3600 Ratchet Clicks Strong: Why Our Kore Essentials Belt Still Feels New!

Before we dive in, let’s set the stage with some background on Kore Essentials. If you’re not familiar with Kore, you’re missing out on a game-changer in the world of gun belts and EDC gear. While they’ve built their reputation as innovators in the gun belt industry, Kore Essentials has gone far beyond just belts in recent years. Their expanded lineup now includes wallets, watches, sunglasses, backpacks, and more—making them a one-stop shop for anyone serious about everyday carry.

Kore has evolved from being just a “gun belt” brand to a full-fledged provider of high-quality EDC essentials designed to elevate your carry game. Over the last five years, we’ve put many of their products to the test and have consistently been impressed by the durability, versatility, and craftsmanship Kore brings to the table. If you’re in the market for premium gun belts or other must-have EDC gear, Kore Essentials should absolutely be on your radar.

TL;DR: Kore Essentials

TL;DR: Kore Essentials specializes in innovative, durable belts designed for everyday carry (EDC), concealed carry, and general use. Their belts feature a patented track system for precise adjustments, offering unmatched comfort and a secure fit. Known for their high-quality materials and sleek designs, Kore Essentials belts are a favorite among gun enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone looking for long-lasting reliability.

Which bring us to this most recent article- A side by side comparison of a Kore Essentials belt we have had for 5 years!

Kore Essentials Gun Belt: Gear that Lasts

If you’ve been searching for a gun belt that stands the test of time, let us save you the guesswork: Kore Essentials is the real deal. When we first launched duuude, one of our first reviews ever was a Kore Essentials belt. They took a chance our own new review website and sent us one of their belts to try even though we had no real traction (yet). That belt was one of their non-gun-bearing belts (more so for a fashion belt), that still featured their impressive ratcheting (no belt hole) track system for the perfect belt fit every time. Since that first belt, we have tested and tried several Kore products and can truly say they are one of the best EDC brands on the market. Period.

Our first belt we tested was included in their Classic Leather Belt lineup- with belt sizes of 1.35” and 1.25” thick- perfect for that date night out, work function, or every day belt needs. This classic leather belt was a hit at duuude.

While not deemed a “gun belt” per sey, these belts still feature a micro-adjustable track for precise sizing, allowing you to seamlessly adjust your belt size in 1/4" increments at a time. Their lineup makes for the perfect dress belt, work belt, casual belt or jeans belt. With a modular design, you can choose from one of 14 different interchangeable buckles giving you limitless possibilities for how you want to style your belt.

Ok..enough backstory- lets get to why we are all here: How well do Kore Belts hold up over the years?

First Impressions in 2019:
When we first received the Kore Belt, our crew was drawn to the innovative track system and sleek, flat belt look. The ratchet buckle system was a game-changer, offering micro-adjustments that made a perfect fit feel effortless.

As you can see in the above image, they still offer the Smooth Vegan Leather Straps in 3 different colors (you can add a buckle to attach or if you have one they are inner-changable). To be honest, we do not recall if the belt was/is vegan when we had it sent over. But for purposes of this 5 year review-recap, this style is the belt we are going to be sharing images and experiences about.

Over the course of 5 years, this belt has been worn over 1800 times….and it still feels new.

Fast Forward to 2024:

Our crew decided to put Kore Essentials to the test by comparing a brand-new leather gun belt to one we’ve been rocking since 2019. While this isn’t a strict side-by-side comparison—that’s not the point—it’s all about seeing how Kore belts hold up after five years of daily use.

We’ve used the 2019 Kore leather belt for everything: EDC, ratcheting it on and off countless times, and putting it through the wear and tear of everyday life. Now, with a new Kore leather belt in hand, we were curious to see how the differences stacked up. How does the leather feel? Are there any imperfections after years of use? And what about the buckle—does it still hold up, or does it show its age? Here’s what we found when we put the old and new belts side by side.

The Kore Essentials X3 Gunmetal Buckle and Top Grain Leather Gun Belt (1.5") offer exceptional adjustability, support, and comfort for everyday carry. Key features include a reinforced Power-Core™ center for added stiffness, a 1.5” width, and a load rating of up to 4 lbs. for IWB, OWB, or appendix carry. The belt adjusts with over 40 precise ¼” positions and fits sizes ranging from 24”-54” (depending on the model).

Made from top-grain leather, the belt pairs with X Series buckles but is not compatible with 1.75” Garrison belts or non-gun belts. The gunmetal zinc alloy buckle is durable and stylish, while the belt's sturdy design ensures reliable performance.

Track Line Durability: After years of daily use and carrying essential EDC gear, the track line on our Kore Essentials belt is as reliable as the day we got it. There’s zero warping, cracking, or loosening—proof of the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship. The “teeth” remain intact, with no signs of wear, and the buckle locks into each notch with the same secure traction as it did on day one.

In fact, after over 1,800 days of clicks, the track system has shown no slipping or jumping, delivering unmatched durability. In the side-by-side image comparing the 2019 and 2024/25 Kore systems, it’s nearly impossible to tell which is which. This remarkable longevity showcases why Kore Essentials belts are a go-to for gun belts and EDC enthusiasts alike.

Buckle Condition

Buckle Condition: The buckle remains scratch-free and fully operational. It’s been through 1800+ days of wear, long work shifts, evenings out (we just went to a wedding and this belt was the one the groom wore with his suit) and everyday wear without losing its clean, professional finish. Sure there might be a scratch if you zoom in with a microscope but the buckle looks brand new. You will notice in the comparison photo below, the buckles from Kore have gotten beefier (which we are all for) and the coloring does look a bit different over the years- but the buckle itself, the release mechanism on the belt buckle, and the teeth that hold the buckle onto the leather strap is still 100% functional and again feels brand new.

Belt Material

Belt Material: The leather has not changed at all. There are a few minor imperfections around some pressure points (for instance where the front of the belt goes into the buckle) and truth be told we did test a few belt holsters on the leather so it did get some scratches from that- but overall, the color, the stiffness, the belt as a whole does not look worn, bend, or compromised in any of the areas we inspected.

The 2024 Comparison:

Holding the 2019 belt next to a brand-new 2024 Kore Essentials model feels like déjà vu. Aside from the natural breaking-in of the older belt, the two are practically indistinguishable. The build quality and attention to detail have remained consistent, and our crew has no doubt this new belt could last just as long—or longer.

Why Kore Essentials Is Worth Every Penny:

In a world where most gear fails after a few years, Kore Essentials belts are built for the long haul. Whether you’re carrying daily or simply need a reliable belt that won’t need replacing every year, this is it. The durability and quality make it a no-brainer investment. Think about this- we wore a Kore belt for 5 years, for most days in that year. If we took the belt on and off, just 1x per day (this does not account for taking it off to go to the bathroom, or change clothes), we would have used the belt over 3600 clicks of the ratchet system, pull through of the belt into the buckle, and normal wear and tear…and it still is worn today!

If you’ve been on the fence, take it from a crew who’s seen the results firsthand: