I'm looking for a "survival belt" that will be something that I will wear everyday. I have seen some belts that have hidden compartments - are they useful? Can anyone share their favorite belt and please provide any useful links!

Thanks.

Colby

P.S. - Thank you to all who responded to my previous request for recommendations for a Survival Compass.

DR reviews one such here

I prefer the Bat Belt approach with a bunch of color-coordinated pouches containing grappling hooks and Batarangs and stuff...

The Pro Belt Kit is no longer being manufactured. Any other suggestions? I don't want to have to wear any pouches - just a belt.

One of the latest ongoing discoveries from Oetzi was his survival belt. First it was in an ergonomic load bearing pattern to support his leggings that again was thought a more recent innovation.
inside the simple folded over pocket were some needles, firemaking kit, some lithic microtools.
What you are porbably looking at is a form of moneybelt with either such a fold over compartment with end opening or a zippered compartment such as a money belt.
I owned such a belt from the now collectable S.D. Meyer company (now El Paso Saddlery.)
Aside from paper documents and money you pretty much are restricted to small needles, thread, x-acto blades or razors, a BCB wire saw and perahps a booklet of paper matches.
You MUST have a belt loop model, and the thicker the better, both for space and comfort. A thin belt cuts like a knife under high impact into soft tissue vs the greater safety of a wide belt.
You might also consider discretely sharpening the belt buckle on the inner face like a chisel.
The germans actually produced two shot belt buckles in small pistol calibers, but I don't think that would work vs charging bears.

Money belts come in two basic designs; One in a regular belt with a long zippered pocket hidden behind, the other is a fabric pouch ( often sized to carry a passport) worn under clothing. A search for 'money belt' or on travel sites will give you some ideas.

Teacher

{ most models are quite comfortable and unnoticeable after wearing for a bit.}

The Pro Survival Belt alone is stil available from the same company for about $25 and you can add the contents yourself. I put most of the contents of a Doug Ritter kit in mine, with some modifications for comfort, trim, and personal preference.

No need for gimmicks. A normal leather belt will do. Any good tool has a sheath with a belt loop.

Has anyone ever actually needed or uses a grappling hook?

Needed or wanted...?

Forget the hook, I want the boots that allowed Batman and the boy wonder to walk up walls...;^)

John E

da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da, da-da, da,...Batman

Sorry, couldn't help myself. One of my good friends, who remains a techy, has so much stuff on his belt we refer to it as the Bat Belt. A Leatherman Wave, two flashlights, a cell phone, a trunk radio, a coax repair kit, etc.

I prefer pockets in pants and shirts to belt acouterments. For me, stuff hanging around my midsection gets hung up too easily. But that's just me.

and yes, I've needed and used a grappling hook on more than one occasion. Occupational thing.