Exotic Skin Belts - Are They Worth the Money?

A common question that seems to show up in various shooting or handgun forums from time to time concerns exotic gunbelts and the high price tag that was associated with them.  While these styles of gun belts are somewhat unique, are they really worth the money?

From a durability standpoint, exotic hides vary from being extremely durable to skins that are actually less durable than good old fashion cowhide.  For example, hides like elephant, stingray, and lizard are amazing tough and durable.  Properly cared for, they will last and perform for years to come.  The softer less durable hides like ostrich or snakeskin won't last as long and have about the same life expectancy as a cowhide belt.

One of the biggest issues that shooters face with exotic gun belts center around the fact that, in many cases, the gun belt is so unique that is won't match any holster expect one made from the exact same hide.  For many shooters, this won't be an issue; but for others it will.  The only solution to this problem is to order a matching holster and/or mag carrier to go along with the belt.  This is where the exotic gun belt purchase can become very expensive.  Instead of just buying a belt or a holster, you are now footing the bill for an entire package.

Another issue that can become a problem is the sizing.  What happens if you lose weight and the beautiful stingray belt that you had custom made no longer fits?  Most likely the belt can't be sized down so you now have an expensive piece of shooting gear that no longer works for you.

Not that I'm trying to shy you away from an exotic gun belt; I just want to bring up some possible issues that you might want to think about before committing to that purchase.

Here are a couple of nice exotic gun belts that you might be interested in: