Best Men's Belts in 2023: The Ultimate Style Guide - The Trending Man (2024)

Best Men’s Belts

The belt is the most underrated accessory in any man’s arsenal.

We can all appreciate a stylish watch, a smart tie, and a sleek pair of shades. Yet how many men stop to think about the belt they wear with every outfit?

I’d be willing to wager that the answer is not many.

This is a shame. A well-chosen belt can upgrade a man’s look and take it from rugged to refined.

A lack of knowledge about what makes a great belt and why it’s important to find the right one is an issue we’d like to address with this comprehensive guide.

Within this guide you’ll find a selection of the best belts suitable for every occasion, as well as an ultimate buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.

The type of belts we’ll cover include:

• Best leather belts
• Best budget belts
• Best men’s dress belts
• Best men’s designer belts

Let’s dive into our best belt picks! Here they are…

👑 Our Pick for Best Overall

⭐ Our Other Top Mens Belt Picks

• Our Top Pick: Tommy Hilfiger Reversible Belt
• Best on a Budget: Drittze Double D Ring Belt
• Best Designer Option: Hugo Boss Garney Leather Belt

Best Men’s Belts Reviews

Tommy Hilfiger Reversible Belt (👑 Top Pick)

Our top pick for men’s belts has to be the reversible belt from Tommy Hilfiger. While a reversible belt isn’t always the best choice for a dress belt, the top designer brand manages to pull it off with this sleek and stylish accessory.

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a belt is that you’re going to need more than one. That’s just one big advantage this belt has over others: it’s two belts disguised as a single one. This is huge as it will save you money on buying multiple belts, and it gives you great versatility to change up your look with a quick trip to the bathroom.

One of the best options has a black side and a brown one, which means it’s suitable for 90% of formal wear and pairs perfectly with brown or black shoes. However, there are so many sleek colour combinations that you can pick the one which best matches your wardrobe.

Another great thing about this belt is how it’s fit for both casual and formal settings. Tommy Hilfiger designed a belt which is both wide enough to work well with jeans and casual trousers (1.25 inches), but narrow enough to match formal wear well too. The classic tongue buckle design should work with most clothes while also adding a certain sophistication to the overall look.

The material this belt is made from is a combination of leather (40%), vinyl (40%), and polyurethane (20%). This hybrid of synthetic materials with leather provides the belt with enough durability to withstand consistent use and enough flexibility to give you the comfort you’re looking for from day one.

Drittze Double D Ring Belt

The Drittze Double D ring belt is our best budget-friendly pick and sports a rugged design great for casual or outdoor use.

With a width of 1.5 inches, this belt from Drittze isn’t designed for formal wear. However, as far as casual accessories go, it can’t be beaten for the value for money. Its canvas design is perfect for pairing with a good pair of jeans for a night out or a rugged pair of trousers for a challenging hike.

The price is astonishingly low and goes to show that you can upgrade your casual look or have a backup belt without breaking the bank. As a result, if you go for this belt to round out your casual style, you will have plenty of money left over to invest heavily in a formal belt should you require a new one.

The double ring design not only adds an interesting aesthetic, but also helps you fasten the belt securely with minimal fuss. You’ll be able to tighten it to keep your cargo pants in place even when you’re off scaling mountains and trekking wild landscapes.

Features:

• Double ring design
• Fully adjustable
• Cotton material
• 1.5 inch strap width

Hugo Boss Garney Leather Belt

One of the best men’s belts, and in our view the best designer’s belt, has to be the Hugo Boss Garney leather belt.

This belt from world-famous designer brand Hugo Boss is available in both black and brown, and is crafted from 100% cowhide leather which makes it a classy accessory for any wardrobe. If you’re looking to make a bold statement while retaining a subtle style, then this belt is one way to do so.

As far as classic belt designs go, this designer accessory is flawless. It’s hard to pick holes in its timeless style, and the single tongue belt buckle gives it a minimalist feel about it which adds both subtlety and style in equal measure. Pair this belt with any formal attire for impressive results. The black version of the belt would look killer with smart black dress shoes and trousers.

Features:

• Made from 100% cow leather
• Available in black or brown
• 1.5 inch strap width

Hanks Belts Everyday No Break Leather Belt

Hanks Belts Everyday leather belt is a great example of fine craftsmanship and the best leather belt around in our view.

When you think of a leather belt, your mind might conjure images of a slim and stylish belt that goes well with dress pants and not much else. This is just one style of leather belt though, the other is a robust, high quality accessory that’s meant for rugged outdoor activities and a lifetime of use. If you enjoy living life on the wild side, and you want a quality belt to accompany you along the way, then this 100% full grain leather belt from Hanks Belts has you covered.

This belt is designed for everyday use, and that’s what we love about it. Why settle for a cheap synthetic belt when you can walk around each day adorned with a fine piece of leather that will withstand all the rigours of everyday life. You can wear this belt to work, to social gatherings, or even to an evening dinner. This versatility is hard to come by, and should be valued highly.

The Everyday belt is so highly rated by the manufacturer that they will give you an 100 year warranty to cover your investment. If that doesn’t give you confidence in this belt, then I’m not sure what will.

Features:

• 3 available colours
• 1.5 inch width strap
• Made from 100% full grain leather
• 100-year warranty

Dante Leather Ratchet Dress Belt

As far as the best men’s dress belt goes, it’d be hard to overlook Dante’s Ratchet dress belt.

This fine belt features a brilliant automatic buckle, negating the need for a line of holes. This gives it a unique aesthetic, which would be perfectly suited to a minimalist style or a formal context. Pair the black version of this belt with a fine pair of black dress shoes and you’ll be onto a winning outfit. If black isn’t your colour though you needn’t worry, there are a wide variety of colours to choose from to match any look.

The unique buckle isn’t only beautiful to behold, but it also gives you the ability to make as many as 38 adjustments to the fit. This will make it impossible to feel uncomfortable while wearing this belt, even after eating a big meal this belt can adapt to your expanding waistline. The buckle is also remarkably simple to use, and makes the whole experience incredibly comfortable.

Features:

• Automatic buckle
• 38 adjustments
• Available in a range of colours
• Made from high quality leather
• 1.25 inch strap width

Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

It would be remiss of us to present a list of the best belts without taking the time to explain what you should be looking for to find the perfect belt.

That’s why we compiled this ultimate buyer’s guide, which is a comprehensive list of all the factors that should inform your belt purchasing decision.

Related: Best Men’s Watch Under $500

1. Type of Material

It seems natural to start with the most important factor for picking out a belt, and that is the material it’s made from.

While you may be forgiven for thinking belts are only made from leather, there are quite a few different materials used to make high quality belts.

Though, there is a good reason why leather is used for the majority of them, as we’ll get to shortly.

Synthetic

It’s true that leather is synonymous with quality when it comes to belts, but that isn’t to say you can’t find synthetic belts to rival them.

The main advantage of choosing a synthetic belt over a leather one is reflected in the price. As you would expect, belts crafted from artificial ingredients are much more affordable to make and sell at a much lower price as a result.

You can also treat them with chemicals and more easily maintain them than with leather belts. This makes them an excellent option for everyday use.

One of the main materials used for synthetic belts is nylon. This means these belts will be highly elastic which is great for making adjustments and a more comfortable fit.

The downside to synthetic belts is that the low price is generally indicative of the quality. They won’t last as long as their leather counterparts, and won’t usually add much elegance to an outfit. This makes them largely unsuitable for formal use and evening wear.

Leather

Leather is the most common material for belts. But it goes much deeper than that. Leather is a broad category that includes all types of animal hides, grain styles, and other criteria.

The first thing we’re going to dive into is the type of hide used to manufacture the leather.

1. Cowhide

Cow hide is used for the vast majority of leather. You’ll come across it in everything from leather jackets to wallets, bags and belts.

The reason why this is such a commonly used hide is due to its outstanding durability and high quality.

Due to being the most common hide for leather, you can find everything on the spectrum when looking for a belt of this type; from the excellent to the average. But a good quality cowhide belt is up there when it comes to the best you can buy.

2. Crocodile/Alligator

This is the type of leather that makes a statement. The brilliantly scaly belt that has a rough and rugged texture yet oozes elegance from every stitch.

What’s great about this type of belt is that it will last you anywhere up to a lifetime due to how tough it is.

The painful part of investing in a crocodile or alligator belt is the dent it can make in your finances. This type of belt is hard to make, and as a result doesn’t come cheap. Premium is the name of the game here, so an investment in a belt made from either of these reptiles should be for those extra special occasions.

3. Snakeskin

Snakeskin makes for another scaly textured leather that really looks the part – especially in formal settings!

With snakeskin leather you can expect a bespoke belt that steals the show wherever you are. What you’ll get with this serpent-inspired belt over the crocodile or alligator one is refined colours and striking patterns.

A flexible material, you will get a very comfortable fit from this material, unlike the more rigid crocodile and alligator belts.

The drawback here though is that you will be sacrificing substance for style. That is to say you won’t be able to squeeze as much life out of one of these belts as you would with other types of leather.

4. Faux

Faux leather is an artificial imitation of real leather, which is quite commonly used for belts.

To know whether or not a belt is made from faux leather, keep your eyes peeled for PU or PVC, which stand for polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride respectively.

The benefits of investing in a faux leather belt are numerous. For a start, it will likely be more affordable than real leather.

Then, you can expect a more flexible and malleable belt, particularly from PU products. Vinyl or PVC belts on the other hand will offer an easy to maintain product that you can keep serviceable for a long time.

Faux leather belts are also the best vegan-friendly option.

Other types of hide used for leather worthy of note include ostrich and bison. While slightly more uncommon, these animal hides can provide a unique aesthetic if you’re interested in something a little different.

Grain

The next thing to keep in mind with regards to the craftsmanship behind a belt is the type of grain. The type you choose will have a significant impact on the overall quality of the belt, so it’s worth weighing up the options well before you invest.

1. Full Grain

Full grain leather (otherwise referred to as top grain leather) is taken from the uppermost layer of a hide, and is therefore the best quality material to use for a belt.

This type of leather is untouched, so the end product will be as pristine as it gets, showing every last detail of the hide.

It’s also a tremendously strong part of the hide so should last you anywhere up to a lifetime.

2. Corrected Grain

Corrected grain (otherwise referred to as embossed grain) belts are made using the second best quality part of the hide.

The process to produce corrected grain leather involves taking the natural hide and correcting the imperfections. This is commonly achieved by sanding or buffing the natural grain of the hide.

While the end result will be an immaculate finish, you lose the authenticity of having a 100% untouched hide for your belt. It will also alter the rough texture of the hide to make it more smooth, which can be a dealbreaker for some.

3. Split Suede

Split suede leather is taken from the lower layer of the hide.

This type of leather is often given a synthetic finish to resemble full grain leather, and is referred to as genuine leather but doesn’t have the same quality as corrected or full grain leather.

Split suede is the least expensive of the three types, and best suited to low cost casual belts.

2. The Fit

Now that you have a good idea of what leather belts are made from, and the different levels of quality, it’s time to think about the fit.

As applies to everything in men’s fashion, anything other than a perfect fit can take away from your style and elegance.

That’s why it’s imperative that you get it right the first time and pick a belt which fits your waist well.

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to selecting the right size belt is going for one with the same measurements as your favourite pair of jeans.

While this would seem to make sense, this logic disregards the fact that a belt has to be a few inches longer so that it can fit around your jeans or trousers.

There’s a widely agreed upon rule when it comes to buying a belt that fits: add 2 inches to your waist size.

If you stick to this one basic principle, you can’t go wrong!

3. Buckle

A less considered factor in buying a belt, but an important one, is the style of buckle it has.

Believe it or not, there is an enormous variety of buckles you can find on a belt. To save you some time we won’t cover all of them here, but we will touch upon the most common styles.

Attachment Styles

There are three main ways of attaching a belt that each require a different style of buckle.

• Screw. The screw closure requires a screw bar to fasten, and is generally an aesthetically pleasing design.

• Stitch. The stitch closure tends to come with adjustable buckles and are used with woven belts for a unique look.

• Clamp. Clamp closures are quite common, and are made up of two different parts. These parts slot together or clamp shut to complete the attachment.

Aesthetic Styles

As for aesthetic styles, there are countless options to choose from.

• Reversible. The reversible style is classy, and also happens to be a feature of our favourite belt overall from Tommy Hilfiger. This type of buckle can be used in either direction, giving you flexibility in how you wear the belt and increasing its versatility. This type of buckle essentially gives you two belts for the price of one, which equals great value for money. They are usually reserved for formal belts that should be worn to dinners and other occasions when you want to scrub up nicely.

• Double Ring. The double ring, as modeled in the Drittze model we reviewed, features two rings for more options when it comes to fastening. This type of buckle provides an interesting look which can prove more visually appealing than the standard buckle.

• Single/Double Tongue. The single or double tongue belt buckle is one of the more classic designs which you’ll surely be very familiar with. With one or two prongs, you will have to feed the belt into the buckle to fasten it. This is a great minimalist style that goes well with just about anything, but is best suited for casual wear.

• Auto Lock. The auto lock is a sleek style buckle which can really add a spark to your outfit. This style of buckle is slightly more complex than the ordinary design, and fastens with a mechanism that can afterwards be undone with the push of a button. An elegant style, you should reserve belts with this type of buckle for formal occasions.

• Auto Press Buckle. The auto press buckle is similar to the auto lock style, but this one gets rid of the teeth. This buckle uses an adjustable locking mechanism, and is appropriate for formal settings.

• Pin. A pin buckle is another common style which uses a pin and a loop to fasten shut. This style is more elegant than the single and double tongue design, and will suffice for formal occasions and smart casual wear.

• Autogrip. An autogrip belt buckle is one which will take care of the belt for you, leaving you to worry about the rest of your outfit. This style is very easy to use, and the buckle itself can feature a striking pattern or design that can add a splash of character to your look.

The buckle plays a significant role in the overall style of a belt, and should be given some thought before you part with your money.

We’re already gone over some of the more popular styles of belt buckle, so that should be the first decision you make with regards to style. Do you prefer an auto lock type of buckle, or are you more of a fan of the classic tongue style?

Once you’ve made that decision, it’s time to focus on what would go best with the other accessories you frequently wear.

It’s good fashion sense to pick your accessories to match each other, whether in colour, material, or another factor.

In this case try to have your buckle match your favourite watch or a pair of cufflinks you like to wear. If you’re unsure how to do this, simply pick metals that coincide, if not in substance than in colour.

4. Design

The overall design or style of the belt is important as this is what will determine whether or not it will go with the outfits you currently own.

Imagine you get a belt made of your preferred material that couldn’t fit more perfectly, but have nothing to wear it with.

To avoid this awkward situation, always take a moment to consider the style of the belt to see whether it will compliment your wardrobe well.

Width

The first style-related question you need to ask yourself before investing in a belt is whether you want the strap to be wide or not.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a men’s dress belt or something more formal, you want to be looking within the range of 1-1.5 inches of width.Anything wider than that and it might look too chunky and take away from your outfit. Anything thinner than that and you’ll barely notice you’re wearing a belt.

As for what you should aim for within that specific range, think thin is more formal and thick is more casual. So a belt that’s 1 inch wide is better suited to formal occasions like dinner parties, while a belt that’s 1.5 inches wide is probably a better choice for casual wear.

As for thickness, a good dress belt will be around 1.25 inches while a casual belt can be much thicker.

Colour

The colour of a belt is hugely important, so make sure you choose wisely.

Just like the colour of your shoes needs to match your outfit, the colour of your belt should match your shoes. It’s a bit of a fashion faux pas to pick a belt without taking the colour of the shoes you’ll most frequently wear with it into account. Black shoes and a brown belt can work, but won’t reach the same height of style and class as would having both in black.

There are some colours that are best for belts, and they are as follows:

• Black. Most men have probably owned a black belt at one time or another, since it’s a classic colour choice that goes well with a lot. As black tends to be a solid colour of choice for classy attire, it’s only natural that a black belt would be a popular colour to compliment it. A black belt with black shoes is a winning combination that’ll help you stand out in a crowd.

• Brown. Brown belts are amongst the most common too, as they lend a nice contrast with darker colours such as blues. A brown belt can be paired strikingly well with brown or tan shoes to help create a killer outfit.

• Blue. Blue is a slightly less common choice for belts, but can lead to some striking looks if you can pull it off. What having a blue belt allows you to do is introduce a splash of colour to an otherwise subtle outfit. The blue belt is for the risk-takers of the world, and if perfected can really cement your sense of style.

5. Maintenance

Maintenance is certainly not the most glamorous factor to consider when selecting a belt, but important nonetheless.

Some belts are much easier to clean and keep on top of than others, so it’s worth considering how much work you’re willing to put in to keep your belt looking sharp at all times.

Synthetic Belts

Belts made from synthetic materials or cotton are easy to maintain since they are machine washable. All you’ll need to do to prevent them getting dirty is wash them regularly, then hang it up to dry.

Leather Belts

With the quality that leather belts bring, there’s bound to be a catch. The catch is that if you want them to retain their pristine aesthetic you’ll have to apply some elbow grease every now and again.

What will happen if you don’t? Well, your fancy belt will turn into something resembling a shadow of its former shine. Nobody wants that, and especially not if you went all out and bought yourself a brand new full grain leather belt.

So how can you maintain a leather belt?

First, you need to keep on top of spills and stains. Yes, that means you might have to dismiss yourself if you have an incident with your beer and spill it onto your belt.

With a towel (microfiber is best), and some warm water you’ll need to get scrubbing as soon as you notice the stain. Avoid soap at all costs since it can lead to discolouration, and that’s the last thing you want.

That is unless you have specially designed saddle soap, which can do the trick for more stubborn stains which have taken up residence on your belt.

Then, it’s a case of storing the belt well to avoid potential issues with creasing etc. Normally it’s advisable to hang your belt up with a hanger. This will allow any creases to fall out if there are any, and keep it straight. This also reduces the risk of cracks developing.

One thing you won’t have to worry about too much with a leather belt though is the weather. You should be fine to wear it year-round whatever the weather, which makes getting caught out in inclement weather in your new belt more of an inconvenience than anything else.

6. Budget

If you’re serious about upgrading your style and stepping up your wardrobe, then you have to be willing to shell out for quality.

While there are some fantastic budget options like the Drittze Double D Ring Belt, the majority of designer belts will require a significant investment.

In case you were wondering, the most expensive belts can fetch north of $1,000. For a decent dress belt though you will be looking in the region of $50 or more. That’s not to say that you have to pay as much as that, but if you’re looking for lasting quality then most belts will sit in that range.

Once you have your basics established, like your shirts, trousers, and shoes, you can see how much of a budget you have to splash out on a quality belt.

It could be that you’re currently in the process of overhauling your look, in which case you might want to spend less on a belt so that you can focus on bigger pieces for your wardrobe.

Related: Best Men’s Sandals

A Belt For Every Occasion

Buying a belt that only works with a single outfit isn’t a great return on your investment. That’s why you should look for a belt that fits into one of the following three categories, and can be used with a variety of outfits.

1. Casual

Casual clothes are anything you’d wear to a relaxed social gathering or a meetup with friends.

The belts most often worn for casual situations can vary wildly, since nobody will tell you that your belt is too casual.

This gives you a lot of flexibility to either use the belt as a bespoke accessory to give your outfit a sophisticated touch, or simply as a functional accessory that’s comfortable to wear.

Casual belts tend to be wide (around 1.3-1.5 inches) and thick, at least when compared with dress belts.

The best material for casual belts is either a synthetic belt that you can wear without worrying about too much if it gets stained, suede, or full grain leather.

Full grain leather seems an odd choice given that it’s very high quality, but if you live most of your life in casual wear then you’ll be grateful to have something so durable.

2. Formal

The formal belt, otherwise known as a dress belt, can be hard to get exactly right.

The difficulty comes with choosing a belt that matches your other accessories, and the rest of your outfit in colour and in material amongst other factors.

As for width, you’ll be looking for around 1.25 inches or so, and as thin as your preferences allow.

One of the most important things to bear in mind when investing in a dress belt is the colour and buckle. The general rule is you need to pick a colour that matches your shoes, and a buckle that matches your accessories.

As for the material, you have to go with full grain or top grain leather. This is one area you can’t compromise if you’re serious about your formal style.

3. Work

Depending on the type of work you do, you will probably favour a particular style of belt over the others.

If you wear jeans or work in a labour-intensive environment, then you’ll want to get a belt that’s both highly durable and weatherproof.

Full grain leather ticks both of those boxes, but could also be quite risky if you expose it to potential scratching and general wear and tear. Synthetic belts might be your best bet since they are extra elastic for comfort and should be able to withstand some punishment since you can clean them with chemicals.

As for an office job, you might want to lean more towards a dress style belt.

This means full grain leather, or if you fancy something quality but less expensive, you could go for suede or faux leather.

Related: Best Rings for Men

What Not to Do When Buying A Belt

There are some things you just shouldn’t do when buying a belt, and we’re going to go over them here to potentially save you time and/or money.

• Choose Your Favourite Colour

Whatever you do, don’t pick a belt purely based on the fact that it’s in a colour you like.

While for most items for your wardrobe you can be liberal in what colours you pick, a belt is one of those accessories that has to match what you already own.

Buying a yellow t shirt because you like it won’t necessarily ruin your outfit, but buying a belt that’s blue when you only own black shoes could be a costly error of judgement.

Always remember that you should try to pick a belt colour based on the colour of the shoes you will wear it with most often. If you do this, even if the style of the belt isn’t the best match, it will look decent enough.

• Limit Yourself To A Single Belt

While not all of us have the budget to splash out on several new belts, it’s a good idea to have at least two to choose from.

If you limit yourself to just a single belt, then you’re going to quickly run into trouble when you try to wear it with multiple outfits.

Ideally you would have at least one casual belt, and one dress belt in your wardrobe at all times.

This is the bare minimum if you want to look great whatever the context.

• Pick a Belt Without Consulting Your Wardrobe

One of the worst things you can do when it comes to buying a belt is to get one without consulting your wardrobe beforehand.

If you rush in and buy the first belt that catches your eye, then you might be disappointed to find out that it doesn’t match well with your favourite watch or pair of shoes.

Always think about a belt in the context of the outfit you could wear it with, otherwise there’s not much point in investing in one. Unless of course you want to pick a belt and build an outfit around it, but this is a risky move unless you absolutely have to have a certain belt.

Best Belt Brands

The same brands for great clothes won’t necessarily be the best brands for belts.

Here’s a list of some of the top belt brands that you can consult if you’re only concerned with the highest quality:

Hanks Belts

Hanks Belts is a top brand in the belt business which is concerned with quality and durability above everything else.

They have belts fit for any purpose, but particularly outdoor adventure and exploration.

Their range covers more casual options, as well as more stylish ones. We particularly love their Everyday belt, which we rated as our favourite leather belt overall.

Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger needs no introduction. A titan of the clothing industry which also dabbles in fragrances and belts, this brand always delivers premium quality.

Their reversible belt is our top pick overall, and they have a range of other classy belts which cater to all styles and preferences.

Hugo Boss

Hugo Boss is another manufacturer that primarily produces premium clothing, but they have also ventured into the world of belts and produced some excellent options.

We rate their Garner leather belt as the best designer’s belt, and they have plenty more to offer if you’re interested in only the very best.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta is an Italian leather goods manufacturer which hand crafts its belts with love.

Using a traditional leather weaving technique called the intrecciato method, you can expect bespoke belts to add aplomb and elegance to your outfits from Bottega Veneta.

Of course, this type of quality and uniqueness comes at a steep expense, but if you need a show stopping belt then you needn’t look no further.

Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Belts

What brand of belt is the best?

It’s hard to pick a single brand, but some of the best belt brands include Hugo Boss, Bottega Veneta, and Tommy Hilfiger. These brands are synonymous with quality, and should deliver the goods.

You also can’t go wrong with others like Mulberry or Dunhill. You’re going to need to trust your instincts and sense of style when it comes to selecting the right belt, and it’s probably easier to focus more on what you need in a belt than the brand itself.

What size belt should I buy for a 32 waist?

If you already have a belt that fits well, then the best way to find out is to lay it flat on a table and measure it from the buckle to the hole you use most.

That way, you will get an accurate reading of what size belt is perfect for your waist.

To give a more concrete answer, a waist size of 32 will usually require a size 34 belt.

This is due to a universal rule with belts: always choose one that is 2 inches more than your waist size. So if you’re a size 36 waist, you’ll want a size 38 belt, a size 40 waist requires a size 42 belt etc.

Some belts afford more elasticity than others too, so you may want to experiment with different materials to see which one feels most comfortable to wear.

Who makes the best leather belt?

In our view, the title of best leather belt belongs to Hanks Everyday leather belt.

Hanks Belts is a belt company with a stellar reputation for producing tough leather belts that are built to last.

While primarily creating belts suitable for outdoor use, Hanks Belts have many stylish leather options like the Everyday belt we rate so highly.

If you appreciate durability and quality in a leather belt, you’ll struggle to find better value for money than with Hanks Belts.

How long should a belt last?

The answer to this question will vary largely due to the material of the belt. Most belts are made from leather, so we’ll take a quick look at some of the main types and how long you can expect them to last.

• Cowhide. Cowhide is the most common type of leather used for belts, and for good reason. A high quality material, this type of belt should easily last you upwards of 3 years. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a quality cowhide belt to endure for 5+ years. So if you’re looking for a long term investment, cowhide might be your best bet.

• Crocodile/Alligator. If you prefer the scaly style of these swamp-dwelling creatures, then you can expect an impressive belt lifespan of between 5-8 years. Crocodile and alligator hide provide a hard exterior for a belt, and one which won’t suffer from wear and tear easily. Just imagine trying to scratch or damage the thick scales of an alligator and you’ll get a good idea of why this type of belt is built to last.

• Faux Leather. Faux leather belts are more affordable than real leather, but this comes at the expense of quality and durability. As a result, you can expect a shorter lifespan from these types of belts. Think more in the region of 1-3 years, bearing in mind that faux leather belts can be prone to scratching and general wear and tear.

That being said, you can clean these types of belts more rigorously with harsh chemicals since you don’t have to worry about damaging the material too much. So you can potentially extend its lifespan with regular maintenance.

Related: Best Glasses for Men

A Final Word on Belts for Men

Selecting the right belt for your wardrobe can be a nightmare, but hopefully with this guide you’ll be able to solidify your idea of what it is you need.

Buying a quality belt can provide an incredible return on your investment in the long term, since it should last you anywhere up to a lifetime without losing any of its initial appeal.

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