REVIEW: The Belt Parade - BDU Belts

What holds the pants up is hopefully not the stomach, which generates so much tension that nothing can slip down. The belt is as essential to the BDU as "amen" is to a prayer. Today we have four pieces for you - from the top: Ferro Concepts, Eagle, Blackhawk! and 5.11 - and we explain the advantages of each model.Ferro Concepts presents active minimalism: the belt is actually a wide MOLLE band. The buckle is made of plastic and very light. The belt is looped and velcroed. In line with the trend towards lightweight gear, this is our weight champion: a sweet nothing that serves its purpose. Lighter is only more without...

From Eagle Industries comes the classic BDU Belt, made of nylon webbing. The buckle is two-piece and made of metal. The belt is only looped through the buckle, no velcro fastening. It is also not necessary since this belt comes from a time when one still laid a Padded Duty Belt over it - and the equipment was placed on top of that. In that sense: a sturdy belt. There are replicas available, for example from Pantac, which are stiffer than the original.

From Blackhawk! is this CQB Riggers Belt: The design is heavy, in addition to the massive buckle there is also an attached metal triangle, which is there to attach your lanyard, used for example to secure in a helicopter. The belt is looped and velcroed. It also holds equipment directly on the belt. It is also available from other manufacturers (LBT, Eagle, ...) in the same quality. Knock-offs look the same, but in terms of lanyard strength, we would not rely on them.

5.11 has designed this belt: the buckle is an absolute heavyweight. We're not quite sure why this was necessary. The belt is partially double-layered and stitched, making it very stiff around the body. The trailing end is only single-layered and therefore soft again: there is also velcro to additionally secure the belt. The bomber among the belts is probably also intended as a Duty Belt. Equipment can easily be attached here.

CONCLUSION: Take what you need: light or heavy. Quality belts definitely come at a price and are an investment that should be well considered. After all, they not only hold up your pants but also your equipment on your body.

The LW-BDUB BDU Belt from Ferro Concepts costs 17 Canadian Dollars. The Eagle BDU Belt costs around 15 Dollars, but is no longer available at EI. The CQB Riggers Belt from Blackhawk costs $34.99. The Operator Belt from 5.11 costs $39.95.