Leather belt choices

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
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Been wearing the same black leather carhartt brand belt for many, many years now and it has severed well, even blends well with suits. Unfortunately its age is beginning to show and its only a matter of time under the leather at the buckle fails so I am looking for options to replace it with. My main concern is price and longevity. I don't mind rubbing it down with Obenauf/snoseal/kiwi every now and then but I can't spend and arm and a leg on it. Looking at the carhartt belts they just aren't made like this anymore. This one has a stitched in buckle so no snaps to fail, reasonably sized buckle but nice and heavy still. I will be using this belt for the same purposes- casual, general purpose, anything, including carrying a CCW. I've seen the 5.11 "Casual Leath 1.5in" and "Arc leather 1.5in" but having a hard time swallowing ~$50 for a belt. Are they any more economic options that are worthwhile or do I just not know anything about the belt market and thats a fine price?
 
I often buy what many would consider leather gun belts at places like Sportsmans Warehouse. They are stiff and they last. I wear a leather belt out in a couple years as the eyelet holes widen out over time. For really good belts, look at the custom gun belts that are rigid enough to support a holster. I have one that I wear periodically that I bought a few years ago. I have since heard bad reviews/comments on them, but I had a great experience (Rafter S). I heard there was a divorce involved when things went south in terms of customer relations.
 
I would take a look at Fossil belts. At about $30 they're made of quality leather and have durable stitching connecting the buckle.
 
I also think you should check out Hank's Amish Belts. That said, I have both an Amish Belt and a Carhartt belt. Both are a few years old. The Amish belt is much thicker and stiffer. The Carhartt has stretched and conformed to my waist. As such, it is the belt that I wear most often. It's comfortable and holds up my pants just fine. From your post, though, I think you're looking for something like the Amish belt. It's a good solid belt for not a lot of money.
 
The leather amish belts look promising for a future purchase of mine. Did not know about Hanks.
 
Cheap belts got too cheap, kept breaking every six months. I picked up a black gunbelt from The Beltman and it's holding up well. Lots of choices.
 
Received my Hanks Amish CCW belt last week and have had a change to wear it both with and without my IWB setup on a couple of days. Definitely a big improvement over the worn out carhartt it repalced, I'm VERY happy. Its nowhere near as stiff as one of the insert belts, but for a plain old leather general purpose belt its VERY nice, VERY THICK. If you wear your CCW EVERYDAY then perhaps those might make more sense but for part time, off duty carry this is perfect. Not much more than something from the department store and MUCH higher quality as well as being approximately three times as thick.
 
Fox Creek Leather.

"The Belt"

$37, and Mine has been going for 10 years or so. Belt still looks fantastic. No delamination.


Ive paid 100 plus for a belts that did not last for more than a few years.
 
Look at the belts that Duluth Trading has. I don't have one, but have been eying them as a replacement for my old Carhartt belt.
 
Duluth Trading has very nice belts. If budget is an issue check out the wide leather belts at Homedepot.
 
I got mine from Angel leather shop on Etsy. It is one single piece of full grain leather, it comes in either inch and a half or inch and three quarters thickness, double prong or single and this thing is durable. I can't recommend it more without being hired by their marketing department.
 
Find something in Horween chromexcel leather. The maker of the belt isn't nearly as important as the leather its made from.
 
I paid 65.00 for my LAST leather belt!! Thats right.. LAST!! This belt will out live me and probably more!! So yeah.. I think its worth it!! John:thumbup:
 
Highly recommend the beltman. Not cheap but worth every penny. It wasn't till I owned and started wearing one that I finally understood.
 
Renorattler said:
I buy Amish ccw belts from hanks. Very thick leather, tough, and price friendly.
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I have a Hanks Amish Gunner that I have been using for a little over a year.

It is holding up very well, still supports a holster well, and is not really showing a lot of wear.

It is a single ply, and over time it would likely get a little more supple than I would like for a holster, but it is well made and would still hold up your trousers.

Good belt!

I also have an Armour belt, which is a double ply belt and it is much sturdier, and will support more gear and a heavier sidearm, but it is also more spendy.

The Hanks is great for 90% of people, and if you do training or need a duty belt (I don't) then the Armour is the way to go

best

mqqn
 
As the saying goes: buy once, cry once.

For the past ten years, if I was wearing a belt, it was my Milt Sparks sharkskin. Other than getting more supple, you couldn't tell it was that old. I expect it to last at least that many more.
 
rbmcmjr said:
As the saying goes: buy once, cry once.

For the past ten years, if I was wearing a belt, it was my Milt Sparks sharkskin. Other than getting more supple, you couldn't tell it was that old. I expect it to last at least that many more.
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Absolutely, even a 100.00 on a real belt pays in the long run. I was using regular belts leather and nylon and the difference in just holding up your pants is night and day. Carrying any weight on your belt you will not regret the purchase.
 
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