View Full Version : Belt choice
Finding lots of valuable info here; but not on this topic.
As one who prefers hiking with convertible pants, was wondering if there were recommendations on preferred choice of "belt"? Right, "the pants holder upper.
daddytwosticks
12-12-2012, 17:10
My convertables came with a nylon belt and some sort of adjustable plastic clip thing. This works for me. Never really give the belt much thought. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with your pack's hip belt. :)
1 1/2 inch nylon webbing with side release plastic buckle.
Columbia convertibles come with a nylon web belt that is really comfortable. I can tell you from experience when I first started backpacking to NEVER use a leather belt. Haha, I had one giant bruise around my waist.
rusty bumper
12-12-2012, 18:38
I wear one of these with my convertible pants:
https://bisondesigns.com/node/570
It's very thin (including the buckle) so it causes no discomfort when it's under my pack's hip belt. Because it's a "slider", it's always just the right size no matter how small (or big) your waist gets!
rusty bumper, you nailed my concern with the interference. thanks for the recommendation.
kayak karl
12-12-2012, 18:58
i wear a tree strap with buckle (http://www.strapworks.com/Side_Release_Buckles_s/40.htm) on it. my dog leach is another backup tree strap.
Just Jack
12-12-2012, 20:23
+1 Suspenders ! What happens is that you lose so much weight that you end up hiking with one
hand holding up your pants-- to keep them from falling down around your knees. Can be embarrasing
if you are hiking commando. At the very least--put suspenders in your pack.
ParkRat09
12-12-2012, 21:22
Patagonia makes great lightweight belts that I use on all my pants including my Columbia convertibles
quilteresq
12-12-2012, 22:08
Am I cheesy to like this one? https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=360&compid=1
Never had a belt for hiking, but I imagine I might need one at some point on the trail.
Maui Rhino
12-13-2012, 04:13
I hated the way my belt buckle interfered with my pack's hipbelt buckle. I ended up making a buckleless belt out of 1 1/2" webbing that closes with 5" of velcro. Very comfy and adjustable. I used mil-spec webbing, doubled up, with heavy stabilizer fabric inside for additional stiffness.
Velvet Gooch
12-13-2012, 07:50
BLACKHAWK! CQB / Rigger's Belt
MIL-STD-858 certified belt. PIA-H-7195 buckles and adapters. 1 3/4" Type 13 webbing (7,000 lb tensile strength) and Type 12 liner. Sewn with #5 nylon cord on a Class 7 machine. Hook-and-loop along the entire length
18404
TheYoungOne
12-13-2012, 10:38
Bison Designs makes a few decent belts for hiking. They make a real lightweight belt that is simply a nylon webbing and a plastic bucket. I know some guys who fly a lot who get these for the airport. Unfortunately if your a 40 waist or larger they don't come in your size. If you don't mind a metal buckle their last chance belt are great. I have a light duty one for hiking and a "Heavy Duty" Smoke Jumper belt one that looks similar Velvet Gooch's belt that I use as a gun belt.
http://www.rei.com/product/737207/bison-designs-ellipse-belt
http://www.rei.com/product/805213/bison-designs-last-chance-belt
+1 Suspenders ! What happens is that you lose so much weight that you end up hiking with one
hand holding up your pants-- to keep them from falling down around your knees. Can be embarrasing
if you are hiking commando. At the very least--put suspenders in your pack.
Yep. Hiked my ass off. Now I need suspenders.
MuddyWaters
12-13-2012, 20:38
flat, thin.
thats why the pants come with those usually.
Many Moons
12-13-2012, 20:43
Finding lots of valuable info here; but not on this topic.
As one who prefers hiking with convertible pants, was wondering if there were recommendations on preferred choice of "belt"? Right, "the pants holder upper.
Don't think u need one. Tighten up built in belt and u will be ok. Thru's on the trail got rid of theirs after a few day this past spring. Go with out one and if you need it buy one in the first town. Hike On!!!
Miller
WalksInDark
12-13-2012, 21:18
Button (not clip on) suspenders. Duluth Trading Co. is where I get mine.(http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-accessories/mens-suspenders/21125.aspx)
P.S. The 2" width of the straps really helps keep my pack from digging into my shoulders!
http://www.amazon.com/ExOfficio-ExO-Tap-Belt-BROWN/dp/B008LZG30M
I like this one but mostly for the built in beer opener. Anything soft and flat will do so it won't rub you raw.
Cat in the Hat
carpattack
12-15-2012, 09:56
I ditched my convertible pants after day 1 and wore the same pair of light weight running shorts all the way to katahdin. Just wear your long underwater under them in the colder months. Never had a problem.
Finding lots of valuable info here; but not on this topic.
As one who prefers hiking with convertible pants, was wondering if there were recommendations on preferred choice of "belt"? Right, "the pants holder upper.
Pedaling Fool
12-15-2012, 10:48
Never been much for wearing belts, but when I lost 50lbs on my hike it became somewhat of a necessity. I simply used one of my backpack securing straps.
http://campsavercontent.campsavercm.netdna-cdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/350x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/i/lib-side-release-accessory-straps_4.jpg (http://campsavercontent.campsavercm.netdna-cdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/i/lib-side-release-accessory-straps_4.jpg)
Old Hiker
12-15-2012, 11:30
[QUOTE=TheYoungOne;1372663]Bison Designs makes a few decent belts for hiking. They make a real lightweight belt that is simply a nylon webbing and a plastic bucket. I know some guys who fly a lot who get these for the airport. Unfortunately if your a 40 waist or larger they don't come in your size. If you don't mind a metal buckle their last chance belt are great. I have a light duty one for hiking and a "Heavy Duty" Smoke Jumper belt one that looks similar Velvet Gooch's belt that I use as a gun belt.
http://www.rei.com/product/737207/bison-designs-ellipse-belt
The above is similar mine, but mine has a Scouting theme to it. I had to pull it in about 4 inches in a little over 35 days for my attempt - lost 30+ pounds in that time. Flat, under my hip belt and I never felt it.
TheYoungOne
12-17-2012, 15:48
http://www.amazon.com/ExOfficio-ExO-Tap-Belt-BROWN/dp/B008LZG30M
I like this one but mostly for the built in beer opener. Anything soft and flat will do so it won't rub you raw.
Cat in the Hat
That is cool. If I knew about it sooner, I would have asked for that belt for Christmas.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z7vFfLDJL._SX385_.jpg
Slo-go'en
12-17-2012, 17:59
What ever you do, make sure it's side squeeze buckle like show in post 21. Last year I bought a pair of EMS pants with a buckle which pops open by pushing on the front of it and it keep't popping open on me. The next thing I'd know my pants would be dropping down around my knees and I'd fall over.
I happened to be in front of the EMS store in Manchester Center, VT during my LT hike so I walked in and started bitching about it, which of course they didn't want to hear about since there was nothing they could do about it. Then I checked out all the pants they had which came with a belt and every type and style used the same belt clasp. I need to remember to get a new belt before I use those pants again...
JoshAuerbach
12-18-2012, 13:52
Here's a tip for a super light weight belt using something you all probably already carry.. a bandana! Rool it up and slip it through the first two loops towards the front on either side, pull tight, and tie it! Simple and easy and it looks good too!
Here's a tip for a super light weight belt using something you all probably already carry.. a bandana! Rool it up and slip it through the first two loops towards the front on either side, pull tight, and tie it! Simple and easy and it looks good too!
That's a pretty cool idea. :)
Cat in the Hat
Slo-go'en
12-19-2012, 00:30
Here's a tip for a super light weight belt using something you all probably already carry.. a bandana! Rool it up and slip it through the first two loops towards the front on either side, pull tight, and tie it! Simple and easy and it looks good too!
At one point I was actually able to use a bandana as a belt - and used all the loops, not just the couple up front. I can't seem to quite do that anymore. Bummer.
I also prefer the button on type suspenders. If you bring a sewing kit as part of your first aid / repair kit it should provide you with endless entertainment on the trail as well as being practical. You can make gear modifications on the fly as well as repairs, and even some build from scratch. Best place to do R&D is on the trail, and whatever you can build on the trail you should be able to repair and improved on the trail for sure. Buttons are good for convertible pants, and sleeves also. You can also add a bib to pants or underwear if they ride too low. If you get it right, you will look totally goofy by the time you are done.