Made from a variety of components, the complete battle belt system by Direct Action offers the end user an ideal blend of lightweight yet durable materials, rugged reinforcement, and utilitarian design. The result is a comfortable, light, and feasible tactical accessory that will serve well on the range or in the field. Direct Action (DA) has invested considerable effort to ensuring its battle belt system, and other products, represent the latest in materials and fabrication.
Mustang Inner Belt
Intended as the base belt for other DA systems, the Mustang Inner Belt is a thin, flexible belt that can be utilized EDC wear, but in a moment’s notice can mount to the inner hook-and-loop (female) material of the Mustang and Mosquito line of belts.
The Inner Belt is made from a combination of nylon laminate on the inward facing side, and hook-and-loop (male) on the outer.
The Inner Belt threads itself though the belt loops that helps prevent ride-up, while ensuring positive retention to other systems. A plastic pass-through belt loop allows the belt to be reversed back on itself to corresponding hook-and-loop material for a customized fit.
Specifications:
- Size M:
- Length: 36-39”
- Size L:
- Length: 39-43”
- Size XL:
- Length: 43-47”
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/mustang-inner-belt#CBR
Warhawk Rescue/Gun Belt
The Warhawk series of accessories by DA is intended to be more for field use, and designed to be more rigid and bear increased weight. As such, the Rescue/Gun Belt can be used in conjunction with the Mustang Inner Belt, by itself, or as the inner belt to the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve. As a stand-alone belt, the Rescue/Gun Belt is intended to be one of the main platforms for uses to place pouches or other accessories.
Using a genuine AustriAlpin Cobra Belt Buckle, the outward facing edge of the Rescue/Gun Belt includes a 45mm-wide, Type 13 webbing material with a reinforced utility loop near the buckle for attaching clips, rings, or other items. Moreover, the overlap material is significantly reinforced with additional stitching to prevent separation under high separation stressors.
The inner facing edge has a band of hook-and-loop (female) material that extends the length of the belt for bonding to associated male fields on the Mustang belts or other accessories. Any excess material is secured by an elastic cuff to the belt itself.
Specifications:
- Size M:
- Length: 36-39”
- Size L:
- Length: 39-43”
- Size XL:
- Length: 43-47”
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/warhawk-rescue-gun-belt#MCM
Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve
The Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve is 4” wide and intended to augment either the Mustang Inner belt, or the Warhawk Rescue/Gun Belt to provide sufficient padding to the sides, while providing stable platform to mount heavier accessories.
With an exterior comprised of Cordura laminate nylon for added strength and tear resistance, the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve features an extensive laser-cut MOLLE field. The overall design is intended to hug and hold the hips and upper thigh for a stable platform.
Access slots are designed into the bottom edge to accommodate for the pass-through of thigh-rigs or other type of leg-drop panels. There are four plastic eyelets for attaching an optional shoulder harness (sold separately).
The interior is also made from Cordura nylon and has integrated padding into the belt’s body to aid in comfort. The inward-facing side of the belt is lined with matte hook-and-loop (female) material that bonds to the associated outward-facing male material on the Mustang Inner Belt.
Specifications:
- Size S:
- Length: 29
- Size M:
- Length: 31
- Size L:
- Length: 36
- Size XL:
- Length: 39
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/mosquito-modular-belt-sleeve#AGR
Speed Reload Pouch (Pistol)
Made from folded Cordura with rigid plastic inserts, the Speed Reload Pouch for pistol magazines offers rapid draw of magazines with no loss of retention.
The enclosing shock chord, with speed lock, is wrapped through laser-cut MOLLE sections and allows for easy adjustment of tension.
The rear features a laminate nylon MOLLE strap that joins to associated fields on the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve or other MOLLE fields.
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/speed-reload-pouch-pistol#MCM
Speed Reload Pouch (Rifle)
Similar in design and materials to the pistol pouch, the Speed Reload Pouch for rifle magazines is made from folded Cordura with rigid plastic inserts, and allows for the rapid draw of magazines with no loss of retention.
The enclosing shock chord, with speed lock, is wrapped through laser-cut MOLLE sections and allows for easy adjustment of tension.
The rear features a laminate nylon MOLLE strap that joins to associated fields on the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve or other MOLLE fields.
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/speed-reload-pouch-rifle#MCM
Med Pouch (Horizontal) MkII
A basic sleeve/insert design, the 1.5” (W) x 5.75” (H) x 8.5” (L) Medical Pouch MkII comes in a larger variant than its predecessor with a horizontal draw that makes it comfortable when stowed.
Made from a combination of materials, the outer sleeve comprises of 500D Cordura nylon front/back panels with 210D elastic nylon sides that allow for expansion of the sides to accommodate the side of the medical insert pouch. The word “MED” is written on pinpoint ink lettering on the outward facing exterior to clearly mark it as an aid pouch. The interior of backpanel has a field of hook-and-loop (male) that connects to the associated field on the rear exterior of the insert and provides primary retention. The rear of the Medical Pouch includes two MOLLE straps that allow the overall pouch to be connected to the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve, belt loops, or other MOLLE fields.
The medical insert pouch itself is zipper-secured on three sides and, when opened, lies flat for maximum access to the contents. The exterior of the medical insert is made from 210D nylon, with a hook-and-loop (female) field on the rear that connects to the corresponding field inside the outer sleeve. Anchoring into either side is a pull-handle of hypalon that allows for ambidextrous drawing the insert from either left or right side.
Inside the medical insert are three bands of elastic nylon (two on one side, one on the other) that are segmented to different lengths to allow for the storage of a variety of medical items. On either side of the interior halves are two Hypalon tabs that allow for the medical pouch to be hanged as necessary when being utilized.
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/med-pouch-horizontal-mk-iir#CBR
Dump Pouch
Intending to be rolled up and unobtrusive when not in use, the Dump Pouch can open to allow for the immediate storage of a variety of different items. Made from dominantly 500D Cordura nylon, the dump pouch can be easily deployed with just a tug on the elastic hypalon pull tab.
When open, the Dump Pouch extends to 5.1” (W) x 11” (H) x 9.3” (L) that can accommodate a number of rifle magazines or other SSE items. The top secured via a nylon shock cord with pinch lock, while the bottom includes a nylon mesh material for immediate drainage.
The dump pouch comes with two plastic proprietary MALICE straps that can be threaded through the laser-cut MOLLE field on the rear of the dump pouch and connected to any other associated MOLLE field.
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com/dump-pouch#MCM
All of Direct Action’s Mustang, Mosquito, and Warhawk battle belt elements are available in a variety of colors to include Crye Multicam (featured), OD Green (featured), Black, PenCott Badlands, Shadow Grey, and more.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): The cost of each component to the DA Battle Belt varies based on color pattern selected, and in some cases size:
- Mustang Inner Belt (Size: Large)…………………$22.44
- Warhawk Rescue/Gun Belt (Size: Large)………$67.92
- Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve (Size: Large)…$84.15
- Speed Reload Pouch (Pistol)…………………………..$21.59
- Speed Reload Pouch (Rifle)………………………….$29.67
- Medical Pouch (Horizontal)………………….……..$61.12
- Dump Pouch…………………………………………………$36.47
The total cost for the evaluated DA battle belt system ran $374.62 USD. This price also represents the DA battle belt system comprising of some of the most current designs and materials available on the market. In comparison, a similar battle belt setup by First Spear ($474.76), HSGI ($595), and GCode ($295) all demonstrate that the cost for DA’s system is of a good value within the market range of options. Reinforcing this scoring is that the DA system has many of the characteristics and materials of more expensive systems at a fraction of their cost.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): Of immediate notice, is that the contoured design of the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve had a direct hugging effect to the waist and upper hip when wrapped around and secured with an associated belt. It also provided good padding for the body against loaded magazines or other accessories. The Mustang Inner Belt was very light and did provide a nice EDC style belt to trousers worn throughout the day and around the range. When the time came to working on the firing line, the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve was easily donned to the inner Mustang belt and provided a secure hold to the body. The AustriAlpin buckle did provide a solid and audible lock consistently throughout the evaluations by taking it on and off. On a note of comfort, for the Speed Pouches the plastic inserts provide much the same rapid and comfortable drawing/insertion as other aftermarket kydex pouch inserts, by ensuring the pouch retains a stable shape when in use. Elsewhere the design of the Medical Pouch, with its elastic sides, retained a flat and even profile, even when fully loaded with necessary aid items. Likewise the Dump Pouch was easily deployed by a simple shock cord retention band and comfortable fit a large amount of items with room to spare.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The overriding volume of material used throughout the DA battle belt system is 500D Codrua nylon; with a corresponding balance between laminate nylon used elsewhere, and other materials (shock cord, cinch hardware, AustriAlpin buckle, etc.). The choice of this material put the DA battle belt system on par with many other high-end or Tier 1 performing platforms. In comparison, other more traditional systems rely exclusively (or predominantly) on nylon—something which makes them heavier and retains moisture greater. The use of laminate nylon alone typically has an 1000D abrasion rating, and with the added 500D Cordura, made the overall battle belt system extremely light and durable to both tension and abrasion, in dynamic movements and heavy use. After evaluations, no fraying at the laser-cut MOLLE fields or stretching of the laminate nylon was noted, while the retention of the Speed Pouches remained consistent throughout.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, as a whole, the overall DA battle belt system works very well in conjunction with its various elements to successfully achieve the goal of providing a comfortable and stable platform for the end user. The Mustang Inner Belt allowed trousers, like Direct Action’s Vanguard trousers used during several evaluations, to be worn comfortably around the range, in vehicles, or elsewhere in daily life. It also provided for an immediate-application platform that bonded to the inner lining of the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve, which in turn could be secured by the Warhawk belt. In all the system worked amazingly well together.
Added onto the battle belt was the Speed Pouches that provided comparable access, and retention as any other industry-leading pouches in good part to its plastic inserts. The broad laser-cut MOLLE field on the Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve allowed for user customization and as such, the Dump Pouch was placed easily in a position where it could be readily accessed despite having a different mounting system than all the other components. When opened the Dump Pouch held considerable volume, despite its relatively small size when rolled up and stowed away. The Horizontal Medical Kit MkII was of sufficient storage space to accommodate; one CAT-T, one Israeli Battle Dressing, one gauze roll, one nasopharyngeal airway tube, one set of medical shears, one Quick Clot packet, and one chest seal. Despite all these medical items, there was still sufficient space left to add other smaller items or accessories—and still slid from its outer sleeve with sufficient pull (the inner hook-and-loop lining provided a very good level of retention to the insert while inside the sleeve).
Perhaps from a functional aspect, one factor the consumer may want to consider is the addition of a shoulder harness (sold separately) as it will help offset some of the weight born on the hips to the shoulders. The Mosquito Modular Belt Sleeve has the necessitating hardware to accommodate such an accessory. The only recommendation to Direct Action from a functional improvement standpoint, would be to consider upgrading the AustriAlpin Cobra Buckle on the Warhawk Rescue/Gun Belt to include the newer variant with the integrated D-Ring. This would move the retention point to the stronger, all metal belt buckle while necessitating less material to form one out of Cordura on the belt.
- Weight – Good (4/5): With an overall weight of 2.14 pounds (empty) in its current configuration, the DA battle belt system utilized a blend of 500D Cordura and laminate nylon to maintain a relative light overall weight. This weight can vary based on the application of the user (i.e. what pouches are used), and the DA system weighs very comfortably on the hip (that can be further mitigated on the hips by utilizing a shoulder harness). In comparison, the belt system by First Spear (2.15 pounds) and GCode (2.15 pounds) demonstrate the light weight factors of using combined materials (such as Cordura and laminate nylon). In contrast, the HSGI battle belt (4.01 pounds) shows the increased weight when using a dedicated nylon product system. As such, for its weight, material type, and number of pouches included in the evaluated battle belt system, the DA battle belt was still among the more lightweight ones available.
Overall Rating – Good (21/25)
Product Link: https://us.directactiongear.com
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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