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After scouring the market, we bought 14 of today’s best belts for side-by-side, hands-on testing. While many models look similar at first glance, materials and construction quality can greatly differ. It can be challenging to guess which products will truly stand the test of time and which ones will likely peel, crack, or fade with everyday use. We’ve done our research; we stretched, rubbed, and even smelled these belts to determine which ones are made with the highest quality materials. We wore them in our daily lives to answer questions related to style, versatility, and ease of use. Our comprehensive review will help you find the best belt for your style and budget.
Best Overall
Hank Belts The Gunner – 1.5″
This is the Hanks Belt that started it all. Our bestselling work and CCW belt, the Hanks Gunner Belt™, just keeps on performing.
Simple in design but gets the job done at a price that no one comes close to matching.
The Hanks Gunner Belt™ is one tough and rugged belt.
This belt is 1 1/2″ wide and made out of 14 oz solid full-grain steer hide. Made right here in the USA, this belt will probably outlast you.
So no matter what you carry on your belt, the Hanks Gunner Belt™ will handle it without cracking, breaking, splitting, or tearing at the holes.
Are you ready to see the difference a REAL work belt can make? Start right here with Hanks Gunner Belt™. This belt offers the support and comfort you just can’t get with any big box store belt.
- 1 1/2″ width fits through most belt loops
- USA Made
- Made from vegetable-tanned leather
- Extra thick 100% full-grain leather lasts for years
- The buckle can be replaced with your own
- Screwed together – with Chicago screws
- Ships discreetly with no mention of CCW on package
- 100-year warranty
Best Overall Belt Runner Up
Levi’s Reversible Casual Jeans Belt
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to reverse
Good construction
Charcoal-tinted steel buckle
REASONS TO AVOID
Thick
Pricey
Don’t let the name of the Levi’s Reversible Casual Jeans Belt throw you off — this is a really nice belt. Unlike 100% leather, which tends to acquire a patina after moderate wear and tear, this model’s leather and polyurethane blend is designed to withstand the test of time to maintain its snazzy look. The Levi’s Reversible Casual feels and looks more solid than most and has a charcoal-colored, full-steel buckle. When you choose to reverse it, the process is extremely simple. Pulling the buckle away compresses a spring and releases a pair of tabs from their notches; then, you simply twist them 180 degrees, and it automatically locks back into place.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Lavemi Leather Ratchet Dress Belt
REASONS TO BUY
Heavy-duty buckle with ratcheting system
Soft leather construction
Classy and sleek style
Huge variety of colors and styles
Low price
REASONS TO AVOID
Trim-to-fit design is inconvenient
Leather connection to buckle can weaken over time
Spring buckle mechanism has uncertain durability
One of the most unique and innovative models we tested is the Lavemi Leather Ratchet Dress Belt. Available in a variety of leathers and a huge assortment of buckle colors and styles, the Lavemi has a sleek and modern style with a slightly thinner width and a square buckle. The pass-through buckle has a spring-loaded clip that engages with a strip of small teeth embedded into the end of the leather to create a ratcheting closure system. The system makes it very easy to dial in a snug fit across a wide size range and is easy to engage and remove. This is one of our favorite buckle designs for dressier occasions.
An Affordable Reversible Belt
Steve Madden Men’s Dress Belt
REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly
Thin enough for sports
Lots of holes
REASONS TO AVOID
Buckle pin flops around
Single stitching
More difficult than some to reverse
The Steve Madden Men’s Dress Belt is very affordable. To add value to its already low price, it’s also reversible, giving you two belts for the price of one. With a hole punched every inch for seven inches, it is one of the most adjustable options of this type that we’ve tested. This model is surprisingly versatile, considering its style and cost. With one black side and one brown side, this could be used for anything from a wedding to a casual social event. A lot of attire designed for action sports — namely skiing and skateboarding — require you to wear a belt. The Steve Madden is thin enough to comfortably bend at the waist, twist, and contort without the belt digging into any awkward places.
Best Belt for Travel
Arcade Ranger
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight and stretchy material
Plastic buckle is airport friendly
Machine washable
Stylish colors and designs
REASONS TO AVOID
Plastic buckle could be a weak point
Difficult to adjust the circumference
With a very lightweight design, soft and stretchy material, and a convenient plastic buckle that is airport friendly, the Arcade Ranger is our favorite pick for comfortable travel. It’s also available in a wide range of fun and stylish colors and prints. The Ranger is made from stretchy nylon, which is some of the softest and most comfortable material that we tested, and it sits very flat against your body to maintain comfort while sitting or lying down. With no metal parts, this model is travel-friendly, and the plastic quick-release buckle is easy to use. You can even leave the whole thing on your pants through the washer and dryer for easy cleaning on the go.