Clothing > Accessories

14 Best Belts for Men from Casual to Dressy

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated November 29, 2023

14 Best Belts for Men from Casual to Dressy
Courtesy of Blackthorn

Belts are one of the most under-appreciated and overworked accessories we own.

Think about it: the only times most of us notice our belts is when we’re buckling/unbuckling our pants, but it’s still working all day long to keep them firmly in place.

As a guy whose weight has changed (by as much as 50 lbs.) over the years, I’ve come to appreciate a good belt more than most.

Rather than replacing my entire wardrobe when I drop a few pounds, I can use a belt to keep my pants in place.

Plus, like my watch, shoes, tie, and wallet, they make a statement about who I am on both a personal and professional level.

So yes, belts may not be the flashiest accessory around, but they’re among the most important.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • It’s not all about leather. Leather is the tried-and-true material we all know and love, but modern belts are often made using nylon, ballistic nylon, polyester webbing, and other advanced, performance-friendly synthetic materials.
  • The buckle’s the thing. Most belts tend to break at the buckle first. A good buckle—be it brass, steel, nickel, or even titanium—is a critical component of a great belt.
  • Size it right. Pants designed for slimmer, more “stylish” belts will usually accommodate belts up to 1” thick. Work pants and technical pants may be able to fit belts as thick as 1 ½” or 1 3/8”.

I’ve invested a lot of time into researching the best belts for every outfit as well as every activity. Whether you’re hiking, hunting, strolling around town, dressing up for a formal dinner, or lounging on your couch, I’ve got a belt for you.

Read over my list  below to find the option that suits you best: leather belts, nylon belts, webbing belts, even a few cutting-edge belts that will forever change the way you dress.

Best Overall Belt

Tecovas Leather Harness Belt

Why did I choose it?

Dress to impress in this gorgeous full-grain vegetable tanned leather belt. Between its sturdy construction, simple-yet-stylish design, and stunning good looks, it’s the belt you’ll be glad to wear anywhere and everywhere.


Best Leather Belt
Blackthorn Belt

Best Belt for Outdoor Pursuits
Arcade Ranger Belt

Best Belt for Jeans
Billkirk No. 288 Center Bar Belt

Best Casual Work Belt
Dickies Casual Leather Belt

Best Inexpensive Leather Belt
L.L.Bean Essential Leather Belt

Best Nylon Belt
FAIRWIN Tactical Belt


Best Overall Belt

Tecovas Leather Harness Belt


$75
 

For a night out on the town or a good old-fashioned line dance party, you’ll want to have this belt on standby.

Tecovas is one of my favorite bootmakers, known for making hard, Western- and modern-style boots using only top-quality materials. No surprise that they do a great job turning out quality accessories like this belt, too.

Made from full grain vegetable-tanned leather, it’s as beautiful as it is tough, and will grow more lovely as it patinates over time. The single-strap construction makes it durable and prevents snapping or splitting, and the leather feels heavy-duty so you can trust it to hold up to your daily activities no matter how fast-paced.

I’m particularly fond of the the brass-finished snap buckle. It makes for a lovely fashion piece but also a great addition for versatility; I can swap out buckles easily according to the accessories I’m wearing (silver, gold, copper, etc.).

Not only is it very well priced, but Tecovas stands by the quality of its products and ensures every single belt sent out is of the highest standard of manufacturing.





Best Leather Belt

Blackthorn Belt


$75
 

Say goodbye to cheap, easily breakable belts, and hello to the tough-as-nails Blackthorn Belt.

The belt is made using 10 and 12-ounce Wickett & Craig English Bridle leather, the same hyper-durable leather used to make horse tack. Trust me when I say that bridle leather is very tough and is highly unlikely to split, fray, or tear.

The edges have been beveled and burnished, and the entire belt sealed with a layer of beeswax that adds both natural water-resilience and a divinely smooth, soft hand-feel.

The buckle is thick brass or nickel that will resist bending or breaking (even for a big guy like me), and the Chicago screws ensure the assembly is durable but still easily removed so I can swap it out for another buckle of my choosing.

Each belt is “custom fit” to ensure it fits the individual wearer to perfection. It’s built from the ground up to be the last belt you’ll ever buy, and the only belt you’ll want to wear.





Best Belt for Outdoor Pursuits

Arcade Ranger Belt


$32
 

The Arcade Ranger does things a bit differently. With your standard leather or nylon belt, you’ve got a single strip of solid, inflexible material that cinches tight around your waist to reduce movement as much as possible.

But the Ranger is designed to move and stretch, made from a flexible polyester (85% recycled) webbing that is lightweight, ultra-versatile, and built for maximum comfort.

As the proud owner of three Arcade belts, I can say they are amazing for pairing with Bermudas, chino shorts, and khakis. Really, any outfit that you want to keep sleek and trimmed down without a chunky leather belt, this is the accessory to reach for.

It’s fully machine washable so it can be cleaned along with my pants, and its metal-free buckle makes it the perfect travel companion.

It’s not ideal for supporting heavy loads (such as a tool pouch), but for those days I want to move unencumbered around town, it’s a total game-changer.





Best Belt for Jeans

Billkirk No. 288 Center Bar Belt


$125
 

Billy Kirk brings their own unique spin on the classic jean belt, and there’s no denying that it’s a good-looking accessory from buckle to tail.

The center bar buckle comes in both a glossy brass and eye-catching silver nickel finish, and it’s sturdy enough to use with your everyday jeans as well as your work pants.

The hand-stitching detailing not only gives it a stylish look, but also adds durability so you know this belt will last for years of daily use.

Available in 6 colors.





Best Casual Work Belt

Dickies Casual Leather Belt


$17
 

I’ve been a proud Dickies wearer for years, thanks to the toughness and reliability of both their workwear and casual clothing. This belt falls into the latter category, made to pair with my favorite jeans or chinos, but it’s still heavy-duty enough to use for work pants as well.

The genuine leather is sturdy but smooth to the touch. As it breaks in and softens, it’ll become an incredibly comfortable belt that hugs your hips snugly. The double stitching prevents it from breaking, fraying, or splitting, even when burdened beneath a tool belt.

The matte finish of the harness buckle is far subtler than glossy steel, making it ideal for those days I want to dress a bit more low-key.

Best of all, the belt comes in “Big and Tall” sizes, so guys like me (6’6” and 250 lbs.) can easily find one to fit.





Best Inexpensive Leather Belt

L.L.Bean Essential Leather Belt


$40
 

The “Essential” belt by L.L. Bean gives you exactly what you’d expect from a leather belt: solid, full-grain leather that is sturdy as heck and grows more supple and comfortable the more you wear it.

It’s versatile enough to be worn with your favorite business suit and pair of jeans, and the silvertone hardware matches your silver, titanium, and white gold accessories.

The fact that it’s extra-wide (1 3/8 inches) means it will give your outfit just the right amount of flair without being overly ostentatious. And you can’t help but love the price tag.





Best Nylon Belt

FAIRWIN Tactical Belt


$18
 

Switch it up and go full tactical with this belt. Designed in the style of military/tactical and work belts, it’s made using sturdy nylon webbing that won’t fray, stretch, or sag even when wet or heavily loaded.

The heavy-duty buckle can withstand the weight of heavy tool or ammo pouches, even weapons and holsters. But when the time comes to pop off your pants, the quick-release buckle makes quick work of it.

Best of all, it uses Velcro to adjust its tightness, and once it’s set to your desired tightness, you can wear it day after day without ever having to fiddle with it again. For the price, you won’t find many better options to wear on the job site or outside the wire.






J.Crew Wallace & Barnes Jean Belt in Italian leather


$98
 

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your outfit, this Italian leather belt is just the thing. The vegetable-tanned Italian leather looks and feels beautiful, and the more you use it, the more beautiful it will become as it develops a patina.

The belt and its buckle are inspired by classic military uniforms and workwear, and it’s one of the sturdiest, hardest-wearing leather belts on the market.






Shinola Bedrock Belt


$175
 

Shinola has made a name for itself as a brand that crafts some of the toughest, sturdiest leather goods on the market. From the moment I laid eyes on this belt, I knew it would live up to the brand’s reputation.

Crafted from Shinola’s signature premium natural grain leather, it’s sturdy and supple enough that I’m comfortable whether it’s paired with jeans, chinos, or a suit.

The silver-toned hardware gives it a touch of class and draws the eye, making it the perfect accessory to complement my elegant, business casual wardrobe.






Filson 1-1/2" Bridle Leather Belt


$90
 

Want to try a leather belt that you can trust to withstand long hours, days, and months of use? Then give this beautiful Filson belt a try.

It’s made using bridle leather, one of the toughest, most durable types of leather around, resistant to damage, scuffs, scratches, and breaking. The fact that the bridle leather is saddle-grade means it’s even tougher than you’d expect, able to withstand even the most active lifestyle—hikers, cowboys, bikers, trekkers, you name it.

The leather is sourced from North American hides, tanned in the USA, and sized just thick enough (1 ½ inches) that it will accommodate all belt loops while still serving as a beautiful statement piece.






Patagonia Tech Web Belt


$35
 

Wear something different with the Patagonia Tech Web Belt. The notched buckle will keep the belt securely in place no matter how much you run, jump, and play, but it’s easily loosened when you need to drop your trousers.

The aluminum buckle is incredibly sturdy despite being lightweight, and it can be used as a bottle opener in a pinch. The belt itself is made of an ultra-tough, quick-drying recycled webbing that will be as much at home in the jungle as in the desert or city downtown. You can even use it as a lash or tie-down in case of emergency.






GrooveLife Groove Belt


$99
 

GrooveLife’s Groove Belt stands out from the crowd in all the best ways.

First off, there’s the magnetic slide buckle, which clicks together (with a satisfying sound) and remains firmly engaged no matter what I’m doing.

I’ve taken my Groove Belt hiking, camping, trekking, cycling, and mountain climbing, and used it for DIY home renovations and construction work both. No matter what I do, the neodymium magnets keeps the hyper-tough, scratch resistant A380 aluminum buckle firmly in place.

Then there’s the belt itself, which is made from a proprietary webbing that is incredibly durable and comfortable to wear.

I do find the belt is a bit tough to adjust, but once it’s set, it’s not going anywhere, ever.

I’ve worn this belt the exact same way every day for the last two years, and the only time I have to worry about loosening or tightening it is if my waist size fluctuates.

Give it a try, and I think you’ll fall in love with this game-changing, ultra-reliable belt as quickly as I did.






Timberland Classic Jean Belt


$20
 

If I’m wearing a pair of Timbs around town, this is the go-to belt to match. Crafted by Timberland, it uses genuine leather with a look similar to their eye-catching boots.

The antique finish gunmetal buckle is incredibly tough, capable of withstanding a lot of weight as it holds up my pants even if my cargo pockets are heavily stuffed with my EDC loadout.

Take this belt with you out onto the street and around town, and it’ll be the perfect compliment for your boots.






Columbia Men’s Trinity Logo Everyday Casual Dress Belt


$25
 

Columbia is one of my all-time favorite brands for active-wear, because their products are high-quality, versatile, and more than capable of keeping up with any adventure. This belt is no different—it’s built just as tough as the Columbia jackets, pants, and boots in my closet, and so is a worthy companion to take hiking, hunting, fishing, or backpacking.

Made from a mix of leather, bonded leather, and polyurethane, it’s more flexible than a pure leather belt but doesn’t sacrifice durability. The classic English tip makes it easy to slide through your belt loops and gives it an elegant look that’ll pair nicely with everything from slacks to chinos to jeans.

Thanks to the seven pre-existing holes, you’ll have no trouble pairing it with any outfit even if you gain or lose a few pounds. And because it’s Columbia, you can trust that it’s constructed to last for years of daily wear.





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