I really like ratcheting belts and have worn Mission Belt belts for many years. However, they do not have any options suitable for carry, so my gun belts have always been other. This wasn't a big deal since I live in Maryland.

Well... post-Bruen, it's a big deal. I really like the idea of ratcheting belts for EDC, and since SigForum is so good at helping me spend my money, I bought a Bond EDC from NexBelt.

It has been 100% GTG for carry. Getting it off, however, is difficult and painful. The release is so small, applying enough pressure to turn it digs into my finger. And in order to release it at all, I have to take tension off of the ratcheting bits by squeezing the belt just a little tighter. Wearing the belt tight enough for carry in the first place, that's fairly difficult.

The best technique I've discovered is to slide the belt around to the left so that I can hold the belt and buckle/release in my left hand more securely while pushing the strap further through the buckle (relieving the tension) with my right hand. The geometry just seems to work better.

Am I the only one with this issue? Am I doing something wrong somehow?

-Rob

That sounds like there's either a problem with your ratchet, or you have the belt cranked down way too tight.

I have a Nexbelt that I wear on occasion, when I need to carry a gun while wearing dressier clothes (like a suit/sportcoat over slacks), since it's not as sturdy as a true gun belt but it's much slimmer and looks like a dress belt.

My Nexbelt requires no serious pressure on the release lever to release it.

When I first got one I thought the release was small but due to trying to find it. And if there is a lot of tension on mine, it helps to take some tension off to release it.
Having said that, I've not had any problems w/ my Titan EDC or the dress belt I have.
I rotate the direction I go through the loops when I switch pants and loosening the belt is natural and w/o effort.

Take some pressure off of the belt when trying to open it by pushing the belt into the buckle a little - like you're trying to make it tighter.

I started with mission as well a few years ago and have gone to NextBelt. Their appendix carry (I don't appendix carry) buckle is MUCH smaller and has a small button vs a lever that needs to turn. I greatly prefer this buckle.

I see they have a new buckle style that may work even better - NTAC-45. Might have to try that next.

shawn

quote:

Originally posted by sreding:
Take some pressure off of the belt when trying to open it by pushing the belt into the buckle a little - like you're trying to make it tighter.

You mean like how I described in my post?... "And in order to release it at all, I have to take tension off of the ratcheting bits by squeezing the belt just a little tighter."



I'll check out those other buckle designs.

Thanks.

-Rob

Going searching for next belts

Looks like a decent option. Might have to get one to try

Bought one, now up to five. Great belts. No problem with release if done as described (relieving tension).

Adios,

Pizza Bob

+++ for NexBelt. And like any decent piece of gear, it may take you a little practice to get it to perform to your liking.
And I actually prefer its small release since I feel it is less prone to an unintentional release.

I've been wearing Nextbelt for over 5 years. Their gun belts for about 2 years. I have never given a thought to the difficulty of taking them off. I do have to push in a little to move the ratchet and I only realized that from this thread; but imagine how insecure the latch would be if it took no effort to move that ratchet while it's supposedly locked. I imagine you would have to do just as much, if not more, adjustment to take off a traditional belt.

They did come out with a new EDC belt for appendix carry. It has a push button release trigger. I have one but have not used it yet.

Supreme Appendix, Black 1 1/2" Strap, EDC Belt

Only belt I wear for about two years now. I struggled with the release at first, just had to develop the “feel” for it and now is simple.

As others noted, a little tightening pressure to take the tension off as I release.

My original is two years old and still going strong, just bought two new ones.

They offer 10% discount for active duty and veterans as well.

I have been using Nexbelt and Kore click belts for years. The Nex appendix buckle I highly recommend. The buckle is smaller and the push button release works great!

I've been using one of these for at least 7 years.
https://boxeroutdoors.com/

I've got nothing but good things to say about it.

I have a black and a brown Kore 1.75” leather gun belts, and haven’t worn Wilderness Instructor or other belts since.

And yes your tighten to loosen is required. The super tight isn’t as needed when I’m thinner. So I quit eating junk food and load up on vegetables until everything fits better and easier.

I have a Kore, which is similar I suppose, but I always remove the holster before undoing the belt.
I've never had any issue, or thought of it being difficult to actuate the lever with or without the holster on, but maybe removing the holster first will give you a little more room to relieve some tightness.

I wear one frequently. At first, I had trouble finding the release lever, and had some issues getting it to disengage.

You'll find that it will become intuitive very soon. Yes, you do need to pull to take a little tension off the lever unless you want to round the ratchets - after all, it is designed to hold until you release it properly. Taking the tension off makes the lever rotate easily.