lightweight belt

[Paul S]

Looking for a lightweight hiking-oriented belt for pants that don’t have a built-in belt. It needs to be thin in thickness so as not to irritate my hips when carrying a heavy pack. Any suggestions? A lot of hiking clothes have no belt and it’s hard to get the waist size to be exactly right..hence the need for a belt.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Keith T]

This same question was posted to r/ultralight yesterday. (Maybe it was you!) The most popular response was the Arcade belt. I have no personal experience with Arcade.

[Dan]

I just use a 1″ webbing strap. You can buy one or make it, cut it to your preferred length.

 

 

[Terran Terran]

I have a Groove belt or Hilltop sells a cheap one.

[David Thomas]

I’ve got lightweight nylon pants that came with, basically, 3/4″ bias tape and a 3/4″ Fastex Ladder Lock (the bit that lets you adjust the shoulder straps on a day pack).  Very very light.  And low profile.  If the Ladder Lock doesn’t grip that thin webbing well enough, you can take a file to the teeth and make them sharper and grippier.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Rather tahn a belt, you might consider getting your pants tailored for a perfect fit.  Less weight anyways.  My 2 cents.

[JCH]

I bought these 3 years ago and they are the only belts I wear…work, hiking, everywhere. Low profile and stealthy.  Inexpensive as well.

[andrew elmore]

I really like the Patagonia Friction belt.  https://www.patagonia.com/product/friction-belt/59179.html  62g/2.2 ounces.  Simple & sturdy.

[Paul S]

Thanks for all your suggestions!

[MJ H]

Rather tahn a belt, you might consider getting your pants tailored for a perfect fit. Less weight anyways. My 2 cents.

That wouldn’t work for me. My waist size changes by enough to matter (I’ve never thought to measure) over the course of a day of hiking. I think it’s just my stomach emptying and water weight dropping.

[BC Bob]

I made one like what Dan posted, with the side-release buckle.  I used grosgrain instead of webbing.  Adjust to any size.  Weight: 7 grams.

[simon t]

Montane Loop belt.  30g.  Been using one daily for over a year.  https://montane.com/products/montane-loop-belt

 

 

[talagnu]

it doesn’t get more lightweight and minimal than a shoelace belt https://www.lacordathreads.com/

[Jerry Adams]

or 4 mm paracord – 10 g

I use that and 4 mm elastic – enough to keep my pants on if I’m not carrying anything in pockets

[Matthew / BPL]

That Montane belt looks like a nice solution that I’d rock in daily life too. Are there any sources in the US that don’t charge $LOL for shipping?

[Sam Farrington]

The problem with pants belts is what happens when the pack belt presses against them.
The solution is to use a pants belt that has as little thickness as possible, and then use a sidearm pack that is open at the front, so there is nothing that presses against the minimal pant belt and your gut.

I’ve hiked with this arrangement for decades, and the comfort has dwarfed anything else, and kept me backpacking comfortably. The only concern was the weight of the sidearms, and that has been greatly reduced by use of Easton .340 alloy tubes bent to shape, an approach developed by Roger Caffin with his “Rolling Jenny” tube bender. Will post when the latest design, with an hourglass-shaped frame with a suspended mesh backband , is completed. The latter has been developed by LL Beam and Osprey, among others, and the key is to allow just enough stretch in the band to allow the wearer to bend over., but keep the weight around the hips when standing up. Osprey sometimes missed the boat on that one, but not Beans.

[Daryl and Daryl]

JCH

I followed up on your belt tip.

Very satisfied.

 

Thanks

[JCH]

Daryl and Daryl

Glad you like it.  Lack of any metal makes air travel calmer as well :)

[Victor Jorgensen]

I am considering belt options also.  This is the one that I just ordered, which is inexpensive.  What makes it a bit different is the stretch webbing.  If I am understanding this correctly, it should help conform to wrapping through belt loops while staying flatter against my back, for less irritation under a pack waist belt.

I have no experience with it yet.  But I plan to use it for work and hiking.

From the website description:

Stretchable–Nylon strap with proper stretchability,it provides a best comfortability to adapt the waist varies in different movement or feeding;

 

[George W]

I use the webbing strap from REI that comes with the quick release. I’ve used the same two for several years every day and had no issues, they still look new.

$10 for a pack of two. I have the older version that is all black, the newer version has a bit of red trim.

https://www.rei.com/product/214311/gear-aid-1-utility-strap-package-of-2

[Lowell k]

Cinch Belts work for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Canvas-Military-Solid-Double-Buckle/dp/B078PH69QZ/ref=sr_1_24?crid=1ZIWBWRHPE32B&keywords=cinch+belt+for+men&qid=1685835013&sprefix=cinch+%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-24

 

 

[Ben H.]

I have one of these. 1 1/4″ webbing with a lightweight plastic buckle. It’s a pretty minimalist belt and fits comfortably under my pack. I’m think they used to be cheaper:

[Paul S]

I ended-up ordering, and receiving the Montane Belt.

At first glace it seems like about right! It’s thin (low profile) and adjusts easily, and the buckle is small. I do believe it will do the trick. I will report back after some use.

Thanks to all for your suggestions, MUCH appreciated!

 

[Mustard Tiger]

I’ll second the Patagonia Friction Belt. I’ve had one for over 20 years. Wore it when alpine and ice climbing, hiking, camping and then wore it for years as a work belt. Still have it and only stopped using it maybe 6 months ago.

[Author]

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