Handguns, especially those designed for personal protection, are constantly evolving and the same can be said for concealed-carry gear. Take holsters, for example: Just a few decades ago the majority of them were constructed of leather. Today, the popularity of polymer holsters has virtually eclipsed leather models.
Belts have followed a similar pattern. Leather holster belts are often constructed of two layers of leather for added rigidity, but despite the added stability (thanks to the layers) repeated exposure to heat and perspiration typically causes leather models to sag under a handgun’s weight and ultimately to lose their stiffness over the course of as little of a year.
Though it resembles a typical leather belt at first glance, Bullhide Belts’ Super Hercules offers a practical synthetic alternative that is ultra-tough and built to last. The secret lies in its hybrid construction. A polymer exterior provides a robust base that is an impressive 5/32-inch thick, while serving as an effective sealant from water—both regular and salt water—as well as sweat (a major enemy of leather belts). The exterior resists all moisture and scratches while offering anti-microbial protection from germs.
Inside, an internal polyester webbing adds extra strength. The combination makes for a belt that is stiff as Kydex and won’t stretch or fold over on itself—all while retaining a high-tensile strength of 6,000 PSI. This level of construction makes the Hercules an ideal option for someone who works or spends lots of time in the elements. Those same uncompromising characteristics make it an ideal piece of gear for concealed-carry licensees.
Available in black or brown and sizes ranging from 32 to 56 inches, the Hercules measures 1.5 inches wide and is offered in a variety of buckle and keeper options, or if you want to use either different hardware or your own removable Chicago screws makes swapping hardware a cinch.
As someone who has been carrying concealed for more than 20 years, I go through a lot of gear. Being wheelchair bound with cerebral Palsy makes my temperature run higher than normal and the mercury doesn’t need to rise for this gimpy gunwriter to sweat buckets. As such, I go through belts quicker than most. Nylon instructor/rigger’s belts always fit too loose and didn’t offer nearly enough support for daily or extended use.
Design aside, this belt is unlike any other I’ve reviewed—to the extent that a Bullhide belt (under an older model name) has been part of my daily concealed-carry complement for nearly a decade, and it is showing no signs of being ready for replacement.
If you’re looking for a holster belt that is super-tough and built to last, the Super Hercules belt is built for the long term. Best of all, prices start at a mere $59.99. Check out BullhideBelts.com for more info.
