Armory Sponsor
Posted: 6/1/2009 1:18:15 PM EDT
|
Always trying something new.
I often use training classes as a test bed for testing guns, gear, and accessories. At carbine courses in the past I usually wore my SWAT gear or some sort of body armor, plate carrier, or chest rig that I was testing at the time. At Pat Rogers’ 3 day Carbine Operator’s Course last month I decided to change gears and try a padded belt system and suspenders. I have used several different padded belt systems over the years, from the old Eagle Industries Military Web Belt Pad to current designs. Padded belt systems have never worked well for me. My complaints about the padded belt systems I have used is they all tend to be bulky, cumbersome, moved around too much, had a tendency to ride up in the area of the back or on my support side, and weren’t all that comfortable. Because I never found a padded belt system that worked for me, I have always used a Wilderness Instructor’s Belt to hold up my pants and directly attach my tactical holster and thigh mounted gas mask pouch directly to the Wilderness Instructor’s Belt, as is illustrated in this pic from Pat Rogers‘ 2007 carbine course: (Photo Credit - Zak Smith Demigod LLC. - Pic used with permission) 
Having the holster and other gear mounted directly to my trouser belt provides a stable platform, but fatigues and causes discomfort to the hips and lower back after being worn for several hours. Recently I acquired a Blue Force Gear SOC-C Lightweight Duty Belt http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=6&prod_id=149, SOC-C Modular Padded Belt http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=6&prod_id=116, and SOC-C Low Profile Suspenders http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=6&prod_id=138 and figured I would run this set up during all 3 days of Pat’s class. All 3 pieces of the Blue Force Gear padded belt system were typical Blue Force Gear top notch quality (in construction, materials, features, and design). The padded belt had enough padding to be comfortable, but not so much that it was overly bulky or cumbersome. The underside of the padded belt and low profile suspenders is lined with a mesh material to aid with cooling / wicking, the outer side of the padded belt is lined with two rows of MOLLE webbing. The padded belt has a lot of adjustment and is easy to adjust. I wear a 29” waist Levis and I still have approximately 4” of adjustment left (I have the belt system adjusted so I have just enough room to fit it over a light jacket). The lightweight duty belt attaches to the padded belt and is held firmly in place with Velcro. Once attached and adjusted the duty belt and padded belt feel like it’s one belt, not two separate belts. The low profile suspenders are comfortable, low profile enough to be worn under armor without discomfort, and feature an elastic yoke that kept the belt from riding up in the back when doing a lot of movement (ie. prone to standing, kneeling to standing, running, etc). After running the Blue Force Gear SOC-C padded belt system and suspenders for all 3 days of Pat’s class, I found the system was extremely comfortable, I had no issues with fatigue or discomfort in my hips or lower back, easy to don / easy to dof, the belt didn‘t move around, the suspenders were very comfortable (almost didn’t even notice them). Definitely changed my opinion on padded belt systems, and probably one of the most comfortable gear systems I have ever run in a training class. The entire belt system as I used it for Pat’s class: 
Underside, note the mesh material. Very comfortable: 
Adjustment under the lumbar pad: 
To attach the duty belt to the padded belt, you just lift up the Velcro outer flaps on the padded belt. Also note the extra piece of Velcro on the flap, it attaches to the Velcro strip on the Safariland 6004: 
For magazine pouches, I used an ATS Triple M4 Mag shingle http://www.atstacticalgear.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-7340, with an Extreme Gear Labs PiMP double pistol mag pouch, and Loppy dump pouch http://www.extremegearlabs.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=EGL&Category_Code=Magaz, : 
|
Semper Fi,
Jeff
Jeff
|
Originally Posted By stoner63a:
How snug did you wear the SOC Belt? Do you think it would provide any lower back support? I wore it so it was snug over a TAD fleece jacket, that's what I was wearing the first two days. Mid-morning on training day 3 it warmed up and I shedded the jacket. The belt is not made to provide lower back support, it's made to carry gear more comfortably. I don't know of a belt on the market that provides lower back support. Rockin' the Blue Force Gear padded belt in a recent EAG Tactical Carbine Operator's Class: 
|
Semper Fi,
Jeff
Jeff
|
Originally Posted By USMC03:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/FDE%20LMT/af719699.jpg I dig the down bore composition, the flash suppressor, float tube.......nice shot......."Stickman" quality |
Welcome to Rhodesia!
|
Just FYI
Talked to Stephen earlier today about the armor package for the SOC-C belt. He informed me that the armor is in stock and ready to ship but it's not on the website yet. Hopefully this coming week. You can still call in and order, even though it's not on the website. Prices: $349.95 for just the armor and $449.95 for the armor, modular belt, and inner duty belt. All in stock and ready to ship from what I was told. 
|
Semper Fi,
Jeff
Jeff
|
ATS Triple Mag Shingle: Depends on if I need to stack other pouches on top of the shingle (ie. pistol mag pouches, dump pouch, etc).
If I'm not stacking pistol mag pouches on top of the triple mag shingle, I prefer to use the Blue Force Gear 10 Speed M4 Mag Pouch....it's the pouch with the elastic material you were asking about in the last pic I posted. |
Semper Fi,
Jeff
Jeff
|
Originally Posted By kudzu630:
An aside from looking at your set up. Do these courses only require bringing three or four magazines? I've always noticed that there aren't many guys with six or eight mag set ups but rather very light loads. I'm not Jeff but, many courses require you to have a minimum of 4 mags carried. For me, since I run a redi-mod, I have two on the gun, two on my SOC-C belt, and if needed for a long string, I'll throw another in my back pocket to back fill as the string progresses. Bring as many mags as possible to the actual training event, to reduce the amount of time you spend jamming mags in between relays/strings. |
|
Originally Posted By JohnnyP: I just received my Blue Force SOC-C Modular Padded Belt and some other gear to add to it. Let you know in a few how it works! Sent it back, not what I really was looking for and the one size fits all, while a good idea, lends itself to some fit issues with myself. Construction and materials of the belt were ok. Just not what I was looking for in a belt. Really questioning if I need one. An instructors belt and a mag pouch work quite well for my purposes. |
Not overly pleased with mine. The one I received looked like the velcro was sewn 5minutes until quitting time Friday it looked like a rub boards and when I opened the flap in another area the loop velcro pulled loose from the mesh . Granted the customer service was awesome but I dont want to be in the middle of zombie pockeeclips and trying to dial customer service on my SAT phone . Dollar for dollar the ATS is a better buy IMO. Would like to try an ICE(I have his suspenders and there awesome) or SOE belt though.
|
|
F5,
You mentioned that Blue Force Gear's customer service was awesome, how did they take care of things? I had the ICE belt and it just didn't "do it" for me. But we all have different body sizes and shapes and all have different preferences. Use what works best for you. 
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Recently got the armor package for the SOC-C belt, as I was changing out the foam I pull out my digital calipers and here's what I found: Foam - .371" Armor- .264" I can notice a slightly slimmer profile with the armor (over the foam pads). The armor also makes the belt a little more rigid, which should support heavier loads better, the armor doesn't seem to have any effect on comfort (but this is just my initial impression of the armor insert) ..... overall I prefer the belt with the armor inserts. |
Semper Fi,
Jeff
Jeff
|
Originally Posted By USMC03:
F5, You mentioned that Blue Force Gear's customer service was awesome, how did they take care of things? I had the ICE belt and it just didn't "do it" for me. But we all have different body sizes and shapes and all have different preferences. Use what works best for you.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Recently got the armor package for the SOC-C belt, as I was changing out the foam I pull out my digital calipers and here's what I found: Foam - .371" Armor- .264" I can notice a slightly slimmer profile with the armor (over the foam pads). The armor also makes the belt a little more rigid, which should support heavier loads better, the armor doesn't seem to have any effect on comfort (but this is just my initial impression of the armor insert) ..... overall I prefer the belt with the armor inserts. They shipped me a new one that I received within 2 days with a return label for the defective one. IMO that is all well and good but I wouldn't buy another(I too wanted the SOC-C for the armor capabilities and I may very well change my mind). |
|
Originally Posted By stoner63a:
How snug did you wear the SOC Belt? Do you think it would provide any lower back support? For what it is worth, maybe this would work for you too, but several years ago I started having pretty good amount of back pain while wearing my duty belt. I was only using the cheap, POS thin leather basket weave trouser belt that was issued to me. I bought an SOE rigger's belt and it provided so much support for the duty belt that my back pain went away. The caveat is that the belt is both wide and thick so it won't go through jean loops. I don't remember whether it will thread through 5.11 pants. Wilderness belts would be another good option, like the 5 stitch. Not all rigger's belts are created equal though, Tactical Tailor and Blackhawk are just flimsy nylon that will easily fold over on itself. My Wilderness and SOE belts will stand on there edge on a table, Blackhawk and TT won't. I know this is a bit of a hijack and don't mean to take anything away from the original post, but I was so happy my SOE back helped my back I just had to share. |
|
Originally Posted By USMC03:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Bravo%20Company%20Mid-Length/3c546919.jpg Just got my first 10 speed AR mag pouch. Pretty good stuff. They need to make a 2 cell version. First because it would work better on a belt, (not for classes but for work,) and second. it would fit on the front of the USMC03 chest rig. And give you an additional two mags if needed, without adding any bulk or compromising its conceal ability. |
Join us at The Colorado AR-15 Shooters Site: www.co-ar15.com
Proud owner, of Bravo Company USA #95.
Proud owner, of Bravo Company USA #95.
|
Originally Posted By Lancelot:
Originally Posted By USMC03:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Bravo%20Company%20Mid-Length/3c546919.jpg Just got my first 10 speed AR mag pouch. Pretty good stuff. They need to make a 2 cell version. First because it would work better on a belt, (not for classes but for work,) and second. it would fit on the front of the USMC03 chest rig. And give you an additional two mags if needed, without adding any bulk or compromising its conceal ability. We will debut our greatly expanded Ten Speed line at SHOT Show this year (including a single and double Ten Speed M4 magazine pouch). Stephen |
|
Originally Posted By jonathon:
Are my eyes deceiving me, or does it look like the BFG belt uses a single layer of Cordura where the webbing is? We use a single layer of Cordura (as appropriate) in most of our products. I'm not sure exactly which part of our belt you're referring to though. If you look at the AAR's coming out of Iraq and, more specifically, Afghanistan our troops are continually requesting lighter weight equipment. We try to design and build our products around customer demand and eliminating excessive weight is part of that. Stephen |
|
Originally Posted By stephen_101st:
Originally Posted By Lancelot:
Originally Posted By USMC03:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Bravo%20Company%20Mid-Length/3c546919.jpg Just got my first 10 speed AR mag pouch. Pretty good stuff. They need to make a 2 cell version. First because it would work better on a belt, (not for classes but for work,) and second. it would fit on the front of the USMC03 chest rig. And give you an additional two mags if needed, without adding any bulk or compromising its conceal ability. We will debut our greatly expanded Ten Speed line at SHOT Show this year (including a single and double Ten Speed M4 magazine pouch). Stephen Cool. Thanks. If the pouches were just a shade wider, we could shove a Motorola radio in there. Just a hint for the singles. |
Join us at The Colorado AR-15 Shooters Site: www.co-ar15.com
Proud owner, of Bravo Company USA #95.
Proud owner, of Bravo Company USA #95.
More pics of the belt being used in a LMS Defense carbine course can be seen in this article:
03designgroup | Blue Force Gear SOC-C Modular Belt System (updated with armor package) 
|
www.03designgroup.com
S/F,
Jeff
S/F,
Jeff
Armory Sponsor