7 Best Gun Belts for Concealed Carry [2024 Guide]
Bryan Hill / July 19 2024
If you use your run of the mill belt to carry a pistol, you'll be in a world of pain.
Your hips and back will hate you.
Your holster won't stay secure. It'll flop around when you jog, run, or bend over.
You'll sweat on whether someone will see your pistol printing through your clothes.
The solution?
Gun belts are made stiffer and stronger.
They distribute the weight of the pistol on your body to prevent injuries.
That also keeps the pistol from flopping around when you move.
To carry a compact or full-size pistol all day, you need a gun belt.
For beltless options,
go here.
Below, we'll cover:
-
How to tell good belts from bad.
-
How to test your own belts to see if they're up to task.
-
Common questions about gun belts.
-
A tool to help you choose the right belt for you.
On this Page:
- Concealed Carry (CCW) Belts
- 1.5" vs. 1.75" Gun Belts
- Gun Belts for Women
- 7 Best Concealed Carry Belts
- References
Concealed Carry (CCW) Belts
CCW belts look a lot like normal belts, but they can take the load of a pistol.
There are a lot of crappy CCW belts and only a few good ones. How do you tell which is which?
Looks
It looks like a normal belt and
doesn't draw attention to itself.
Why?
When people look at your belt, they may see your holster clips and start wondering what those are.
Choose a belt that matches your outfits and doesn't scream, "I'm a concealed carrier".
If you must wear an eye-catching belt or belt buckle, a pocket pistol may be a better choice.
Stiffness
A stiff belt eases the load of a pistol evenly across your waist and prevents the holster from flopping.
There's a problem though:
Any comfortable belt stretches with use. Too much makes the belt ineffective. What do you do?
Find a balance of stretch and stiffness.
Too stiff: Pinching and chafing.
Too stretchy: Must wear it too tight.
Too stiff AND too stretchy: Hip/back pain.
How do you control a belt's stiffness?
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Dual-layer (double-ply) belts stretch much less than single-layer.
-
Double stitching adds stiffness and durability. Look for 4 rows of stitching on the belt:
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An internal stiffener (Nylon 6/6 or good Kydex) extends your belt's lifespan and adds stiffness.
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Wider belts are stiffer. 1.5" is the standard.
-
Shorter belts (size 40 or less) are stiffer.
With that in mind,
look for dual-layer, double-stitched belts.
Get an internal stiffener when:
-
You want max long-term value.
-
Your belt is 1.25" wide.
-
Your waist is over 40".
Take the Gun Belt Challenge
Is your belt stiff and strong enough? Do this:
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Take your belt in your hands and, off of your body, loop and fasten it to your usual belt tightness.
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Now hold it from the side opposite the buckle. Does it support its own weight?
If it flops at all, it's not stiff enough. Get a better belt.
-
If your belt passed, put your pistol in your carry holster and then mount both on your belt at 3:00 or 9:00 (buckle is 12:00). Hold the belt in your hand. If it flops, get a better belt.
1.5" vs. 1.75" Gun Belts
You may wonder if a 1.75" gun belt is for you. It'll be wider (and stiffer), but won't work with nearly as many pants.
1.75" is the right choice when you:
-
Wear only tactical pants, cargo pants, heavy-duty jeans, and the like.
-
Are looking for a Duty belt.
Gun Belts for Women
Women's clothing presents some problems for gun belts. There are two approaches:
-
1.25" belts for versatility. If a belt can go with your outfit, a 1.25" wide one is sure to fit.
-
Ratchet belts for comfort. These belts are 1.5" wide, and adjust in 1/4" increments instead of the typical 1" belt holes.
Find your waistline changing from month to month? A ratchet belt has you covered.
Still unsure? We have the tool for you.
5 Best Concealed Carry Belts
- Concealed Carry Belt Selector
- Best Gun Belts for Concealed Carry
Concealed Carry Belt Selector
The best concealed carry belt depends on
your needs. Use our Belt Selector to find which one is right for you:
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
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Beltman 1.50" Belt
$90 @ BeltMan
|
|
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Top stiffness and durability (double-ply, double-stitched).
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Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Choose the "Internal stiffener" option for max stiffness.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
- Not as adjustable as a Trakline/Ratchet belt.
|
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
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Kore Essentials X3 Armortek 1.5" Belt
Check price @ 
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Kore Essentials X3 Tactical 1.5" Gun Belt
Check price @
|
|
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Ratchet system gives 4x more precise adjustments than traditional belts.
-
Easy sizing: One belt fits many.
-
Best stiffness of any leather (or leather-appearing) ratchet belt.
-
For a brass buckle, get the X8 buckle.
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Only for waists up to 36".
|
-
Ratchet system gives 4x more precise adjustments than traditional belts.
-
Easy sizing: One belt fits many.
-
Best stiffness of any ratchet belt.
-
For a brass buckle, get the X8 buckle.
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Belt doesn't look like leather on the outside. May stand out in formal environments.
-
Only for waists up to 44".
|
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
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Beltman 1.25" Double-stitched Bullhide Belt
$85 @ BeltMan
|
|
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Great stiffness and durability (double-ply, double-stitched).
-
Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Select "Internal Stiffener (+ $10)" option for max stiffness.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
|
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
|
Beltman 1.25" Horsehide Belt
$95 @ BeltMan
|
|
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Horsehide is stiffer and more durable than cowhide.
-
Double-ply for more stiffness and durability.
-
Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Select "Internal Stiffener (+ $10)" and "Double Stitching (+ $5)" options for max stiffness and durability.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
|
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
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PHLster Enigma
Check price @ PHLster
|
|
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Solves all the problems with belly bands.
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Leg leash prevents chassis from coming up on the draw.
-
Can carry below the waistband if needed.
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Takes an extra minute to equip or remove.
-
Holster stays attached to the Enigma.
-
If your thighs don't get thicker at the top, the leg leash doesn't work as well
-
Expensive ($93-98 plus $60-120 for a compatible holster).
-
Takes 2-4 hours to properly assemble and adjust.
Or, pay $60-100 more to have it pre-assembled with the Enigma Express.
|
Your Recommended Gun Belt
|
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Hunter Constantine (HC) Belt
Check price @ 
|
|
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Solves all the problems with belly bands.
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No leg leash needed. Your pants act as one when you clip your holster clips on your waistband.
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Quick to equip.
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Can remove the holster without removing the belt. (You may want to do this when sitting at a desk).
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Expensive ($115 plus $60-120 for a compatible holster).
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For best results, use a holster with at least 2 mounting clips.
-
Needs something with a waistband to work: shorts, pants, etc.
|
Best Gun Belts for Concealed Carry
- Best Concealed Carry Belt
- Best Trakline Gun Belt (1.5")
- Best Concealed Carry Belt for Dress Wear (1.25")
- My Clothes Don't Have Belt Loops. What to Do?
Best Concealed Carry Belt
The Gold Standard Belt: Beltman 1.5" Belt
This is the benchmark to measure all other belts against.
It has excellent stiffness. It has good looks that don't scream for attention.
It fits most men's jeans, cargo pants, and similar pants.
It fits some, but not all dress pants or women's pants.
If you want a traditional gun belt, the only reason to NOT get this is you know it won't fit your belt loops.
|
|
Beltman 1.50" Belt
$90 @ BeltMan
|
|
-
Top stiffness and durability (double-ply, double-stitched).
-
Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Choose the "Internal stiffener" option for max stiffness.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
- Not as adjustable as a Trakline/Ratchet belt.
|
Best Trakline Gun Belt (1.5")
Ever find yourself adjusting your belt throughout the day?
Normal belts adjust in 1" increments, but trakline belts adjust in 1/4".
They're faster and easier to adjust, too.
They fit most men's jeans, cargo pants, and similar pants.
Best for Concealed Carry: Kore Essentials Armortek Belt
The Kore Armortek Belt is the best trakline belt for concealed carry.
It's the stiffest trakline belt that looks like leather.
So it blends well with all kinds of outfits, but it's stiff enough for carry.
It's not for everyone, though. If your waist is over 36", this isn't for you.
Their product page says it's for waists up to 44", but it fails the Gun Belt Challenge when it gets longer than 36".
So what if you have a larger waist?
Best for Bigger Waists: Kore Essentials Tactical Belt
The Kore Tactical Belt is stiff enough for up to 44" waists.
Their product page says it's for waists up to 54", but it fails the Gun Belt Challenge when it gets longer than 44".
The downside? It looks like nylon on the outside, not leather.
If you're wearing a suit or business casual, this belt adds a dash of Mall Ninja to your vibe.
In a formal environment, wear a Beltman belt instead. Or use a "beltless" option like the Hunter Constantine Belt or the PHLster Enigma inside your waistband.
Then you can wear whatever dress belt you want in your belt loops.
|
|
Kore Essentials X3 Armortek 1.5" Belt
Check price @
|
Kore Essentials X3 Tactical 1.5" Gun Belt
Check price @
|
|
-
Ratchet system gives 4x more precise adjustments than traditional belts.
-
Easy sizing: One belt fits many.
-
Best stiffness of any leather (or leather-appearing) ratchet belt.
-
For a brass buckle, get the X8 buckle.
-
Only for waists up to 36".
|
-
Ratchet system gives 4x more precise adjustments than traditional belts.
-
Easy sizing: One belt fits many.
-
Best stiffness of any ratchet belt.
-
For a brass buckle, get the X8 buckle.
-
Belt doesn't look like leather on the outside. May stand out in formal environments.
-
Only for waists up to 44".
|
Best Concealed Carry Belt for Dress Wear (1.25")
Best Slim Gun Belt: Beltman 1.25" belt
Suit pants, dress pants, and some women's pants have belt loops that are too small for a standard 1.5" gun belt.
Fortunately, the Beltman 1.25" belt fits just right with those outfits.
Most holsters fit 1.5" belts. You may need to get 1.25" belt clips for your holster for a good fit.
Or, ensure your holster has at least two mounting clips to reduce the effects of play between the clips and belt.
Otherwise, your holster will tilt around in place. A tilting holster gives a slow draw.
|
|
Beltman 1.25" Double-stitched Bullhide Belt
$85 @ BeltMan
|
Beltman 1.25" Horsehide Belt
$95 @ BeltMan
|
|
-
Great stiffness and durability (double-ply, double-stitched).
-
Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Select "Internal Stiffener (+ $10)" option for max stiffness.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
|
-
Horsehide is stiffer and more durable than cowhide.
-
Double-ply for more stiffness and durability.
-
Most customization (belt's color, buckle, taper, etc.).
-
Select "Internal Stiffener (+ $10)" and "Double Stitching (+ $5)" options for max stiffness and durability.
-
Sizing: See instructions on the Beltman site.
-
Shipping takes an extra 2 weeks.
|
My Clothes Don't Have Belt Loops. What to Do?
Do you want to carry while out running, going to the gym, playing sports, or wearing scrubs?
When you can't wear a belt, there's a workaround.
What you need (pick one):
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Untucked sports shirt, scrubs, T-shirt, polo, blouse, or dress shirt
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Tucked-in dress shirt
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Jacket
Purely "beltless" IWB holsters don't work well. They have a slow draw.
The real solution is a beltless mount for a belt holster. What are the top picks?
Belly Bands
A belly band is a good starting point if you modify it the right way.
The best belly band for concealed carry is the ComfortTac Ultimate Belly Band.
It's cheap, comfortable, and has tons of soft velcro space.
Why do you need soft velcro?
Belly bands work best when you attach a kydex holster to them, and velcro is the way to go for that.
Dialing in your concealment and comfort also calls for a spacer wedge, which you attach the same way.
With this setup, you have unmatched control of the holster's height and angle.
The downsides? Belly bands can get hot. They can pull up as you draw your gun
if:
-
The kydex holster has too much retention.
-
The belly band isn't tucked into pants, shorts, a skirt, etc.
-
The belly band isn't tight enough.
That said, there are now products that do what a belly band does, but much better:
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For athletic shorts, yoga pants, etc: The Hunter Constantine Belt.
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For everything else: The PHLster Enigma.
They cost more. You may be tempted to try a belly band first.
If you do, make sure you can return it for free, because you will be.
Hunter Constantine (HC) Belt
The Hunter Constantine (HC) Belt is a belt that doesn't need belt loops.
It lets you use any holster you'd use on a normal belt. How?
-
Equip the HC belt inside your waistband
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Mount your holster on the HC belt
-
Tuck your holster clips onto your waistband
See it in action:
Why not use other gun belts the same way? The HC Belt is less bulky.
It's rigid only in the front half.
The other half is elastic, for more comfort and less bulk.
Some claim you can cinch the belt tight instead of mounting the holster clips to your waistband.
Wearing an over-cinched belt for 8 or more hours a day is not something I'd recommend for long-term health.
If you're going to wear something with a waistband, the HC Belt is a great way to mount your holster.
PHLster Enigma
Unlike the HC Belt, the PHLster Enigma doesn't need a waistband to work with.
Here it is vs. no HC Belt and just clips on a waistband:
As you can see, you don't need anything clipped onto your pants with the Enigma.
How does it stay down as you draw? It has a leg leash that goes under your pants.
The leg leash connects the holster to your leg, preventing everything from coming up when you pull your gun.
Some find the Enigma uncomfortable.
Some workarounds:
-
Use a Nike head wrap as a sleeve that goes over the belt.
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Wrap a bandeau bra around your torso under the holster.
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Use the Levo Designs Papoose, an aftermarket tweave liner that goes around the belt and holster.
Which is right for you?
The HC Belt is less of a hassle to set up, but it needs a waistband.
Get the Enimga if you wear a:
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Skirt
-
Dress
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Gown
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Robe
-
Kimono
-
Kaftan
-
Kilt
-
Overalls
|
PHLster Enigma
Check price @ PHLster
|
Hunter Constantine (HC) Belt
Check price @
|
|
-
Solves all the problems with belly bands.
-
Leg leash prevents chassis from coming up on the draw.
-
Can carry below the waistband if needed.
-
Takes an extra minute to equip or remove.
-
Holster stays attached to the Enigma.
-
If your thighs don't get thicker at the top, the leg leash doesn't work as well
-
Expensive ($93-98 plus $60-120 for a compatible holster).
-
Takes 2-4 hours to properly assemble and adjust.
Or, pay $60-100 more to have it pre-assembled with the Enigma Express.
|
-
Solves all the problems with belly bands.
-
No leg leash needed. Your pants act as one when you clip your holster clips on your waistband.
-
Quick to equip.
-
Can remove the holster without removing the belt. (You may want to do this when sitting at a desk).
-
Expensive ($115 plus $60-120 for a compatible holster).
-
For best results, use a holster with at least 2 mounting clips.
-
Needs something with a waistband to work: shorts, pants, etc.
|
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References
-
CARRYING A GUN IN ATHLETIC SHORTS (2024)
-
Let the thighs jiggle, not the gun (2023)
-
Why Belts Matter for Concealed Carry (2017)
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Why Belts Matter for Concealed Carry (2017)
-
About Beltman Gun Belts (2017)
-
Things To Know About Gun Belts (2012)