I have a lot of experience with Wilderness instructor belts, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the "clones" made by companies like Uncle Mike's, Blackwater, etc. Thanks.

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Aaron Terry

I like the Wilderness belts, and have only limited experience with others.

The Galco (generally a good product) belts are reinforced. That makes them so thick that a Surefire polymer light holder doesn't fit onto it without two hands and a second person... too (thick) tight.

The five-stitching on my Wilderness originals, are plenty stiff and haven't loosened up it about 6 years of regular use.

I have an Uncle Mike's that is close, but stiffer (also has a reinforcement), and heavier, but with less (thinner) nylon. They come in small, medium, and large. My correct size would be in between small and medium.

The Wilderness belts are made to your specs. (in between medium and small) Even my narrow Frequent Flyer is five-stitched... I think that extra stitching is what makes the difference is long life... I never tried their three-stitched models.

I use the Uncle Mike's for training in the dirt and mud (expendable since it doen't fit a well), and wear the Wilderness for daily carry and work. The Galco is in a pile of surplus I'm trying to give away... also the Galco's velcro is frayed from very little use.

Other than that I don't have much practical experience.

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GA

Thanks Yellowstone.

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Aaron Terry

After a year of everyone telling me I needed a better belt, I just bought a Wilderness Instructor. They were all right, what a difference a good belt makes.

Some of the imitators use thinner nylon with a plastic insert to stiffen the belt. Does help support the weight at the expense of your hips-tends to dig in instead of flex.

Truth be told I was so happy with my first one, that it never dawned on me to look at any others when I ordered two more for myself and one for my friend as a birthday gift.