Milwaukee sent over a pair of their new workpants, plus this FreeFlex nylon webbing belt (model M760B).
I of course paired the two together, and they seemed to work well. I also used the belt with jeans. So far, my experiences have been unsurprisingly uneventful.
This is a 1.5″ nylon webbing belt with metal buckle and tear-resistant design.
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Milwaukee says it has “built-in stretch that allows users to move without losing shape.”
It’s available in sizes from small to XL.
There’s not a lot to say about the belt. The buckle feels solid and the belt is a little stiff but forgiving – the same as most of the nylon webbing belts I own.
This isn’t my first experience with a webbing belt, but it’s the first that stretches. It doesn’t stretch a lot, but there is little more than just a hint of elasticity, although it takes some force to see this.
It’ll take me some to wear it in, but so far I have a positive impression.
In my experience, webbing belts are durable, as comfortable as any other belt, and very adjustable. There are no holes, allowing you to make the belt just a little tighter or looser.
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So far, the belt hasn’t slipped.
It feels like a higher-tier webbing belt, and the slight stretch ability helps it stand out, although I haven’t noticed any difference compared to other webbing belts.
I think that maybe the stretch will come in handy if I strap a heavier tool, flashlight, or maybe pouch to the belt. Or maybe not.
I think the main benefit, aside from the stretch, is that you can now get a higher quality webbing belt from the same place you buy your tools or workpants, rather than having to visit outdoors gear suppliers and start learning the ins and outs of different brands.
The Milwaukee FreeFlex webbing belt is priced at $40. For context, Patagonia has a 1.5″ webbing belt for $35, and Arc’Teryx has a 1.5″ belt for $45-$50. Both are outdoors gear and clothing brands.
I’d say that the quality is right smack between the two brands as well, with a little better finish than Patagonia’s belts, and a little less style than Arc’Teryx’s.
It has everything you’d expect at this price point – the leading edge is terminated, rather than just cut and heat-sealed, the webbing is thick, and the belt buckle is made from metal with a contoured shape.
I bought my first webbing belt in 2008, and it’s still in rotation. That belt is a bit frayed at the edges, but not deformed. I bought a couple of different styles since then.
I like leather belts too, but webbing belts do tend to be a little more comfortable and definitely more adjustable, making them a good fit for work pants.
So far, the Milwaukee FreeFlex webbing belt seems pretty good. I’m keeping it – let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll also try to provide an update down the road.
Thank you to Milwaukee for the test sample!
Aram
You might find the Grip6 product line to be interesting:
https://grip6.com/collections/all-belts
…the way they work is slightly different than most webbing belts, and I prefer it (easier to tighten/loosen and also a tidier appearance — no loose end).
S
It’d be nice if there was some sort of help page on the site so I could visualize how the belt works before spending money
Seems like really poor marketing on their part to sell a singular product but not even offer a pictorial of how it works.
Stuart
In the product page image galleries, they have an animation showing how the belt goes together. (I’m seeing this on a laptop.)
JR Ramos
I have an older one of those Patagonia Tech belts and it’s been great…buckle is a bit thick for my liking but at least it’s aluminum rather than a zinc casting like the Milwaukee. There’s nothing inherently wrong with zinc of course, but for made in China and for the price, give me something a little better, right. Loads of less expensive and nicer webbing belts out there if branding isn’t a motivating factor (or a tax…). If these were $30 I might pick one up…maybe a good coupon/sale price sometime.
Is the tip a firmer TPU material or more of a harder plastic? If you wear a tool belt over this do you feel like the Milwaukee buckle is too bulky or adds uncomfortable pressure when worn doubled up like that for awhile?
“I think that maybe the stretch will come in handy if I strap a heavier tool, flashlight, or maybe pouch to the belt. Or maybe not.” …. As anyone who carries things on belts for a living will tell you, narrow and flexible is not your friend here. There are reasons that good work belts, duty belts, and tactical belts (real ones) are stiff and shouldn’t stretch or flex/collapse.
The “hold up your work pants” kind of work belt here that doubles as a casual belt is just that….not suited for clipping much more weight on it than a utility knife or multi-tool and such. An Occidental clip-on or a Joey pouch with a light load of wire nuts or fasteners and a couple tools would probably feel ok…hanging a drill, probably not so much. The pattern on the webbing weave is pretty attractive on this one, though…subtle but interesting. It’d be great if Milwaukee could move manufacturing of this item to the USA – no shortage of that skill here still.
Jason McDaniels
Now I want a Stiletto version with titanium buckle for no reason
Stuart
I’m not sure about the tip material. It feels like at the high end of semi-rigid to rigid, and not hard plastic.
It’ll hold accessory weight; I wouldn’t attach a full tool pouch to it. There are many leather belts and smaller webbing belts that are barely suited for holding up pants. They’re good for “I don’t need a belt but I guess I’ll wear one” situations and can’t support any gear.
I guess I’m still trying to understand the stretch aspect. In my experience, webbing belts can deform a little, but certainly not like leather. “Built-in stretch that moves with you.”
It’s not bulkier than other belts. I don’t think I have any tool belts on-hand to check it with.
Functionally, it seems to be as good or better than the other webbing belts I own.
I have a USA-made Trayvax belt that costs a couple of dollars less than the Milwaukee. The Trayvax has thinner webbing and cheaper-feeling buckle.
If all of my webbing belts went missing, is this the one I’d purchase first? That remains to be seen. But, so far I think it’d be in the top 3 along with my 2 favorites.
Adrian
Replying to: “Loads of less expensive and nicer webbing belts out there if branding isn’t a motivating factor”
I’m actually interested in the Milwaukee version, but I’d be even more interested in something better and cheaper 🙂
Do you have any specific recommendations?
Fish_Stick
Marsupial Gear stretch web belt is also an excellent choice. $30, made in USA. Been using one for around a year and find it very comfortable.
https://www.marsupialgear.com/products/stretch-web-belt
Jack D
I’ve had a hard time pulling myself away from good, heavy leather belts, with a solid garrison buckle, for daily wear and work wear. They’re harder and harder to find these days. Whenever I’ve looked at web belts, I can’t shake the feeling of the old Boy Scout belts…just don’t work for me yet. (Although this Milwaukee looks to have a good garrison buckle.)
Adam
I’ve always been a fan of the “Original Instructor” belt that Wilderness Tactical puts out. I bought mine about 20 years ago at their shop in Phoenix, AZ during a trip there, and have been back twice when I’ve lost enough weight to get out of the minimum adjustment range (they reused my carbon steel buckle and sewed on a new belt in the back while I waited). I use it for any working around the house or outdoor activity, and love the stiffness in the vertical direction with the comfort and flexibility around my circumference. I wear my horsehide belt from The Beltman (also around 20 years old, and sent back for shortening after a round of weight loss ten years back) nearly every day to work, and love the look and feel. Before buying that, I would get less than a year out of a department store leather belt, on average.
jtdcg
Had some challenges with my back and hips.. One outcome is that I want stretch waist bands, and belts. Constraint has bothered me, so that may be unique but I’ve found all my old rugged webbed, or leather belts and stiff pants put aside. I’m really liking arcade belts and just generic amz stretch belt for light duty. Arcade has a heavier stretch level if you’re needing weight bearing.
Fred Connolly
I’ve probably gotten 15 years out of a Patagonia web belt. No real issues, incredibly durable and machine washable.
Only issue I see w stretch is if you CCW.
I’d prefer the belt to simply snug up in that case, rather than stretch.
Trevvor
This Milwaukee weave looks like a cross between a seatbelt and a Groove belt. For me, the Patagonia web belt (and a similar web belt from Chaco that’s a little softer) have been fine for holding pants, but have a propensity for slipping juuuuust a bit (enough to be annoying to readjust) under a fairly light load. My wife gifted me a Groove belt with its claim to non-deforming stretch, but it’s too stretchy and too thin of a textile to be useful as a utility load-bearing solution. Holstery’s 1.5″ web belt with a G buckle is my current top web belt, and second-in-line behind a standard, basic leather belt – it has no stretch, is fairly easy to adjust with a Velcro overlap on the backside of the belt, and features a hefty load-bearing build.