When it comes to our concealed carry handguns, we place a lot of focus on the gun we carry, the optic, and the ammo we use with it. Holsters are another focal point, but what about the belt that holds that holster on?
It’s easy to overlook the belt, but there are some benefits to using a high-quality belt made for carrying a firearm. Functionality, quality, size, and more are all important factors to consider for your EDC belt.
The EDC Nexbelt from Safariland is an everyday belt made specifically for people who carry a handgun. It works great for a multitude of other tasks as well.
Safariland is the leader in duty/combat holsters worn by military and police all around the world. Over the years, they have moved into the concealed carry market, providing the same quality control standards as their duty holsters.
They now offer a full line of IWB (inside the waistband) and OWB (outside the waistband) holsters with a focus on concealment.
Who is Nexbelt?
Nexbelt is a relatively new company that started up in 2011 with a focus on making high-quality belts. Their vision statement reads, “To become known in culture as the belt brand synonymous with confidence and self-expression.” Safariland’s mission statement is “Together, We Save Lives.” What better partnership than these two companies to provide us with an EDC belt we can trust?
With this collaboration, we now have the Safariland EDC Nexbelt. I’ve worn several self-locking belts over the years, and this one is one of my favorites.
About the Safariland L930 EDC Nexbelt
As I stated above, this belt was designed for carrying a firearm or any other application where you need to attach equipment to a belt.
Made of high-density nylon, this belt is what I would call a “stiff” belt, meaning it holds up a holster very well. When carrying a gun or other tactical gear on a belt, you don’t want a soft, flimsy belt.
It’s made to custom fit each person and can be cut for any size up to 50-inch waists. Once the belt is cut to size, it can be adjusted by quarter-inch increments.
The EDC belt is 1.5 inches wide, making it perfect for most everyday OWB and IWB holsters. It has a water-repellent liner and a rachet method of tightening.
Another thing I like about this belt is how thin it is. For a stiff belt that is 1.5 inches wide, it’s not very thick. I have another belt that is also made well, but it’s so thick it’s hard to fit it under the belt loop on some of my pants. The thickness keeps it from bending which also makes it a little uncomfortable to wear.
Sizing the EDC Nexbelt
The process of sizing it is simple. First, remove the belt buckle from the belt. It will pull right off the belt because it’s not connected yet.
Nexbelt recommends adding at least four inches to your waist size when cutting the belt. Make sure you cut it a little long if you are not sure about the size. You can always re-cut the belt and make it shorter but once you make a cut, there’s no going back.
You can use a pair of household scissors, but it will need to be a heavy-duty pair. I ended up using my kitchen scissors to cut the belt.
The inside of the belt has lines that indicate the waist size, from 25 to 50 inches. This doesn’t mean it can’t be shorter than a 25-inch waist, but you would need to cut it without a line.
I wear size 36 jeans, which would be 40 inches with the recommended 4-inches added on. To be on the safe side, I cut mine to 43 inches to see how it fit.
As expected, it was a little too long. After two more tries, I ended up cutting the belt to 39 inches.
One thing to consider when cutting it for size is how much overlap you want on your belt. Some people like their belts to overlap past the first belt loop of their jeans and others do not. Even though the Nexbelt comes with a belt loop, I want the belt to fit under the one on my pants. It isn’t hard to take the buckle on and off for adjusting so go little by little.
Sizing tip
As mentioned before, it’s recommended to cut the belt a little long the first time you cut it. After the first cut, try the belt on and see where you are. The best way to do this is to make the first cut and place the buckle on with one screw so you can check it. If it’s too long, take it back off and cut a little more.
Once you are done and the belt fits correctly, install all three screws. A wrench is provided for tightening the screws.
What are the benefits of a ratcheting belt system?
If you carry an IWB holster, you probably know it requires a little extra room in your waistline. This means your pants need to be big enough to fit a gun and holster between your pants and waistline.
So, if you have a belt that fits just right by itself, it won’t fit when you put your gun and holster on. With a ratcheting system, you can put on the gun and press the unlock button on the belt buckle to adjust your belt to the exact size you need.
The process is simple, just release the teeth on the buckle and pull the belt open as far as needed. When you take the holster off, simply pull on the belt and it will tighten.
I’ve found I adjust my belt regularly depending on what I’m doing. When sitting for long periods (like in the car) I reach down and press the button, letting the belt loosen. When I stand up, I cinch it in just a little so it’s tighter while walking around.
The perfect EDC belt
After wearing this type of belt for a while, it’s hard to go back to a traditional one.
There’s not much in life that’s perfect, but the Safariland L930 Nylon Nexbelt is pretty close when it comes to good belts. It’s just wide enough to work with most everyday holsters, but thin enough to be comfortable.
I use my Safariland Species IWB holster and 7371 ALS Concealment Paddle Holster regularly with the Nexbelt. It’s an EDC belt for any EDC holster. It’s not the cheapest belt on the market, but it’s a quality belt that is truly custom fit.
Don’t just count on a good holster for your everyday carry. Count on a good belt as well.
