A Basic Guide to Buying a Leather Belt That Lasts
A good leather belt is one of the few things you can buy once and wear for decades. Here's what to look for so you get it right the first time.
1. Start with the leather
Look for full-grain leather. It's the strongest grade and it gets better with age. "Genuine leather" and bonded leather are lower grades that crack and peel. (More on that in our guide to leather grades.)
Within full-grain, different leathers have different personalities:
- Water buffalo has a lovely feel and a rugged look. Our Indie (brown) and Orca (black) are our two best sellers.
- Distressed water buffalo, like the Forest and Sahara, is softer, already broken in, and has a higher shine.
- Bridle leather is dense and firm. Our bridle leather belts are our thickest.
2. Choose a width
- 1 inch: dressier, fits slimmer belt loops on dress pants.
- 1¼ inch: the in-between that works with chinos and jeans.
- 1½ inch: the classic jeans and work belt. Fits standard jean loops and holds tools and holsters well.
Check your belt loops before you order. If you'll wear it mostly with jeans, 1½ inch is the safe pick.
3. Get the size right
Belt size isn't the same as your pant size. The easiest way to get it right is to measure a belt you already own. Our belt sizing guide shows exactly where to measure.
4. Think about the buckle
Our belts come with a riveted buckle as standard. If you like to change buckles, add snaps so you can swap them in seconds.
5. Make it yours
- Add stitching with heavy thread for a classic look.
- Want colour? The Stroke of Color belt comes in 13 hand-dyed colours.
- Want something one-of-a-kind? The Hearth is dyed in three colours for a burnt, layered look.
6. Look after it
A little leather conditioner a couple of times a year keeps the leather supple and helps it develop a rich colour. See our leather care guide.
Shop all leather belts, handmade in Ontario.
