Packed with specialized equipment for combat and forensic purposes, the utility belts of the Bat Family are the most characteristic portion of their suits. The exact contents of each belt is unknown, as each member changes the contents to suit his/her needs for any given situation.
The Bat Family's enemies are especially interested in the belts as they believe they will give them an advantage over them, but the belts' pockets are locked and only exclusive people know how to open them. Occasionally, the belts are depicted as having defense mechanisms such as electric shock, stun gas or even an explosive device in order to prevent tampering.
Composed of a kevlar strap and metal buckle, the original utility belt worn by Batman possessed ten cylinder cartridges, which vertically clip onto the outside of the belt. The buckle itself contained a miniature camera and two-way radio. A secondary compartment behind the length of the belt houses Batman's supply of collapsible batarangs.
Each of the ten cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman's war on crime, and are interchangeable with other cylinders depending on Batman's needs for the mission.
By 1989, most artists drew the utility belt as a simple yellow belt with a buckle and cylinders around it. The belt itself also contained compartments to carry equipment in addition to the cylinders. The movie Batman (1989) saw the inclusion of a rappling system to the belt's buckle to be used in tandem with the Grapnel Gun.
In 1986, Frank Miller drew Batman's utility belt with military-style pouches. In 2000, following a re-envisioning of the Batsuit after the No Man's Land event, the pouches became a standard feature in the depiction of the utility belt.
Trivia[]
- Batman (Bruce Wayne)'s uncanny ability to always carry the appropriate tools for a mission in his utility belt is legendary.
- Opting not to wear a belt, Nightwing instead carries his utility equipment in compartments on the cuffs of his boots and gauntlets.
- Cassandra seldom uses the tools in her belt, and at one point realizes that she doesn't even know what she carries inside the pouches.