Arc’teryx is clear that the H-150 is designed as a belt for “travel restraint”. It is NOT designed to be used as a climbing harness where you can be expected to fall, and have the belt take the shock when the line goes tight. I think the primary concept here is that the belt can be used for emergency rappelling if needed. Thankfully, along with wearing the H-150 as a gun belt, I also took it out to a rope course, and spent some time in it along with my locking carabiner and my Super 8 off my climbing harness. I’ve used Riggers Belts in the past to attempt both belay and rappel, and to be honest, its typically a painful experience. The Riggers Belts are usually nylon, and crease in the middle, which digs heavily into the small of your back. Arc’teryx takes this issue on with what they are calling “Warp Strength Technology”. The belt is extremely thin, but rather rigid. It supports weight without digging in to your sides when wearing a firearm, and the belt remains comfortable. This by itself makes it a worthy gun belt in my eyes, as it takes pressure of the small of your back, especially if you are one of the guys that really loads your belt up.
