer

09/25/2018 By Redaktion

Bundeswehr Germany Gear Made in Germany

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As you prepare, so you fight. The plate carrier makes you fully combat-ready - as seen in the image of the Zentauron Vulcan III with quick-release buckles (SPARTANAT Review) - but the War Belt is the foundation, the First Line, on which everything is built and never taken off. At Zentauron, the "War Belt" is wonderfully called "Streitgurt" in German. It also allows the attachment of a weight transfer system. We took a look at the system. The model is the opposite of the lightest War Belt in the world: the Streitgurt is designed for ballistic protection. At Zentauron, you can get both together: the Streitgurt and the matching ballistic inserts from BEST PROTECTION. They protect NIJ Level 3A, so that no fragments can penetrate your pelvis... The ballistic protection is inserted into the belt and stiffens it at the same time. It is simply closed with Velcro and a flap.

The two wings of the Streitgurt, which come around the body from the right and left, have three rows each with six MOLLE slots. This allows you to attach any pouches you want to carry on your hips.

The openings at the bottom of the side wings allow you to place items directly on the strap that runs across the Streitgurt. Normally, this will be a leg holster for your pistol, placed on either the right or left side, depending on which hand you shoot with.

It is closed with a large plastic buckle. Unbelievable, in the age of the Cobra buckle! But let's be honest: no one can say that this thing doesn't do its job just as well. If you want the Cobra buckle, you can easily upgrade it privately.

View of the Streitgurt with the central part and the inserted weight transfer system. There are three rows of MOLLE with five slots available on the rear flap.

So simple: Weight transfer with male Velcro.

Weight transfer with female Velcro.

We have seen various solutions for weight transfers on plate carriers, from transparent plexiglass to complicated struts and simple clips that rigidly connect the upper and lower parts. Zentauron's solution is surprisingly simple: A reinforced Cordura piece is equipped with Velcro. The corresponding pieces are in the Streitgurt (bottom) and the Vulcan III plate carrier (top). The weight transfer is Velcroed in so that the plate carrier is slightly lifted, transferring the weight from the shoulders to the Streitgurt. Essentially like a heavily loaded trekking backpack: the weight is carried not on the shoulders and the entire spine, but on the hip belt.

In field tests, this works surprisingly well: you don't feel the weight transfer as a hindrance, but you do feel the relief in your shoulders. Torso twists, squats, sitting - no problem.