A common barrier to concealed carry, particularly for many women, is a distaste for belts. And it’s no surprise when we’ve become accustomed to the style options of comfortable stretch pants and leggings. Thankfully, many beltless concealment options are available, but the classic Kydex holster secured to a belt is arguably the fastest method for drawing your firearm and one of the best and most comfortable ways to carry.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with belts throughout my concealed carry journey. After struggling for years with regular women’s fashion belts, I finally concluded that a belt specifically designed for concealed carry is the only type worth using. It not only supports the weight of the gun without sagging but also doesn’t allow it to flop away from your body.
While many concealed carry belts do an excellent job of this, one stands out as exceptionally comfortable—the Groove Belt made by Groove Life. You might consider this the “gateway belt” for those opposed to wearing them.
I’ve been wearing the Groove Belt for about a year, pairing it with a Kydex holster that has a wing. The belt is vertically rigid and does a great job supporting my SIG P365. Horizontally, it stretches just enough that I can move without feeling constrained. This is especially notable when bending down, sitting at a desk or driving for long periods.
The magnetic enclosure on the buckle is both a fun and easy-to-use feature. As a woman who wears midrise and high-rise jeans (where the waistline rests on your torso), I frequently adjust my belt size. Changing the belt size requires extra effort since the extra belt tail gets tucked underneath. However, it’s all worth it for its neat and tidy look. Also, for those who value style, Groove Life has several colors and buckle face plates to choose from.
Oh, and for the guys out there looking for a great looking belt that works perfectly for concealed carry for them as well, Groove Life makes men’s belts with many of the same great features.
Key Groove Belt Features
Secure Adjustment – Boasts a “set it and forget it” design. Once you adjust the belt to the proper length, never worry about it again.
Design – They designed the end to neatly tuck behind the belt. For the occasional rogue fly-away, they’ve added a secure keeper loop.
Premium Materials – Proprietary webbing 29mm wide, rare-earth neodymium magnets and a 380 aluminum allow buckle.
Durability – Designed to not sag or drop, the Groove Belt keeps its form.
Stretch – Engineered with just the right amount of stretch to keep you secure, yet comfortable.
Stays in place – Held together with neodymium magnets. Snaps and latches securely but releases when needed.
For more on concealed carry for women, visit Elegant & Armed.
Might not be a bad choice on days when one feels like a woman.
Name it DEI!
Not only for women….I’ve worn one of these for about 6 months. Very comfortable. The limited stretchiness improves comfort and mobility. This is my go-to daily belt even when not carrying.
For those who won’t click the link – I see more than one belt that military men might wear with their uniforms. Depending on how strict a commander is, you might even wear a couple with your dress uniform. They look very much like the standard belt issued for wear with dress blues, way back in the 1970s. I’m drawn to any of the carbon fiber belts – good looking men’s wear, IMO.
When I used to smoke Harley man pals would bum my Virginia Slims. So yes if it fits and works wear it…it won’t make you a drag queen.
It’s great to have options. Keep them coming. And thanks to having more women gun owners. Because the industry is coming up with more and more options for everyone.
I got one for Xmas, I was worried about sag but there’s none with my Glock 19. The “stretch” is great for keeping my gun tight and also allowing me to use the belt without an iwb holster without needing to make any length adjustments
Just get a Kore Essentials ratcheting belt. It’s easily adjusting for bending over or sitting down. It is a one-finger affair to loosen a click or three and to tighten just rest a hand on each hip and simply squeeze to tighten a click or more depending on what is needed.
I’m on my second Kore. I recommend it. The groove belt just never seemed strong enough for my tastes. But if it works for people then that’s what counts. We need more people carrying.
i would pay extra for a Kore Essentials belt with a spring steel inner layer. They just break down and start losing their stiffness eventually. The nose aldo tends to want to curl outwards too, unless you make an extra loop out of Velcro to keep it tamed.
I never experienced a curling outward. I can be pretty rough on things like belts and watches. My first Kore belt had a ‘chip’ out of one of the teeth and would no longer hold at that spot. The backside (small of the back area) ended up sagging to a noticeable level forcing me to replace it. After years of use, I consider it well worth the money and went with another Kore. Even bought a leather dress belt form them.
heat it up a little and bend the end inwards to stop the outward curl
I suppose nothing these days lasts forever and needing to replace a belt every couple of years is an acceptable interval.
I think the reason my belts curl out at the nose and then get floppy there is because I wear my my buckle over my left hip. This puts the “tail” to the rear which can be under a lot of stress when sitting down (especially driving) if it gets caught and bent outwards
If it identifies as a mans holster could I use it too?
Of course not, silly marsupial. What is this, an ad for Trix?
511 model 58568 (?). 1.5″ wide, reversible dual color, no metal. No buckle, totally adjustable. It will carry OWB a large pistol like 1911 or a G21. No pokey sharp edges or shapes. https://www.511tactical.com/double-duty-tdu-belt-1-5.html
It would fit possums too!
Wasn’t impressed with mine. was OK when new but rapidly lost it’s stiffness in under a year of daily wear.
I see nothing on that 5.11 page that indicates it’s a gun belt. This looks more like it was intended as a heavy duty dress belt. According to the reviews though, it seems to have a slippage problem.
The 5.11 belts are impressively stiff when new but rapidly break down in a matter of months.
I still own mine and will sometimes wear it under my clothing if I am wearing sweat pants or other bottoms that do not have belt loops and are not designed to be worn with a belt. Tgis works for me somewhat like the Enigma system, but like the Enigma it really needs to have some sort a crotch strap to keep the belt from pulling up during the draw and causing issues with the gun clearing the holster.
I need a good belt. I’m tired of trying to hang myself with suspenders.
How many more years does president theBiden have?
9.
Forget the suspenders, I’m going bungy jumping without the bungy, life’s to short to waste it on living.
FJB will be out before November. They will have him out the back door at the 11th hour and replaced with someone the Republicans have not had a chance to work on. Trouble is the Republicans don’t have a viable candidate and likely will not have found one so we are screwed.
Another option is Bigfoot belts. I’ve worn mine daily for 6 years. It’s starting to show wear, but still holds up a holster just fine.
Milt Sparks makes a great sharkskin carry belt (among many options). They cut their belts on a curve, so they don’t ever crease or fold over. Cost more than Bigfoot though.
Is the lead time on the belts as bad as their holsters?
I have three of them. Love them all. Different colors for outfit coordination. Has no trouble supporting full size steel 1911 for carry quite comfortably.
Kickn’ A Saddlery Oswego Ks.
One man shop custom made to your specifications, any way you want it, has a ” Lifetime guarantee as long as I’m alive. ”
Around two weeks from order.
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