There are so many options when picking a belt that it can be hard to find a good one. And many manufacturers are cutting corners and getting their materials from overseas. We researched to find all the belts made in the USA – below are our findings. Check out the brands below, along with our tips for finding the country of origin when shopping for a new belt.
Complete List of Belt Brands Made in the USA
Billykirk makes high-end leather belts from US-sourced leather. They are a bit expensive, but worth the cost for the quality you’re getting. I have a thick brown belt from them that I absolutely love, and can dress up or dress down for tons of occasions.
Grip6 belts are made for someone with an active lifestyle, whether hiking, climbing, or just playing a round of golf. Their belts are minimalist with a ton of durability. They were really intentional about making it simple, says BJ Minson, CEO at Grip6, who we spoke to over email. “A simple product is easier to manufacture, and the customer has a better experience using [the belt]. We make our own products because it gives us the control to improve the quality, make the process more efficient and have fun testing and trying new ideas all the time.”
The strap is woven from high-strength nylon webbing, and it’s all connected with a laser-cut aluminum buckle that couldn’t be simpler to operate – all you have to do is strap it in, no prongs, pins, or clamps needed. The Grip6 design simply uses friction to keep everything in place, and they are so confident it will hold that they gave it the name “Badgerbite,” able to withstand 250 lbs of outward pressure (most other similar belts can only hold 50 lbs).
I have a Grip6 belt that I wear almost every day and recently gifted some Grip6 belts to my brother-in-law and other family members. They are a hit!
Colonel Littleton handcrafts all of their belts in their facility in Lynnville, Tennessee, a small town of just over 300 people. They have some traditional styles and more unique belts made from buffalo and alligator leather with cinch clamps and other closing mechanisms.
If you’re looking for a simple, reliable fabric belt, look no further than Thomas Bates. They are based out of Massachusetts and have a ton of great style options for both men and women – they are also the officially licensed belt for the Boy Scouts. Their braided belts are also pretty cool, but we think their fabric ones are the best. These belts have a simple plastic clamp on the front that is adjustable to virtually any waist size, and there is no metal in it, meaning you won’t have to take off your belt when you’re passing through the TSA security check. This belt is also great for outdoorsmen (given the hiker name) and is water resistant.
Belted Cow’s needlepoint belt styles are as unique as their name (which has an interesting backstory), and they’ve been making some of the best belts out of their manufacturing facility in Maine since they started in 2004. Needlepoint belts have been a staple to casual, preppy fashion for decades, but it seems like everyone always has the same styles, and the materials really haven’t improved that much. Belted Cow has set out to change that narrative. Tabs on each belt are cut and stitched from full-grain Latigo leather, and the stitching of the designs onto the cotton webbing below is very strong.
Hank’s Belts is a force when it comes to the right belt for your concealed carry. They also make casual, dress, and reversible belts with various colors and styles to choose from.
grown&sewn has a couple good O-ring belts that are a very different and cool style. Everything is made from American leather. They don’t have many style options, but if you want an O-ring belt, they are one of the few made here.
Based in San Tan Valley, Arizona, Lifetime Leather is making some amazing leather goods – all by hand. Their leather belt is a classic style that is a staple in most closets. Each belt is made from full-grain leather (the good stuff) and hand-waxed with genuine beeswax to give it that shiny finish and help protect it for the long term. Lifetime Leather also offers personalization for all of their belts, up to 12 letters and numbers. Each belt also has a nice imprint near the buckle of the Lifetime Leather logo.
Ezra Arthur only has two belts (they are primarily known for their wallet manufacturing), but both options are highly customizable. You get to pick your leather color, width, length, and buckle finish. Everything is made from high-quality leather, too.
The O-ring is a popular cinching technique for several belts and creates a stylish look that works well for both men and women, and the Anchorage belt from SWEETTRADE is far and away one of the coolest options out there for this style.
We spoke with the founder, who said he loves making his belts in the USA because of his control over his raw materials. “I know that my raw goods come from small independent companies that also do business here with a good work environment. It just so that it happens to be not that difficult and affordable (my opinion) to design/source/make my products in the U.S.” When we asked him what his customers love most about his belts, he pointed at the “aesthetic difference” and attention to detail – “don’t get lost by following the crowd,” he says. We think that’s pretty darn good advice.
Range Leather Co. doesn’t offer a ton of belts, but the ones they make are darn good. Check out the Windom Belt – handcrafted from 8oz Horween Latigo leather.
Waltzing Matilda USA makes timeless leather belts from Horween leather out of their workshop in Maine. They use recycled leather whenever possible and pretty much stick to traditional brown and black colors.
Noble Buffalo has some great handmade leather belts in a classic style. Everything is made from either buffalo or cowhide sourced in the USA, and all their buckles are also sourced domestically.
Main Street Forge has a solid selection of classic-style leather belts that are great for everyday wear. Everything is made from full-grain American leather, and the screws and buckles for their belts are sourced here too.
Holtz Leather manufactures some awesome personalized bridle leather belts for men in classic colors – black, dark brown, and chestnut. Everything is made from full-grain American steerhides.
Buffalo Billfold Company makes lots of great leather belts from 100% US-sourced bison. They handcraft everything, use full grain leather, and a nice steel buckle to give their belts a polished look.
Queen City Footwear has one leather belt you can purchase in either black or natural color. The leather is vegetable tanned, 1.5 inches wide, and comes with a solid brass buckle.
American Bench Craft makes beautful leather belts for men and women. They get their leather from US tanneries and have a variety of styles to choose from. Their most popular is the Working Man’s Belt (I have this one), but they have a bunch of cool designs to check out if you want something a bit more unique.
Skinner American Goods is primarily a clothing manufacturer, but they have a small selection of beautiful leather belts in their store with classic styles. Everything is made by hand.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Belts
How To Find Belts Made In The USA
When it comes to belt manufacturing in the USA, it’s not just about providing a list of brands; we want to empower you to make informed choices. Here’s a closer look at the industry: from material sourcing to labeling, and strategies for finding quality American made belts. Let’s start by unraveling the “made in the USA” label and understanding its significance.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
The label “made in the USA” is protected by the Federal Trade Commission or FTC. By having this label, the company is claiming that “all or virtually all” of the product is made in the United States. However, there are some gray areas regarding what constitutes the “all or virtually all.” So, to really understand if a product is made in the USA, proper research is required. To really be considered “made in the USA,” the product should be sourced and assembled in the United States.
For more information on this topic, check out our full guide here.
Materials
The main components of a belt are the strap and the buckle. For a product to be truly made in the USA, both components should be sourced and manufactured in the country. It is good practice to understand if the belt material is commonly sourced in the United States or abroad.
Belt Strap
The belt strap can come in a variety of different materials, ranging from popular leather to nylon and even recycled materials. The material you choose is completely up to you, and you can certainly find quality belts made in the U.S. crafted with the material of your choice.
Leather
The United States is a great source of leather as cowhide, and other types of leather are often used for a variety of USA-made products, like cowboy boots and hats. However, remember that good leather can also be sourced in countries like Italy, and cheaper varieties can be found in China.
It is worth noting that the quality of the leather will differ according to what kind you get. Full-grain leather is a tougher and stiffer material that is not modified. For this reason, full-grain leather tends to be more expensive and of better quality than other types. Top-grain leather is buffed down for a smoother surface, making it more aesthetically pleasing. As for genuine leather, we recommend that you stay away from this material as it is really just anything that is “technically leather.”
Nylon
Nylon is another popular belt strap material. Although first manufactured in the U.S., since demand has risen, production has mainly focused in countries like China. The United States still has a good market share in this material, producing about half of what China makes. So, when it comes to nylon, make sure to keep an eye out for the country of origin.
Recycled Materials
As the world becomes more eco-conscious, the shift has also begun in clothing manufacturing – including belts. Recycled materials such as rubber and rope have become popular choices in belt straps. The United States’ movement towards sustainability is becoming more normalized and widespread, with many recycled fabric companies popping up all over the country. When looking at recycled materials, you’ll find plenty of options made in the good old U.S.A.
Buckle
The buckle is the second component of the belt. Although traditionally, buckles have been made out of bronze, more recently, buckles have been made of a variety of different metals, including titanium and brass. All three materials can be sourced and manufactured in the U.S., and you can find these American-made materials with varying degrees of ease.
Titanium
Titanium is a popular belt buckle material chosen for its resistance to corrosion and polished look. Titanium can also be customized with different finishes to suit any look. Although the United States produces its own titanium, 90% of its supply comes from imports from countries like Russia and Japan. For this reason, it is definitely worth double-checking the country of origin for a titanium buckle.
Brass
Brass is a zinc and copper alloy with a luxurious finish often sought after in belt buckles. It is another popular material even used in belts from famous high-end brands. The top producers of this metal are Germany, China, and Japan. But there are also plenty of brass manufacturers here in the United States.
Labeling
Thankfully, doing research on the raw materials and manufacturing of the products is not the only way to see if a belt is made in the USA. The United States has legislation that helps to identify the country of origin when shopping. Title 19, chapter 4, section 1304 of the U.S. Code clearly states that any imported product must be clearly labeled as such.
For a belt to be “made in the USA,” it must be entirely sourced and manufactured in the country. So, many companies use similar statements in their labels, such as “manufactured in the USA” or “designed in the USA.” However, these are red flags to keep an eye out for as they mean the belt is not entirely “made in the USA.”
It is also worth taking a look at the manufacturer’s website. As a general rule, if their products are genuinely “made in the USA,” they will not be shy about this fact as it is a great selling point. If they are not clear about where their products are made and produced, give them a call directly to double-check if their products are fully American-made.
Keep in mind that although the country of origin for products must be mentioned on the labeling of the product itself, it is not required on websites or other marketing materials. So, make sure to really dig deep and read between the lines if a manufacturer does not outrightly state that their product is “made in the USA.”
Belts Not Made in the USA
We also did research to find out which popular belt brands are not made in the USA – take a look below. We’ll continue adding to this list when doing more research.
- Levi’s – Imported, but doesn’t say where.
- Arc’Teryx – Belts are made in Vietnam.
- Cole Haan – Products are made in the U.S., Italy, Brazil, Vietnam, China, and India.
- Timberland – Belts are made in India.
