You have probably heard that a key component of carrying a pistol (at least on the hip or the waist band) depends on your belt.

I don't care if you buy the belt at Wal-Mart or Macys -- their belts stink. They are not thick enough or rigid enough to support any serious weight. Heck, I have even bought a couple belts, including a Bianchi "gun belt" that wasn't good enough.

Years I have sucked it up and bought Galco. In fact, my primary 1.5" leather belt is a Galco. It is over 10 years old! It cost, what I thought was a fortune at the time (I think it was $60) for a belt. It was worth every penny.

For dress belts I have used various department store 1.25" belts. Despite not carrying a pistol (ok, maybe a J-frame Airweight a couple of times) these belts never last.  I ended up buying one or two a year from just daily wear.

I thought, although expensive I should get a good belt and not worry about for a long time and possibly be able to carry a pistol with it too.

I went and bought a black Galco. It was $80!
Ah, but it did not disappoint.

I wanted a brown one also, but was balking at spending another $80. I happened to be looking for a Blade-Tech holster locally when I found their line of hybrid belts. These are leather with a kydex insert/backing. Interesting--it was also about half the price. In brown. Sold!

Both belts make excellent dress belts. Well, for that they are certainly over-built. But, I do find myself now snapping on a multi-tool, cell phone, flashlight to it.

Carrying a pistol? Amazing. Both belts easily support a pistol! I have strapped fullsize 1911's and my big S&W's (1006) to it without a problem. The rigidity of a 1.5" is definitely missed though. I wouldn't want to carry the big items for an extendeed amount of time. However, I was pleasantly surprised that either belt comfortably carries a Glock 23 or a fullsize S&W M&P with ease. I wouldn't hesitate to carry either all day.

The differences between the two? (leather vs hybrid leather/kydex)?

Well, to be honest glancing it is hard to tell the difference. Both belts look like quality products. The Galco is finished on both sides including the threads, while the Blade-Tech is finished on one side-- The underside is a light tan.

Wearing the two does have a different feel. The Galco, being a traditional leather breaks in and stretches. The more you wear it the more it molds and fits to you. After you have it a while you can actual see it take shape. Commonly it will bend at the buckle notch you frequently use. One thing that is nice (about leather) is as you put more weight on it the belt will actually slightly give. Wearing heavy pistols like the 1006 is very comfortable. An alternative way to read into that is that the belt is very forgiving if you gain/lose a little weight. You can flucuate, say from summer to winter weight (lol) and still remain on the same belt notch.

The Blade-Tech hybrid is stiffer. It does not give. If it is tight it will always be tight. If you gain ....winter weight.... you are going to have to move to the next notch on the belt. This also comes into play with a heavier pistol. It doesn't give so it pulls the pistol in towards you, regardless of weight, or your body.

The advantage? Man, carrying the pistol is SNUG and in close--great for concealment! Disadvantage? Not necessarily the most comfy.

The end result? BOTH are great belts, and I wouldn't hesitate highly recommending either one!