In the years since I started consistently concealed carrying a firearm, I have been hunting for a belt that checks several boxes. While my standards may be unfair—perhaps I am asking too much from a belt—I have yet to find an option that excels in every category I’ve unilaterally decided matters.
The closest I’ve come to finding the one belt to rule them all is the Kore Essentials Leather Gun Belt. I asked for (and received) this belt two Christmases ago (2020) and have seldom removed it since. After two solid years of use and abuse, I feel as though I have a pretty strong grasp on this belt’s strengths, weaknesses, and shortcomings. So, why not write a review?
Kore Essentials X1 Review
Kore offers a number of gun belts that range from your standard nylon options to what they call “Western.” The weight-carrying capacity, aesthetics, and buckling method vary depending on the options you choose. My specific belt is the Brown Leather Gun Belt with X1 Gunmetal Buckle.
The belt is 1.5”, allowing it to fit most belt loops. The belt is composed of a central core that offers stiffness while still allowing the belt to flex. Around the core is top-grain leather, giving the belt a classic leather belt appearance.
The buckle system is where the Kore gun belt really differentiates itself. It uses a hidden track that allows for ¼” incremental adjustments. The track is paired with a spring-loaded clamp buckle that fits into the track to secure the chosen position. The buckles are interchangeable.
Kore’s track system
Spoiler alert: this adjustability is the best part of the belt.
The Pros of Kore Essentials’ Leather Gun Belt
As I mentioned earlier, I have worn this belt consistently for two years. Obviously, I like it to some degree. In that time, I have worn it in just about every context possible—from date nights to hiking trails. It has proven itself reliable and has quite a few pros going for it.
Adjustability
Thanks to the track system Kore Essentials utilizes, their EDC belts have practically unlimited micro-adjustability. Unlike traditional belts with spaced punches or modern interpretations with fixed buckles that require quite a bit of effort to change, this track system gives you over 40 quarter-inch positions that you can switch between on the fly.
Carrying concealed? Click the belt open a little larger to compensate. Eating a giant meal and your waistline feeling tight? Subtly let out a little slack. It takes a fraction of a second to change the size of the belt—a truly revolutionary design that changes the way you think about belts.
Reliability
Through two years of use, this belt has never failed me. The buckle remains secure, none of the teeth on the inner track are worn, and the structure of the belt still allows me to carry gear without issue. While the belt does have flaws—including some related to its structure—the important thing is that I have never doubted its integrity.
Styles
Kore offers numerous belt and buckle colors and styles. This allows you to choose a combination that fits your tastes, but the benefits don’t stop there. The buckles are also interchangeable, giving you the opportunity to swap out buckles whenever you please. From date night to the shooting range, you can customize your Kore gun belt to your liking and to the occasion.
The Cons of the Kore Leather Gun Belt
Two years is a long time. Over those 24 months, my Kore belt has accumulated a lot of wear and tear. No item is without its drawbacks, especially when exposed to a high degree of use, so it’s only natural that I’ve discovered a few shortcomings.
Top Grain Leather
For those unfamiliar with the various types of leather, top grain is considered the second-best option after full-grain leather. While Kore does offer a full-grain option, my belt came with the top-grain variety.
When new, it looked great. While perhaps a bit too much sheen for my tastes, the belt appeared high quality and aesthetic enough to be at home in nearly any scenario. The good news largely stops there.
The top layer—we’ll call it a façade—wore off quickly, especially at certain friction points. Beneath it is an ugly, starkly different color that makes the wear and tear extremely obvious. The belt may have been multipurpose in its early days, but once the top-grain leather begins to deteriorate, you won’t want to use it for date night.
Belt Buckle
Much like the top-grain leather, the finish on the buckle leaves a lot to be desired. It, too, wears away quickly from normal use. Where a higher-quality buckle might patina, the buckle that accompanied my Kore Gun Belt just got haggard.
For the price (and marketing as an EDC belt), you would expect a better finish. Sure, you could replace the buckle—they are interchangeable, after all—but that’s another expense for a product that is going to have the same issue.
Integrity
I have never had the Kore Leather Belt fail on me, but that does not mean that the integrity of the belt is perfect. Quite the contrary, actually—the shape of the belt gradually deforms depending on how it fits you and how you use it.
As a result, my belt now has some strange indentations, lumps, and imperfections. While mostly aesthetic, there are times that it can actually be uncomfortable or prevent me from easily threading the belt through tighter belt loops. I think, given the age and marketed use of this belt, this is pretty unacceptable.
Would I Recommend the Kore Gun Belt?
I’m not much of a fashion guy, so the Kore Leather Gun Belt was a do-it-all option for me. I have worn it and it alone for two years. In this context, it works very well for the majority of scenarios. However, the quality is lacking and it wears quickly, making it unsuitable for situations where you want to look a bit more presentable—date nights and church being obvious examples.
For these reasons, I can’t recommend the Kore Belt if it’s going to be one of at least two. If you plan to use it for everything, I think there are probably better options out there. Personally, I plan to replace it with a better product—like the We the People Holsters Independence Leather Gun Belt. I’ll then transition to using the Kore Belt as my beater belt—the one I wear when I’m going to be rough and tumble.
The Kore Leather Gun Belt is a solid EDC belt, but I believe there are better options out there. As I mentioned, I’m currently trying the We the People Holsters option and will give y’all a review on it once I have tested it thoroughly. For now, feel free to visit my blog and check out some other gear reviews that might interest you. You can also find me on Instagram and YouTube.
Until Next Time,
RW
PS. You can score 15% off anything We the People using my code RILEYINTHEWOODS15