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The Best Belts

Last updated on October 24, 2023

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Although belts are designed to go around the waist, fit in belt loops and hold pants up, most are used only for decorative reasons. Still, they perform the important function of breaking up an outfit with added design interest and making people look neater and more put together.

Most belts have a buckle and a strap, plus an end tip at the end of the strip and a keeper loop to hold the end of the strap at waist level and prevent it from flapping. Belt makers can cover the tip in metal or another material, preventing fraying and making it easier to put on and buckle.

Belts can be made from 100% leather, leather manufactured with other materials, faux leather, suede, rope, canvas, rope, vinyl or webbing. Full-grain leather is generally the softest and lasts the longest. Men’s belts tend to be wider than women’s, but this is not always the case. Men’s belt waist sizes generally start at 30 inches and go up to 50 inches and higher.

As for buckles, the traditional frame style is the most common and is found on formal and casual belts. The buckle is square or rectangular; the strap goes through the frame and has a prong that goes through holes in the belt.

Plate-style buckles are typically decorated and detachable, with hooks that go through the front of the strap. Ratchet belts have specialized buckles and straps and work by pressing a piece of metal into the strap’s tracking system. No holes are needed, and minute adjustments are possible.

Other belts include snap buckles that work like seat belts, O-rings (usually seen on canvas, webbed and braided belts) and box-out buckles that let you thread the strap through a basic leather or synthetic frame. Many men’s belts are casual or formal, but some can be worn for both occasions.

Our Picks For The Top Belts

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Lavemi Ratchet Buckle Leather Men’s Belt

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Lavemi

Ratchet Buckle Leather Men's Belt

Made from 100% natural leather, this ratchet-closure belt has no holes to mess around with because you can easily adjust the strap length by sliding the belt into the rectangular buckle and pulling it through. You won't have to worry about dealing with spaced belt holes.

Overall Take

Totally Handsome, Minimalist StyleHow great that you can trim this belt down to fit your waist!

 Runner Up

Dickies Matte Finish Harness Buckle Leather Men’s Belt

Dickies

Matte Finish Harness Buckle Leather Men's Belt

This casual men's belt by Dickies comes in colors and styles to fit waist sizes from 30 to 56 inches. It features 100% leather, stitching details along the edges, a pointed tip and a matte-finish buckle.

Overall Take

A Timeless Wardrobe StapleThis easy, casual belt looks great with jeans and khakis and will be your favorite go-to belt throughout the year.

 We Also Like

Levi’s Reversible Dual Color Men’s Belt

Levi's

Reversible Dual Color Men's Belt

This great 1.6-inch-wide Levi's belt has a rotative square buckle that reverses to the other side for a second color, made from split leather, bonded leather and polyurethane. There are 25 available combinations, including black/brown, brown/black textured and black/tan. It's two styles in one and offered in sizes 30 to 52 inches.

Overall Take

Two Sides, One Price!This well-made, cleverly designed belt is a terrific value.

 Strong Contender

Timberland Heavy Duty Genuine Leather Men’s Belt

Timberland

Heavy Duty Genuine Leather Men's Belt

Here's an attractive men's belt from Timberland, crafted from 100% genuine leather with a sturdy antique-finish buckle that coordinates well with either casual or dress pants.

Overall Take

Great Look and FeelYou'll feel great wearing this belt and will use it often for years; it deserves a place in your drawer or closet.

What to Look For

  • Dress belts are generally a bit narrower than casual belts; as a guideline, they can be 1 1/4 inches or 1 3/8 inches wide and 1/8 of an inch thick.
  • Shinier finishes on belts make them look more formal.
  • Casual belts are usually from 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches wide and may be thicker than formal belts, ranging from 1/8 to 3/4 of an inch thick.
  • Belts thicker than 3/4 inches are harder to bend and may feel uncomfortable.
  • If you tend to have problems with belt sizes, opt for a ratchet style that doesn’t have holes and lets you adjust the length to exactly fit your waist.

More to Explore

People like to wear interesting belt buckles to express their personalities, but Louie Keen outdoes everyone with his. He’s the mayor of Uranus, Missouri and owns a buckle measuring over 10 feet tall and 13 feet wide.

It’s obviously too large to wear, but it proudly displays the town’s name and a logo for Route 66 beneath it; it was certified by Guinness World Records and held a place of posterity at the Funk Yard, a local tourist attraction.

MORE: The Best Ratchet Belts For Men

More to explore