I have been carrying an Officers ACP roughly 5 days a week since mid 2008. I got my belman 1.5 no stiffner last year and have not found the need for the extra piece. I carried in an owb el paso saddlery tortilla.
A few years back...I tried and aker with the plastic stiffner.... found that belt to dig into me on the poly side when I tighten one extra hole when on the street (reg street clothes).
I have switched to a lwt dw cco and I don't even feel it after 8hrs.
For my gunbelt I got a belt blank made from harness leather and cut it to length and dyed it black. I have all of $20.00 in it with tax, nit counting the buckle. It has never let me down. Got it at Tandy Leather.
If you can fold your belt in half vertically it is not sturdy enough. I am using a Carhartt work belt that cost me $20.00 or so and it does a great job with the heaviest of loads.
I get mine from Dillon Precision. They come in black or brown, 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" wide, and various lengths. They are thick and sturdy. Been using them over 10 years and have had no problems.