V3 vs Cobra® Belt - Choosing The Best Gun Belt

Right off the bat the first difference you see is the buckle. As the name implies the Cobra® Belt uses a Cobra® Quick Release Buckle and the V3 Belt uses our proprietary buckle design that is machined by us here at Vedder Holsters. The second major difference that you may not notice is the way the belt folds. The Cobra® Belt has an outward fold design whereas the V3 uses an inward fold design. We are going to talk about both of these more later and why you may want one over the other.

Overall, both of these belts are great options for the most important part of your concealed carry system. They both are strong, easy to use, and are micro adjustable. But you don’t want to hear about how they are similar so let’s get to it!

Buckle

When looking at these belts the buckle is probably the first difference you notice. First let's talk about the Cobra® Quick Release Buckle. This belt uses a step down buckle.But what does that mean? Many Cobra® style gun belts require that you take off the buckle in order to thread the belt through your belt loops. The buckle we use is a 1.5” step-down buckle that can thread through most standard belt loops without needing to be removed.

With the Cobra® Quick Release buckle all it takes is a simple pinch to release the stab-lock style fastener. It is just as simple to put it on too, click the two buckle ends together and you are set for any activity the day brings you. But, you are probably wondering if it is that easy to take on and off do I have to worry about it coming open during the day? No, the only thing that is going to release the buckle is pinching the quick-release tabs on each side.

Now let’s focus on the V3 Belt Buckle. The buckle itself is made of a 7075 aluminum alloy, the same stuff that is used in airplanes, spaceships, racecars, and even AR-15s.It is designed to be thin and lightweight but incredibly strong. It uses a hook method to latch onto the nylon belt and stay securely in place all day. The buckle uses a low profile design that also allows you to set your size once and then take your belt on and off without needing to adjust it.

Both of these buckles are strong and durable to support everything in your carry rig. Which one you choose is up to you, if you want a more tactical look the Cobra® Belt might be for you. Whereas if you like a more low profile look the V3 is probably more your style.

Velcro

The velcro on these two belts is the second major difference between them that you may not notice right away. If you are familiar with our Cobra® Belt you may know that the belt folds outward and secures to the velcro on the outside. This allows for the belt to be set to your size and not need to be adjusted every time. Having the velcro on the outside of the Cobra® Belt let’s you adjust it more easily without having to take the belt on and off and gives the belt a more tactical look compared to the V3.

With our V3 Belt we decided to do something different. The velcro on the V3 Belt was placed on the inside rather than the outside. This allows the belt to be folded inward, adding to the already low profile look of the belt. With the velcro being placed on the inside it is less likely to pick up as much dirt and debris and that pesky snagging is eliminated.

Both of these belts use velcro which is great for allowing them to be micro-adjustable, which we will talk more about later. While both the V3 and the Cobra® Belt use the same nylon belt with velcro, the velcro placement may make one suit your needs over another.

Ease of Use

Whether you get home from a long day at work and want to quickly take your belt off to get comfortable or you are running late and want a belt that is easy to put on so you don’t have to leave your carry system at home, ease of use is an important factor to consider when choosing a gun belt.

Both of these belts are great options when it comes to how easy they are to use. As we’ve mentioned the V3 uses a hook style design this allows you to easily take the belt on and off. This design also allows you to set your precise size once and not need to adjust it each time. Unlike the Cobra® Belt, the V3 belt is even easier to fit through your belt loops as no part of the buckle needs to be fished through your belt loops.

The Cobra® buckle is known for being easy to click into place and a simple pinch will release the fastener. Because of the step-down buckle this belt is also easily threaded through standard belt loops and does not require that you adjust it to your precise size each time you put it on.

If you are looking for an easy to use gun belt both the V3 and Cobra® Belt are great options that are easy to use but will stay secure all day.

Micro-Adjustability

Adjustability is important when you are selecting a more specific belt size than the standard small, medium, and large. You want to be able to adjust your belt within a few inches and that's one thing that makes both of these belts great, they are micro adjustable.

With a standard buckle, you are subject to the premade holes and maybe you need something in between two of them. Each V3 and Cobra® belt is adjustable within a few inches of the size you order and because it is velcro it is micro adjustable to fit you precisely throughout the entire day. Keep in mind sizing for gun belts is different than your average belt and you can watch our YouTube video on gun belt sizing for more information.

Comfort is key and the micro adjustability of the V3 and Cobra® belts make them comfortable all day long. Not to mention both buckle designs allow you to set your size once and not have to worry about setting it every time.

Other Features

Both of these belts use the same ultra strong dual layered nylon scuba webbing. It can withstand up to 3,000 pounds of tension and uses a resin treatment that allows it to be used as a belt and be comfortable to the wearer.

At only 1.5” both of these belts are easily threaded through standard belt loops and are available in seven different sizes. It is crush resistant and uses 5 linear seams adding to its significant strength. They can be purchased in either black or coyote brown, so you can select the color that best suits your style.

Summary

Choosing the right gun belt for your everyday carry setup can be challenging. Both the V3 Low Profile Gun Belt and the Cobra® Belt are micro adjustable, easy to use, ultra strong, and you don't have to set it to your precise size each time you put it on.

The Cobra® Belt uses a step-down quick release buckle and the velcro is placed on the outside meaning it folds outward. Overall this belt is going to have a more tactical look and feel. Whereas the V3 has a low profile look and uses a hook style design to stay securely in place throughout the day. The velcro on the V3 is inside which helps make it snag free and stay free of debris and dirt.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you prefer and what meets your needs. We recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page if you are looking for holsters that are custom made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts, check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, laser, first aid, maintenance, and more.