Competition Belts < 1.75"

[millsusaf]

All of the quick detach ELS type belts systems that are on the market are 1.75" or smaller but they don't do a good job of supporting the gear because they limit you to two in-line mounting locations allowing the gear some play and they force the gear to stick above the belt and away from the body quite a bit.

Do you think there is a market for a 1 7/8"-2" QD ELS type belt system that is more secure, more rigid, has greater mounting height and angle flexibility and keeps the gear closer to the body? All of which fit the vast majority of the pants worn by competitors (unless you are one of those guys who show up in suit pants, lol).

How wide is too wide in your opinion when shooting competitions? Do you think running a wider belt would restrict your movement?

Thanks

Edited January 14, 2014 by millsusaf

[johnsons1480]

The Safariland 032 ELS Competition Belt is 1.75" ...

[millsusaf]

The Safariland 032 ELS Competition Belt is 1.75" ...

Well, crap it sure is, thanks. I don't know why I thought it was 1.5", I swear I read that somewhere.oh well. OP adjusted.

Edited January 14, 2014 by millsusaf

[johnsons1480]

I don't know that it would help. I think the problem is the distance from the belt to the gear, not the thickness of the belt. I dumped my ELS for a DAA belt. I find it to be much stiffer with less torsion all the while being 1/4" shorter. I think the issue is how far away from your belt the objects are and how stiff (or a lack of stiffness) the belt is, not the actual height of the belt. But that's all just my opinion.

[millsusaf]

I don't know that it would help. I think the problem is the distance from the belt to the gear, not the thickness of the belt. I dumped my ELS for a DAA belt. I find it to be much stiffer with less torsion all the while being 1/4" shorter. I think the issue is how far away from your belt the objects are and how stiff (or a lack of stiffness) the belt is, not the actual height of the belt. But that's all just my opinion.

Awesome, thanks. I agree, belt stiffness and how close the gear is to the body is certainly pretty large issues.

Do you think there would be a market for a belt that was stiffer than anything out there and provided more mounting height and angle options even if it were 1 7/8"-2" wide?

(OP edited)

[TioJason]

I just switched over to quad loading and realised that I really needed a stiffer belt than the homemade one I have. So last night I was shopping online and stumbled across this video demonstration of the DAA belt on the Ben Stoeger website. From watching the video and reading obout it on the DAA website they are apparently made very stiff. I should know in a few days.

http://www.benstoegerproshop.com/Double-Alpha-DAA-Competition-Double-Belt-1-1-2-p/daa-belt.htm

http://www.doublealpha.biz/ipsc-holsters-rigs/belts/double-alpha-competition-belt

[BeerBaron]

yeah the DAA belt is no doubt the stiffest of the nylon type velcro belt systems. in fact I know a couple of people have complained that the outer was a little too stiff for their liking (making it hard to conform to the inner and causing it to separate at times - solved by adding extra 'keepers'). but others have told me there is no such thing as a outer belt that is too stiff and absolutely love theirs.

If you don't need to have the absolute stiffest out there the CR speed belt is quite good. mine is 5 years old and still plenty stiff enough for me. it's never ever looked like getting separated during a match.

having said that, my next belt will be DAA just to give it a try.