In the Ronin Tactics Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt face-off, we pit these two battle belts against each other to see which is the best. From specs to price, design, durability, performance, and comfort–discover which tactical load-carrying belt is the best to buy.
The Senshi is made by Ronin Tactics and is the signature black trim belt among the Ronin Tactics gun belts. They also offer the Shuto Belt and the Task Force belt. The Ronin Senshi is similar to the Task Force belt except for the black trim, which is exclusive to the Senshi model.
The belt gained popularity due to its adoption by various special operations soldiers a few years ago.
The Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt is the new kid on the block making waves. Blue Force Gear is a well-known brand among real ‘end-users.’ By that, I mean people who operate as a profession, e.g., active duty military and law enforcement.
The CHLK is their take on the modern-day battle belt. They also released the GRID Belt, which is identical to the CHLK but lacks load-rated aerial platform capabilities. You can read the full review here: Blue Force Gear GRID Belt Review.
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Specs
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Price
High-quality tactical gun belts, or battle belts, cost quite a bit.
Much research and development has been put into the Senshi and CHLK belts. They have been combat tested on the battlefield and are used by special operations forces.
Their prices reflect this, with the Ronin Senshi belt running from $188 to $193, while Blue Force Gear’s CHLK belt is more expensive at $299.95.
Looking at the numbers, it might seem like the Ronin Senshi belt wins when it comes to price because it’s cheaper.
However, when it comes to value, the Blue Force Gear CHLK belt provides more value for the price.
As I mentioned earlier, the Ronin Senshi belt is several years old. The CHLK has newer features (discussed below) and benefits that the Senshi belt lacks, such as the laser cuts on the outer belt used for MOLLE attachments instead of sewn PAL webbing.
Based on this, the Ronin Senshi belt wins on price, but the CHLK provides more value for the higher price.
WINNER: Ronin Tactics Senshi Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Fit
Both belts offer a snug fit, assuming you pick the proper belt size.
The Senshi inner belt, which comes in two sizes, 2 or 1.5 inches, velcros onto itself. In contrast, the Blue Force Gear CHLK inner belt uses a G-hook to secure it in place.
The velcro on the Senshi inner belt is nice because it’s easy to put on and take off. The downside is that without an outer belt over the inner velcro belt, the inner belt could come loose during physical activity.
The CHLK inner belt can be worked independently as an everyday carry (EDC) belt. The G-hook is not as easy to use as velcro, but it provides a much more secure connection and won’t come undone easily.
Both outer belts wrap around easily and securely to their inner belts via hook and loop, i.e., velcro.
They both fit well and can be adjusted depending on your preferences. However, the Blue Force Gear CHLK outer belt is much easier to tighten or loosen than the Senshi belt.
Based on this and how the CHLK inner belt fits more securely and can be used as a standalone belt, we give the CHLK belt the win.
WINNER: Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Comfort
Both are comfortable tactical load-carrying belts.
The Ronin Senshi belt is 1.75 inches wide, so it doesn’t take up a lot of real estate along your waist. Compared to traditional battle belts, there is less chance of feeling bound up when you bend over or to the side.
However, the Senshi’s inner and outer belts are stiffer than the CHLK belt. Depending on your body, you may feel the edges of the belts rub along your waist, which might get annoying. Over time, the belt may feel less comfortable, too.
The Blue Force Gear CHLK belts, both inner and outer, are slightly softer than the Senshi, making them more comfortable. The inner belt is slightly padded, and the outer belt’s edges are not as stiff as the Senshi.
In addition, the CHLK belt features a 32-degree curve designed to mimic the contour of the human waist. It also has a subtle outward cant from top to bottom, resulting in a more comfortable fit at the waist and the hips.
This makes it better suited for long-term wear than typical flat-profile battle belts like the Senshi.
Like the Senshi, the CHLK belt isn’t as wide as older battle belt designs. It is 2-inches wide and doesn’t get in the way. The additional quarter inch in width aids in securing attachments to the belt better by providing slightly more molle space.
With the Senshi, because it’s slightly thinner, we’ve found our attachments shifting slightly when running and gunning hard–sometimes causing minor discomfort until we shifted our gear to its original position.
The Ronin Senshi is comfortable overall, but the newer CHLK belt has newer design features that make it better in this category.
WINNER: Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Performance
As tactical load-carrying belts, both belts help take the weight off end-users’ plate carriers and distribute some of that weight along their waists.
Both belts fulfill this purpose with their MOLLE attachments, but the CHLK belt has the edge over the Senshi. The additional quarter-inch in thickness and three MOLLE cuts help secure attachments more securely.
We’ve already discussed how the Senshi is 1.75″ thick and how our gear has sometimes shifted. The Senshi also has two ‘loops’ to thread MOLLE attachments with versus three on the CHLK belt, affecting how secure attachments will be on the belts.
Regarding other key belt features, both belts are tether capable for conducting helicopter operations.
The Senshi has the edge here at 5,000 lbs tensile strength versus the CHLK belt’s 3,500 lb rating. The CHLK belt has two tether points (in the front and the back of the belt), while the Senshi has one tether point in the front.
While using both belts, we’ve had no problems with either belt coming off or loosening.
While the Senshi has a higher load rating of 5,000 lbs, the CHLK belt wins because of its 2-inch thickness and three laser cuts for MOLLE attachments.
WINNER: Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Durability
Both belts are of military-grade quality.
The Senshi is made of a nylon weave, while the CHLK is made of rigid composite laminate, ULTRAcomp™ laminate, TEX 70 bonded nylon thread, and tubular webbing. Both will take a lot of abuse and last a long time.
As mentioned earlier, the Senshi is a stiffer platform and seems ‘indestructible’ (at the expense of slightly less comfort). The CHLK belt is softer, but the build quality is excellent.
When you hold both in your hands, you can immediately tell they are built to last.
That said, the outer belt is where we see some key differences in durability.
The Senshi uses PALS webbing that is sewn onto the outer belt. MOLLE accessory pouches are attached to this webbing.
While the stitching is strong, and we didn’t have any problems with attachments ripping off, it is a potential failure point.
The CHLK belt uses a precision laser-cut MOLLEminus design. This eliminates the possibility of stitching failures by cutting MOLLEminus slots directly into the outer belt.
This gives the performance edge to the CHLK.
WINNER: Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Ease of Use
Both belts are easy to use with their two-layer system, i.e., inner and outer belts. Inner belts go through your belt loops like any belt, and the outer belts attach to the inner belts via hook and loop.
Each uses a cobra buckle making it simple to lock the outer belts. The Senshi has a slight edge in the inner belt because it’s easier to use velcro than the G-hook on the CHLK belt.
When setting up both belts with accessory pouches, it’s a tad bit easier to thread MOLLE attachments through the laser cuts in the CHLK belt versus the PALS webbing on the Senshi.
That said, the CHLK belt uses a holster adapter (sold separately) that took some time to attach to the belt.
While threading MOLLE attachments through the laser cuts are easier, the screws provided with the holster adapter seemed too big for the openings.
It took some tools and a little time, but once it’s through, it’s staying put.
The Senshi’s inner belt is easier and faster to use, while it’s easier to attach accessory pouches to the CHLK belt. Adding or swapping accessories on the belt doesn’t happen often, but putting on and taking off one’s inner belt does, so we are giving the “Ease of Use” win to the Senshi.
WINNER: Ronin Tactics Senshi Belt
Ronin Senshi Belt vs Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt: Overall Winner
The Ronin Tactics Senshi gained wide popularity a few years ago because of its sleek design while being a military-grade quality, tactical load-bearing belt. While it was the best tactical gun belt of its time, it’s dated, and no improvements have been made.
On the other hand, the CHLK belt is the new kid on the block with newer features that help the end user. It’s more comfortable, more reliable, and looks cool, too.
We all used to be Ronin Senshi users, but you’ll catch us sporting the new Blue Force gear belts these days.
OVERALL WINNER: Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt