9 Signs You Need A New EDC Belt
Once you fall in love with a reliable carry belt, it’s hard to let it go. After all, you and your gun belt have been through a lot together. It’s comfortable, familiar, and reliable. You’ve gone everywhere together. It seems like no other belt could ever replace it.
But, unfortunately, there does come a time when your everyday carry belt just isn’t what it used to be. Maybe it’s sagging, fraying, or the buckle doesn’t work right anymore. Maybe a recent weight gain or loss has left you saying, “it’s not you, belt, it’s me.” Whatever the reason, moving on from a good belt won’t be easy. But don’t worry, there are plenty of belts in the sea (or something like that.)
You may not want to let it go, but here are nine reasons why it’s probably time to move on and get a new EDC belt.
1. Your Belt Is No Longer Comfortable
The most obvious reason you might want to replace your gun belt is that it is no longer comfortable to wear. If your belt has started to pinch, feel tight, or otherwise make you uncomfortable, it’s time for a new one.
Because a carry belt is typically something you wear for long periods of time, it’s important that it feels comfortable in any situation. Your belt shouldn’t bother you while you’re standing, sitting, walking, bending over, or in any other scenario.
If you find yourself constantly readjusting your belt, it’s causing you pain, or if for any other reason you let out a big sigh of relief when you take it off at the end of the day, consider buying a different style of belt or one with a different buckle if that’s the point of irritation. You can also try a belt with another width if the one you have is digging into you or pinching you when you wear it.
2. Your Belt Sags
Sure, a little sagging in your belt where you put your holster is normal (thanks, gravity). Sagging becomes a real problem when there is a noticeable dip in your belt where your gun is weighing it down.
If you find yourself having to adjust your belt more than a couple of times throughout the day or you frequently have to tighten or loosen it by a notch or two, then your belt is either too big, or it has lost the firmness that it needs to be effective. Either way, it’s time for a new one!
Belts like our Polymer Core Leather Gun Belt, which is reinforced with a solid polymer core for extra rigidity, provide a stiffer foundation for your EDC setup than most belts and can help eliminate that annoying sagging situation.
3. Your Belt Is Fraying
Some fraying, especially when it comes to nylon tactical belts, is, unfortunately, pretty much bound to happen after a while. A little fraying isn’t anything to worry about. But if your belt starts to fray a lot around the edges or if it’s starting to shred down to the belt’s core, you’ll probably need a new one soon.
Not only is fraying an issue when it comes to your outfit looking sharp, but it’s also a sign that your EDC belt is physically breaking down and becoming weaker over time. This is an obvious problem as you don’t want the belt holding your EDC rig to fall apart … ever.
Check out our V3 Gun Belt and our Cobra® Quick Release Gun Belt, which are made with extra stiff dual-layered 1.5” nylon webbing to help prevent fraying and breakdown. If you need a little help choosing between the two, check out our comparison here.
4. The Buckle Isn’t What It Used To Be
Belt buckles may be made of metal or heavy-duty plastic, but they can still sometimes run into mechanical issues or break down. If for any reason you’re having troubles fastening your belt correctly, or it wants to come undone throughout the day, it’s definitely time for a new one. The last thing you want is for your EDC belt to pop open while you’re carrying.
Some gun belts come with an interchangeable belt buckle so you don’t have to replace the entire belt. But if yours doesn’t, don’t worry. Odds are, if your buckle is going out, the rest of your belt will be right behind it. It might be time to treat yourself to a brand new one!
5. Your Belt Smells … Funky
If you catch yourself sniffing around wondering what that weird smell is only to discover it’s coming from your belt, it’s time to take action. When you wear the same thing every day, it’s bound to take on a weird smell or two thanks to things like sweat, body odor, and anything else your belt may come in contact with.
Before you toss your beloved EDC belt in the trash, you can try giving it a good scrub to see if you can get the smell out. Unfortunately, because concealed carry belts are built with dense, heavy-duty materials, it can be tough to get them back to their original freshness.
If this scenario sounds familiar, it might be easiest just to replace your belt with a new one, free of unpleasant odors. You can always keep your old, stinky gun belt for hunting, hiking, or days at the outdoor range where you know you’ll be sweaty and smelly anyway.
6. It Doesn’t Fit Anymore
This one should be a no-brainer. If your EDC belt no longer fits, it’s time for a new one.
Maybe you gained a few pounds over the holidays, or you’ve been hitting the gym lately and your belt just doesn't fit right anymore. Whatever the reason, if your belt is so loose that it’s sagging or it’s so tight that you can’t breathe, don’t continue to suffer. Invest in a holster belt that fits right and is comfortable to wear for long periods.
Not only is having the right fit more comfortable, but it’s important that your belt fits right for safety reasons too. If your belt is slipping around on your waist or sagging down, it could cause your firearm to be jostled around a lot, putting you at risk of a negligent discharge. On the other hand, if your belt is too tight, it could inhibit your movement and flexibility. You want to be able to run and move in the case of a self-defense situation.
7. You Don’t Like The Way Your Belt Looks
This may sound like a silly reason for getting a new gun belt, but if you don’t like the way your belt looks you’re a lot less likely to use it. This is especially true for anyone who needs to carry in dress clothes or even business casual attire.
If you don’t like the style, buckle, color, texture, or anything else about your belt, it can’t hurt to grab one that you feel better suits your preference or style. If it will help you carry more, it’s worth it.
If you’re searching for a classy-looking leather belt to wear to work or in more formal settings, our Polymer Core Leather Gun Belt comes in black or brown and is touted as rugged enough for the ranch and sleek enough for the boardroom.
8. You Haven't Worn Your Belt In A While
If you woke up one day and realized that you haven’t put your EDC belt on in a while, it’s time to consider why that is. Is it that you just haven’t felt motivated to concealed carry for a while? Or do any of the aforementioned belt issues sound familiar?
Either way, a new gun belt can probably help get your concealed carry habits back on track. There’s just something about that new belt feeling, amirite?
The bottom line is, you should want to wear your belt. If you’re actively avoiding wearing your carry belt because it’s damaged, uncomfortable, you don’t like the way it looks, or for any other reason, you should think about getting one you’ll actually want to wear and use.
9. You Need An Excuse
Finally, if you just want to buy a new EDC belt and are looking for an excuse to do so, here it is. There doesn’t have to be anything wrong with your current belt for you to go out and buy a new one.
If you’ve been killing time online shopping for tactical gear and came across a cool new belt, we’re giving you permission to treat yourself! If you need a little shopping inspiration, check out all of our Vedder Holsters gun belts here.
What Should I Look For In A Gun Belt?
Now that you know you need a new gun belt, you may be wondering what you should look for to ensure your next belt is a good one.
Stiffness: Your carry belt needs to be stiff enough to hold up your gun without sagging. Most gun belts are made of higher quality material to accommodate for the weight, but, as with everything, some are made better than others.
Thickness: If your belt is too thin, your clip could slide around or come off your belt. If it’s too thick, your clip may not fit on your belt at all. Your belt should be just thick enough to fit your holster clip without it sliding around throughout the day.
Material: Most gun belts are made of leather or nylon. Leather gun belts are often made either extra thick or with a metal or polymer core to increase their stiffness. On the other hand, Nylon tactical belts are typically made thicker to hold the weight of your gun.
Buckle: Depending on the material, there are typically multiple buckle options for gun belts. Leather belts often have a standard style buckle, whereas nylon belts may use a quick-release buckle like our Cobra® Belt or a low profile buckle like our V3 Belt.
Conclusion
Whatever the reason you need a new EDC belt, it’s important to make sure that your next one is comfortable, stylish, and meets your individual needs. If you’re in the market for a good gun belt, click here to see the Vedder Holsters selection. Our belts, like everything we sell, are backed by a lifetime guarantee, so you should never find yourself shopping for a new one again.
If you are looking for belts or holsters, check out some of our Vedder Holsters products here. Like everything we sell, our holsters and gun belts are covered by a Lifetime Warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, laser, first aid, maintenance, and more.
