5.11 Men’s Tactical Operator 1 3/4″ Ultra-Durable Web Belt
Sure, you can order a “tactical” web belt off eBay for under $10 with free shipping. However, you’re going to receive a belt that would be more appropriate as a cheap accessory for a Halloween costume.
I already had a 5.11 backpack and a few pairs of their tactical pants when I bought this belt and I have to say that their high level of quality is consistent across their product lines. If I had to choose one word to describe 5.11 products, it would be “strength”. The webbing on this belt is much tighter than cheaper versions I’ve seen.
This is my favorite belt to wear with a polo shirt and khaki pants combo. I’ve always felt like a leather belt (even a casual style) feels mismatched with certain pants when I’m going for a more casual look. Even with its larger width, this tactical belt fits the belt loops of all my jeans, khakis, and tactical pants. It performs especially well while working in the garden with all the bending, lifting, and stooping we do while taking care of our plots.
The black stainless steel buckle is the highlight of this 5.11 belt. Cheaper imitations use a black polymer (plastic) buckle, but these usually do a poor job of keeping your belt how you want it because they can’t cinch down the way a metal buckle can. The manufacturer touts a 6,000 pound rating for the buckle.
I also like the long velcro strip that holds the loose end of the belt in place. This isn’t a small square of velcro – it is a long strip that runs a decent length of the front of the belt and does an adequate job of securing the excess length.
While 5.11 occasionally adds and deletes color options for their gear, at the time I wrote this review, this belt was available through Amazon in the following colors: black, coyote, TDU green, kangaroo, ranger green, and coyote brown.