Best Gun Belt For IWB: Top 5

When you carry inside the waistband (IWB), you are choosing the most effective and common way to carry concealed carry. By tucking your gun and holster between your pants and your body, you make it easy to cover the weapon with loose clothing.

A gun belt is crucial to success when carrying IWB, but which ones are right for you? Read on to see Gun Goals pick for the best gun belts for IWB.

REVIEW OF THE TOP 5 GUN BELTS FOR IWB

We’re going to breakdown the main features of each gun belt in this section. While these five are all top picks, not every one is right for every situation. Consider what you’re looking for in a gun belt based on the features above and decided which gun belt satisfies what you’re looking for.

RELENTLESS TACTICAL THE ULTIMATE CONCEALED CARRY CCW GUN BELT

Relentless Tactical’s Ultimate Gun Belt aims to provide high-quality in every feature you want in a gun belt. Stitched from durable leather, the belt is designed to remain stiff and secure after a long period of use.

This concealed carry belt can be used with OWB and IWB holsters and comes in a variety of attractive colors. While this belt may cost more than other belts, this belt could potentially hold your holster, additional magazines, and all other gear you may want to carry for optimal preparedness in an emergency.

The belt is 1.5 inches wide and is made in a variety of lengths. Relentless Tactical believes in this product so much they offer a Lifetime Warranty. On top of all the above, these belts are made 100% in America, so by purchasing this belt you’re supporting a fully native company.

Here’s what actual users have to say about this belt:

Positives Recap for This Product

• Very tough
• Holds shape even when carrying a lot of gear
• Just the right amount of weight
• Looks sharp and discreet
• Thick enough to carry holsters, but thin enough to wear with dress clothes.

Negatives Recap for This Product

• No consistent customer complaints were found

XTAC QUICK RELEASE EDC BELT

If you’re looking for an affordable but high-quality nylon belt, then the XTAC Quick Release EDC Belt may be for you. The nylon is double-layered for extra rigidity and durability. XTAC designed this belt with OWB and IWB carry in mind.

The 1.5-inch wide belt will fit most holsters and features a quick release buckle making this one of the easiest belts to use on the list. The metal buckle functions just like a seat belt buckle. With a loop to adjust the length, the belt can be adjusted to any length with an exacting degree.

XTAC built this concealed carry gun belt with authorities and security in mind. They believe in their product and offer a 100% money back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied.

The nylon belt looks like any other simple nylon belt, but it only comes in black and tan colors. If you’re planning on carrying IWB and covering the belt with a shirt anyway, you shouldn’t have a problem with its look and color.

People who have used the XTAC have this to say:

Positives Recap for This Product

• Affordable
• Quick release buckle works nicely
• Rigid enough to hold a holster and gun
• Easy to adjust the length

Negatives Recap for This Product

• Not as sturdy as leather belts
• Can only tighten so much before it loses its tightness
• Hard to get through belt loops

HANKS GUNNER CONCEALED CARRY CCW LEATHER MADE GUN BELT

Hanks Gunner made this gun belt to be rigid and durable. The leather gun belt is made 100% in America by Amish craftsmen and comes with a 100-year warranty.

At 1.5-inches wide and almost a quarter-inch thick, this gun belt is made to fit most holsters and hold even the heaviest holsters and gear. Hanks Gunner suggests that their product can carry any and all gear you need with no sagging or deformity.

The concealed carry gun belt comes in five different colors and looks like any other leather belt. The buckle is attached with Chicago screws instead of snaps making it very easy to switch out with your preferred belt buckle.

With IWB carry in mind, the belt holds stiff and secure to your body. This makes carrying safer, more comfortable, and an easier to access.

Customer reviews point out these pros and cons:

Positives Recap for This Product

• Lower in price than other leather belts
• Comfortable to wear
• Thickness is perfect for holding a wide variety of gear
• Looks great and different colors allow for different styles

Negatives Recap for This Product

• Not as rigid as other leather belts or ones that are stitched

RELENTLESS TACTICAL THE ULTIMATE STEEL CORE GUN BELT

With the success of Relentless Tactical’s Ultimate Gun Belt (reviewed above on our list), they decided to take support and durability one step farther and add a steel core insert in this belt.

By adding a steel core to the already thick and durable leather, the Ultimate Steel Core Gun Belt is designed to carry everything you need with no sagging. Putting on your holster, extra magazines, knives, and anything you can imagine is simple with this belt.

Like the other Relentless Tactical belt, this kind comes in at 1.5 inches thick with a Lifetime Warranty. Unlike the earlier model, the steel core variety comes in Midnight Black and Whiskey Barrel Brown for colors. With the addition of the steel core, you can expect this type to cost even more.

Consistent customer reviews use the phrase, “this is the gun belt you’re looking for.” Not only does it look great but it holds up. For a steel and double leather belt, the users say that you won’t notice its weight.

Users go on to describe their experience with this product like this:

Positives Recap for This Product

• Carries many add-ons with no sagging
• IWB carry is tight and secure
• Doesn’t stretch over time
• Comfortable to wear
• Looks great

Negatives Recap for This Product

• Expensive, but worth it according to most users

FAIRWIN TACTICAL GUN BELTS, 1.5” HEAVY-DUTY TWO LAYER EDC BELT WITH QUICK RELEASE BUCKLE

The Fairwin EDC Belt is the most affordable belt on our list. The double-layered nylon belt is designed to fit any size with a loop and Velcro length adjuster, and the quick release buckle is easy to use.

Two layers of stiff nylon fight sagging when wearing an OWB or IWB holster. Fairwind claims the belt can hold all of your survival gear without flipping over.

The belt looks the part of a tactical nylon belt and comes in three different colors: black, brown, and green. The belt is not designed to be worn with dress pants which often have smaller loops, but it is meant to match casual and tactical pants.

Fairwin guarantees this belt with a 60-day hassle free return and 2-year warranty. They designed this belt for tactical use with OWB and IWB holsters.

User reviews break down into the following points:

Positives Recap for This Product

• Very affordable
• Stiff nylon holds holsters well
• Easy-to-use buckle
• Fully adjustable length

Negatives Recap for This Product

• Doesn’t stay in tight
• Buckle needs to be removed to fit through most belt loops
• Belt won’t fit all pant belt loops
• Doesn’t match dress or formal clothes

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A GUN BELT

People assume that gun belts are all basically the same, and the only difference is in how they look. There are actually a lot of different features you need to be aware of in order to find the right gun belt for you.

Below are some of the most important features to consider when buying a gun belt. All the Top 5 selected by us are great purchases, but it’s up to you to balance these features and buy the one that meets your needs.

DURABILITY

Gun belts are going to be holding a holster and other gear for long periods of time. They need to be able to handle that extra weight.

Durability is often broken down into two parts: does the material stay together? And does the belt sag or flip when holding a holster?

A good gun belt can stand the test of time and hold—at least—a holster with a handgun. IWB carry makes durability a bigger deal because the holster and gun often put pressure over a smaller area wearing that area faster. 

WIDTH

The most common width for a gun belt is 1.5 inches. Most IWB holsters fit this width although are adjustable and can fit other sizes as well.

The more width, the more secure a holster stays. This is crucial for an IWB. If the gun slips at all, you’ll be fiddling with it all day.

REINFORCEMENT

To make a gun belt more sturdy, companies use a few different techniques. They can choose stiffer materials, double the layers of material, or add a polymer or steel core inside the belt.

The more tricks they use, the more inflexible the belt. But this also results in more carrying potential without sagging or flipping.

MATERIAL

Gun belts usually come in two types of material. Neither type is the clear winner, so it’s up to you to compare the two and pick which one you like best.

Leather – As with holsters, leather is generally more durable and stiff. It often comes in the most visually pleasing varieties and can be ideal for IWB holsters because the holding clips—if matching colors—can easily blend in. They are also comfortable to wear.

The downside of leather belts is a higher price and a tendency to react to sweat.

Nylon – Nylon products have a bad reputation when it comes to holsters, but nylon belts are almost as common as leather. When double-layered, they can be almost as sturdy as leather but at a lower price. They are comfortable to feel and give a tactical look to your outfit.

The main downsides of nylon are that they aren’t as durable, absorb moisture, and don’t match a more formal clothing style.

COMFORT

While both materials for gun belts are naturally comfortable, a poor design can make anything uncomfortable. If the belt doesn’t stay tight, the holster flops around and pulls awkwardly on your waist. A heavy gun belt may also become a tiring nuisance for those with lower back pain.

STYLE

Unless you’re covering a belt with a shirt, someone is going to see it. Depending on your outfit, different belts can match.

If you’re carrying IWB, you probably don’t want anyone to know that you have your handgun with you. A suit with a green nylon tactical belt stands out like a sore thumb.

You don’t need to buy a hundred different belts for each outfit, but you may want to consider what you can get the most use out of. Nylon belts go well with casual outfits while leather fits almost everything as long as the colors belong.

Go with a black belt unless your clothes and shoes are brown; then go with brown or green. It seems silly, but you don’t want to draw attention your gun when concealing.

PRICE

While gun belts aren’t usually expensive, they do vary in price depending on brand name, material, and extras. All else being equal, think about how much you’re going to use this gun belt.

If you’re using the belt a lot while carrying a lot of gear including an IWB holster, it’s a safe bet to invest more into a belt that lasts.

In contrast, if you’re going to use it only occasionally or buy multiple belts, then you should be fine saving the cash for something else.

CONCLUSION

We hope you enjoyed our 5 best gun belts for IWB. A lot of the same features are needed for OWB and IWB. With IWB, each feature becomes more important because of its placement close to your body.

Think about what you want in an IWB gun belt and decide which of our top 5 are the best for you at the price you want to pay.

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