USMC Hip Belt

USMC Padded Hip Belt

This is a padded hip belt issued to the US Marine Corps for use with a field pack. Its job is to take the weight of a loaded ruck off your shoulders and put it on your hips, where your legs can carry it. Marines, hikers and pack builders use it to replace or upgrade a waist belt, and collectors of Marine Corps load-bearing gear want it for the set.

Features

• Padded Hip Wings — Two thick, curved pads wrap around the sides of the hips and spread the load across a wide area instead of a narrow strap.
• MARPAT Woodland Panels — The outer faces carry MARPAT, the Marine Corps' own digital camouflage pattern, in its green woodland colorway.
• Coyote Brown Construction — The padding, webbing and hardware are coyote brown, a muted tan that matches other Marine Corps issue gear.
• Side-Release Buckle — A coyote polymer buckle clips shut at the front and opens with a squeeze of the side tabs, even with gloves on.
• Adjustable Webbing Straps — Nylon webbing runs through the buckle on both sides so you can pull the belt snug over a uniform or a jacket.
• Rear Sleeve Pockets — Sleeves along the back panel hold flat stiffener inserts that keep the belt from folding under weight.
• Mixed-Fiber Build — A blend of cotton, polyester and nylon gives the belt abrasion resistance with some comfort against the body.
• Genuine Marine Corps Issue — This is original government-issued equipment, with its specification tag stitched inside the back panel.

Original USMC Specification

The belt was built to Marine Corps specification for carrying heavy loads in the field, with a rigid back section, deep padding on each side and a quick-release front closure. The MARPAT panels and coyote fittings place it in the Corps' digital-camouflage era of field gear. If you own a Marine Corps pack, or you want issued hardware over a commercial copy, this belt gives you the original build standard.