10 Best Belts For Men (Casual & Dress) That Look Great

A belt is one of those purchases that are typically made off the cuff and only when you are in a pinch.

But here’s the deal:

Belts are another way to express your sense of style in a subtle, yet powerful way.

Not knowing when to wear the right type of belt will lead you to commit a fashion faux pas that makes it easier for others to take notice, and it also may just simply look downright bad.

A quality belt should not only serve its intended style application well (i.e. dress vs. casually), but it should also be made from quality materials that won’t break down in months, looks great, and has the right balance between buckle size, belt width, and color choices – like the Red Wing Heritage Pioneer men’s belt.

Here’s a look at the finest men’s belts currently available.

Reviews Of The Best Belts For Men

1. Pioneer Belt by Red Wing Heritage

Materials: 100% Premium Full Grain Leather | Buckle:  Single Prong | Color Variants: 3 | Sizes Available: 5

Do one thing and do it really well—and that couldn’t hold truer when it comes to the Red Wing Heritage Company.

Known for their flagship boots that will last a lifetime, they bring this same craftsmanship to their Pioneer Belt.

From the onset, this belt looks boring–truly; it’s just a strip of leather with a plain brass buckle.

But it’s when you jump into the details do you fully appreciate the craftsmanship behind the scenes.

Built from premium full-grain leather that has been sourced from the SB Foot Tannery, this leather was tanned in a way that not only delivers incredible strength, but will simply get better with time.

At a comfortable 1.5″ belt width and hand-burnished edges that are slightly rounded, the belt won’t ever feel uncomfortable while wearing; in fact, just the opposite.

Just like a proper pair of Red Wing Heritage shoes, this belt will continue to darken and get better with age.

Pros

• Best leather belt money can buy
• No frills and will feel comfortable while wearing
• Made in the USA

Cons

• It’s expensive (but worth it)

What You Need To Know

If you want a no-frills belt that will last a lifetime, this is the one.  It’s made from the highest grade of leather and will only get better with time.  In addition, the belt is made in the USA.

2. Allen-Edmonds Men’s Manistee

Materials: 100% Full Grain Leather | Buckle:  Single Prong | Color Variants: 3 | Sizes Available: 7

For the men who are wearing a quality pair of dress pants on a daily basis and are looking for a belt that will withstand the daily wear and tear, then the best pick for you will be the Manistee by Allen Edmonds.

Beloved by men primarily for their incredible leather dress shoes, the Manistee full grain leather belt is the perfect, yet functional, accessory to your wardrobe.

At 1.5″ wide, it’s rather wide for a dress belt but one that will feel comfortable all day long, especially if you are sitting in back-to-back meetings.

While the materials in this belt should easily last you a decade, the buckle itself is also of timeless design that will never fall out of style with the trends.

Polished silver, it provides a clean and neutral accent that can easily complement any color blazers, trousers, or non-iron dress shirts that you are wearing.

Like all full-grain leather products, color choices will be limited.  With the Manistee, you can choose between three different colors (Black, Walnut, Brown) and 7 waist sizes (32″ to 44″).

Related: Affordable Men’s Blazers

Pros

• Full grain leather
• The design is timeless and clean
• Made in the USA
• Perfect for the men who need to dress up every day for work

Cons

• Size selection somewhat limited for larger men

What You Need To Know

If you want quality and don’t mind paying a bit extra for a dress belt, this full grain leather belt by Allen Edmonds is a great pick.

3. 2-Ply Tactical Cobra Belt by Klik Belts

Materials: Super Duty Nylon Webbing (MIL-SPEC) | Buckle:  Cobra Buckle | Color Variants: 4 | Sizes Available: 4

Sure, while the daily grind of your life will likely never call for a super-duty MIL-SPEC nylon webbed belt (you just never know), EDC fans will instantly fall in love with this 2-Ply Tactical Cobra Belt by Klik Belts.

Available in four sweet colors and at four different sizes – you have access to a belt that is constructed to withstand 4,000 lbs. of force.

But what really makes this belt really unique beyond the military-grade fabric is the buckle itself.

The anodized aluminum buckle is quick release and constructed from stainless steel (never any worry about rust) and is considered to be some of the strongest and safest in the world.

While we understand that you aren’t looking for new climbing gear or are headed to a war zone, you will be happy to know that when going to “take a leak”, you can simply use one hand to detach the buckle and let the main vein flow.

When it comes to comfort, the 2-Ply Tactical Cobra is 1.5″ wide and will rest comfortably on your waist.

Adjusting the belt is also a breeze.

Lastly, the Klik belt is made in the U.S. and features a lifetime guarantee.

Pros

• Can withstand a ton of abuse
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons

• Not suited for formal settings

What You Need To Know

This is the perfect belt for men who love EDC or military-grade offerings.  The material can (and will) withstand a ton of abuse.  The lifetime guarantee is also a nice touch.

4. YOSAR Guide Belt by Arcade Belt Co.

Materials: Nylon / Leather / Alloy | Buckle:  Loop | Color Variants: 1 | Sizes Available: 41″

There is a whole lot to love in this adventure belt by Arcade Belt Co.

But what caught our attention first was the noble cause behind the belt.

The YOSAR Guide belt is “Dedicated to the men and women who perform daring rescues at a moment’s notice in Yosemite National Park” (YOSAR).

Every year, the YOSAR saves an average of 200 lives.  These are men and women who either planned improperly, pushed themselves beyond the limits, or somehow or another found themselves in a precarious situation.

The YOSAR plunges into these dangerous situations, be it on the side of a cliff, water, deep wood hiking trail, etc. to do their job.

With every belt sold, 10% of the sale goes directly to YOSAR, making this the only belt on our list that doesn’t go into some corporate executives’ pocket.

Now causes aside, there is still a ton to love about this belt, especially for casual weekend wear.

Crafted from ballistic nylon coupled with premium leather accents and an alloy buckle, it is built to last.

In addition to the quality materials, the nearly tactical look is great for men who are a bit more utilitarian and want a bit more from their accessories.

With a “one size fits all” approach, there may be a bit of extra tongue on the belt should you run a bit slimmer.  The belt is 41″ in length and should be okay for men with 34″ waists and larger.

Pros

• A belt that raises money for a cause
• Made from high grade materials that can be washed easily
• Cool tactical/military look

Cons

• Limited size options (only 1)
• Can’t really be dressed up for semi-formal occasions

What You Need To Know

It’s a really cool belt that is attached to a noble cause.  Naturally, the nylon and alloy buckle make this only good for casual wear.  We wish there were a few sizes available.

5. Double D Ring Belt by Drittze

Materials: Canvas | Buckle:  Double Ring | Color Variants: 1 | Sizes Available: 10

With 10 different sizes available and a belt width of 1.5″, the Double D Ring men’s belt by Drittze is a perfect casual and weekender belt that is incredibly affordable.

Relying on canvas as its primary material (although it does have a little leather accent on the end), this double ring belt is great for men who want a no-frills belt.

Retailing for less than $15 – although prices can vary depending on belt length – this is a great way to add variety to your wardrobe through a simple accessory.

One nice aspect about this belt that a lot of men who wore it loved was its long-term use.

While your typical single prong belt can work at a variety of waist sizes, all too often some men may get a bit frustrated with its limitations as the belt may feel a hair too tight or loose.

With the double ring approach here, you dial in the tightness to your exact preference, all without having to worry about the belt slipping.

Pros

• Great secondary belt
• Perfect for weekend or casual wear
• Double ring design allows for perfect belt tightness
• Wide enough to not cut into waist (especially if larger)
• Incredibly affordable

Cons

• Can’t really be dressed up for semi-formal occasions
• Doesn’t carry a high-end designer name

What You Need To Know

Overall, this is a great pick for men who like the more canvas or natural look.  It’s an incredibly affordable belt that is great for weekend wear.

6. Bulliant Slide Ratchet Belt for Men

Materials: Genuine Leather | Buckle:  Slide Ratchet | Color Variants: 38 | Sizes Available: 6

With over 2,000 reviews (nearly all overwhelmingly positive), this belt by Bulliant is one of the most popular and highly rated picks on Amazon. This inevitably begs the question, why?

Here’s what we found out:

First, color selection.

The Bulliant belt is available in 38 different colors, firmly making it the one belt on our list with the most color varieties (perhaps most in the market as well).

Second, the fit.

Unlike belts that have pre-drilled holes for the single or double prong to go through, or the autogrips that lose their ability to stay fixed over several months of wearing, the Bulliant employs a new ratchet-like system that allows the buckle to traverse up and down the belt to find the perfect setting for you.

Why is this beneficial?

Two words:

Weight fluctuation.

On any day, our body can shift a few pounds.  With this unique sliding design, you can get the perfect fit every time you put on the belt no matter if you gain or lose a few pounds, and find that you are between sizes.

Lastly, and perhaps the most unique area of this belt, is that you can cut to size.

For those men who don’t want a long tongue on their belt, simply pull out a pair of scissors, cut to size, and clamp it back into the buckle.

Now of course, given that this belt retails for about $20 a pop, there are inevitably a few drawbacks.

Most notably will be the material quality itself.  Given that you can cut this belt with a pair of scissors, you will see that it’s made from genuine leather (remember this is a mix between hide and glue/binder).

So, it’s not built to last for years like other leather belts on our list.

Pros

• Cut to size is unique
• Ratcheting system gives you the perfect fit every time
• Incredibly affordable given the features
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Color selection is out of this world

Cons

• Genuine leather means it won’t last a lifetime

What You Need To Know

It’s a unique belt that delivers on both fit and colors.  At only 1.375″ wide, it’s a perfect belt to wear for formal/dress scenarios.  The clean appearance is also versatile.

7. Levi’s Men’s Work Belt

Materials: 100% Genuine Leather | Buckle:  Double Prong | Color Variants: 5 | Sizes Available: 8

When it comes to the world of denim and making them look sharp, there is no better expert in the world than Levi’s.

Trusted by men for generations, Levi’s puts together this fairly no-frills double prong soft leather belt.

Costing a modest $20 bucks on average across a variety of retailers, it’s a great way to get a belt from a trusted brand at an affordable price.

Whether you stock shelves at your local grocery store, find yourself at a construction site on a daily basis, or simply want a belt for casual or weekend use, this Levi’s work belt won’t let you down.

Now, given that this does come at a fairly affordable price, there were a few compromises in its design.

The biggest drawback to this belt was its material source – genuine leather.

Unlike some of the other plain leather belts featured on our list (i.e. Pioneer Belt by Red Wing Heritage), this belt won’t last you a lifetime.

While you should expect to get a few years’ worth of use out of it, there may be a scenario where the belt hole or tongue tears when getting ready in the morning.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. With a width of 1.54″, it’s wide enough to not cut into your waist when moving about or sitting down.

Pros

• Affordable belt from a trusted brand
• Double prongs ensure greater comfort and subtly rugged design
• Wide belt width of 1.54″ won’t dig into your waist

Cons

• Made from genuine leather – won’t last a lifetime
• Surface may fray over time

What You Need To Know

It’s a great belt to have for casual use.  Sure, the leather isn’t top-notch, but if you like to save a few bucks and don’t mind a step down in quality, this belt by Levi’s will be comfortable and get the job done.

8. Marino Leather Dress Belt

Materials: Genuine Leather | Buckle:  Single Prong | Color Variants: 17 | Sizes Available: 15

Look, we all aren’t high-powered executives making millions of dollars and wearing several thousand-dollar suits every day.

Perhaps one day, just not today.

It is for this reason that we included the Mio Marino dress belt.

It’s a simple, genuine leather belt that not only looks great but also gets the job done for a rock bottom price.

Setting you back about $15, the Mio Marino is a great belt for those men who only need to dress up on the occasion (i.e. weddings, funerals, interviews) and don’t necessarily need the quality full-grain leather found in the premium dress belts that cost 10 times more.

Available in 15 different sizes (30″ to 58″), you can get the perfect sized belt for your waist without having the excess falling off your waist.

In addition to the large size selection, equally impressive in the Mio Marino belt line is their color varieties (17 in total).  This makes the belt selection a breeze as you can easily find the perfect color to match your high-end Chelsea boots.

Lastly, the strap is about 1.125″, making it perfect for formal occasions.  As a side note, don’t try to use this belt also like one for denim; it will dig into your waist and feel uncomfortable.

Pros

• Incredibly affordable
• Wide size and color selection
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Strap width is great for formal occasions

Cons

• Genuine leather won’t last forever

What You Need To Know

It’s a great and affordable dress belt that gets the job done.  If you only dress up on occasion and want to look sharp, this belt delivers.  The wide size and color selection are also a great touch.

9. Tommy Hilfiger Reversible Leather Belt

Materials: Genuine Leather + Others | Buckle:  Single Prong | Color Variants: 16 | Sizes Available: ~12 (Varies on style)

Like Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger is another widely respected brand that comes to the front of the mind of many men in the world of fashion.

While they have seen a resurgence as of late when it comes to streetwear, Tommy Hilfiger offers up this classic, yet casual, belt that is also reversible.

Available in a wide variety of colors (16) and about 12 different waist sizes (sizes vary from one style to another), you have quite a bit of options to choose from.

Here’s the kicker for this belt, though:

We would only recommend this to men who are looking for a backup or secondary belt.

This shouldn’t be your belt for everyday use.

The reason is simply due to its material composition.  This belt is made from a variety of materials* including genuine leather, polyurethane, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

*The exact composition of the materials does differ from one belt style to another.  So be sure to read the product description page if you are curious.

The takeaway here is that this belt isn’t like the Red Wing Heritage belt – it won’t last a lifetime; you will have to replace it within a few years (depends on usage).

With all that being said, the reason why we included this belt in our list is that it was great for “in a pinch” (given the color versatility) while also being inexpensive (about $20 bucks).

Secondly, the buckle offers a clean design that will work great in most scenarios.

Pros

• Reversible is helpful if in a pinch
• Modern design aesthetics
• Brand that is loved by many
• Great inexpensive secondary belt to have on hand

Cons

• Poor raw materials mean a short life
• Suspect secondary ingredients

What You Need To Know

This belt is for the men out there that just need something “in a pinch” or want a trusty backup.  It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of others, but it does do a good job at keeping you looking great.

10. Top Grain Leather Ratchet Belt by SlideBelts

Materials: Top Grain Leather | Buckle:  Dual Ratchet | Color Variants: 9 | Sizes Available: 1 (Cut to Size)

Competing head-to-head with the Bulliant Slide Ratchet Belt, the SlideBelts by Brig was founded in 2007 and has been a hit with men ever since.

It has a unique dual ratchet design that ensures the perfect fit on your waist every single time.

Able to be cut to size, this belt will have no problem conforming to your waist in order to not only increase comfort but to do its job in keeping your pants feel comfortable against your body.

But here’s where things get a bit different between both the Bulliant and SlideBelts – the leather.

Relying on top grain leather (which is a blend between both full grain and genuine), the SlideBelts are just a cut above the Bulliant’s in terms of material quality.

This not only gives the belt a bit better shelf life but one that should hopefully get better with time.

To fully explain how this system works, check out this short 30-second video for a better understanding:

Available in nine different colors (all in neutral shades) and with only one belt length (that must be cut to size), there’s some versatility in your color style.

Lastly, the belt is 1.25″ wide, making it a bit better suited for those men looking for a more formal style (i.e. business or smart casual).

Pros

• Unique buckle design allows for a perfect fit
• Top grain leather is better than the genuine leather counterparts
• Nice color selection

Cons

• Some quality concerns raised in reviews around buckle failure after extended use

What You Need To Know

It’s a great idea for a belt.  The ability to expertly hone in on your perfect size allows for a comfortable fit every time.

10 Considerations When Buying a Belt

When buying a belt, there are a few considerations you should take into account to make sure you’re getting the right one.

1. How Long Should Your Belt Be?

Your belt should be long enough to go around your waist and still have a few inches to spare. This way, you can adjust it as needed for a comfortable fit. We recommend adding 1 or 2″ to your waist size to get the perfect length.

2. Types of Belt Buckles

There are many different types of belt buckles to choose from. Here is a summary of the most popular types:

1. Frame Buckle: This type of buckle has a rectangular or square frame with the belt feeding through the middle. Frame buckles are common on the dress belts and can be made of metal or plastic.
2. Box Buckle: A box buckle is a square or rectangular buckle with a hinged lid that opens to reveal the belt. These buckles are often decorated with intricate designs and are found on formal belts.
3. O-Ring Buckle: An O-ring buckle is a circular buckle with a hole in the center for the belt to feed through.
4. D-Ring Buckle: As the name suggests, a D-ring buckle is in the shape of a “D” with a hole in the center for the belt to feed through. D-ring belts are often worn by people who work in construction or other manual labor jobs.
5. Autogrip Buckle: An autogrip buckle is a plastic or metal buckle that has ridges or teeth on the inside to grip the belt. These buckles are common on belts for kids or people who need a belt that will stay put during activities.
6. Snap Buckle: Similar to the clasps you have on a bike helmet or backpack, a snap buckle has two pieces that “snap” together to secure the belt.

3. Width

The width of your belt should be in proportion to the loops on your pants. A 1.5″ to 2″ wide belt is ideal if you’re wearing jeans or khakis. A thinner belt between 1″ and 1.5″ wide is best for dress pants.

4. Types of Belt Straps

Belt straps come in several different materials. Here’s what you need to know about the other materials available:

• Leather: This is the most common and versatile belt material. Leather belts can be dressed up or down and are suitable for any occasion. Leather belts are available in many different grades including top-grain, full-grain, genuine, and bonded leather.
• Seude: With a soft and velvet-like texture, suede belts are a great option for adding a bit of luxury to your outfit.
• Calfskin: Calfskin is a type of leather that is soft and supple. It’s often used for high-end belts.
• Crocodile: These are made from the skin of, you guessed it, crocodiles. These belts are very expensive and are considered a status symbol.
• Ostrich: These belts are made from the skin of ostriches. Ostrich belts are very durable and can be quite expensive.
• Vinyl: These belts are made from a synthetic material that mimics the look of leather – also known as faux leather. Vinyl belts are often less expensive than leather belts but are not as durable.
• Natural Fibers: Belts made from natural fibers like cotton or wool are best suited for casual wear.
• Synthetic Fibers: Belts made from synthetic fibers like ballistic nylon or polyester are usually less expensive than leather belts and are ideal for casual or athletic wear.

5. Color

Your belt should be a neutral color that goes with everything in your wardrobe. Black, brown, and gray are all excellent choices. If you want to add a pop of color, opt for a belt with a colorful buckle or stitching.

6. Price

Belt prices can range from $10 to $100+ depending on the materials and construction. If you’re looking for a quality belt that will last, we recommend spending $50 or more. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available if you’re on a tight budget.

7. Style

There are many different belt styles to choose from. First, decide which one you like best and then look for a belt in that style. Some of the most popular types include the following:

• Plain: A plain belt is a solid-colored belt with no embellishments. It’s the simplest and most versatile style of belt.
• Basketweave: A basketweave belt has a textured surface that resembles a woven basket. It’s a good choice for casual wear.
• Tooled: A tooled belt has a design carved or stamped into the surface of the leather. Tooled belts are usually more expensive than plain belts, but they’re also more stylish.

8. Hardware Color

The hardware on your belt (buckle, rivets, etc.) should complement the color of your shoes. For example, if you’re wearing brown shoes, choose a belt with brown or brass hardware. For example, if you’re wearing black monk shoes, choose a belt with black or silver hardware.

9. Country of Origin

When buying a leather belt, it’s important to check the country of origin. Leather from countries like Italy, the USA, and Spain is known for its high quality, while leather from China is often of lower quality.

10. Brand

There are many different belt brands to choose from. However, we recommend choosing a brand that is known for quality and durability. Our favorite belt brands include Red Wing, Allen Edmonds, Levi’s, and more.