Founded by athletes and adventurers, the team at Arcade believes in the better belt: one built from comfortable, durable materials and designed to go anywhere and everywhere. That’s why we created our line of elastic stretch belts that prioritize function over all else – allowing you to move freely rather than be held back by traditional belt design that simply doesn’t perform.
More than anything else, we believe in the right fit. To us, fit isn’t just about how the belt fits on your body, but about how the belt fits your wardrobe and your lifestyle. When shopping online, finding an elastic belt that fits comes with its own set of barriers. To make shopping for webbing belts online easier, we put together a guide featuring 5 tips from our team. Let’s dive in:
What Are Elastic Stretch Belts?
Yes, belts that stretch are built with freedom of movement in mind. But how do these belts differ from traditional leather belts?
Unlike traditional belts that are constructed from rigid materials that are known to dig into your skin, cause chafing, and feature pre-drilled holes that aren’t tailored to the specifications of your body, stretchy belts are constructed from performance stretch webbing and a micro-adjustable buckle that’s able to dial into your exact fit.
Elastic stretch belts are lightweight, machine washable, and feel good on the skin – whether you’re biking, hiking, or walking about town.
Tips From Our Team
Before you press add to cart, keep the following factors in mind:
1. Sizing
Yes, belts come in different sizes, too. At Arcade, we offer youth, standard, and long sizing as well as two different widths, slim and standard, for different sized belt loops.
For more on finding the right fit, refer to our belt finder.
2. Quality
An elastic stretch belt constructed from quality materials is built to keep up – no matter how many adventures you take it on. To make sure that you’re buying a belt that’s durable enough to last for years to come, take a look at the materials it's constructed from. A high quality belt features webbing constructed from materials like polyester and buckles made from a high-density molded plastic.
A sure sign that a brand is confident in the quality of their product is a guarantee or warranty that ensures the brand will replace the entire belt or its broken or defective parts. For example, our team puts our money where our mouth is by offering a comprehensive lifetime guarantee on all of our products.
3. Belt Loop Size
Just like all belts aren’t created equal, not all pairs of pants are constructed using the same sized belt loops – and unlike our belts, belt loops don’t stretch. To make sure that you’re purchasing an elastic stretch belt that will fit the belt loops on your favorite pair of pants, double check the width on both your pants and the belt you’re planning to purchase.
At Arcade, we offer two different belt widths: slim and standard. For more on the belt widths we have available, refer to our sizing guide.
4. Make Sure Your Belt Matches Your Lifestyle
As we mentioned earlier, the right fit extends not only to sizing, but to what you’ll be using your belt for. For example, elastic stretch belts built for athletes are likely going to be a little lighter to optimize for performance, while lifestyle or utility belts will prioritize style and the ability to support the weight of items, such as tools or gadgets, respectively.
Before setting your sights on an elastic stretch belt that looks the part, be sure to check out the function it was built for as well. A high quality belt that’s worth the purchase will include information on the belt’s preferred purpose in its product description.
5. Keep a Few On Hand
Our favorite part about elastic stretch belts is their versatility. Whether you’re going from trail to town one day or bike commuting to the office another, elastic stretch belts are built to do it all – literally. That being said, factors such as style and belt loop size mean that having a few different belts for different occasions is worth it. Your work pants, for example, might call for a neutral-colored belt in a slim width, while your weekend attire calls for colors and designs that are a bit more carefree.
At Arcade, our belts are built to break boundaries – and so is our customer service. We want our customers to find the belt that fits their body, lifestyle, and style preferences with ease – and sometimes, calling in an expert is in order. With any questions about which style is right for you, contact us.
