Tactical Design Labs Comfort Panel Review

Manufacturers Link

- Comfort Panel (includes lumbar support and two 9.5 in. Keepers)
- Comfort system provides extra comfort and superior weight distribution.
- High Cycle Velcro loop lining mates to the inner belt
- High Cycle Velcro hook holds our duty belt and gear in place for accurate indexing.

Our unique Comfort Panel is designed to fit across your lower back and around the hip where you bear the weight of a loaded duty belt.  It features an outer belt support loop in the back that will fit any 2.25"duty belts. We've designed the support system to 'float' the duty belt for extra comfort, and superior weight distribution. Removable lumbar pad increases comfort and support.  Most beneficial when purchased with the Professional Comfort System.  Available in 3 sizes: MED (27" - 36" waist), LG-XL (36" - 48"), and XXL (48" - 58").

REVIEW

Any Law Enforcement professional who has been wearing a duty belt for more than a day knows how uncomfortable the belt can be when worn for any amount of time.  Add your handgun, magazines, two sets of handcuffs, a radio, a flashlight, an expandable baton, and any other accessories that you attach to your bat-belt, the weight can creep into the 15+ lbs range.

When I was beginning out as an Officer I really didn't have back pain.  I had some from the Army and from everyday abuse, but nothing serious.  Though after years of carrying a duty belt around my back started taking a toll on me.

About six months ago I started to notice a small lump in my lower back, which every doctor that I went to had a different answer for.  One said it was a cyst, another said it was a tight muscle or muscle spasm, and another didn't have a clue what it was, but prescribed me 800MG of Ibuprofen anyway.  Eventually my right leg went numb and I was having sharp back pains.  Finally a doctor referred me to a spinal specialist and I was able to get a MRI.  Luckily the MRI came back "normal", but I still didn't have an answer for the back pain and leg numbness.

I started to think about what could cause the pain and narrowed it down to my duty belt.  I had seen other Officers wearing a pad on the inside of their duty belt and they gave me the information for Tactical Design Labs.  I did a little bit of research and determined that the $50 price tag of the Comfort Panel was well worth the gamble in trying to get my back to being pain free.

After receiving the Comfort Panel I removed all of the "bat gear" off of my "bat belt" and slid my nylon duty belt onto the Comfort Panel rubber loop.  I attached all of my gear back on the duty belt and adjusted the buckle to account for the additional room needed inside.  Total install time was about 20 minutes.  That may seem like a lot of time to install an addition to the duty belt, but I had to adjust my holster a few times to its new position, since the circumference of the duty belt had been changed.

My first impression of the Comfort Panel once I was wearing it was awkward.  It took me a few shifts to get use to having that extra material around the duty belt, but eventually it became normal and it is no longer noticed.  The Comfort Panel comes with a smaller removable pad on the inside of the Panel that rests on your spine.  I tried it, but I could not get use to the feeling of it under my belt, so I no longer use the small pad.

I will not go back to a standard duty belt without the Comfort Panel and I highly recommend them to new Officers that are just starting out.  They may not feel that it is necessary, but every ounce of prevention is well worth its weight in gold.

During my initial research in looking for a product such as the Comfort Panel, I was not able to find anyone else that offered a similar product.  So I cannot say that this is the best product out there, however it is one that I have had great success with and would purchase again.