Junk on your belt

[Petro6golf]

Some departments are fortunate enough to get to wear the tac vests. They have not yet been approved for my department however I have heard from friends that they do wonders in distributing the weight

I wear one; its amazing. Before I was barely able to get out of bed. With the vest I feel great. That being said; I definitely carry more crap I dont need since I have the vest and all the pockets. If I ever lateral to another dept im getting a dr note for a vest. I couldn't imagine doing 20 years with just a belt.

[ChrisO]

I'm in pretty damn good shape, lift 6 days a week, eat right... I'm 5'7 170. pretty lean and have a 31 inch waist. My department is traditional and won't even consider going to a vest. All the fatties always talk smack (get a bigger waist) I'm cool, I prefer having my lats wider than my damn waist. It sucks... but you get used to it. Some nights I can't wait to EOS to dump all my S*** especially after some OT.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

You can really only "deal" with it. The best way to handle it is to get some cush plain clothes gig and not wear a belt/vest!

Yes, or promote into management. Nothng but a pancake!

[Rogue187]

You also try to find lighter versions of everything..
ASP baton, you change to a Airweight Baton
Flashlight, you change to the newer compact LED with higher lumen lights.

I've added a back pad to mine because the suspenders need a note run up command and they have to approve it..HIPPA information doesn't need to shared but they want that information.

My gripe is they may use it against you with a Fitness for Duty charge.

[74c5]

Got rear ended in an unmarked and put on a mids watch desk due to back pain and spasms. After a month, maybe less, switched out to a slip on holster and pants belt and threw the Sam Browne in the back of the closet. Couple of weeks later, major change in pain. Every time I'd go back and try the big belt, pain and spasms. Ended up retiring out on cumulative broken parts.
Don't go velcro though is my advice. Has to be a bit too tight to stay attached. Wish they'd had the suspenders or vests back then. Closest thing we had were the 20lb swat vests that gave you the opportunity to load it with 40lbs of crap.