Help me choose a new edc belt (AIWB)- Wilderness, Blue Alpha, or Vdevgru

[Crash41984]

I've been satisfied with my Wilderness 5-stitch belts for the last decade or so, and the velcro has seen better days. Looking to buy a couple of replacements in the near future and I'm wondering if I should go a different direction. I only carry a pistol and one spare mag on my belt (JMCK AIWB and JMCK SPMP exclusively). My one complaint about the Instructor belt is the buckle occasionally prints at 12:00, and I cannot offset it comfortably. So, I'm looking for something with a lower profile buckle. This will be added to my normal EDC, riding through jeans belt loops, and using a cover garment.

These are the belts currently in the running: Wilderness 5-Stitch Frequent Flyer, Blue Alpha Gear Lo-Pro EDC, and the Vdevgru AIWB Belt.

Anybody have any experience, recommendations, or thoughts on any of these belts? Thanks guys.

[Gun Mutt]

The buckle is too big on the Frequent Flier for AIWB. Half the hoop would lay across my holstered Glock, causing the outer edge of the hoop to dig into me more than the pistol.

Vdev isn't thick enough. I liked it when I first got it in mid-summer and was running a G43. As it cooled and I moved into jeans and a G19, I found that the thin part of the belt cut into me once it was tightened enough to carry a heavier daily load.

And here's 21 pages of a lot of well deserved P-F love for the Graith Specialist belt nee Mastermind Tactics. Fantastic AIWB belt.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?30905-Graith-Specialist-Belt

[Crash41984]

The buckle is too big on the Frequent Flier for AIWB. Half the hoop would lay across my holstered Glock, causing the outer edge of the hoop to dig into me more than the pistol.

Vdev isn't thick enough. I liked it when I first got it in mid-summer and was running a G43. As it cooled and I moved into jeans and a G19, I found that the thin part of the belt cut into me once it was tightened enough to carry a heavier daily load.

And here's 208 pages of a lot of well deserved P-F love for the Graith Specialist belt nee Mastermind Tactics. Fantastic AIWB belt.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?30905-Graith-Specialist-Belt

Well the Vdev is out then. My edc bounces between a g23 and a full steel 1911. I'm going to start reading the thread you directed me to. Can you tell me how the stiffness of the Graith Specialist would compare to a 5-Stitch Instructor? Thanks again!

[Gun Mutt]

Much more horizontally flexible than the Wilderness, conforms to the body's shape well, yet still fairly rigid vertically.

[1911Nut]

The Wilderness will re-do the velcro on one of their belts for a nominal fee.

[Clusterfrack]

I've got 3 Wilderness FF belts. The velcro is fuct on two of them and I haven't gotten around to dealing with that because all I wear anymore is the Graith.

[orionz06]

Throw this into the mix (https://oxcreektactical.com/products/ox-belt-tactical-gun-belt), adds a quick release. Stiffness on the "super stiff" is about Wilderness five stitch if not a little better for AIWB.

darkstargear saves 15%. Nothing comes to me and I got my few belts from them for free.

[Mitch]

I have a mastermind tactics (before they became graith) belt and 2 wilderness belts. I just happened to wear one of the wilderness belts today actually. I couldn’t wait to get home to switch it out for the mastermind tactics. I’m going to order a graith and throw the wilderness belts out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jay585]

The buckle is too big on the Frequent Flier for AIWB. Half the hoop would lay across my holstered Glock, causing the outer edge of the hoop to dig into me more than the pistol.

Vdev isn't thick enough. I liked it when I first got it in mid-summer and was running a G43. As it cooled and I moved into jeans and a G19, I found that the thin part of the belt cut into me once it was tightened enough to carry a heavier daily load.

And here's 21 pages of a lot of well deserved P-F love for the Graith Specialist belt nee Mastermind Tactics. Fantastic AIWB belt.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?30905-Graith-Specialist-Belt

Yup. Too thin where it needs thickness and too thick when it needs thinness. I recently got a Keeper's Concealmment holster with the split kydex loop, couldn't thread the Vdev all the way through. The area where the thin webbing meets the thick webbing makes it 3 layers thick and jams up in the loops.

[TGS]

Ares Gear Aegis is the tits.

I like the regular version better than their "Enhanced". Contrary to their advertisement, my regular versions are stiffer and more supportive than my Enhanced. I keep my enhanced in my battle belt where the stiffness isn't as important.

[Default.mp3]

My one complaint about the Instructor belt is the buckle occasionally prints at 12:00, and I cannot offset it comfortably.How are you offsetting it? I run my buckle at the 0900. My The Wilderness Ti Instructor belt has worked well enough for the past decade that I see no reason to switch to anything else. I did have the hook replaced last year, but I left the old loop in place; while it was in the shop, I resorted to using my Ares Gear Ranger Belt, and it honestly wasn't that bad, either, again with the buckle at 0900.

[ST911]

I am liking my VDevGroup Megingjörð. I initially thought it would be too light and thin, but it provides more than enough support for my belted gear and superior flexibility. Small buckle is compatible with more gear placement, and it's also a little less "tactical" looking.

[ranger]

I used to wear Wilderness but a local shooter owns Talon Tactical - I like his belts.

[ubervic]

Graith Specialist all day long.

Very lightweight. Pliable where you want it; rigid where you need it. Very low-profile and very affordable.

[eugenesan]

I would also consider Kore Essentials belts.
Their Gen2 tactical belts are excellent and easily obtainable.

[Irelander]

Don't forget to check out the Volund Gearworks Atlas G-hook SLIM belt. While I have not tried the others mentioned here, I have no reason to try anything else at this time. My Volund Atlas SLIM works great for AIWB of a G19 or P2000SK.

[Crash41984]

After reading multiple pages of praise in the other thread, I ordered a Graith Specialist. We’ll see how it works out.

[alex]

After reading multiple pages of praise in the other thread, I ordered a Graith Specialist. We’ll see how it works out.

You made the right choice.

[RyanM]

Anyone have experience with the Langdon belt?

[Cecil Burch]

Anyone have experience with the Langdon belt?

I do. I have been running one for a few months and when I am not at work, it is my EDC. For my purposes, it has been stellar. Slightly more comfortable than the Graith, but only by a degree or so. Where it works better for me than the Graith is the front edge of the non-buckle end is cut and hardened (the texture is like if you burn plastic) so it is easy to thread through things, like my CT sheath (which by design is tight).

[Up1911Fan]

I love the Graith Specialist for AIWB.

[Shoresy]

After reading multiple pages of praise in the other thread, I ordered a Graith Specialist. We’ll see how it works out.

Solid decision. I'm not quite at full fanboi status yet, but I like mine for AIWB and would be very surprised if it doesn't work for your needs. :cool:

[Mirolynmonbro]

Throw this into the mix (https://oxcreektactical.com/products/ox-belt-tactical-gun-belt), adds a quick release. Stiffness on the "super stiff" is about Wilderness five stitch if not a little better for AIWB.

darkstargear saves 15%. Nothing comes to me and I got my few belts from them for free.This one looks good. I like that it can be undone without undoing the Velcro. I'll have to pick one up

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[HCountyGuy]

I do. I have been running one for a few months and when I am not at work, it is my EDC. For my purposes, it has been stellar. Slightly more comfortable than the Graith, but only by a degree or so. Where it works better for me than the Graith is the front edge of the non-buckle end is cut and hardened (the texture is like if you burn plastic) so it is easy to thread through things, like my CT sheath (which by design is tight).

That’s the only complaint I have about the Graith after ordering a JMCK AIWB with split kydex loop: It’s a PITA to thread because the edge isn’t stiff enough (phrasing!).

[Wondering Beard]

That’s the only complaint I have about the Graith after ordering a JMCK AIWB with split kydex loop: It’s a PITA to thread because the edge isn’t stiff enough (phrasing!).

While I haven't had any real problems threading my holster or my CP sheath, I have the same complaint about that belt end. Otherwise, I think the Graith belt is the best for my needs.

[STI]

That’s the only complaint I have about the Graith after ordering a JMCK AIWB with split kydex loop: It’s a PITA to thread because the edge isn’t stiff enough (phrasing!).

In my experience if you're willing to run solid loops, fixed soft loops without pull-the-dot snaps are the lowest profile loops of all, probably the most fatigue resistant, and much easier to thread. I stopped using hard split loops.

[J0hnny]

Ares Gear Aegis is the tits.

I like the regular version better than their "Enhanced". Contrary to their advertisement, my regular versions are stiffer and more supportive than my Enhanced. I keep my enhanced in my battle belt where the stiffness isn't as important.

And ditto on the regular vs enhanced

[Paul Blackburn]

I do. I have been running one for a few months and when I am not at work, it is my EDC. For my purposes, it has been stellar. Slightly more comfortable than the Graith, but only by a degree or so. Where it works better for me than the Graith is the front edge of the non-buckle end is cut and hardened (the texture is like if you burn plastic) so it is easy to thread through things, like my CT sheath (which by design is tight).

On the Langdon Tactical site the belt is referred to as the Foundation Belt. Is that the one?

[HCountyGuy]

On the Langdon Tactical site the belt is referred to as the Foundation Belt. Is that the one?

Yes

[HopetonBrown]

The Mayhem Syndicate belt is a novel design. They incorporate elastic, I'd like to try one out.

https://www.mayhem-syndicate.com/shop-online/paradigm-belthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190504/4fb84ae18b779d2523bcd3026d296e86.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190504/da2eb0dceeeae7534cc8c04a8192f403.jpg

[ThatDude]

Don't forget to check out the Volund Gearworks Atlas G-hook SLIM belt. While I have not tried the others mentioned here, I have no reason to try anything else at this time. My Volund Atlas SLIM works great for AIWB of a G19 or P2000SK.

+1

Have had mine for a couple years now. Also have his Aesir duty belt for work. Quality stuff

[Crash41984]

Just got back into town, and the Graith Specialist was waiting for me when I got back. Wow. Truly cannot believe that I had not discovered this belt sooner. I've only had it on for a day or two, but the difference in comfort coming from a Wilderness 5 Stitch is immediately noticeable. It is certainly going to replace my 5 Stitch belts for AIWB. Solved my buckle printing issues too.

I use JMCK AIWB holsters with kydex split loops and I read some complaints on the big thread regarding threading this belt through the holster while it's mounted over a belt loop, which is where my sweet spot usually falls. Today, I am wearing a pair of Dickies workshorts with belt loops roughly twice as wide as my regular jeans (read: way more difficult to thread) and I was able to get it through in seconds with the help of a small pair of tweezers.

Thanks for the advice gents, I'm a very happen camper.

[theJanitor]

Throw this into the mix (https://oxcreektactical.com/products/ox-belt-tactical-gun-belt), adds a quick release. Stiffness on the "super stiff" is about Wilderness five stitch if not a little better for AIWB.

darkstargear saves 15%. Nothing comes to me and I got my few belts from them for free.

Any recommendation for stiffness? I’m ready to order one. I’m using a graith, but this is the second belt that the Velcro has come unstitched.

I’m using a Rigel, naturally

[orionz06]

Any recommendation for stiffness? I’m ready to order one. I’m using a graith, but this is the second belt that the Velcro has come unstitched.

I’m using a Rigel, naturally

The "super stiff" is about normal, somewhere around a Wilderness 5-stitch. It was too stiff for a female waist recently, but a few guys starting at 32" love them.

[mfrey]

My vote goes to the Mean Gene Leather Victory Aegis or Ares Gear Aegis in either their standard or enhanced/stiffened variants if you prefer a more rigid belt as I do. The Aegis buckle is without equal IMO.

[HALO51]

JMCK 2.5 split loops with Ares Aegis standard for VP9/Glock 17. I tried the enhanced version but found it too stiff for all day comfort. I agree, the buckle is great for quick adjustment which I wear offset at the 10 o'clock position. Quality of Ares Aegis is outstanding