SEVEN STEPS TO THE BEST LEATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA
This is a guide to the most important material, style and construction characteristics that will help you find the best leather belts made in the USA. What you should look for when purchasing a quality custom leather belt that holds up to work, play and the great outdoors.
We have all had belts that failed us in some way, wearing out to quick, not fitting quite right or just looking and feeling cheap. This guide will help you identify what it takes to make the best leather belts made in the USA. Do you want to purchase a USA made leather belt that lasts and looks real because it is? I will show you what to look for and with my free downloadable guides teach you how to maintain your belt and any outdoor leather goods you own so they last and perform for years to come.
I make a 100% USA made leather belt available right here for sale. It has been a dream of mine for years and one that is finally a reality.
BLACK WITH ANTIQUE NICKLE BROWN WITH POLISHED NICKLE
MY JOURNEY-WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THE BEST LEATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA
Like many of you I spend a great deal of time outdoors, live an active life and believe in purchasing USA made goods whenever possible. Finding a belt that reflected my lifestyle, values and would last was always a challenge. I wanted something that I could wear every day to work and all weekend without worrying that it would fall apart from constant use. I wanted one of the best leather belts made in the USA with a balance of quality, style and durability, I just did not know how to get there.
What do you look for? Don’t worry we will cover these in detail but quality full grain leather of the right thickness is where to start. You also want a great style that is not cookie cutter, meaning the tip, buckle and keeper all have to work together in harmony for the right look. The right hardware that is removable and easily replaceable is important and lastly but not lastly is the fit, finish and sizing. Get all this right and you have one of the best leather belts made in the USA.
WHAT RUINS A BELT AND THE NOT SO BEST LEATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA
What I found was after 2-5 years of hard use most of my belts would stretch at the middle of the back or the most used belt hole and break. Part of the problem was I used inexpensive import leather, typically the cheapest I could find. This would work for a casual or dress belt but the constant exposure to sweat, dampness and tightening will ruin a belt made with poor quality leather. On a hot day with lots of physical activity you sweat, the leather gets damp, you lose water weight, your pants start to slip and you cam the belt into the next hole stretching it while it is wet. Repeat this all summer and the leather will eventually crack and stretch. Or if you are a little heavy around the waist like me the process is accelerated due to extra stretching and kneading action that comes with carrying extra squishy weight. Don’t worry even lean dudes or ladies will ruin a belt it just takes them a little longer. That is why you take all the right steps to make the best leather belt made in USA so it looks great and lasts as long as possible.
LOW QUALITY IMPORT LEATHER FAILED AT BUCKLE HOLES
STEP ONE-THE LEATHER ITSELF
Why use leather and what type of leather do you use? Leather is a connection to our past, it served many functions and uses in a time before plastics, synthetics and a cheaper everything at the highest profit margin possible. When one of the best leather belts made in the USA does wear and age from hard use it develops a patina, a look that is pleasing to the eye. If you are not into that look and want to keep your belt looking new then congratulations! A real full grain leather belt can do that to! Think about how good your leather boots or shoes look after they are shinned, polished and conditioned. That same magic happens with your leather belt, snapping back from rough use with the right products and application. Try that with a cracking/splitting pleather belt or even a cheaply made leather belt (often the brand of your work pants) and you will find it is not possible.
THE BEST ELATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA START WITH FIRM EXPERTLY TANNED AMERICAN LEATHER. VERY FEW TANNERIES LEFT IN THE USA SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THEM.
STEP TWO-THE DIMENSIONS
How thick and wide should one of the best American made leather belts be? I have found that a thickness of 10-11 oz (5/32” to 3/16 “) is the right balance of durability and function for a good belt. Leather thickness is typically quantified by ounces per square foot, so it helps to include the actual inches, think about the thickness of 3 pennies stacked together as being about right. Anything thinner and it will stretch too easily for a real leather work belt and any thicker it tends to get a little cumbersome.
STEP THREE-THE WORKMANSHIP, DESIGN AND DETAILS MATTER
When seeking or one of the best leather belts made in the USA you have to have the right design and details. The focal point or heart of the belt it the tip and the hardware. Even with some custom belts the tip shape is one of a few common strap punches made originally for bridles, harnesses and other horse tack. These punches are either rounded which is kind of boring, English point or very angular. These are not very inspiring or reflective of the type of belt you are trying to create. These punches are made for horse stuff, not people stuff, but they are easy to use and speed things up.
For me a casual belt tip has to be more of an angular shape with the edges tapered then lightly rounded. This requires creating a template and cutting each belt by hand to carefully shape the tip, this takes more time and effort but the results are worth it. I have found that the chunkier the buckle the more edgy and angular the tip has to be. The longer and more angular the buckle the longer the taper should be. This is not even a consideration for some makers but when you are trying to make the best leather belts in the USA its all in the details.
SOME OF THE HAND TOOLS USED TO CREATE THE BEST LEATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA. THESE HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH OVER THE YEARS.
STEP FOUR HAND DYE AND HAND RUBBED TOPCOAT
Hand dying just the front of the belt one at a time as opposed to drum dyed or sprayed has two advantages, depth of color and highlighting any natural features of the leather. By rubbing the dye in by hand and wiping off any excess you will highlight any slight variations in the leather. With a better grade of leather these are minor but lend to the overall authentic look especially when you have a tan, brown or burgundy color. Hand rubbed finish also gets us further away from that cookie cutter sameness that mass produced materials have-its one step closer to getting one of the best leather belts made in the USA.
Once the color is right an application of leather preservative seals the front surface and edges of the belt. This will have to be reapplied at times (see my leather care guide) to ensure the best level of protection and function. Instead of an acrylic sealer I like to use an all-natural approach with a beeswax based product that hydrates and protects the leather.
HANDMADE LEATHER DRESS BELT WITH WELL BURNISHED EDGES
STEP FIVE THE KEY-BURNISHED EDGES
Well burnished edges, this is the key factor in setting your belt apart and the step I feel is the most important in finding the best leather belt made in the USA. These are smooth, well rounded and really set your belt apart. You will see these on better leather holsters and knife sheaths where it is crucial to blend two or more pieces of leather together. Even one ply belts benefit greatly from this treatment. The process involves some labor, you have to round each edge by hand with an edging tool then use an edge slicker and burnishing tool along with applying a wax or gum based compound to work the edges to a glossy smooth finish that glides effortlessly though your belt loops.
Over time and hard use the color and shape on the edge will start to fade but can be easily brought back with minimal effort. If your belt did not start its life with well treated and burnished edges time will not be kind to it. The edges will get even fuzzier, worn or even cracked since they have never been protected and tend to absorb sweat, mold and dirt easily.
STEP SIX THE HARDWARE
When I set out to make one of the best leather belts made in the USA I wanted everything to be made here. Not just the leather or the labor but every single detail. I sought out buckles, removable Chicago screws to fasten that buckle (and allow you to easily switch it out) and leather finishes that were all made right here in the USA. Sourcing all of this from US manufacturers wasn’t an easy road but I was determined to make it happen. I wanted to support the few manufactures left in this industry (it’s sad and scary how few are left) and each factory represents and effects hundreds of people down the line like you and me who want to work and make things for a living.
MADE IN USA HARWARE
STEP SEVEN THE FIT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST LEATHER BELTS MADE IN THE USA
I hate to break it to you guys (and I was real hurt when I found out) but if you wear a size 38 jeans like I do you don’t have a 38 inch waist. Your real waist is anywhere between 40 to 42 inches. Yes that’s right there is about 4 inches between your vanity pants size and harsh reality. Not sure where and why pants makers got off the rails on sizing, but they did and it could really effect your fit. You want one of the best leather belts made in the USA you must measure for it.
The key here is if we go by our pants size our belt could be off by 2 to 4 inches depending on all the variables listed above. Don’t worry on my order page I show how you the right way to order for a custom fit.
Click below for an easy guide to measuring for your next custom Boone’s Lick Road Leather belt!
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
On this journey we have seen what it takes to make the best leather belts made in the USA. We learned why belts fail and why real leather carefully crafted, burnished and finished with interchangeable US made hardware is the way to go. Now you can appreciate the workmanship and details that set a custom-made belt apart from cookie cutter mass produced belts. It is possible to make belts like they used to, one at a time right here in the USA with quality all American parts and labor.
Now that you know what to look for in a custom-made belt and what it takes to make one check out Boone’s Lick Road Leather Company and see for yourself if we have a belt that fits you and your lifestyle.
