As an experiment, the second half of last week and all weekend I wore my 3-stitch FF with a leather OWB holster, LW CDR, and two spare magazines of 230 gr JHP. At no point did I feel like the belt wasn't doing it's job, so I'm guessing the 5-stitch will be plenty stiff.Originally Posted by 10mmfanboy
By definition, I have primarily been an OWB carrier for the vast majority of my professional and personal carry- and the majority of that has been with a Wilderness 5 stitch belt (Original Gunsite versions!). Needless to say, the 5 stitch design has never disappointed me while using a plethora of Kydex and leather holsters always accompanied with a single or double magazine carrier. I'd probably buy one of their LowPro EDC belts if I had not recently purchased a Trayvax CINCH BELT, which I'm currently vetting for times that I'm not carrying OWB.
I've been wearing this belt for a couple of days. The stitching and construction is typical Wilderness quality. Like a previous poster, The end of the belt is a tight fit when threading through the buckle, but nothing requiring adjustment. I like the stiffened end for threading through belt loops - that was the main thing that underwhelmed me with the original Graith Specialist. But of course, less than a week after I received my Specialist, they came out with the 2nd generation with a stiffened end.
I got the 3-stitch and for AIWB it seems plenty sturdy. I carry a G19 or G17 AIWB and a mag IWB on the other side and a 21700-sized light OWB weak side. I like the buckle better than the FF rings.
I've owned Wilderness belts since back when you called in your order or mailed in a form with a paper check. Today, I went on their site and then took a minute to watch the sizing videos (mainly curious as to why there were two videos) and picked up a tidbit I thought worth sharing:
Specific sizing works better for a smaller waist, the easy fit better for larger waists. Measure through your belt loops with your holster in place as you normally would, then apply that to the easy fit chart; the result is that you get an additional 2" of velcro hook on the body of the belt.
Generally being one to listen to tips from the people who make the item, I ordered one using this metric. Also, still $5 off with promo code: LOWPRO5OFF.
She covers it starting at about 54sec in.
Just bought one of these. Initial thoughts: I’ve been using an A&G Gunleather belt for the last 4 years with no complaints. But after just trying this one on I am sold. So much more comfortable than any leather belt I have worn with a 1911 AIWB. I never thought a belt would make this big of a difference. I just bought it because I wanted something with a lo-pro buckle and infinitely adjustable. With the added comfort just being a huge plus.
Bit of a necro post here but, I’ve been using the same Wilderness EDC belt for just under 2 years. Primary carry is normally a 5” steel 1911 AIWB in a 5 Shot SME. This belt has been excellent for me and I will never go back to a leather belt (and I have about $500 tied up in leather gun belts).
Recently however I lost some weight so I needed a new belt, even with my positive experience I decided to try out a Specialist. Based on the feedback from this forum my expectations are high and it will be interesting to see how the Wilderness and Mastermind belts stack up against each other with identical holsters/guns. I will report back once I’ve put some time in with the Mastermind.
I own several Wilderness Belts (1 1/2", 1 3/4", with and without poly reinforcement, Frequent Flyer models, Instructor models, different colors, etc. etc. and have owned others in the past that apparently "shrunk" and had to be replaced with larger ones. My experience with them goes back at least 30 years, IIRC
I've also used many other of their products, all with great satisfaction.
I am and remain a huge fan of Wilderness, and live close enough to their shop that I can drop by periodically to have belts repaired when necessary and to just visit and window shop. Wonderful people who go out of their way to be helpful and they are absolutely focused on customer satisfaction and product quality.
I purchased one of the LowPro EDC belts a few months ago and have been using it every day. (1 1/2" wide, 5 stitch, black).
I like the way the buckle sits flatter that the metal buckles on the Instructor belts. Quality of workmanship is excellent.
However . . . . as mentioned earlier in this thread, the belt itself seems to be very slightly too wide for the buckle, making it difficult to thread through the buckle.
And . . . . I have heard others in the past mention that the buckles on some Wilderness belts do not seem to securely hold the belt in the proper position and the belt is dependent on the Velcro attachments to keep the belt in the desired position. I have never experienced this with any Wilderness belt I own or have owned in the past.
But . . . . It is a fairly significant issue with the LowPro EDC belt, and it is annoying. I might see if it is possible to replace the buckle on this belt with one of the round metal ones. If not, I will probably pass it on to someone else who might like to try it.
In all fairness when I purchased the belt in their shop in Phoenix, the lady who was helping me pointed out that the buckle on this particular belt was not "as user friendly" as the metal buckles, so I was forewarned.
I bought the 1.25 inch version for myself and my son. It is great for travel and doesn't look "weird".
I prefer the frequent flyer over the low-pro.
The buckle on the low-pro didn’t do anything to hold the belt tight, the velcro did all the work. But if I wanted to snug the belt up some, the buckle would grab and prevent movement that way. Like the buckle was backwards. It would slip looser but not tighter.
I also use the polymer lined belts as the 3 and 5 stitches are too floppy for anything IMO.
I agree, but am getting tired of the bulk of the FF
I agree, but... the Velcro does all the work, but it does work. But it does seem wonky backwards.
All of mine have been five stitch but almost all my carry is IWB. But I also have lost some weight, I might try a smaller size in lined version.
OTOH, after being about to type that I might buy one tonight, I realized I am aspiring to lose more weight, and one I have (that used to be too small) is still fine OWB, and I am wearing more clothes in winter, so Imma gonna punt on this until spring.
Reply With Quote