By Gary Taylor
The most important, and often overlooked, part of any EDC firearm rig is not the gun itself, or even the holster, it’s the belt! A good belt can make all the difference in the world in how comfortable a concealed carry weapon is going to ride on your hip. You can have your favorite gun inside the best holster money can buy, but if you put it on a crappy belt, then you will be cursing your rig before the end of the day. Over the years, I have found a few belts that work okay and a decent leather belt that works fairly well. However, the Ranger Belt by Ares Gear is, hands down, the most comfortable belt that supports my firearm.
The exact version I have is the “Enhanced” version of the Ranger Belt, which means that it is a little stiffer than their normal Ranger Belt. A quick test for any belt you pick up is to see how easy it is to fold the belt over from the top edge to the bottom edge. If it folds, then the belt will give when you place the weight of a firearm on it. I doubt the Ranger Belt would even start to fold if you put the damn thing in a vice! The belt is so stiff that I can wear my Glock 19, with a Surefire X300 Ultra attached, in an OWB Raven Concealment Holster in complete comfort. No sag. No Drop. No Bend. On hot summer days, when I want to wear just a t-shirt as a cover garment, my Glock 26 in an OWB Raven Concealment Holster, completely disappears on my hip to the point I do not even notice it is there. The belt is so stiff, but yet comfortable, it balances the weight of the gun perfectly.
Outside of how stiff it is and the overall quality of the belt, another great feature is the buckle itself. The Ranger Belt uses a QR Cobra buckle that allows for exact customization of exactly how tight you might want to run your belt. It is also very easy to make quick adjustments for those times that you might have eaten too much for lunch or are sitting in the car for a long period of time. Then, when you need to make the belt a little tighter, give it a quick tug and you can snug up the belt just the way you need it. When you first get the belt, you might wonder how to thread the QR Cobra buckle through your pants belt loops since the buckle itself will not fit through your belt loops. It really is very easy. Just remove the female end and then clip it into the male end (just to free up your hands). Snake the belt through your pant loops and holster, then reconnect the buckle. Once you do it a couple of times it becomes quick and easy.
Overall, this is a fantastic belt and a great investment. As with all good quality products, you get what you pay for and the price point on this one is not cheap, but it is worth it as the belt wears very well over time. Order yours early as the lead time is still running about 4 weeks. They offer a range of color options for the belt and the buckle so you can customize it to fit your needs. Be honest with yourself when it comes to ordering your size!!! You want to make sure the belt is going to fit you right, especially if you plan on carrying IWB.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame: Best CC Belt on the market!
Target Market: Concealed Carry
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
- Excellent Stiffness
- Wide range of Colors
- Great Buckle System
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Ares Gear Ranger Belt Enhanced is available in many colors and patterns, including black, coyote brown, blue, red, OD green, desert tan, digital desert, digital woodland, multicam, and urban grey.
What others are saying?: “Best belt I’ve ever had I have tried others and nothing beats Ares. I use all my gear hard and this belt his not let me down.” - Robert, Ares Gear Customer Review
Price Point:
- MSRP = $94.99 + Options
- Retail = $89.99
I need it now! Availability: You can get these belts from a few retailers, including LaRue Tactical, Weapon Outfitters, and directly from Ares Gear.
Our Rating: + Very stiff + Great buckle
- Pricy - Long wait time
Score: 8.5 Great
