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Thread: The Importance of Belts for AIWB

  1. #1
    Tactical Nobody Guerrero's Avatar
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    The Importance of Belts for AIWB

    Quick story to summarize this topic:

    I put together an outfit that I must not have used before: dark navy khakis (someone will have to explain how dark navy pants can also be "khaki"), dress shoes, and a quarter-zip sweater. I put on my gun/holster (PX4CC in a JM Wing Claw 2.5), and it stuck out under my sweater like I was pregnant. I thought "What the hell? I wear stuff like this all the time."

    The difference was the belt. My "dress belt" for years has been a Daltech Force SuperBio belt, supposedly a "dress gun belt." Yes, it may be a (decent) gun belt, but not for AIWB. In a semi-panic, I switched only the belt to my Graith Specialist, and the gun bulge went away.

    This is not an endorsement for any particular product, but just to highlight the importance of your belt choice in making AIWB "work."
    "The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so."
    ― Ennius

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Guerrero View Post
    Quick story to summarize this topic:

    I put together an outfit that I must not have used before: dark navy khakis (someone will have to explain how dark navy pants can also be "khaki"), dress shoes, and a quarter-zip sweater. I put on my gun/holster (PX4CC in a JM Wing Claw 2.5), and it stuck out under my sweater like I was pregnant. I thought "What the hell? I wear stuff like this all the time."

    The difference was the belt. My "dress belt" for years has been a Daltech Force SuperBio belt, supposedly a "dress gun belt." Yes, it may be a (decent) gun belt, but not for AIWB. In a semi-panic, I switched only the belt to my Graith Specialist, and the gun bulge went away.

    This is not an endorsement for any particular product, but just to highlight the importance of your belt choice in making AIWB "work."
    Link to quarter zip? I've been saying I'd buy one for over a year now but nothing I've seen is quite what I want. It doesn't help that I don't know exactly what I want.

    Sent from my moto e5 cruise using Tapatalk

  3. #3
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    Yes and size of pull over and holster design. I'm also surprised that many times, what has worked before and I expect to be 1 +1 + 2 = 4 actually equals 18 depending on what I assume to be the smallest of factors. I also have multiple colors of garments that I think, work for me. Sometimes a color change, with the same garment just different color, really makes a difference.

    My wife ask me if this outfit makes her ass look big and I ask her all the time about my printing. A mirror and my wife help keep me concealed.

  4. #4
    Tactical Nobody Guerrero's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pangloss View Post
    Link to quarter zip? I've been saying I'd buy one for over a year now but nothing I've seen is quite what I want. It doesn't help that I don't know exactly what I want.

    Sent from my moto e5 cruise using Tapatalk
    Not where I thought this thread would go.

    No link, it was a gift. It's a Polo Ralph Lauren. Maybe something like this:

    https://www.ralphlauren.com/men-clot...er/493273.html

    Caveat: don't go to me for fashion advice; I'm no Southnarc.

    ETA: I think it's an XL (maybe L?) in a medium blue, even though I normally wear L (and possibly M now), but it's a close-fitting XL/L.
    "The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so."
    ― Ennius

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Guerrero View Post
    Not where I thought this thread would go.

    No link, it was a gift. It's a Polo Ralph Lauren. Maybe something like this:

    https://www.ralphlauren.com/men-clot...er/493273.html

    Caveat: don't go to me for fashion advice; I'm no Southnarc.
    Thanks! I like that.

    I haven't visited TPI in a while, but they certainly have the most extensive fashion thread that I've ever seen! Probably time for me to review.

    Sent from my moto e5 cruise using Tapatalk

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by pangloss View Post
    Link to quarter zip? I've been saying I'd buy one for over a year now but nothing I've seen is quite what I want. It doesn't help that I don't know exactly what I want.

    Sent from my moto e5 cruise using Tapatalk
    I wear many 1/4 zip type pullovers for AIWB carry these days. It's the "outfit of choice" right now. One note is to match the length of garment to your body type. I use to wear some Under Armour types but from shoulder to waist, they were too long for my body type (had to reach down lower on my body to clear the garment) Now I specifically look for styles that have a shorter vertical length so that I don't' have to clear as much material.

    Second point is that the material shouldn't be overly soft or wimpy. I like the fabric a little stiffer in that it clears easier for me.

    Sounds funny but I am shooting USPSA in Open division from AIWB with concealment and this is how I dress for matches. Applying pressure to my EDC method in competition is a grand thing. I'm never going to win, but I am getting MUCH better with my carry gun: G19.5 with RM06, compensator and X300U all out of a Tenicor Malus Sol.

    To get back to belts: since the Graith Specialist is GONE, this is a link for those of you looking for something similar: https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop

  7. #7
    banana republican blues's Avatar
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    In years past I picked up a few beefy cotton quarter zip shirts from LL Bean that are great for AIWB. Just the right length, and the material does not lend itself to printing.

    I don't see the ones I have on the site at the moment but their inventory changes often enough that I'd keep an eye on it.

    Mastermind / Graith belts for the win.
    There's nothing civil about this war.

    Read: Harrison Bergeron

  8. #8
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    I have a few from Eddie Bauer that I regularly wear and work well AIWB with my Langdon belt.

  9. #9
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    These work well for cooler WX.

    https://www.511tactical.com/utility-job-shirt.html

    https://www.511tactical.com/job-shir...s-details.html

    Most retailers have a selection, Lands End, Patagonia, etc.
    Semper Paratus,

    Steve

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by MolonLabe416 View Post
    These work well for cooler WX.

    https://www.511tactical.com/utility-job-shirt.html

    https://www.511tactical.com/job-shir...s-details.html

    Most retailers have a selection, Lands End, Patagonia, etc.
    You have to find what works for you of course, but if you compare this link's photo to the one that Guerrero posted early on, you will see that Guerrero's pullover hem, bottom of the pullover, is above the pockets and this is much longer. For me the longer top equals a slower draw.

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