I need belts

[mretzloff]

There are a few threads here about belts, but there does not seem to be any general consensus here or anywhere. Google does not seem to be any help either. Some members recommend gun belts, some have had good luck with inexpensive belts, and others say they prefer their expensive belts. I think we can rule out Walmart belts, which I have yet to have last more than three months.

Right now I think I need three belts: a dark brown casual belt, a black casual belt, and a black dress belt. I was thinking of getting them from The Beltman. A few members recommended the belts, plus the guy is a fellow North Carolinian.

What are your thoughts?

EDIT: Also, which material would you suggest? I was thinking about horsehide.

 

[dklaiman]

I'm 45, which may play in to my recommendations.

I think a dress belt needs to be non-shiny leather with a fairly small buckle. I have a few Allen Edmonds belts that I think are great for the price point. I picked up my newest 2 at Nordstrom's anniversary sale last summer and they still look brand new.

Casual belts can be any material, I suppose. Mine are leather only because I couldn't fine a woven one I really liked.

 

[Wingnut]

Hey Matt, have you by any chance checked out your local T. J. Maxx/Marshall's for their selection? I have found that, if you don't NEED to get anything there today and browse often, you can pick up some quite good values - belts included - for not a lot of cash.

They often have designer closeouts (Joseph Abboud comes to mind as far as a belt that I've seen there recently), and the quality is a few notches above what's available at WalMart. Most of my belt collection came from T.J's, and I haven't spent more than $20 for any item and the quality and longevity, while not as good as a boutique maker, is quite good.

 

[Swampfox]

Good belts are hard to come by. Most look terrible, and real leather ones are hard to find. I'm still using a very worn black leather belt for work and casual wear, but it has seen better days. My wife wants me to get rid of it, but I won't until I find a replacement. I have another brown leather belt for casual wear, but I need to find someone who can shorten it for me.

 

[Wingnut]

Good belts are hard to come by. Most look terrible, and real leather ones are hard to find. I'm still using a very worn black leather belt for work and casual wear, but it has seen better days. My wife wants me to get rid of it, but I won't until I find a replacement. I have another brown leather belt for casual wear, but I need to find someone who can shorten it for me.

Married life not agreeing with you, Ray?!

 

[Kouros]

www.thebeltman.net

These are the best belts I have ever owned.

 

[mretzloff]

www.thebeltman.net

These are the best belts I have ever owned.

Which material did you get?

 

[Gaston]

Do you have any other particular needs from a belt, other than holding up your pants? I ask because if you carry a concealed (or not) handgun, heavy key ring, cellphone, multi-tool etc. I'd recommend the "ranger" style belt for casual wear. You get the advantages of a fairly stiff belt without the disadvantage of "buckle belly" misery, as the buckle and strap are mounted to the outside surface of the belt itself. You can find examples of the style by searching Cabela's, etc.

As for horsehide - it makes a great belt. I try to keep a couple of "horse butts" handy (that's what the leather vendors call then, and that's pretty much what they are, a strip across the horse's butt next to the "cordovan" part) in case I need a casual belt or a durable strap and buckle for something. Use some good leather dressing on it when it starts to look dry, and it may well outlive you.

 

[Kouros]

Which material did you get?

Black and brown 1.5" horsehide with square brass buckles. I wear them with jeans and chinos. The salesman at Nordstrom was blown away so much by my belt that he wishes they sold them at his store.

 

[Mooncalf]

I used to go through department & mens store belts fairly quickly (i.e. two years at most), and flea market junk (along with Wal-Mart) only lasted a couple months at best.

At a local fair (Streetsville Bread & Honey Festival), I found a custom leather crafter. She made a couple very nice belts for me right onsite - custom fitted and all. They were about $50/ea, and still look good as the day I bought them 5 years ago.

Unfortunately I can't remember the name of her company. I've been thinking of her lately, wondering if she'd make me a custom strop... Perhaps I'll have to wait until next years festival to see her again.

But in any event, look around for leather crafters at local events, and you might be surprised there is still some quality workmanship to be found in this world.

 

[Swampfox]

Married life not agreeing with you, Ray?!

 

[tsmba]

Duluth Trading offers some fine belts. They have a "Lifetime" belt that is double-thickness if stout is your goal. If you have an Amish community nearby with a tack shop, you are in luck. I got one made to my specs for $12 and it beats any commercial belt from stores.

 

[Alacrity59]

I used to go through department & mens store belts fairly quickly (i.e. two years at most), and flea market junk (along with Wal-Mart) only lasted a couple months at best.

At a local fair (Streetsville Bread & Honey Festival), I found a custom leather crafter. She made a couple very nice belts for me right onsite - custom fitted and all. They were about $50/ea, and still look good as the day I bought them 5 years ago.

Unfortunately I can't remember the name of her company. I've been thinking of her lately, wondering if she'd make me a custom strop... Perhaps I'll have to wait until next years festival to see her again.

But in any event, look around for leather crafters at local events, and you might be surprised there is still some quality workmanship to be found in this world.

Sounds good. If you do find this craftsperson do direct me her way too. Just looked it up and the bread and honey festival is over for this year. Dang.

 

[Mooncalf]

Sounds good. If you do find this craftsperson do direct me her way too. Just looked it up and the bread and honey festival is over for this year. Dang.

I used to have her card handy, but seem to have misplaced it. I also see the Bread & Honey festival does not post their vendor list online. So it seems we'll both be waiting until next year. But I will certainly pass her info along once I have it again.

 

[C Reed]

What belt depends a lot on your shirt, pants, jacket, shoes and watch (in that order) you might get by with 3-5, I have around 20.

Also I have to say belts are the only piece of clothing I can almost never get excited about and I generally buy mine a decent vintage shops when I see something I like.

 

[mretzloff]

www.thebeltman.net

These are the best belts I have ever owned.

I think I will go with this.

Thank you for the help, everyone.

 

[Swampfox]

What belt depends a lot on your shirt, pants, jacket, shoes and watch (in that order) you might get by with 3-5, I have around 20.

Also I have to say belts are the only piece of clothing I can almost never get excited about and I generally buy mine a decent vintage shops when I see something I like.

Mystery man, I see your return, and raise you 300 tomorrows.

 

[netsurfr]

I have been very pleased with the beltman.com belts