Reader Greg P. Chabot writes,
I’ve always had difficulty finding a comfortable belt and buckle for hiking and other activities. Having a belt buckle digging into your waist while rucking can make for a miserable experience. GPM Kit, a small Veteran-owned company based in Carson California has come up with a solution to that problem, their Outdoor Applications Belt.
Patrick Moltrup, the owner of GPM Kit, is a former infantry Marine and retired Navy SWCC member. Patrick explained how he came up with his innovative design.
While hiking the Appalachian Trail post,deployment, I had on the right clothes, a good pack and it was a great day. But as the day wore on and my pack shifted, the rigger’s belt I was wearing got more annoying. No adjustment helped. I resigned myself to the fact it was just a poor product. As I hiked further, I thought about doing it simpler and better. After my trip I went home got some webbing and went to work. I refined the design through multiple combat deployments, receiving a patent for the design in 2015.
After corresponding with Patrick, I went ahead and purchased one. I’ve been wearing it every day for the past three months and I am very impressed with its simplicity and comfort.
The belt’s made from American materials made right there in Carson. The stitching is top-notch and even with everyday wear, I’ve seen no signs of fraying yet.
The hook and loop closures have extra stitching and securely keep the belt in place. The belt is buckle-free — It basically loops into itself — which adds to the comfort level.
The Outdoor Applications Belt comes with detailed instructions or one can watch a video to see how to properly put it on.
It’s simple enough and after a couple of times I had it down pat.
I’ve worn my belt with various makes and styles of trousers and shorts and have had no issues with keeping my pants up, even when toting a pistol. And it won’t loosen itself, even during a day of hiking or doing a day’s work.
The Outdoor Applications Belt is more than firm enough to use at the range and for concealed carry. At no time did my holsters or mag pouches cause the belt to loosen in the slightest. And the Outdoor Application Belt provides enough support that my weapon doesn’t lean away from my body, causing printing. I’ve had issues with that in the past with other belts doing that.
Best of all is the lack of a buckle digging into me while shooting prone or hiking with a full-sized pack. For those emergency trips into the brush, the belt also comes off just as fast as a regular belt, in case you were wondering.
Using my imagination, I tried a few alternative uses, too. The Outdoor Applications Belt makes a halfway decent sling for a rifle. It’s not perfect, but will definitely do in a pinch. In lieu of a bungie cord it can also be used to secure cargo in a vehicle.
To test its strength and security, I attached a carabiner to the belt, hooked myself to my deck and leaned back. The Outdoor Applications Belt held my 200-plus pounds securely. There are probably better ways to improvise a climbing harness, but it’s good to know the belt can handle it if you don’t have another option.
I found the GPM Kit Outdoor Application belt the most comfortable belt I’ve ever worn. It was very versatile and suitable for everyday wear. To be honest I couldn’t find anything about the belt I did not like. GPM Kit also offers their bigger, more robust Combat Applications Belt which has many features of a rigger’s belt but again, without the buckle.
Specifications: GPM Kit Outdoor Applications Belt
Sizes: S (30), M (34), L (38), XL (42) with adjustments
Colors: Black, Desert Tan, OK and Camo
Price: $45
Ratings (out of five stars):
Comfort: * * * * *
The buckle-free design easily makes this the most comfortable belt I have ever worn.
Quality: * * * * *
The quality materials and stitching have held up well after three months of use and look like they’ll last for years. Being made in the USA is a bonus.
Strength: * * * * *
The belt held my full body weight of 200-plus pounds. Enough said.
Overall: * * * * *
The design allows other uses besides holding up one’s pants. I’m a fan of gear that can be used for improvised task.