Tier 1 Concealed’s EDC-S Belt restocked just in time for Black Friday so I was lucky enough to buy one at a discount. In my search for the ultimate carry belt, I initially considered the the Constantine Carry Belt™. Compared to other belts, I couldn’t find a single negative review about it. I also found out that T1C sells the almost identical carry belt under their brand, called the EDC-S Belt. I recently purchased an Axis Slim holster from T1C, so decided to go with their version of the belt. Since it has three loops for fastening instead of the Constantine version’s two, allowing additional adjustment was also a key factor in my decision. There was also a Black Friday sale going on at T1C, so the discount made the decision easier considering the belt’s premium price tag.
What’s so great about this belt? This unique belt combines the stiffness you need to carry a handgun in the front of the belt with an elastic rear which allows some flex and a whole lot of comfort. With a traditional belt, you can feel your gear pushing into your body during movements such as sitting or bending over. With the EDC-S belt, this is minimized due to the slack that the elastic part of the belt provides, without sacrificing the required stiffness of the belt in the front.
Delivery: I received my order in about a week after placing it. It arrived via USPS in a small black plastic bag with literally nothing else included. It was a bit underwhelming, especially since I had just ordered a holster from T1C which included a cinch bag and a sticker as extras. Paying over $100 for this belt, I would expect a little bit of swag with it or better packaging so this was disappointing and made the product appear less premium to be honest.
Appearance/Design: This is a minimalist concealed carry belt, so it’s not exactly made with aesthetics in mind. There is an adjustment slide on the elastic part of the belt to allow even finer adjustments than just the 3 adjustment loops mentioned previously. The belt is worn with the buckle fastening to the belt on your 9 o’clock position, since the stiff side of the belt should face the front of your body. It’s a little awkward to get the belt on at first, but easy to get used to. I also did find two points of frayed stitching on the belt which was also a bit disappointing. But overall the construction of the belt seems more than sturdy enough for daily use.
Also this belt is pretty much designed only for AIWB. The stiff part of the belt is designed to face your front, so mounting a holster on the elastic part of the belt is probably not recommended.
Fit and Comfort: Hands down the major advantage of this belt is the comfort. The combination of stiffness and elasticity sounds counterintuitive, but it just works. It’s hard to describe, but the belt has the right amount of give; not stretchy enough that your gear gets loose, but stiff enough to keep everything solidly in place. With this belt I have no problems picking stuff off the ground or even squatting. It’s also easy to loosen or tighten with minimal disruption by moving the buckle hook to a different loop.
Overall this is a no frills belt that I think checks the box for most concealed carriers. Its minimalist design not only keeps your gear securely in place but also ensures exceptional comfort. I should stress that since people have different body shapes, the overall comfort experienced with the belt would also depend on what type of handgun and holster you’re using. For $115, the price is quite daunting for a belt, but I will say that it’s totally worth it. You may have to get in line though, because these are usually out of stock!
Specs:
Size: Small (26-36″), Regular (30-42″)
Colors: Black, Tan
Width: 1.5″