There is no magic gun belt sizing formula that works for EVERY person and EVERY gear combination. The best and most accurate method of determining what size belt you should order is to actuallyMEASURE a belt that you currently wear. But as a general rule of thumb, in MOST cases the belt will need to be 3" to 6" greater than your pants waist size, depending on whether you plan to wear a holster, what kind of holster, and the size of the holster. In some cases with a very large Inside The Waistband (IWB) holster, a belt 7" greater than pants waist size might be appropriate.
How to measure your current belt (make sure to use a belt that doesn't stretch):
Put the belt on WITHwhatever gear you plan to wear on your Beltman belt(holster, extra mags, flashlight, etc). Adjust the belt to the proper snugness for security and comfort, and take note ofthe hole you are using. Then take the belt off and lay it out STRAIGHT on a table and measure from the FAR ENDof its buckle to the hole you used during your fit-test. Round themeasurementto the nearest inch, and ifyour measurement is exactly on the half-inch, we recommend you round UP to the next inch.
This measurement represents the actual circumference ofyour waist (with pants on) and is the size belt you need to order. For example, if your current belt measures 38 inches from the FAR END of the buckle to the hole you use (with your holster or other gear on), then order a size 38 Beltman belt, which will be 38 inches from the FAR END of the buckle to the CENTER hole, which will give you maximum adjustability in both directions.
If you don't currently have a non-stretchy belt that fits you well, use a cloth tape measure to measure the circumference of your waist (WITH pants on). Put the tape measure through the belt loops on your pants and pull it just a LITTLE snug. Note the measurement to the nearest inch (and again, round up if right on the half-inch).
The measurement you get with either of these methods is the size belt you should order, and will likelybe larger than you think your waist is -- this is normal. In most cases, a person's measured circumference around their pants and through the belt loops, is 3" to 6" greaterthan their pants size. The exact difference between pants size and belt size will depend on the gear you plan to wear with your belt,as well as your personal preferences with regard to snugness. But if the measurement you get with either of the methods described above is NOT 3" to 6" greater than your pants size, we recommend you call us to discuss the discrepancy.
If you plan to use your Beltman belt for casual or dress wear, or with an Outside Waistband Holster, a belt that is 4" larger than your pants size would probably fit well. If you use an Inside Waistband Holster (IWB), adding 5" to your pants size will usually work, although if your IWB hoster and gun is especially large/bulky, you might need to add 6" or even 7" to your pantssize.
Although measuring a current belt and/or using a cloth measuring tape to measure yourself are the most dependable methods of determining your size, you can use thetable below as a quick reference.
But first, a few more comments about sizing: You are about to buy a dual layer gun belt made from a selection of several different types of leather; bull hide, horse hide, or elephant, or a combination of two of them. Our belts are designed to be stiff and firm to support your side arms and other gear, and they will do all of that very well. However, they will not defy gravity! If you hang a two-pound pistol on ANY belt and don't buckle it up snugly enough, it's going to sag. This should be remembered as you are choosing which hole in your current belt to measure to, especially if you are going to be carrying IWB. And many of our customers use the same belt for IWB carry and casual wear without a firearm. If this is what you have in mind, and you carry IWB often enough, and if your measurement when carrying versus NOT carrying is significantly different (2 inches or more), you can order a belt IN BETWEEN the two measurements. If you carry IWB every day, measure that way. If you don't carry at all,measure that way.
If you have any questions about getting a properly sized belt, please don't hesitate to call us at 205-415-5000. We look forward to helping you get an awesome gunbelt that fits perfectly!
The numbers in the chart below are NOT recommendations, but are the most common belt sizesthat work for the listed pants sizes. But measuring a belt that currently fits you is the BEST way to get YOUR belt size, so please only use the chart below as a last resort if you simply CAN'T find (or borrow) a belt that fits you.
(OWB=Outside Waistband Holster, IWB=Inside Waistband Holster).
Pants Size | Belt Size OWB | Belt Size IWB |
| 25 | 29 | 30 or 31 |
| 26 | 30 | 31 or 32 |
| 27 | 31 | 32 or 33 |
| 28 | 32 | 33 or 34 |
| 29 | 33 | 34 or 35 |
| 30 | 34 | 35 or 36 |
| 31 | 35 | 36 or 37 |
| 32 | 36 | 37 or 38 |
| 33 | 37 | 38 or 39 |
| 34 | 38 | 39 or 40 |
| 35 | 39 | 40 or 41 |
| 36 | 40 | 41 or 42 |
| 37 | 41 | 42 or 43 |
| 38 | 42 | 43 or 44 |
| 39 | 43 | 44 or 45 |
| 40 | 44 | 45 or 46 |
| 41 | 45 | 46 or 47 |
| 42 | 46 | 47 or 48 |
| 43 | 47 | 48 or 49 |
| 44 | 48 | 49 or 50 |
| 45 | 49 | 50 or 51 |
| 46 | 50 | 51 or 52 |
| 47 | 51 | 52 or 53 |
| 48 | 52 | 53 or 54 |
| 49 | 53 | 54 or 55 |
| 50 | 54 | 55 or 56 |
| 51 | 55 | 56 or 57 |
| 52 | 56 | 57 or 58 |
| 53 | 57 | 58 or 59 |
| 54 | 58 | 59 or 60 |
| 55 | 59 | 60 or 61 |
| 56 | 60 | 61 or 62 |
| 57 | 61 | 62 or 63 |
| 58 | 62 | 63 or 64 |
| 59 | 63 | 64 or 65 |
| 60 | 64 | 65 or 66 |
| 61 | 65 | 66 or 67 |
| 62 | 66 | 67 or 68 |
| 63 | 67 | 68 or 69 |
| 64 | 68 | 69 or 70 |
| 65 | 69 | 70 or N/A |
| 66 | 70 | N/A |
As an expert in the field of gun belt sizing and holsters, I have a profound understanding of the nuances involved in selecting the right belt for your needs. My expertise is grounded in practical experience, having extensively studied various belt configurations and holsters to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for firearm enthusiasts.
One of the fundamental principles I advocate is the importance of measuring a belt you currently wear to determine the most accurate size for your new Beltman belt. This method accounts for individual variations in gear combinations and personal preferences. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula, a general rule of thumb suggests that the belt should be 3" to 6" greater than your pants waist size, depending on factors such as the type of holster, holster size, and how you plan to wear the belt.
To measure your current belt, wear it with the gear you intend to carry, adjust it for security and comfort, and take note of the hole you are using. Lay the belt out straight on a table and measure from the far end of the buckle to the hole you used during the fit-test. Round the measurement to the nearest inch, rounding up if it falls exactly on the half-inch.
For those without a non-stretchy belt, a cloth tape measure can be used to measure the circumference of your waist with pants on. Pull the tape measure snug through the belt loops and note the measurement to the nearest inch, rounding up if necessary. This measurement represents the size belt you should order.
When using the Beltman belt for casual or dress wear, or with an Outside Waistband Holster (OWB), a belt that is 4" larger than your pants size is recommended. For Inside Waistband Holster (IWB) use, adding 5" to your pants size is a good starting point, though larger holster configurations may require 6" or even 7" additions.
The provided chart serves as a quick reference for common belt sizes corresponding to pants sizes, categorized by OWB and IWB use. However, it's emphasized that measuring a current belt remains the most reliable method, with the chart serving as a last resort.
In conclusion, the key to obtaining the perfect gun belt lies in precise measurement, consideration of gear specifics, and an understanding of individual preferences. If there are uncertainties or questions about sizing, reaching out to experts at Beltman for guidance is encouraged. They can be contacted at 205-415-5000, dedicated to ensuring you acquire an optimal gun belt that fits flawlessly for your needs.
