Confession: I have a serious internet bro-crush on Frank Proctor, former Green Beret and current firearms instructor extraordinaire at Way of the Gun.
I’ve never met the guy, but I identify with his minimalist, performance-driven approach to shooting and gear. So when I learned that Frank Proctor had designed an EDC belt, I immediately ordered one with the giddy enthusiasm of true online bromance.
When I’m off-duty and in public, I’m almost always carrying a concealed Glock. Over the years I’ve experimented with the gamut of EDC belt styles and manufacturers. They’ve all had positive attributes but weren’t quite right until I discovered the Way of the Gun Covert B.E.L.T.
B.E.L.T. stands for “Bring Everything Light Tactical”. Proctor’s tongue-in-cheek nod to the military that need’s to make everything an acronym. The B.E.L.T.’s most unique feature is a series of heavy-duty elastic bands that can be used to hold magazines, a flashlight, a tourniquet, or anything else you can fit. The system eliminates the need for extra pouches and allows for easy scaling of the loadout. With the same system I can scale down to a Glock 43 and a flashlight for minimalist concealed carry or up to pistol magazines, a rifle magazine, and a tourniquet for a low-profile SWAT assignment. A major bonus is the option to carry more concealed gear without the need for extra pants pockets or the hassle and discomfort of more belt pouches.
I was initially skeptical about the bands, but after six months of daily use and tough training my skepticism has proven unfounded. For concealment, the bands hold spare magazines tight to the body, providing about the same signature as a kydex inside-the-waistband magazine pouch. They allow for a good grip on the magazine, and reloads are as quick as with any truly concealable kydex pouch. I’ve had no problems with equipment retention or the straps stretching over time despite extensive grappling and general range abuse.
Other features:
- Covert small-of-the-back pouch for cash or a spare key.
- Thinner than most EDC belts. I almost always carry inside-the-waistband, and a super-rigid tactical belt is unnecessary and often uncomfortable. The B.E.L.T. is more comfortable, but it still has stiffeners in strategic locations to provide the necessary rigidity.
- Non-metallic and low profile. The buckle sits flat, and unlike some popular alternatives the B.E.L.T. is easy to thread through your pants loops. Other bulkier buckles tend to print, especially with appendix carry. I don’t need the weight and bulk of a 2,000 pound rated buckle to hold up my pants, and I don’t need an extra metal loop to clip into a helicopter.
- Precisely adjustable. Unlike a traditional leather belt, the two-ring buckle system allows for tiny adjustments in tightness, which can be especially important for appendix carry.
In a market saturated with countless copies of the same few themes, the B.E.L.T. offers useful innovation.
It’s available at wayofthegun.us with an MSRP of $55.
Author – Jacob Griddle – Former Marine and current Law Enforcement SWAT officer.