Defense Mechanisms: Inner and Outer Belt

[@charlieghague]

After trying the GBRS belt, I really don't want an overly stiff belt anymore. I was super sketch about how floppy that belt is at first but I really like it. It moves with my body so much better and isn't restrictive at all. It's also a lot less bulky than other belts so gear sits closer to my body. I like it a lot better than super stiff belts made of webbing now.

[@rabun1]

GBRS belts are pretty shitty

[@DC-bk6ep]

I’m an LEO and use this belt for duty. I don’t have an outer vest so the belt holds all my gear. That being said it does a phenomenal job and I haven’t had a problem with it. Before this belt I used a blue alpha gear belt. I prefer the mech belt due to it being lighter and thinner.

[@tizdizzley]

I still use my blue alpha for duty use and I prefer it over the mech belt. I use my mech belt for my swat belt and it works well in that capacity for me.

[@merpinallday]

What inner belt do you use with the mech belt?

[@powdrman30]

Thanks for the review. I was looking for someone else to give it a good, fair look before I pulled the trigger. Truth is I’ve been running an old Condor LCS Cobra for 4 or 5 years, and I’ve been perfectly happy because I haven’t had anything to compare it to. However, like you said, in that time there have been so many belts come out that I realized I was missing the bus for a number of reasons. First the fitment and structure were obviously greatly improved along with the massive weight reduction. The problem was there were so many belts, how could you know which one to choose? Anyways thanks again for giving it a fair shake.

[@cameron3525]

I’ve liked using the defense mechanisms belt. Haven’t had any issues with it yet

[@TSM-pt4ti]

I just got my belt earlier in the week. And so far I’m enjoying it I use it daily for work. Only issue is when I have my handcuffs in the front they get in the way of tightening the buckle. But it’s not the end of the world.

[@mikecarystranahan6491]

You need a top gear recommended list

[@EODFish]

People keep saying that. I have never watched one and agreed with it.

[@robert1539]

@@EODFishshould still do it lol, we don’t have to agree 🙂

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

​@@EODFish I dont think thats the point. A consolidated video that briefly touches on "my fave belt, chest rig etc" has a lot of utility. Especially from someone who reviews a lot of high end stuff.

[@george398]

I hate that overlap on the front of the outer. Once you pull that velcro over top, there really isn't much to tighten, so the buckle becomes just a second security lock which i prefer as the primary lock as used in other molle belts. I haven't had issues, but that overlap I think is unnecessary. Overall, I'm happy with mine and the quality. They also took out a new inner padded belt I'm waiting for.

[@mooairsoft5480]

Personally, I enjoy the overlap and it's noticeable more "structural" than my ronin repro because of it.

[@tophergauruder3647]

Is it just me or does it feel like every other week a new belt comes out?

[@jessegpresley]

great for the consumer.

[@EODFish]

It does, that was the cause of my distaste for this initially.

[@itsmegator1019]

Slings are even worse for that lol

[@collinjones311]

It is pretty much the same as the Trex belt.that was announced about the exact same.time too

[@EODFish]

@@collinjones311 the TREX came after I believe.

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Thanks for the review! I'm really nervous about ordering one of these because I keep hearing about the sizing being too large. I wear 38 pants. I'm guessing I should get a 36 belt. I'm not trying to wait 8 extra weeks sending it back.

[@happysanchezjr.9162]

The mollie tags, insert the opposite way you did it.

[@EODFish]

They don’t when you are forced to mount it wrong by the belt.

[@McMeatBag]

But reddit said this is the best belt ever :(

[@EODFish]

It’s not a bad belt, that’s for sure.

[@TARandFEATHERS]

The more the better. Competition leads to lower cost.

[@SemproniusD]

No offense - too many belts on the market isn’t a issue for DM. Makes it difficult to select one but great they everyone does run the same “Meta”.

[@JoseFlores-pm7qg]

Hey man, you seem to know belts very well. Could you recommend a good inner and outer? One that I wouldn't have to go 3 days without food and shelter just to purchase preferably? Gotta love this economy.

[@EODFish]

I’d be weary of any combo less than $100. In that range, the Eagle and the AWS belts are great.

[@JoseFlores-pm7qg]

@@EODFish As my first belt, do you think this one that is on this video is worth a go?

[@EODFish]

@JoseFlores-pm7qg no. I don’t recommend this belt to anyone as a starting point as it has some functionality nuances to it.

[@SaltyBob355]

Disagree. More competition is better. We have enough of the SAME belts. I would like all belt companies to sell the inner and outer separately at a lower price so we can mix and match. I like my Kore essentials outer belt but would like the inner to have that slide buckle to help hold one end and cinch it tight. Plus I want the inner to be black for EDC but the outer to be multicam for outdoor range sessions.

[@emersonchattin9512]

I bought this belt to replace my Emdom. Using their sizing guide, I ordered a 34 as I wear a 34 pant size. Their sizing sucks. It’s way to big. I could have probably ordered a 30 or 32 and been fine. To much extra material to deal with. I went back to my Emdom.

[@multicam_goth]

Same exact issue. They were cool about exchanging for a smaller size. But they’re made to order so I’m still waiting for my replacement.

[@emersonchattin9512]

@@multicam_goth same here.

[@mooairsoft5480]

Yeah, I'm a size 30 pant and ordered a 30 and it was too big but I made it work by cranking down the adjustment. Barely fits me with combat pants and an inner belt but it works. According to their sizing, you should order 1 size down.

[@cincinnatiking8008]

@@mooairsoft5480 So if wear 38 pants, I should order a 36 mech belt? What about the inner belt? Is it also oversized?

[@cincinnatiking8008]

What about the inner belt? I wear 38 pants. Should I go with 36 on the inner and outter?

[@HeathLCK]

I'll stick with my old Ronin Senshi. If I didn't have a belt, this would be in the race.

[@EODFish]

My thoughts exactly.

[@danielprince5547]

I use the senshi with the DM inner belt (Senshi inner belt leaves a few things to be desired) and it’s a great setup.

[@woody51489]

I calipered mine and it’s 1.83” in height

[@EODFish]

That explains why my concern wasn’t proven.

[@o0oitzJimmy]

Do you recommend the inner belt as a edc? Or stand alone field belt?

[@Buck762]

I'm a 34, per their site I need to order a 32. Using your belt as an example it looks like there is a lot of extra material overlapping on the outer belt. If you were to order yourself one are you happy with the 32 or would you go down to a 30?

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Did you ever order one? My waist is 42 inch and I wear size 38 pants. I don't know if I should get 38 or 36.

[@miles267]

@@cincinnatiking8008did you ever get an answer to this? I’m been searching for same answer.

[@cincinnatiking8008]

@@miles267 no, I ended up ordering the Blue Alpha Gear Battle Lite because it has a better adjustment, which I use often depending on what I'm wearing. You can adjust both ends of the belt, and the tail ends go on the inside. I added a Wilder Tactical Urban Assault Pad to it so I can wear the belt without an inner belt. That will be very useful during the winter with heavier clothing. I'd take a look at the Battle Lite if I was you. I think EOD Fish also has a review on it. They're sizing is accurate. I just ordered my pants size. Shipping took about two weeks. They have a super simple exchange. If you order the wrong size you just request an exchange, and they'll send you a new belt with a shipping label to return the first belt, so you keep the first belt until you receive the new size. It's all free.

[@miles267]

@@cincinnatiking8008 I did end up ordering the DM Mech (with inner belt and pad) since they have such long lead times. Ultimately I need one for training that is comfortable and adjustable. I had started searching for the Blue Force Gear Grid belt but they were on back order which sent me on a path to researching options. I may also grab this other option for comparison. And for now just plan to add Blue Force Gear 10 speed rifle and pistol mag pouches for training. My waist isn’t big enough to offer much real estate for other accessories 😂

[@miles267]

@@cincinnatiking8008 I’ve also ordered a Blue Alpha Battle Belt Lite. I got a size 30 in both their inner and outer belt. However when I went to the Wilder Tactical page their Urban Assault Pad comes in a small (29 inch) or medium (31 3/4 inch). Which size pad would you get? Which sizing did you get? Thanks.

[@Call991]

Would you say it’s better than the AXL eclipse ?

[@EODFish]

Heavens no. Not a fan of this at all.

[@Call991]

@@EODFish thanks for the honest reply. Certain channels are raving about this belt and knocking on the AXL.

[@davidbrowning7636]

@@EODFish In the video you seemed to give the impression that this was a perfectly fine belt. Has the last 7 months changed your opinion of it that significantly? What about it has soured you to it?

[@EODFish]

@davidbrowning7636 I just rewatched to make sure I was consistent in my thoughts. I have to try to remove my personal bias as much as possible when running though these things. The belt is well made and has some good things going for it but from a functional standpoint it does nothing for me. MOLLE is the way until it isn’t and this accepts MOLLE only as an afterthought.

[@davidbrowning7636]

@@EODFish Thanks for the clarification, and I appreciate the honesty of your reviews.

[@nikolaswirz4022]

Are they somehow associated with T.Rex arms or is the new T.Rex two-piece belt just a blatant copy of this design?

[@EODFish]

Only so many ways to skin that cat. I’m hesitant to call things copies when so many people try so many things so close together.

[@nikolaswirz4022]

@@EODFish Fair enough. Though I do think it’s hilarious how T.rex tried to sell their belt as some sort of super innovative design when it looks almost identical and was released shortly after the Defense Mechanisms belt. By the way, is the AXL still your favourite option for a tegris belt?

[@Tarburz]

@@nikolaswirz4022 the Trex belt was designed in early 2021. It took almost two years for them to release it due to material supply chain issues. It's not liek they saw the DM belt and "whipped" something up in a month or two. lmao

[@EODFish]

Sure

[@Tarburz]

@@EODFish I mean, I saw it so 💁🏻 Lucas showed it o his twitch, and posted pictures of it on his IG a full year+ before it released