Survival belts have come a long way…
When thinking about belts, I bet the last thing that comes to mind is versatility.
Because the primary function of a belt is to hold up your pants (or discipline children).
And since the latter is frowned upon, we’re left with the basic task of holding up one’s trousers.
Beyond that, they are of limited use on a day-to-day basis, right?
That’s what most people think.
But belts are surprisingly useful. A belt can be one of the most functional accessories you wear.
A good solid belt is durable, designed to cinch and bind, and can secure things in place. They can also work as a makeshift self-defense tool.
When you really stop to think about it, the survival uses for a good belt are nearly endless. And more recently, belts have become available specifically for survival.
Some survival belts are not much different than regular belts but with much-improved durability. While other survival belts are designed with built-in survival tools and functions.
That’s why finding the right survival belt can quickly become overwhelming.
So in this article, we’ll first cover the following survival belt topics:
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Best Survival Belts On The Market Today
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The Many Survival Uses For A Belt
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An Extra Note – On Survival Ingenuity
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Best Survival Belts On The Market Today
Different belts serve different purposes.
And the survival belt niche is growing fast; not all survival belts will accomplish the same things. So when selecting a survival belt, it’s important to consider your goals.
Condor Tactical Belt (Multicam, Up to 44-Inch Waist)
Want a tactical belt that includes 2 mag pouches? Look no further than the Condor Tactical Belt.
This tactical belt is designed to carry a pistol and a couple of magazines (plus whatever extra gear and pouches you can fit).
It has a plastic buckle familiar to the kind used in the military during the 1980s and ’90s. It’s a sturdy buckle, but as a caution, it can be prone to getting brittle and breaking if left exposed to the cold for a prolonged period.
The belt itself is extremely versatile. It can be quickly adjusted by velcro and comes with two adjustable pistol magazine pouches as well. Both of which can be repositioned as needed.
Condor Tactical Belt Review
Tacticon Padded Battle Belt With Metal Quick Release Buckle
The Tacticon Padded Battle Belt is a tactical belt designed for military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts. It is made of high-quality materials, including durable 600D nylon and a heavy-duty buckle. The belt is also padded for added comfort during extended use.
One of the key features of the Tacticon Padded Battle Belt is its MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) compatibility. The MOLLE webbing allows you to attach pouches, holsters, and accessories for easy access to gear.
The Tacticon Padded Battle Belt is also adjustable, with a waist size ranging from 30 to 46 inches. This ensures a secure and comfortable fit for various body types.
Overall, the Tacticon Padded Battle Belt appears to be a well-made and versatile tactical belt suitable for various outdoor survival activities.
Best Budget Battle Belt!! Tacticon Battle Belt
Elite Survival Systems Cobra Rigger’s with D Ring Buckle Belt
The Elite Cobra Riggers Belt doesn’t have a ton of survival bells and whistles, which can be good!
This belt is built strictly with durability, usefulness, and safety in mind. Plus, it looks badass.
The Elite Cobra Riggers Belt is a reliable option for tactical climbing needs. It’s got a built-in D-Ring Cobra buckle that allows for repelling from sheer face cliffs.
The strap is constructed using military spec type 13 webbing and is rated for 7000 lbs of tensile strength.
This is one of the simplest, most effective tactical belts on the market.
COBRA Riggers Belt
Divoti STEEL HAWK Outdoor Survival EDC Paracord Belt
For obvious reasons, paracord belts make for fabulous survival tools. Paracord belts are durable, and they serve many survival purposes. Just unravel the 550 paracord to offer many yards of high-tensile cordage.
This style of belt is modeled after the paracord survival bracelets. Which serve a similar purpose but in belt form provides much more length.
Beyond being useful when unraveled, these belts are also durable as is. So they can be used for various purposes without ever being unwound.
Product Review: Divoti Paracord Belt
Elite Survival Systems Co Shooters Belt
The Elite Survival Systems Belt is a high-quality tactical belt designed for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. It is made of durable and comfortable nylon webbing.
The belt features a quick-release buckle made of aircraft-grade aluminum for added strength.
One of the standout features of this belt is its customizable length. The belt can be trimmed down to fit any waist size, and the excess can be melted to prevent fraying.
This feature makes the belt suitable for many body types and allows for a precise fit.
The Elite Survival Systems belt also features a hook and loop panel for attaching pouches and accessories. This panel allows for quick and easy customization of your loadout, and the hook and loop material is strong enough to hold even heavy items securely.
Elite Survival Systems CO Shooters Belt Review
5.11 Tactical Men’s Nylon Maverick Assaulters Belt
The 5.11 Tactical Men’s Nylon Maverick Assaulters Belt is a highly functional and durable belt for tactical situations. It features a double-layer nylon webbing construction with reinforced stitching, making it strong and sturdy.
The buckle is made of solid stainless steel, which adds to its durability and strength.
One of the key features of this belt is its ability to accommodate a wide range of holsters and pouches. It has a low-profile design and a 1.75-inch width, which allows for easy attachment of various accessories.
The belt also features a Velcro loop on the inside, which helps keep it securely in place and prevents it from sliding around.
Regarding comfort, this 5.11 Belt does not disappoint. The nylon webbing is smooth and comfortable against the skin, and the buckle is designed to sit flat against the body, minimizing discomfort and irritation.
Overall, the 5.11 Tactical Men’s Nylon Maverick Assaulters Belt is an excellent choice for anyone needing a high-quality, durable, and functional survival belt.
5.11 Maverick Riggers Belt Review
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The Many Survival Uses For A Belt
Serious Medical Belt Uses
Tourniquet
Any solid belt can make a great makeshift tourniquet (which is why heroin users are so fond of them).
If you must stop bleeding, slip off your belt, and cinch it uptight. Whether it’s to stop a massive cut or in preparation for an amputation, in a pinch, a good sturdy belt will get the job done.
The Belt Tourniquet
Injury elevation
With broken bones or joint sprains, elevate. Elevating an injured limb is key to helping it heal faster.
With a belt, create a loop to hold the injured limb and fasten it to something above you.
Splint Fastener
You’ll want a splint if you, or someone in your party, break a bone. That means attaching a rigid, straight object to the outside of the broken limb to hold it in place.
Pipes, straight branches, and ski poles all work perfectly for this. With your belt, you can secure one or more makeshift splints in place around a broken bone. Keeping it stable to avoid further damage.
A Lethal Self Defense Weapon
A whip
Yeah, using a belt as a whip is a great way to get people to take a step back. Swing a belt can generate enough whip force to break the skin and cause bleeding. And if you’re swinging the buckle end, you can inflict some serious damage. Because now you have an improvised flail.
I’ve even seen some people fasten a rock in a loop at the end of the belt, which also works in a flail-like fashion.
How to Use a Belt as an Improvised Weapon
Garrote
It doesn’t take a hyper-creative mind to figure out how you might choke someone with a belt.
Sling
You can turn a paracord belt into a projectile-launching sling with only a few modifications. Send rocks or other projectiles hurtling with greater force than your own arms alone.
Slings are a rudimentary, ancient, reliable form of projectile weaponry.
How to Make a Paracord Rock Sling
Make a Spear
Take a knife, and strap it to the end of a long stick using your belt.
You’ll have to stick a few holes in your belt to do this effectively. But in desperate times, weapons are more important than pants-holders, so keep your priorities straight.
Physical Restraint
You took a hostile prisoner captive and must restrain them. Or maybe someone in your group has gone crazy, and you want to keep them from hurting themselves.
Well, belts are great makeshift restraints. You can secure someone to a tree or pole or use them more like handcuffs. Without a rope or actual cuffs, belts are your next best option.
Secure emergency handcuffs
Fastening Things For Easier Hauling
Carry Many Items
Wrapping your belt around a stack of books, a bundle of firewood, or a bundle of tools allows you to secure them into a single bunch. Making carrying a bunch of stuff much easier.
Cordage
When two objects need binding, but you haven’t any cordage to bind them with, slip off that belt and use it!
You can use the belt as a whole, or if the need arises, you can cut the belt into strips of leather. In this way, you get a multitude of thin cords with which you can secure whatever you need to.
Hoisting Food
At night, you will likely want to keep your food elevated up and out of harm’s way. Belts are great for exactly this purpose. Fasten your food all together into a bundle, tighten the belt around it, and hang it up in a tree.
Storing it up high will keep it away from unwanted thieves and other would-be scoundrels.
A Survival Belt To The Rescue
Pull People Out Of Harm’s Way
If someone falls into a hole, a well, a ditch, or quicksand, you can use your belt to save them. Like a rope, it will extend your reach by several feet, making it easier to pull them to safety.
Drag a Stretcher
If a group member gets injured or you’ve killed a big game, you’ll want a stretcher to move the load. And if you are alone, that means you will have to drag it alone too.
Which is easier with a belt or two fixed up as strap handles.
An Extra Note – On Survival Ingenuity
So now that you know how to turn a belt into a meaningful survival tool, you should feel comfortable with your odds. Right? Well, sort of.
If you do, that’s great because confidence is half the battle for survival.
But it isn’t the belt that will save your life. It’s your survival ingenuity. Because even if you own the fanciest survival equipment and don’t know how to use it, you don’t stand a chance.
This article serves two purposes: first, to talk about survival belts. And second, to help stimulate the creative survivor in you. You’re honing your survival ingenuity if you can turn a belt into a tool to save a life.
Creative survival is the most useful survival and the most effective survival tool. Thinking inside the box can get you killed in an emergency. Thinking non-linear and innovatively will put you a step ahead of the rest. And increase your chances of living another day.
The Final Word
No, belts are not the first tool you think of when planning for an emergency. But for many of us, it’s a tool we wear daily.
That’s part of what makes a survival belt such an incredible tool. The fact that they are almost always there, on your waist, holding up your pants.
The other quality of belts that gives them such utility is their simplicity. Simple objects can be most versatile.
Even if you never use a survival belt as a whip (or a tourniquet), it may still be useful in other ways.
New survival gadgets are cool, but they often lose utility because they’re so complex. So think carefully when packing your bug-out bag or preparing to evacuate in the face of an emergency.
Will Brendza
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