pmcimagazine.comKIT: NEXBELT EDC GUN BELTis a bit too tight, and it starts to rub as the day wears on. Keep inmind, this is not a knock on either manufacturer, this has been thebane of any belt using this system for many years.A few months ago, I discovered the company, Nexbelt and theirwide catalogue of ratchet adjustment belts. While this adjustmentsystem technology has been in existence in the Asian market forover 25 yards, Nexbelt has been instrumental in re-engineeringit for the U.S. market for the past 7 years. Aside from upgradingthe leather used for the belts, the designers at Nexbelt upgradedfrom simple pin construction to solid steel screws used to givebetter stability and integrity. All items built on the company’s owntools and molds in house to ensure the best quality possible.I sorted through a spectrum of products starting with ratchetinggolf belts with hidden baller markers and bottle openers. Nextwere flashy dress belts that had the appearance of a traditionalleather belt and hole adjustment, but underneath were the sameunique ratchet adjustment buckles. As neither of these stylesreally apply to my “on and off the range” lifestyle, I continuedto “swipe left” as they say. Finally, I came to the Nexbelt EDCsection and things really started to hit home. These belts wererated for carrying a firearm securely and came in a section of veryprofessional looking every day wear belts or “straps” as they callthem and their corresponding buckles. I ordered two belt stylesto try out, one with the Condura style material strap with theTitian buckle and one with a black leather strap and sharp lookingeveryday wear satin nickel buckle called the Blacknite.All belts ship with a 50” length that you trim off the excessmaterial not needed to start out of the box with the rightmeasurement. Once you find your correct length and trim, theexposed edge is then inserted into the buckle and secured withtwo steel screws that lock the strap in. As the end of the tamperedend of the belt is inserted into the buckle to tighten around thewaist, audible clicks confirm each adjustment track is locking inuntil the desired tension is reached. To release the belt setting, asmall button along the bottom left of the buckle must be pressedin to allow the belt to reverse direction.The first belt came in grey with a subdued black powdercoat buckle called the Titan. It was an oval shaped minimalisticopen style buckle with no sharp edges or corners to dig into mystomach when seated. At first glance, you would assume it wouldbe a weak design and simply snap during heavy use. To thecontrary, the steal construction gives the buckle a solid heft to itand all the strength needed for a hard use belt. Does it double asa rappelling belt? NO and I do not wish for it to. It does exactly thejob I ask everyday in the classroom and on the range for it to do. Itsupports my gun and my gear and maintains a clean appearancein my duties as a NRA & USCCA Training Counselor and Instructor.Off the range, I routinely alternate between carrying mySIG P320 AXG Scorpion or SIG P365 XL, both chambered in 9mm. Both pistols ride in custom holsters from my good friend,John Phillips aka the “King of Kydex” at Survivor Creek Tactical.Regardless which gun I carried before trying the Nexbelt, having agun in an Inside the Waistband holster always put me in betweenadjustments on a traditional leather belt. My second belt ordered,the Blacknite, was specifically for everyday wear with jeans orkhakis when I am not trying to look like a firearm’s professionalfeatures a good-looking black leather strap and a squared shapedsatin nickel finished buckle. I received several comments abouthow good the belt looked from people who had no idea what sortof concealed equipment I was currently carrying with that belt.Thanks to the ratcheting system on the Nexbelt, the Blackniteallowed for me to have the clean every day look of a top-qualityblack leather belt with the benefit of a high-end custom fit.Despite its thin profile of either belt tested, the rigidity of the beltswas amazing. They did not droop or sag under the weight of thepistol and holster. The EDC belt series design from start to finishwas intended on specifically supporting firearms and relatedequipment without the sacrifice of concealability or security.With the wide verity of styles, colors, and materials availablein the Nexbelt EDC series, you could match a quality gun belt tovirtually any social or occupational requirement while maintaininga professional appearance. Retailing from $59.99 to $74.99,these belts are well worth the investment in thequality and convenience of having such preciseadjustments available. After spending monthswearing these belts 7 days a week, I believe thefuture of gun belts is now upon us. To find outmore about Nexbelt products, visit www.nexbelt.com and find one that fits your unique needs.24
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