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Tactical Belts and Their Uses

There are a wide variety of tactical belts out there, and their uses are numerous. Tactical belts have become increasingly popular over the years as concealed carry, everyday carry, and civilian tactical training have become more popular. Their uses have expanded beyond just military and police applications as more civilians have recognized their utility.

Finding the right tactical belt for you might seem simple, but there are tons of options and information that you should be aware of before jumping into the tactical belt world. Let’s take a look at what tactical belts are as well as their uses. There are many tactical setups to explore.

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A tactical belt is different from your ordinary, run-of-the-mill belt that that average person uses on a daily basis. Tactical belts are designed to be sturdy and supportive for carrying different equipment in situations that call for it. These belts need to be able to support the weight of a handgun or pistol and all the necessary accessories to go along with that firearm. They also need to hold whatever gear is deemed necessary for the situation in mind.

Tactical belts provide pouches and other attachments that allow the wearer to gain easy access to needed gear while ensuring secure placement for that equipment. In an intense or tactical situation, the wearer does not want to worry about losing equipment he or she might desperately need at a moment’s notice. 

Predictably, the biggest benefit of a high-quality tactical belt is that it allows the wearer to be hands-free, regardless of the activity, until the desired piece of equipment is required. For those in service, like police officers and military personnel, their hands need to be free for other jobs and situations while not sacrificing their tactical presence and readiness. 

These types of belts might seem to be fairly new, especially to civilians. Still, looking back in history, tactical belts have been around for thousands of years. They were probably much more primitive than those we have today, but so were the weapons that people were wielding thousands of years ago. Tactical belts can be deemed anything that helps a person carry the equipment they need. Thousands of years ago, that equipment was a sword and a small pouch of coins or food.

What Can You Have on a Tactical Belt?

Tactical belts offer a wide range of options for added gear. What you are preparing for will help determine what items you need on your tactical belt. Personal preference and situational planning are key to laying out all the accessories that should go on your tactical belt. Let’s start with the most important item on your belt: a firearm and its holster.

Gun Holster
A holster is one of the most popular accessories to add to a tactical belt. Tactical belts are designed to withstand the weight of a gun and help keep it contained and secure. With a holster and gun on your tactical belt, the belt will help prevent the sagging that you might experience with a regular belt. This is also much more secure than just walking around with an upholstered pistol and it keeps your hands free should there be a bump in the night.

Mag Pouches
The second most important item after your gun and its holster is going to be your reserve ammunition. For most people who run a semi-automatic pistol, this will come in the form of reserve mags. For those of you who run revolvers, there are options for you too. 

Mag pouches are not limited to handguns. Many tactical belt wearers that carry AR-style tactical rifles also carry mag pouches for their rifles. 

You can also have both types of mags on your belt. One popular tactic is to have a tactical belt with a sidearm on it but use an AR as your main weapon. In that case, it only makes sense to have extra ammo and mags for both of your firearms

Dump Pouches
Utilizing a dump pouch is a valuable addition to a tactical belt if you use firearms with mags. The dump pouch acts as a catch receptacle for empty mags when you are done with them. No one wants to have to go back and gather their mags or risk losing them during training.

Tourniquets
Tourniquets are a vital life-saving device and should be included anytime you are assembling a tactical belt for worst-case scenarios. Whether you are the one that needs the tourniquet, somebody on your team, or somebody in the crowd, it’s better to be prepared than sorry. The folks at Blue Alpha have developed a very practical tourniquet holder that enables you to attach the tourniquet in a few different ways.

Other Tools
A tactical belt can be used for other various tools that can come in handy, like a knife, a multi-tool, or a small flashlight. Adding these to your tactical belt just gives you additional tools that can come in handy in a lot of different situations. You just do not want to go crazy adding too many things to your belt because you want your belt to be easy to operate in a stressful situation. So if you have a dozen things on it, you may have trouble finding what you are looking for in the heat of the moment.

Duty Belts
This refers to a style of tactical belt or a belt put together for active-duty members such as police officers. These duty belts might contain pouches or attachments that can carry communications devices, handcuffs, pepper spray or mace, and tasers. These are geared more towards the tactics and situations that police officers might face in the field on a daily basis.

What Tactical Belts Are Made Of

The materials that tactical belts are made of need to be sturdy, durable, and functional. Each user might have different wants and requirements of their tactical belt, including the belt’s appearance. There are several different materials that tactical belts are made in, including leather, canvas, nylon, or polyester, or hybrid options. There tend to be a wide variety of buckles that come with these belts, so find the one that fits your needs well.

Leather belts are thick and sturdy but are not always the best option for everyone. They also lack adjustability with pre-punched sizing holes. They also tend not to do well with a lot of moisture and can get heavy fast.

Nylon or polyester are better materials that are breathable and flexible yet still sturdy enough to handle the tactical needs of most users. They also tend to be more comfortable to wear than the leather options. 

Most tactical belts will stand up to a bit of use, so find what feels comfortable to you. It defeats the purpose if you are not comfortable and are constantly having to fidget with your tactical belt.

Concealed Carry & EDC Tactical Belts

Concealed carry and everyday carry tactical belts are much more discreet. They are meant to make the wearer’s firearm inconspicuous. In terms of looks, they look very similar to any regular belt you might find at the store but are constructed to be more sturdy without moving, sagging, or folding. 

These belts combine the qualities of discretion, comfort, security, and functionality into one cozy belt. There are several great options out there, but know that in order to keep the firearm concealed, you will have to tone down the amount of additional equipment you will be carrying with you. In this case, the bare essentials are usually enough.

Find the belt that fits your needs as well as the style and feel that you need to be comfortable in public situations. A concealed carry or EDC tactical belt should feel like you are wearing a normal belt without having to constantly adjust it or make over the top movements to ensure your concealment.

Concealed Carry & EDC Tactical Belts

Military tactical belts need to be sturdy and take a beating. The amount of equipment that most military personnel carry is more than the typical wearer might require. These belts need to be highly adjustable, stay in place, and handle a larger amount of weight. 

Most military tactical belts can be outfitted with the same type of tactical gear that we have already discussed. Although you may want additional equipment like an IFAK (individual first aid kit) pouch, water, and many more mag pouches. It has become a common trend for military tactical belts to focus on equipment that makes holes and plugs holes. In this instance, we are talking about firearms, ammunition/mags, and first aid/medical equipment. 

Military tactical belts tend to be bulkier as they hold more equipment for bigger tactical situations than a quick response tactical belt a civilian might wear. This is important to remember if you are thinking about getting a military tactical belt. 

More Types of Tactical Belts

There are many different types of tactical belts out there. They all depend on what your use of the tactical belt is going to be. We have already mentioned just a typical tactical belt that can be outfitted with whatever you need. Some belts are simplified and used for everyday carry. Then we touched on military tactical belts for making holes and plugging holes.

There are tactical rigger belts for rappelling, duty belts for police officers, and even tactical belts for EMTs. Tactical belts are either built or can be made for just about any situation that might call for it. Some hunters are even starting to turn to tactical belts for their equipment in the field because of their durability and sturdiness.

Wrapping Up

Tactical belts are instrumental in a wide variety of situations and carrying styles. If you often wield a firearm, especially a pistol, we highly suggest that you consider looking into a tactical belt that works for you.  

About Blue Alpha

Blue Alpha is based in Newnan, Georgia and we are committed to producing American-made products of the highest quality with the best customer service. We make our products for, and deeply appreciate, all responsible gun owners, law enforcement, military, and others who help make the world a better place. Check out our highly popular tactical belt and battle belt.