introduction

As important as your holster is for comfort and concealment, so is a proper gun belt.

The right gun belt will be sufficiently rigid and strong enough to hold up the weight of your pistol and holster (and any other extra accessories), yet at the same time be flexible in the right places to be comfortable.

Some belts are more still than others, in different places, and are designed for different uses.

Let’s take a look at some of these uses below, and the best gun belt for each particular application.

best gun belt for iwb

For comfort and convenience, with belt loops

Hunter Constantine Belt

• The Hunter Constantine (HC) belt is rigid in the front (for appendix carry), and flexible in the back.
• Many report the HC belt to be a game-changer, and much more comfortable than any other gun belt they’ve tried.
• For use with belt loops, carrying appendix, the HC belt is most likely you’re best bet.
• It’s pricier than other belts, but many stated that after trying out many belts, they finally tried the HC belt and say it blew all the other ones out of the water. That being said, some didn’t like the HC belt, but overall the feedback was mostly positive.
• Back pain from carrying? Users note the HC belt doesn’t cause back pain like other belts.
• Created by Hunter Constantine, a professional competitive shooter and firearms instructor, with various shooting titles.
• Made for AIWB, but Hunter himself reports that he’s carried it at 4 o’clock with no issues.
• The Tier 1 EDC-S Belt is essentially the same as the Hunter Constantine Belt, but with an extra belt loop. It was made in collaboration with Hunter himself.

For comfort and convenience, without belt loops

(gym clothes / sweats / etc.)

Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt

• If you typically wear clothes without belt loops, like sweats, gym shorts, yoga pants, scrubs, etc., the Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt is the perfect solution.
• You secure it directly against your body, and the material is comfortable, yet secure, against direct contact with your skin. While the Hunter Constantine belt can be worn the same way, it’s not as comfortable (or secure) as the Comfort Concealment, directly against the skin.
• When using directly against the skin (like for running / jogging, underneath gym shorts), it’s the most secure option, before you upgrade to a PHLster Enigma (which is much more expensive, and less versatile).
• The most economical option out of all the other belts, it’s a fraction of the price, yet many love this belt more than any other. As of writing, it’s about $35, at that price it’s not much of a risk to just try it out. You might just end up loving it and not need to try the pricier options.

Honorable Mention: Mastermind Tactics Covert Belt ($35)

For maximum retention, great concealment

PHLster Enigma

• The best holster for maximum retention, for such activities as running, or when you need to wear clothes that are harder to conceal in (such as gym shorts, dresses, yoga pants, etc.), the PHLster might be your best bet. It does have some drawbacks however (most notably price, it’s hands down the most expensive option):
• Note that the PHLster belts are hard to get on and off. Once you put it on, you’re strapped in for the day. So if you need to go somewhere without your gun, it can be difficult to find a place to take it off.
• Also, it’s quite difficult to setup the PHLster for your gun. It’s not feasible to switch guns easily unless you have multiple PHLster belts. So with the PHLster, you’ll usually be running only one gun, unless you buy multiple belts (because you have to specially fit each holster to your PHLster Enigma, and the Enigma doesn’t support every holster… it get’s complicated).
• The PHLster Floodlight is a holster that ‘couples’ to your weapon light, instead of the gun, letting you use the same holster with various guns with the same weapon light. Some users however report this setup isn’t the most secure. YMMV – if you have really like the idea of a PHLster, and have multiple guns which all use the same weapon light, consider the PHLster Floodlight belt.

best gun belt for appendix carry (aiwb)

Hunter Constantine

• As mentioned above, if you’re using belt loops, the Hunter Contantine Belt is the all around best option for appendix carry (AIWB).
• If you’re looking for a gun belt to use without belt loops (gym shorts, sweats, etc), check out the Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt.

best gun belt for comfort

Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt

• As mentioned above, the Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt is the best option for comfort, especially if you’re not using belt loops, like with gym shorts, sweats, yoga pants, etc.
• Doesn’t let your gun bounce around as much as other options, when using without belt loops. Because of this, it’s better suited for jogging / running, vs the Hunter Constantine. Though you might need the PHLster Enigma for that, if you’re running a bigger gun.

best gun belt for ccw

Hunter Constantine

• Overall the Hunter Constantine (HC) belt is the best all around for CCW.
• It is however better suited for use with pants that have belt loops… so if you’re going to be mainly wearing clothes without belt loops (gym shorts, sweats, yoga pants, dresses, etc.), then consider the Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt (Or the PHLster Enigma if you want a more concealment and retention, at the cost of convenience and price).
• Read more about the Hunter Constantine belt here.

best gun belt for concealed carry (maximum concealment)

For maximum concealment, definitely the PHLster Enigma (which can only be used in a AIWB setup: Appendix Inside the Waistband)

This is the most difficult and probably most expensive setup, but PHLster has a dedicated Facebook group that will answer all of your questions related to getting your Enigma belt to work for you.

Their email support is stellar too, and will get back to you within a few hours usually, probably sooner then that.

They have a few different models, and don’t support every gun on the market, so be sure to reach out to them before you buy.

Pro tip: For maximum concealment, consider adding a pillow / wedge, and a wing / claw to your holster.

best gun belt for fat guys

(Google’s most popular search term for this topic, not my choice of words.)

Note: These are belts for pants with belt loops. If you’re looking for options that don’t require belt loops, check out the options above. Many of those options have choices for larger waist sizes.

Hanks Belts (leather)

Vedder (leather)

Crossbreed (leather)

Blue Alpha Gear (nylon)

For use without belt loops (gym shorts, sweats, scrubs, yoga pants, etc):

Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt (nylon) – Note: Don’t order according to pants size, you have to actually measure your waist size where you’ll be carrying it. I accidentally ordered the wrong size this way.

honorable mentions

• Kore Essentials Belt
• Nexbelt Supreme Appendix
• Tenicor Zero Heavy

pro tip: dcc monoblock clips

With any gun belt you choose, consider getting some DCC Monoblocks (Note: To ensure authenticity, buy directly from Discreet Carry Concepts.)

DCC Monoblocks increase the performance and concealment capability of your supporting equipment, offering you more options and flexibility. They help deep conceal better, and offer better support to prevent your gun bouncing around, by adding extra “clip-on” capability to your belt.

conclusion

The right gun belt is necessary for proper concealment and comfort, in any given situation.

There’s no one gun belt that is the best in all categories, but we covered the best options above.

The best three options are:

• Hunter Constantine Belt (for use with belt loops)
• Comfort Concealment Blackout Belt (for use without belt loops; most economical)
• PHLster Enigma (for ultimate concealment without belt loops, and physical activity such as running / exercising).

Are there any belts not listed here, that you love? Be sure to comment below and let us know which ones, to help others in their search for the perfect gun belt.