How to Pick the Best Leather Belts for Men

Picking the right belt can be difficult, especially if you aren't certain what to look for but want to get an awesome belt. Finding a high-quality belt that will last is tricky with so many different styles and leather goods brands available. In this article, we break down all of the factors that you should consider when choosing your next belt.

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How do you pick a good leather belt?

These are the key factors to consider when shopping for a quality men's leather belt:

  • the belt and belt buckle should match your personal style
  • the type of belt you wear most often
  • the craftsmanship and quality of leather the belt is made with
  • the leather color
  • your belt size and whether you need a custom size
  • your budget for an affordable belt

What are the different types of belts?

Most belts fall into two categories - dress belts and casual belts. They come in all different colors and styles to match your personal preference and look great with jeans.

black mens belt with dark pants. casual leather belts look great with jeans on men. these are the best belts for men.

Casual Belts

Casual belts are a classic style to wear with jeans, t-shirts, or other casual wear. They are typically 1-½" wide to fit through the wider loops of blue jeans or casual pants. Thick casual belts can also be used for everyday carry.

There are fewer style rules around wearing a casual belt. They may not be the right belt to wear to every formal event, but you can pull off a dressier look if you pair a casual belt correctly. If you only want to own one belt, casual belts are the best belts for men.

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micron dress leather dress belts for men. the best men's belts are made with full grain leather. black belt with silver buckle.

Dress Belts

Men's dress belts are a great choice to wear for formal dress occasions, to the office, or as a golf belt. They are usually 1-¼" to fit through the narrow belt loops of dress pants. Traditionally, a dress belt should match the color of your shoes and compliment your outfit. For example, if you're wearing black dress shoes and blue dress pants, your dress belt should be a shade of black to match your clothing. The buckle should have an elegant, classy design to accentuate your other accessories.

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the outlaw gun belt buckle on black leather belt opens with a bang when you pull the trigger

Advantages of an Obscure Belt

An Obscure Belt is a completely new type of belt buckle. Our unique belt buckle designs use a metal sizing piece that screws into the leather belt holes. Each metal buckle is a little wearable lock that uses a hook, steel, and a magnet to open and close with the push of a button. It's easy to adjust your size - just unscrew the stud and move it to a different belt hole.

We've got something for everyone, whether you need a new belt or some inspiration on what kind of buckle design would look good with your favorite pair of jeans. We make tons of different styles of cool leather belts for men and women that are a perfect gift for any occasion. And if you don't see anything you like right now, sign up for our mailing list and we'll send you an email when we design something new!

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Slate Grey Full Grain Leather has a vintage feel, perfect for mens leather belts. Handmade leather belts for men.

What is the most durable leather for belts?

A good leather belt is made from high-quality materials, but remember that not all leather is created equal. The most common type of leather to use for belts is cowhide, which can be split into two general categories - full-grain leather and corrected grain leather.

The best quality and most durable belts are made with full-grain leather. It is the best leather for belts. The material maintains its natural character and develops a beautiful leather patina as it ages.

Corrected grain leathers also make good quality belts, but they are less unique. The natural leather grain is sanded down to give products made with it a more uniform, even pattern.

How can you tell the quality of a leather belt?

All men's belts are not created equal. If your new leather belt is made with a cheap belt material, like bonded or genuine leather belts are, expect it to break easily and feel like crap on your waist. If the company does not offer any information about the type of leather they use in their products then don't waste your money on them. Whatever you do, don't bother with genuine leather belts or reversible belts.

This reversible belt is less than a year old and you can see how genuine leather belts age terribly. This type of product is made with cheap belt material and isn't worth your money.

old mens dress belts. very poor quality men's belts made with bonded or genuine leather will break apart in less than one year

Broadly speaking, you can quickly assess a leather belt's quality based on its price. High-quality vegetable tanned full-grain leather belts will usually cost in the range of $80 - $150, or higher depending on the craftsmanship and type of belt buckle.

Sometimes these leather belts are called "buy it for life" belts or heritage belts because you can expect them to last a very long time. This is the only type of leather we use at Obscure Belts.

Belts for men under $50 are most likely made with an inferior leather product, and we wouldn't touch a belt under $30 because it's most likely made with leather by-products and glue. The worst by far are reversible belts, a product of such poor quality it will fall apart in after a few wears.

You can also tell how good a leather belt is by touch. The weight and thickness of the belt are good indicators of quality. Some belts are made from thinner, less expensive leather than others. The heavier the belt, the more cowhide was used in its construction and the better it will wear over time. The best men's leather belts are thick and sturdy, but still comfortable to wear all day.

Handmade leather belts for men and women. black leather belt, brown leather belt, grey distressed leather belt.

What color belt should I buy?

The most common belt colors are black and brown. Grey belts are less common but still very versatile.

Black is the most common color leather belts are made in. Black belts are a great choice for everyday use with lighter or monotone shades of clothing. Their sophisticated style works well for both formal and casual wear. This is the one color belt everyone should own.

Brown belts are usually worn with neutral or earth tones and are great for people with a more rugged style. They are the second most common belt color and are the perfect belt for casual outfits or jeans.

Grey belts are a very versatile option that can be easily dressed up or down. A smooth grey belt can be worn with dressier clothes to amplify their elegance. A grey distressed leather belt has a more edgy character and makes a unique accessory to finish off a casual outfit.

measure through the belt loops with your pants worn at a traditional height or wherever you typically do. 36 pants size uses a 38 belt. If you need a large mens belt order a custom size

What size belt should I buy?

The biggest mistake people make when buying a new belt is assuming belt sizes are the same across different brands or designers. Don't buy a new belt without measuring your waist first. Put on the outfit you want to wear your belt with and use a cloth tape measure to get an accurate measurement.

For the best experience and most comfortable fit, buy a belt that you fit in the middle of the size range. There should be with enough additional belt holes so you can adjust your belt size easily as needed, even if your pant size changes.

Always consult the brand's size guide and don't be afraid to ask if they make custom sizes or extended sizes. A good leather craftsperson can just as easily make a custom belt size as a standard size. Don't settle for anything less than a perfect fit.

Other Types of Specialty Leather Belts

There are also a few styles of specialty leather belts.

Kilt Belts - Kilt belts are special types of leather belts designed to wear at the natural waistline with a kilt. They are typically custom-made to fit and are 1-¾" - 4" wide. The types of belts are a big part of cosplay outfits. For the best look always try on kilt belts with your kilt before purchasing if possible. If not, ask for a custom fit based on your exact measurements so you won't have to deal with returns.

Waist belts - Similar to a kilt belt, a waist belt is meant to be worn at the natural waistline. They vary in width, from a very narrow ½" wide all the way up to 4" wide, and are usually worn snug to cinch and accentuate the body. While not typically considered the best leather belts for men, waist belts are our favorite pick for dresses or sweaters.

We hope the tips and tricks we've provided in this article help you find and buy the best belts with confidence. If you're convinced we know what we're talking about when it comes to guys belts, head over to our online shop to discover the wide variety of cool leather belts we make. If not, let us know how we could make these posts better in the future by emailing us or leaving a comment below! We would love to have you as a customer and Obscure Belts fan.

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