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Thread: Belts trending away from 1.75" options.

  1. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondering Beard View Post
    Recently?

    What is your definition of 'recently'?

    I'm not being snarky, it's a genuine question because, at least since the late 90s, I've seen 1.5" CCW belts dominate over 1.75" ones. Before webbing belts made it big, leather gun belts for CCW that could be worn with both work pants or a suit were 1.5", which is why, I imagine, 1.5" won over 1.75".

    Or, maybe my memory is off but I've never used a 1.75" gun belt since the mid 90s.
    I'm fairly young at 27. My idea of recently is the last 5-6 years or so. When I first starting paying attention to defensive firearm related stuff outside of the military was around 2013 or so. Around that time, all I really saw was 1.75" belts. That could have been a byproduct of my always wearing one growing up, and while in the service. It could have been based on my knowledge level at the time as well. Around that time frame I was mimicking the typical gun guy lines and incorrect idioms, espousing "Hybrid Holsters" and not knowing any better. I seriously regret some of the things that I thought and said regarding defensive firearms during my first year or so of carrying.

    Quote Originally Posted by Duke View Post
    I need a 1.75” belt for daily wear the way I need to be able to repell off of things in my edc belt...

    So yea. The ultra rigid polymer reinforced whatever’s were never really that good imo. But I never carried owb
    Yeah, the Blackhawk belt was pretty stupid. I was a 19 year old Specialist in the National Guard on deployment when I bought it. It was handy for carrying an M9, magazines, and multitool OWB, but the rappelling hookup was useless and in the way. I did use it in my personal life later when I started carrying strong side IWB, but didn't care for the obnoxious buckles.


    All of my pants and shorts (save dress pants that are worn sparingly) accommodate a 1.75" without issue. Maybe I seriously underestimated the amount that others wear dress pants. I truly haven't experienced any pants fit related issues with 1.75" belts. I was always under the impression that 1.5" and 1.75" belts were both equally standard. Perhaps that was never the case, and it was just my total misunderstanding.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mack View Post
    On our end of things the major reason is that the current demand for 1.75" belts is very low. Many webbing products, to include scuba webbing, are not available in 1.75" from reputable US based mills producing high quality webbing products. For us, we could custom order material but this requires high minimums and as mentioned there is not enough demand for 1.75" belts for us to justify it. Since we released the Specialist we have only had a handful of requests for a 1.75" belt, if we were to make a 1.75" version it would require a custom webbing order that would make over 2000 belts per colorway to meet the minimums for a custom order.

    In regard to performance with modern webbing and construction methods both 1.5" and 1.75" belts will perform equally.
    The low demand would suggest I was just completely mistaken that 1.75" and 1.5" were ever equal standards. I just always thought they were, but perhaps I just grew up managing to never really get exposed to 1.5" belts.

    I didn't know that it was so difficult to source webbing for 1.75" stuff. Seems like this is material availability driving what's offered, at the same time customer demand drives what material is available. Either way, the fact you're making quality belts is pretty obvious.

    -Cory
    Last edited by Cory; 01-03-2019 at 07:11 PM.

  2. #12
    Gray Hobbyist Wondering Beard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cor_man257 View Post
    I'm fairly young at 27. My idea of recently is the last 5-6 years or so. When I first starting paying attention to defensive firearm related stuff outside of the military was around 2013 or so. Around that time, all I really saw was 1.75" belts. That could have been a byproduct of my always wearing one growing up, and while in the service. It could have been based on my knowledge level at the time as well. Around that time frame I was mimicking the typical gun guy lines and incorrect idioms, espousing "Hybrid Holsters" and not knowing any better.
    Having never been in the military, or LEO, I've never really had much exposure to what gets used while in uniform and I'm sure that explains the discrepancy.

    Quote Originally Posted by cor_man257 View Post
    I seriously regret some of the things that I thought and said regarding defensive firearms during my first year or so of carrying.
    -Cory
    You and I both. Even though mine were made while you were a toddler, I'm pretty sure we both said and did just about the same things :-)
    Last edited by Wondering Beard; 01-03-2019 at 07:07 PM.
    " La rose est sans pourquoi, elle fleurit parce qu’elle fleurit ; Elle n’a souci d’elle-même, ne demande pas si on la voit. » Angelus Silesius
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  3. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Cypher View Post
    I don't know of anyone who makes non uniform pants that will take a 1.75 belt. I have a 1.75 Wilderness Tactical but I only use it at work
    My everyday-wear basic Dickies work pants — probably sold by the gazillion — will only take a 1.5” belt.

  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wondering Beard View Post
    Recently?

    What is your definition of 'recently'?

    I'm not being snarky, it's a genuine question because, at least since the late 90s, I've seen 1.5" CCW belts dominate over 1.75" ones. Before webbing belts made it big, leather gun belts for CCW that could be worn with both work pants or a suit were 1.5", which is why, I imagine, 1.5" won over 1.75".

    Or, maybe my memory is off but I've never used a 1.75" gun belt since the mid 90s.
    Quote Originally Posted by cor_man257 View Post
    I'm fairly young at 27. My idea of recently is the last 5-6 years or so. When I first starting paying attention to defensive firearm related stuff outside of the military was around 2013 or so. Around that time, all I really saw was 1.75" belts. That could have been a byproduct of my always wearing one growing up, and while in the service. It could have been based on my knowledge level at the time as well. Around that time frame I was mimicking the typical gun guy lines and incorrect idioms, espousing "Hybrid Holsters" and not knowing any better. I seriously regret some of the things that I thought and said regarding defensive firearms during my first year or so of carrying.
    I purchased my Sam Andrews rig, to include 1.5" suede-lined gun belt, in 2003. That belt gave over 10 years worth of daily carry service.
    "It's surprising how often you start wondering just how featureless a desert some people's inner landscapes must be."
    -Maple Syrup Actual

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by JV_ View Post
    I'd guess because it limits you clothing options. 1.5" will fit all of my pants, 1.75" will not.
    This is the big one for me. All my pants can take 1.5" belts (though some pants don't like my thicker leather belts), many of them will not take 1.75" belts after I traded most of my cargo pants for Dockers and IZOD.
    "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
    Disclaimer: I have previously worked in the firearms industry as an engineer. Thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine alone and not those of my prior employers.

  6. #16
    I'm in business professional dress usually 4 out of 5 workdays unless we're doing warrant sweeps or some other field work. I've grown to enjoy the 5.11 neoprene belts as they lock everything in place and there's no shifting of gear and holster like you'd get with a 1.5" leather belt. it makes a decent underbelt if you're doing something where you need all the gear on the heavier duty rig. Son gave me the black one for Christmas last year and I bought the brown one soon after.
    -All views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect those of the author's employer-

  7. #17
    The R in F.A.R.T RevolverRob's Avatar
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    I think the question isn't why there are fewer 1.75" options, it's why there are still 1.25" options even available.

    I bought my first "gun belt" 12 years ago, a Wildness Instructors, 5-stitch, CSM, in 1.5". I've since worn out one Instructor's and one Frequent Flier and was on Frequent Flier #2 in 1.5", 5-stitch, CSM, when I discovered the Graith Specialist. I'm not sure there ever was a trend towards a 1.75" belt, I certainly have never owned one.

    And the reason for the Specialist love is less the width (though 1.5" fits all of my pants and shorts) and more the fact that it is a superior belt to everything else I've ever worn. The belt is so thin, yet strong. No problem holding up a full size all steel Government Model and spare mag and a Clinch Pick, while simultaneously holding up my pants, with all the requisite crap I carry. Seriously, get you one and you'll forget all about the 1.75" belts in existence.

  8. #18
    Frequent DG Adventurer fatdog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JV_ View Post
    I'd guess because it limits you clothing options. 1.5" will fit all of my pants, 1.75" will not.
    this, I don't have a single pair of dress slacks or even my most casual "business casual" slacks that will accomodate a 1.75" belt, all will accomodate a 1.5" belt, 5.11's and jeans are not a wardrobe option for me except weekends....

  9. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by RevolverRob View Post
    I think the question isn't why there are fewer 1.75" options, it's why there are still 1.25" options even available.
    I still prefer 1.25" options for suits, although I can wear most holsters/accessories made for 1.5" belts without any issues.

    Many double belts (i.e. outer gun belt/velcro inner belt) are 1.75" wide and I make the sad face when I can't use certain gear (i.e. Perun) on those.

    My daily go-to is a Graith, but my professional use of belts has me as an outlier on both sides of the 1.5" standard.

  10. #20
    Member olstyn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JV_ View Post
    I'd guess because it limits you clothing options. 1.5" will fit all of my pants, 1.75" will not.
    Quote Originally Posted by Cypher View Post
    I don't know of anyone who makes non uniform pants that will take a 1.75 belt. I have a 1.75 Wilderness Tactical but I only use it at work
    Quote Originally Posted by ragnar_d View Post
    This is the big one for me. All my pants can take 1.5" belts (though some pants don't like my thicker leather belts), many of them will not take 1.75" belts after I traded most of my cargo pants for Dockers and IZOD.
    Interesting. I don't think I own a pair of pants or shorts that won't take a 1.75" belt, and it's not like I've specifically shopped for that. I just buy whatever pants I buy, and I've never had a problem getting my 1.75" Saddleback Leather Tow belt through the loops, and at 3 layers of leather, it's fairly thick in addition to being 1.75" tall. Levi's jeans, pants from Columbia, every pair of cargo pants I own...all of them fit that belt without issue. Maybe the pants of the suit I haven't worn in forever might not work, but eh...? I don't think it would be a problem for me to switch to a 1.5" belt, but belt loop size wouldn't be the reason I'd do it.

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