Been wearing this belt for the better part of a decade. This was user error plain and simple.

The pain snuck up on me until it was constant. I could only sit in certain positions while driving. Then I realized the pain started where my belt did.

I’ve put on weight in the last few months, and as a middle aged guy, I had to hike it a notch to keep my jeans up. Add a 1.5 inch rigid leather belt to the equation and I think I solved my problem. It’s amazing how long you can go being uncomfortable before it gets bad. Frog in boiling water comes to mind.

Before anyone asks, I know it’s not the gun, because I pocket a 642 when I need to.

I need to lose weight, or get bigger jeans. Losing weight is the better option. Anyone else have similar experiences?

I have a single layer belt I bought in Texas back in 1994. I've been wearing this thing every day sinse. I have it on now. A nice white brass buckle but the belt needs to be replaced. It's not a gun belt. It does leave red areas on my sides but no discomfort. I can see how a heavy gun belt might cause one to shift their posture for comfort if its worn daily with gear attached. Maybe you can switch off to a shoulder rig or paddle holster.

My dad had the same problem, and when he went for a check up the DR. asked if he drives with his wallet in his back pocket.

I was starting to have the same problem, and changed belts but also do not drive with my wallet in my back pocket anymore.

It has helped some, but the seats in this Chevy Cruz do not help either

Carrying IWB always seems to screw up my back, too. Can't sit, standing is uncomfortable. A chiropractor appointment straightens me out though.

As a fat man I find a tight gun belt can make my hips hurt when doing a fair amount of walking.

Especially my replacement hip, but also the original one.

In younger days, I was so skinny that my duty rig raised a callous on my hip area.
I damn sure don't have that problem anymore! Lots of guys I worked with developed bad backs from a combination of duty belt and bad car seats.
I don't know how I skated.

quote:

Originally posted by Spokane228:
I need to lose weight, or get bigger jeans. Losing weight is the better option. Anyone else have similar experiences?

You probably mean the back pain thing. Not that, exactly. I do have intermittent issues with sciatica, as a result of inadvisedly moving something heavy on a desk while leaning way over some 35 years ago or so.

As for the weight/jeans size thing: DO NOT move up a jeans size. Lose the weight. You get in the habit of moving up a pant size when you gain weight and you'll just keep doing that. Draw the line now.

I'd almost be willing to bet losing the weight will help your back more than anything else you could possibly do.

The next best thing you could probably do it get fit with weight training, cardio and stretching exercises. It's really handy that those, coupled with reasonable changes in diet, will probably solve both the weight and the back problems

Caveat: I am not a doctor, nor health, fitness or nutritional expert in any sense. Nor do I play any of those on TV. Nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Spending $35 for bigger pants it's the easy way to go but don't do that. Sweat and eating less is the ugly recipe for success.

Good advice all around. I’ll drop the weight.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
In younger days, I was so skinny that my duty rig raised a callous on my hip area.
I damn sure don't have that problem anymore! Lots of guys I worked with developed bad backs from a combination of duty belt and bad car seats.
I don't know how I skated.

I have to laugh. When my nephew was just starting out as a police, he told me a story. His sergeant was telling him all the gear that he needs on his belt and my nephew was wondering how he was going to get everything around his waist and it was going to be a real problem. His sergeant's waist had ample real estate for everything and then some.

quote:

Originally posted by Spokane228:
Good advice all around. I’ll drop the weight.

The best exercise for losing weight is the push-away.

Eat regular portions, and then push-away from the table before you pile on more food because it tastes so good.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:

Lots of guys I worked with developed bad backs from a combination of duty belt and bad car seats.

Squad seat and belt did me in. Career ending injury/surgery. Put in to have the seat repaired it was denied a month and a half later my disc blew out doing permanent damage.

Have you looked into the belt being part of the issue? I had a similar problem when I carried my P239 more. I tried one of those precurved / ergonomic shaped belts. It felt much better, at least to my 6'2" 165lb frame.

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:

Lots of guys I worked with developed bad backs from a combination of duty belt and bad car seats.

Squad seat and belt did me in. Career ending injury/surgery. Put in to have the seat repaired it was denied a month and a half later my disc blew out doing permanent damage.

Climbing out of patrol cars kills me.

I had a Ford Explorer police SUV for about a year and jumping down vs climbing out made a hell of a difference in my knees. On my new unit I'm back to climbing out, and it sucks.

I'm also fat, so that doesn't help.

OP, my front makes my back hurt. I've made life changes to improve it, but it's still there for now. By 'it', I mean my gut. And an extra chin. Jowls, if you will.

I find suspenders when carrying makes a big difference. I also find that my wife laughs at me (more) when I'm wearing them

Suspenders for me too.

Belt and suspenders.

Sounds like load bearing vests are not authorized?

Losing weight and strengthening core muscles will fix the back pains pretty quickly. Consult with physical therapist as well.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Suspenders for me too.

Perry's. They were at the top of the list about a year ago in the suspenders thread. I've been happy with mine (which I wear under a shirt so nobody laughs).

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:

Lots of guys I worked with developed bad backs from a combination of duty belt and bad car seats.

Squad seat and belt did me in. Career ending injury/surgery. Put in to have the seat repaired it was denied a month and a half later my disc blew out doing permanent damage.

Climbing out of patrol cars kills me.

I had a Ford Explorer police SUV for about a year and jumping down vs climbing out made a hell of a difference in my knees. On my new unit I'm back to climbing out, and it sucks.

I'm also fat, so that doesn't help.

OP, my front makes my back hurt. I've made life changes to improve it, but it's still there for now. By 'it', I mean my gut. And an extra chin. Jowls, if you will.

I find suspenders when carrying makes a big difference. I also find that my wife laughs at me (more) when I'm wearing them

The officers who used my squad after I was down and out complained about the seat and refused to drive it until it was repaired. Ford in order to beat the bids had to skimp somewhere, engine, suspension, transmission were all places they could not what’s left the seats, interior.