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View Full Version : ATS War Belt Sleeve - a detailed exposure



Urban Tactical Gear
2 August 2009, 19:57
The Term war belt is a synonym for a modular belt; the body of a strong first line. One of the more popular thread topics, as of late, is on this very topic. There are a few styles of "war belt", produced by companies such as OSOE (http://www.originalsoegear.com/taper.html), Ice Tactical (http://www.blackstonetactical.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=17&products_id=270), blueforce gear (http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=6&prod_id=116). Boris from DIY (http://www.diytactical.com/forums/index.php?topic=3827.0) and of course ATS Gear (http://www.atstacticalgear.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-2603). These styles range any where from a "sleeve", such as the ATS unit, to a tapered, padded belt like the ones OSOE and ICE provide.

One of the most popular, and most highly recommended is the ATS War Belt. The ATS "war belt" has three rows and 22 pals channels. There are two channels that are unusable on the medium sized belt, one on either end.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0050.jpg

The ATS warbelt is more of a sleeve cover rather than a true belt. It does not function without a true inner belt. Almost the entire bottom of the unit is open, with the exception of three tacked areas. It is tacked at each end and then again in the center.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0055.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0056.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0057.jpg

For added stability, when using a true 2" outer duty belt, ATS has added hook and loop (velcro) to the side that rests against the body. This will keep the sleeve from moving around, when used with a duty belt which is also equipped with velcro on the inside band.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0058.jpg

The "war belt" has four attachment points for suspenders, in the form of fastex rings. Two on the back and one on each side at the front
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0060.jpg

Suspendes (http://www.atstacticalgear.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-2599) can also be purchased from ATS to aid with sag and/or the unit riding up. these may or may not be up your alley. For me they didn't fit my body type the way I would have liked, so I bought a Different (http://www.originalsoegear.com/suspenders.html) pair, which IMO, are far superior in both construction and comfort.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/P1000972.jpg

After having a conversation with a fellow gear geek today I was prompted to go back and double check the unit I have here at the house. We were having a discussion on build quality, and he pointed out to me that the ATS war belt is constructed of single ply codura. That is true to an extent. The inside wall (the side that rests on your body) is actually doubled up codura. However the side that REALLY matters, the outter wall of the sleeve; the side that the pals channels are tacked onto, IS only single ply. if you hold it to a light, you can see through it. It didn't come out to clear with my camera. Another point that i was distressed to see was how many loose ends there were underneath, where the pals channels are tacked down. Both items are shown below.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/ats%20warbelt/DSCF0058.jpg

Should you decide to upgrade from the inner belt that comes with the unit (and I would suggest you do if your going to run any type of subload) there is a trick to threading your new belt into the sleeve. it's called poster board. cut a piece that spans the entire length of the interior velcro. place it on top of the velcro, and thread your belt into place. one you have it where you want it, pull the poster board out.

My Current configuration, subject to immediate change (soon as the new gear gets released)
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/arolfsen/reviews/DSCF0026.jpg

As always This product is available through either ATS's website or several other industry partners. i've linked to them enough, and for to stand with the guidelines i won't post them here. Further, As i've said before; I am average joe weekend warrior. I work for a nation wide beverage company. I have no financial interest with any company referenced here-in. I in no way represent their product availability or pricing. I can provide contact information for any company listed here-in, but will only do so via pm.

Stickman
2 August 2009, 20:16
As always This product is available through either ATS's website or several other industry partners. i've linked to them enough, and for to stand with the new guidelines i won't post them here.


Good review, there are some similar concepts coming up within the LE community to help with the ever increasing weight of our duty belts.

Regarding your last comment, what new guidelines? I wrote the "Rules" when we started the board, and I don't think they have been changed since that point. IM me and let me know what I'm missing.

Urban Tactical Gear
2 August 2009, 20:22
your not. i did a copy from the other forum. so i'll edit it.