Written By: Zane M.
Probably the most overlooked part of everyday carry (EDC) gear is the belt. You can't truly appreciate a good belt until you've worn a good one for any length of time. About 8 months ago I began my quest for a new belt, as the old instructor belt I'd worn for years had seen better days, to say the least. There was one problem: I'm not a fan of the cobra buckle and cobra buckles are all the rage these days.
Enter Stormrider gear's underlord belt. The underlord is part of a belt system that uses an inner and outer belt. The outer is ideal for duty, training, and/or competition without the need for belt keepers. The inner belt, affectionately referred to as the underlord, makes an absolutely wonderful choice for a stand-alone belt for your EDC.
The belt has no buckle to speak of; instead it uses hook and loop to "lock" the end in place. The belt also sports loop (or the fuzzy side of the brand name Velcro) around the circumference of the belt. This is for use with the outer belt part of the system, called the overlord. This also works well with certain accessories that utilize hook and loop attachment points, such as mag carriers, medical kits, and of course moral patches. Stormrider gear offers belts without the loop, but for the same price and on recommendation from a trusted friend in the gun community, I saw no reason to forgo it.
The belt is stiff, as expected, and does support the weight of my EDC gear. I have carried in several different configurations during the last 6 months and regardless of how I carried, the belt supported each setup very well. I typically carry a Glock 17 and at least one spare magazine every day. For concealed carry the gun is kept in an appendix holster in the waistband with a spare magazine right next to it at about 11:00. For open carry, I use a duty type holster with active retention with a belt slide attachment (not a paddle) and belt slide duel mag carrier on the support side. I've also carried the same gun at about 3:30 in the waistband. The only time the belt ever became uncomfortable was during extended wear “hotspots” would develop right on my hip bones. It's worth mentioning that I have this issue with all thick webbing type belts and attribute this to my thin build.
The belts are 1.5" in width and Stormrider gear boasts several color options on their website, to include the ever popular Kryptec patterns. I went with Kryptec Typhon and solid black loop. There is a sizing chart on their website and they warn "do not use your pant size.”
If you are someone who trains a lot with a full set up or needs the ability to quickly go from low profile CCW to full on duty rig (“kit up” for the tactical Timmy’s out there) the underlord is a perfect base to start with. As long as you chose an outer belt that has hook attachment, you'll be good to go.
This belt is a great overall choice for the concealed carrier, as it is sturdy, comfortable, and very functional. The best part is, the underlord won't break the bank at sub $50. I've worn belts twice the cost of this and didn't gain much by way of comfort or usability.
FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS
CLAIM TO FAME:
Buckle-less design
1" loop the entire circumference
TARGET MARKET:
Concealed carry
Law enforcement/security personnel
Anyone who needs a stiff, ridged belt
FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):
Loop attachment points
Very reasonably priced.
Alternative to the cobra buckle (for those like me that aren't a fan)
WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?
Base color:
Assassin black
Coyote brown
Foliage gray
Ranger green
Wolf gray
Multicam
Kryptec highlander
Kryptec typhon
Kryptec yeti
multicam black
Loop colors:
Assassin black
Coyote brown
Foliage gray
Ranger green
Wolf gray
Just brown
What others are saying:
"I FORGOT I WAS WEARING IT!
This belt is stout in construction but flexible enough that I forgot I had a belt on. When loaded up it feels like it distributes the weight well and resists bending outward very well. I can't wait to get the overlord to go with it. The buckle-less design is a huge comfort factor and is what lead me to give this belt a go. Was worth the wait!"
-Review from storm rider gears website.
Price point:
MSRP = $46.99 Add $3 for kryptec or multicam
Retail = $46.99
I need it now availability:
I was only able to find in on stormridergear.com
Lead time is 8 weeks at the time of writing
Our Rating:
Pros:
- Super stiff
- Very comfortable
- Hook and loop fasteners
- Very reasonably priced
Cons:
- More difficult to sit down in the restroom than with a traditional belt buckle.
- Hotspots can build up on the hips (you probably know what I'm talking about. If you don't it's probably a non issue)
- Looks odd with a shirt tucked in
