Duty gear, nylon or basketweave?

Duty belt, nylon or basketweave?

  • Nylon

    Votes: 11 35.5%

  • Basketweave

    Votes: 20 64.5%
  • Total voters
    31
  • Poll closed .
G

Grog

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I'll be getting a P/T armed security job somewhat soon (later to be full time) and want your opinion on duty gear. I've done armed work for 12 years, so I'm not a rookie when it comes to wearing all this garbage all day.


What do you prefer, nylon or basketweave? I've worn nylon forever, my last job of nine years issued it (quality holster, mag pouch, Glock 22) I replaced everything else with my own stuff.


I happened to luck into getting a new Safariland basketweave belt in my size (fat) for $10 new. My only issue is it's suede lined and not velcro like I'm used to, but I guess enough keepers would make me happy. I'd be carrying either a 5900 series or a Glock, so there seems to be plentiful basketweave available on egay that is NOS plus a lot of the other stuff you end up carrying.

I already have some nylon holsters (good stuff) so I might try to go ahead and build up a complete set of both nylon and basketweave. That way, I could always wear the basketweave when I want to look spiffy :D
 
I believe that basketweave leather looks better, and ages better. However nylon is a lot lighter, and if you are wearing it every day weight is a huge factor. It sounds like we are both in the same line of work. I started out with an entire nylon rig, and in the last year we have "upgraded" to leather. I can say that the leather looks better, but they both serve the exact same purpose with no greater benefits. That purpose being, it hold all your stuff at your waist with easy excess. The nylon rig was lighter, a lot lighter. I miss that thing sooooo much.

My rig consists of a 3 inch belt, metal belt buckle, (the nylon rig had a plastic snap), latex glove holder, holster, asp holder, pepper spray holder, handcuff holder, keyring, flashlight holder, double magazine holder, and taser holster. Everything is leather except the taser holster.

Like I said I had the same rig but everything was nylon, and it was a good 3-5 lbs lighter, no joke. That doesn't sound like a lot of weight, but when wearing it everyday, all day it is enormous.
 
I should point out, basketweave does not equil leather, I do have a Safariland belt and they haven't sold real leather in decades :D
 
I prefer leather for uniformed work but not basketweave just plain with no visible buckles or snaps.
 
Nylon...your back will thank you...I switched all my basket-weave duty gear out for Bianchi accumold. I think it looks cleaner too....but it also depends on whether you want ot look all spit shiny or semi-tactical...:)
 
For 30+ years leather has served me well...however, nylon web is worn on those occasions when I am assigned to lake duty, also as the hair greys(and/or falls out- in my case both) a set of Uncle Mike's duty belt suspenders is a welcome addition...if the gold badges will allow it.
 
I voted nylon in the poll because it asked about the duty belt. My favorite rig had an Uncle Mikes duty belt that looked like plain smooth leather, ( I don't remember what it was called.), but the holsters I wore were custom made leather and you couldn't tell they weren't made of the same material.

Most accessorites were leather if available, smooth nylon or plastic if not, depending on what was available. I did have a second rig for bicycle patrol which was all nylon but it wasn't loaded down as much as the other one and I carried a semi auto on bike patrol.

One way to ease the weight problem is to balance the belt out as much as possible from one side to the other, and never put anything in the back if you ride in a car. One nice thing about being a fat cop is that you have more belt to put more junk on. That keeps more pockets empty to hold your donuts.
 
Basketweave...........nylon is for the ladies' legs.

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Since I don't wear a duty rig on the job my opinion is based soley on appearance, it's hard to beat like the look of tooled leather...
 
I was going to vote, but since you didn't have an option for floral carved leather gear...
 
Leather may creak and squeak. I wear a Bianchi River belt and their No. 5BHL holster with a S&W M-66-3. BIanchi speedloader pouch.

Have another holster, just the next size larger, for a Ruger GP-100.

And have also a Safariland Model 29 for the M-66. All these are basket stamped real leather.

I tried a Bianchi Accumold rig, and the plastic buckle broke! Haven't tried synthetic since. It's probably better now.
 
You could always get the best of both worlds and get Bianchi Accumold Elite. Nylon molded to look like plain or basketweave leather. Safariland also makes a Kydex holster with a basketweave look. Matches without getting scuffed up by doorframes, seatbelt buckles, and steering wheels.
 
Just found out my P/T (unarmed) job has been bumped to 44hrs a week in addition to my regular 40hr a week job. I guess I can afford to go ahead and get a set of each? :D


I have considered the Accumold Elete, except I rarely see any NOS on egay and I can't stand that most new Bianchi and Safariland stuff is made in mexico. I feel if I buy it second hand, it's not really putting money into the hands of a company who sends jobs south of the border.


Hell, I'd rather see a Safariland 070 made in China than mexico :(
 
Unless you're wearing Class C's, bdu's, etc, then I vote for basketweave. I personally don't care for the nylon look with a Class A uniform.

I've always used Safariland duty gear, but I think next time around (should I have a choice) I'm going to give Bianchi's Accumold Elite a try. I still plan to stick with a Safariland holster though.
 
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