10 Best Duty Belts of 2024 | Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

The best duty belt should provide you with a comfortable and convenient way to carry your tactical gear with you at all times. Duty belts are a common accessory of police and law enforcement, allowing for holsters and pouches to be attached to carry weapons, radios and other items. Duty belts need to be durable and able to handle heavy loads, but also need to be secure enough that they remain firmly around the waist of the user. Unsure of what you need to consider when picking a duty belt? Our guide explores the key features that are most important when selecting the best duty belt.

A good duty belt needs to be thick enough that it can cope with the significant amount of weight it will be carrying. A thicker belt generally means that it can cope with heavier loads, while also allowing anchored weight to be spread more evenly throughout the length of the belt. Thinner belts tend to wear more easily, with the material folding in on itself when heavy enough loads are reattached.

However, you should avoid automatically choosing the thickest belt you find. If the belt material is too thick, it may prove uncomfortable, with the top edge digging into your waist. Trying a belt out before you buy is always a good idea, but this isn’t possible if you decide to shop online. In terms of thickness, anything between 1.5 and 2.25 inches should prove strong enough to cope with the combined load of a holster and firearm. This thickness should also prove comfortable enough for wearing on a daily basis.

You will also want to consider the overall weight of any belt you buy. Although the weight of the belt material will be minimal when compared to attached accessories, a particularly heavy belt material will become an issue over time. A webbed belt construction with plenty of rigidity is a good option for those keen to lighten the load, without having to say goodbye to load-bearing capacity and durability.

The durability of a duty belt will be determined by the materials used in its construction and the overall levels of craftsmanship. Leather tactical and duty belts are a popular choice, but unless the leather is of a particularly good standard, they are particularly durable. A webbed canvas belt is often the best way to go. Webbing material is not only incredibly strong and very durable, but it also will not visibly wear and distort over time. If you want to maintain a clean finish and professional appearance for a long time, a durable belt material is very important.

Most duty belts should allow you to add a holster and other carrying pouches. A versatile duty belt should allow you to attach various types of gearing systems to the main body of the belt. A basic duty belt may let you add a simple holster, but the best designs will let you customise and adapt with multiple hanging pouches and other storage items. If you’re looking for the perfect gear to arm yourself with, check out our guide reviewing the best tasers for self defence on the market today!

Searching for a high-quality duty belt with premium features? Below are a few of the best duty belts currently on offer, with prices to suit everyone’s budget.

Condor Cobra Gun Belt

This Condor Cobra Gun Belt is ideal for carrying a firearm with a holster but is casual enough that it can be worn with everyday clothing. This belt is also stiffened with a robust webbing material, ensuring it can handle the significant weight of bulky holsters and firearms. The heavy-duty design also means you can add additional items to the belt comfortably, including bulky MOLLE pouches and other accessories to use with your firearm.

The 1.75-inch buckle also makes this a practical choice of belt. It will keep heavy cargo trousers and tactical pants in place as you undertake outdoor activities. This belt also comes in a selection of colour variants, including black, brown and tan.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Bianchi 7960 2.25” Loop Lined Sam Browne Duty Belt

The Bianchi 7960 duty belt is a more stylish alternative to webbing designs. Although this belt looks more like a conventional accessory, it is surprisingly heavy-duty. Multiple layers of laminate material make it perfectly suitable for duty applications and strong enough to handle substantial loads. This belt also features cell foam on the interior, providing you with additional support and ensuring you remain comfortable, even when the belt is worn tight.

The combination of a Duraskin exterior and additional loop lining make this very hard-wearing, with support cushions evenly spaced along the length of the belt to ensure you can distribute weight evenly. This buckle also features a 3-point release mechanism, making it a particularly secure option.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

5.11 Tactical 1.5” Arc Leather Belt 59493

The 5.11 Tactical Arc belt is a good option for those who want classic leather aesthetics and a more conventional alternative to heavy-duty belt designs. This is a belt designed with concealed carrying and patrolling in mind. Although it looks fairly sleek when compared to other duty belts, this model is surprisingly durable. A 4mm-thick layer of matte leather ensures this belt is strong enough to carry the weight of a loaded holster, as well as additional accessories without you having to worry about twisting or sagging.

This belt also boasts ergonomic curves, making it very comfortable. This belt comes in both black and brown, with a classic silver buckle making this an enduringly stylish choice. You can also replace the belt screws over time if the integrity of the belt becomes to falter, making it a good long-term addition to your duty wear and tactical gear.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Bianchi 7950 2.25” Loop Lined Duty Belt

 

 

If you want a duty belt that will provide you with maximum comfort and reliable support when carrying a loaded holster, the Bianchi 7950 is a good option. This quality belt is constructed from multiple layers of laminate material, making it particularly hard-wearing. An additional Duraskin layer on the outside adds to the overall integrity of this belt, while robust loop lining means you can add heavy items to this belt without worrying about wearing it out.

This heavy-duty belt also includes a polymer buckle with a 3-point release mechanism for added security and to prevent accidental release while you are on the move. The polymer material also ensures the buckle is resistant to shattering, making it a good option for those with more of an active routine. This belt also features foam support cushioning along with the interior of the belt, helping it stay firmly in on the hips, while also making it altogether more comfortable.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Bianchi 8300 2″ PatrolTek Duty Belt System

The Bianchi 8300 PatrolTek Duty Belt System brings together all the essential items you need from a reliable duty belt line-up. Not only does this system include a premium duty belt and liner belt, but it also comes with four belt keepers. The exterior belt is particularly rugged, with a hard-wearing web construction and hooks to firmly attach it to the looper liner belt beneath.

Dual-snap keepers are also included, allowing you to fit your liner to the outer belt with ease. The main belt also includes a 3-point release mechanism for security, preventing the chance of your belts accidentally releasing while you are on the go. The buckle is also made from a polymer material, providing you with excellent shatter resistance.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Boston Leather 2.25″ American Value Line Sam Browne Belt

If you want an inexpensive duty belt that will still serve you well for a long time, this Boston Leather belt from the American Value line is a good option. This stylish belt comes in classic black, with top-grain leather ensuring a premium aesthetic. The durable silver buckle also makes adjusting this belt to your individual waist circumference straightforward, with the 2.25-inch material and secure buckle fastenings making it a particularly reliable option.

You have two classic finishes to choose from, with both a plain and basketweave texture on offer. If you want a hard-wearing belt that looks the part and provides you with a secure anchor point to attach a holster, this Boston belt is hard to beat.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Tactical Tailor Duty Belt

This Tactical Tailor Duty Belt is an affordable essential for military and law enforcement professionals. This hard-wearing belt not only looks great, but it is also strong enough to anchor holsters and all your essential gear. This tactical belt is made up of two tough layers of webbing material, with exceptional rigidity and stiffness to ensure it holds its shapes and provides a firm base for attaching holsters and other carrying pouches.

Both ends of the belt can be adjusted with ease, thanks to the inclusion of durable loop fasteners. You also have a good range of colours to choose from here, including classic black, foliage green and tan.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

Blackhawk Reinforced 2″ Web Duty Belt with Loop Inner

This loop inner has been designed for use with Blackhawk duty belts, providing you with the perfect point of attachment for holsters, carrying pouches and other essential items. This inner loop belt is made from high-quality nylon that will firmly attach to the nylon hooks found on the interior of any Blackhawk duty belt.

Convenient belt adjusters and a secure central buckle mean you can ensure a good fit, with the buckle proving particularly secure to prevent accidental release. Although the overall cost of purchasing this and an outer duty belt does stack up, if you want something that will not let you down, this is a must-have.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

LA Police Gear Falcon 1.5 Inch Shooter’s Belt

This LA Police Gear Falcon Shooter’s Belt has been designed with long-lasting use and reliability in mind. This high-quality belt is made from premium materials, with the buckle having been constructed from aircraft-grade aluminium for performance. This buckle also features a 2-point release that allows you to attach and detach this belt in moments. It also ensures the belt remains firmly in place while you are on the go, preventing the chance of accidental release.

Adjustment is also straightforward, with a pull cinch included so you can make fine adjustments to the fit while you are wearing the belt. The webbed construction also provides you with plenty of essential rigidity, without affecting wearing comfort.

AVAILABLE ON LAPG

LA Police Gear Heavy Duty 1.5 Inch Rigger’s Belt

This LA Police Gear Heavy Duty Rigger’s Belt more than impresses when it comes to durability and user-friendly design. This belt is made from two layers of heavy-duty nylon, with reinforced stitching to ensure it lasts for a considerable amount of time.

The rugged construction of this belt makes it tough enough to carry a loaded holster, radio and a full range of accessories, without the worry of sagging and twisting as you carry out your business. Hook and loop close also makes this a secure choice, while the aircraft-grade aluminium buckle is particularly reliable.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

In Summary

There are a few key things to bear in mind when choosing a suitable duty belt. If you plan on adding multiple items with a considerable combined weight, the belt you choose should be made from heavy-duty material and boast a decent thickness. Leather and synthetic materials are a good option for those who want a stylish finish, but they are not necessarily the most hard-wearing of choices. A quality webbed belt is often the best way to go if you want to continue to use your duty belt for a longer period.

A good belt should also allow you to attach multiple hanging systems to it, letting you connect things like holsters, ammunition pouches, radio holders and more. Ultimately, a good duty belt should be comfortable to wear and practical in its design. The best duty belts should be comfortable and easy to adjust, while also being durable and able to accommodate very heavy loads without becoming damaged. Aesthetics are important if you want to look professional, but you should only consider the appearance of your duty belt as a secondary factor.