Launched at SHOT Show, the Operator COBRA IDR 1.75” Rigger Belt is now available. In fact, I saw this low-profile shooter’s belt at both Rampart Range Day and CANSEC so it’s picking up a lot of interest in Canada.
It’s a PALS compatible two-belt system. The outer belt is made from two layers of military-grade Type 13 nylon webbing, sewn together with five rows of lock-stitched, bonded 138 nylon thread. It also features an additional layer of 1.5” webbing, triple backtacked every 1.5” to create industry-standard columns of PALS for use with MOLLE pouches and holsters. Aside from being reinforced with double needle binding, the belt is topped off with a COBRA integrated D-ring buckle in matte black finish.
You also get your choice of HSGI Inner Belt or Micro Grip Belt Panel to mate with the Operator’s interior hook Velcro. That Micro Grip Panel offers some serious padding that won’t move around on you.
See the website for sizing and current color selections.
Looking just at the first pic, I thought that was a Ronin Senshi belt.
Unfortunately, the seam tape visible on the top / bottom of the outward facing layer is just that, seam tape. That is not a functional MOLLE feature, though it mimics the Ronin. The layer you are given to utilize with MOLLE accessories is 1.5in tall as described above, creating it’s own obstacles to placement and pouch security. Look closely and you’ll see my issue with this.
Also, the velcro inner/outer belt arrangement is juxtaposed from the common standard of the loop being on the belt. The conventional arrangement allows standalone use of the outer belt without the inner, this belt is the opposite of that for some reason.
I like HSGI a lot, but look closely at the configuration and don’t fool yourself into thinking this is a “Ronin without the waiting”. You’d be disappointed.
I prefer the outer belt consisting of the Hook portion and the inner the Loop. When not wearing the outer belt, shirts get shredded from the abrasive hook catching. Tu uses the same configuration of inner/outer on his Ronin belts.
I’m with rlb0311, I prefer a hook outer/loop inner. If I’m practicing with a duty rig, I like being able to wear the underbelt alone from the house to the range. It also seems to be a little easier to thread a loop-covered belt through my pants belt loops than it is with a hook-covered inner belt, which catches on every loop.
I got to handle one of these at SHOT. The extra layer of belt webbing that creates the MOLLE is tight. Felt much sturdier than the Ronin. If you mount your pouches the way they recommend, it doesn’t really have any issues. As for the velcro, I’m not sure why they chose hook over loop for the main belt, but this isn’t the kind of belt you’re gonna wear through your belt loops anyway, and the post says it can come with a velcro inner belt if you want something through your belt loops.