Velcro Duty Belt Liner

[Pete]

Does anyone know if it makes a big difference between the plain duty belt and one lined with velcro using the velcro trouser belt ? I need to make a decision, and since the velcro system will probably be another $20-$30 I don't want to spend the cash if I don't need to for the academy. The issue is the academy is open enrollment, so you need to provide your own equipment. On top of that, once you graduate you might need to buy a whole new set of duty gear anyway based on the department that picks you up (I'm going in as a reserve, and around here they need to purchase their own gear). If the velcro system makes a big difference, I don't have a problem spending the extra money, but would prefer not to for my academy gear if the difference is marginal. Any opinions ? Is belt retention, weapon draw, etc. that much better with the velcro system ?

Thanks in advance.

Pete

[JSavage]

the big difference with velcro is the fact that you don't have to wear keepers. Some people still do but it is almost redundant. I have a Uncle Mikes Pro 3 Duty Belt and inner belt. I rarely need them any more but, when I wear it, everything stays where I put it. The only additional cost was the inner belt and the total for the two was around $45.00.

Hope this helps.

[k9cop21811]

I like the velcro myself. It keeps things tight all the way around. It may not be worth the extra money if you're only wearing it once in a while, however. The velcro is a better system though.

[Tank]

A lot of it depends on how big your waist is. I have a 34 inch waist and I wear the velcro underbelt with a velcro outerbelt (Safariland). I also wear keepers. The problem reveals itself as you add more things to your duty belt, you wind up having less velcro touching the inner belt. If you have a 40" waist, you will probably have sufficient gaps on the duty belt for velcro contact. Overall, I like the velcro, even though I have to wear keepers, it keeps everything locked down.

Tank

[DelC]

A tip I picked up from this board: Glue Velcro to the back of your equipment cases if your equipment takes up most of your belt. What I don’t like about the Velcro belt is the inability to wear any equipment in the front, as the belt has to overlap about 6-8 inches, which becomes lost space.

[williamssd]

For those who use the velcro setup, what kind of glue do you use to secure additional velcro on the items placed on your belt? I would think it would have to be a pretty strong adhesive (I was thinking of that automotive epoxy, myself).

If I get the option, I'm definitely going to try the velcro belt setup. Hopefully the dept. that hires me will let me pick.

- Steve

PS: Chief's interview coming up on Wednesday!

[DelC]

Velcro comes with a self-stick backing on it. If that doesn’t hold, I would recommend an automotive 2-sided tape they use to put trim/moulding on the fenders and doors of cars. You can pick some up in any automotive parts store.

[Bow-n-Arrow]

Velcro it the only way to go. Very secure and you don't have to deal with those pesky keepers! It is worth the extra money!

[try163]

My department wears velcro. In fact we just went to nylon duty rig with the velcro inners. My advice is and feeling is that the velcro is a good system. Tank made a good point about the amount of stuff you carry on your belt and the velcro touching it. Also, don't forget to wear keepers. Some people think this is redundant, but they keep everything in place. And, velcro won't last forever. The inner belt eventually wears down. We had a leather duty rig with velcro before going to the nylon. I had it 3 years. One night I was in a foot pursuit with someone and the whole rig came off just as I caught up to him. No I wasn't wearing keepers. I basically jumped on the guy to bring him down because I wasn't in the position to stand there to grapple with him. It was quite the sight with my rig laying behind me and the only thing keeping the whole thing attached to me was the fact that I wear a lapel mic. Pretty funny now that I look back at it. Thankfully I had backup there too. Don't underestimate the power of keepers.

TRY163

[Surlyfritz209]

DelC is right on the money with the velcro on equipment thing. Man does that feel a whole lot more secure. I don't know who originally posted the thought, but to whoever you are, CHEERS!
:D

[RDF105]

If you want to know the difference between velcro and leather/keepers its simple. Picture yourself holding your bowels untill the last possible second, running into the station to the bathroom, and then standing at the toilet for another 3 minutes attempting to unclasp the belt keepers. Anyone who as ever worn keepers has had this experience. I am a bike officer and I think velcro rocks, you minght have to get a new underbelt every once and a while, depending on how much wear and tear you put on it. Now when you got to go, its no problem...just rip it off. LOL
thought a little humor might cheer everyone up.

[DelC]

Try163 has a good point about the whole rig coming off. After about 4-years the metal clasp broke off on my outer belt. Without the metal clasp it doesn’t take much to detach the belt. I think a better setup would be a regular Sam Brown, with the large buckle and add some Velcro to the inside with a Velcro inter belt.

For me, the pain with the keepers was putting them on, not taking them off, as they come off quickly. But, keepers alone never give the feel of a tight secure fit like Velcro does.