Marino Men's Comfort Click Ratchet Belt Casual Leather Belt for Men - Automatic Linxx Buckle, 1 3/8" Wide - Elegant Gift Box

So, wow, where have I been, that I have missed out on this amazing belt idea? Turns out that the "ratchet" belt design has been around a long time, but not as well known in the USA, although a Kickstarter project brought them more into the mainstream, some years ago now. All I know is that I have been getting really tired of regular belts, that just don't seem to last. It's nearly impossible to find a full grain leather one and, even if paying thirty to sixty bucks for what can be found, they just wear out, holes get stretched, surface gets marred, and soon they look awful. Beyond poor durability, it's always annoying that, with only a few holes to choose from, it is usually either too loose or too tight.I came here searching for a new belt, and came across this ratchet belt concept. I'd seen it before, in various brands, but this was the first time I came across it in a good width for jeans (just under 1.5" in width), which is why I picked this brand and this model. I have to be honest and say I was leery because I just didn't know much about how it works. Plus, I'm supposed to size my own belt? Is this a DIY belt project?? But, a bit of research put my mind at ease enough to order one and, with their advertised no hassle return policy, it seemed I was well protected if it turned out to be not what I wanted.It arrived today, I'm wearing it now, and I LOVE IT. What a genius set up this is! No more holes that never give the right fit, no more holes to stretch or wear out or get damaged. No more needing to find a secluded place to make adjustments. This is belt bliss!Mio Marino's version uses what they call their "exclusive Linxx buckle" but the concept is much like other slide, ratchet or track belts in that there is a nine inch "track" on the inside of the belt, that fits through a buckle which both holds and releases any point along that track. This gives somewhat of an infinite fit, within the range of the track, which is utterly perfect. Need to adjust your belt, on the fly? No need to take it off or alarm people with unbuckling your trousers or have to find a place to hide to do it -- a simple lift of the buckle and this belt releases to the next bigger increment, and a simple tug of the buckle to the right cinches it back up as tight as you want!Need to breathe a bit more after that business lunch, or while parked at your desk? Done in an instant, with no one the wiser! Back to the Board Room? Just tighten it back up in a flash! In the midst of losing weight? Adjust this belt perfectly to the ideal fit -- something that is just not as possible with a standard belt. I may sound like an infomercial here, haha, but this "tech" is new to me, and I always get excited when I come across something that improves life with a better way of doing things.Consider a regular belt with holes -- the one I am replacing had five holes, along a 4.5 inch area, each hole about an inch apart. That's about two, maybe three options, in terms of fit, which most of the time means the belt is slightly too loose or slightly too tight. With this track idea, adjustments are about a quarter of an inch apart, so, to compare, within the same length on my "holed" belt where I have just three holes, for example, or three options of fit along 2.5 inches of belt, I have TEN adjustment points along the same length, with this belt!So, the concept is a winner, and any guy with a standard belt, I tell ya, you'll much prefer this ratchet concept. Never has a belt fit so perfectly, and never have I been able to make any range of adjustment any time I want or need, with no one knowing, but me.Now, let's talk about the build. I will note there was a strong, strong odor to the belt, which I'm confident will fade with time, since it doesn't smell like the usual leather odor of a new leather product. Must be a combination of the dyes and materials they use? Not sure. But, it's not offensive, just strong and, as I say, I'm sure it will fade in time. Presentation in the box was gift quality, very nicely done and just shows that extra level of care from the company.Belt is advertised as Genuine Leather and time will tell how it wears. I will update if the wear quality is poor, which is something I really dislike in other belts. The Levi's belt I am replacing, for example, only has a leather "top" and that surface thin layer is already coming off, so the belt looks awful now, after less than a year of use. Not good. With this one, you do have to slice through it, so there is the benefit of getting a cross section view of the build, which reveals thin top, bottom and side surfaces but it appears to be leather throughout. In dismantling one of the scrap pieces, it seems it is basically two pieces of leather glued together, the "top" piece carrying the outer surface and the "bottom" piece carrying the inner surface and then the sides are finished as well to further bond it all together. So, as I say, only time will tell how durable it is, but hopefully more so than usual belts which show wear within six months.It looks GREAT though -- I chose style 172, with the look of still being a "normal" belt buckle -- with a beautiful top finish and a smooth inner finish. Stitching is flawless and I appreciate that it is a solid, thick belt (at about 1/8" of thickness) yet is very flexible and comfortable to wear. Even where the inner track is sown in, there is no stiffness. The buckle is attractive, and well made, but it is of a softer kind of alloy, not stainless steel, and I did put a dent in it when installing the strap into the buckle -- fortunately not where the damage can be seen, but it was a "live and learn" moment and not a mistake I'll make again.So, on the subject, let's talk about the install. They give plenty of belt to work with, and I sized it three times, since I didn't want to chance cutting off too much, the first time. The learning curve for me was, as I say, not damaging the buckle. You cut the strap (I used a simple utility knife), then insert it into the holder piece of the buckle, and have to close a metal flap with "teeth" on it, that essentially digs into the strap to keep it in the buckle. Well, that flap takes a bit of force to close (which is good since it seems the belt will not ever slip out of it -- the way it is designed, more force will only dig the teeth in more firmly) so I thought I'd be brilliant and use some vice grips to close it completely, not knowing the buckle is, as I say, of some kind of soft alloy, so the vice grips dented the buckle (not where it can be seen, thankfully). When I cut off some more length in the second and then again in the final adjustment, I used the first bit of leather to protect the buckle, when closing the flap, so the vice grips were not directly against the buckle itself. Worked perfectly.With the length figured, the belt just goes through the open end of the buckle and then you have your infinitely and instantly adjustable belt! Slide to tighten, lift the buckle to release. Absolutely wonderful and, if this holds up, I am done with belt hole belts forever. I'm optimistic (and happy) enough with this first purchase to immediately order a second one, in fact, so, three cheers for Mio Marino!I will note also that this seems a less expensive version of this track or slide belt idea, with other brands pushing up to sixty bucks, so this seems a very good value, although being a product of China, of course it costs less, but seems nonetheless very well made. I see this company also has dress belts of this design, so, if I remain pleased with this purchase, and pleased with the second one I'm buying (as soon as I'm done writing this review!), I could see adding several of their dress belts as well, and ridding my closet entirely of all the antiquated "hole" design belts that I have now, none of which have proved to be long lasting and, in terms of comfort and convenience, none could never match this build concept of infinite and instant adjustment.Very pleased I decided to give this "new to me" technology a try. I'm sold on ratchet belts now and very happy with this Mio Marino purchase.I will certainly update if I have any issues, and will try to give some feedback at six months, and a year from now, to see how it wears, over time. I recall when I was younger, belts seemed to last forever, so it's been disappointing to have to buy new belts every year or sooner. I hope this one lasts but, even if I need to replace it due to wear, I have at least found a design that is far superior to what I've owned in the past and is quite affordable as well.An easy five stars here, from my perspective. Thanks for reading and I hope this has helped!

Ever since I got my first ratchet belt, I've bought nothing but ratchet belts. Mio Marino is my go-to, they are always good quality, a great price, and look good! I gave a 4 for durability because a hole in the side that doesn't show wore into one fairly quickly, but I've owned 5 of these belts and never had issues otherwise.I absolutely search mio marino belts on amazon now when I want/need a new belt. These are great for weight loss too because a) you can always size it down easily and b) when you cut off extra to size it down, you have a visible reminder of your progress.

I bought this belt to use every day (I have a Nexbelt that I use at work).The description said the belt was leather and when it arrived, the belt was embossed with the words "Leather Belt".That was all only half true...it is in fact a belt, but it certainly is NOT leather. That being said, I'm keeping the belt because the initial quality appears good and it suits my need.

This belt is elegant and well made. The clicks are in small increments which makes it very easy to adjust. I'm very satisfied with this belt.

1-3/8" leather belt and the ease of use and cutting to size it has the size on back makes it really easy to cut to correct waist size

I only wear ratchet belts and because of artiritis in my hands, I sometimes struggle loosening the belt. Most have a very small lever that can be difficult to push. This buckle releases by pulling the front cross bar making it very easy, even with old hands. The leather is thick and good quality. It is softer than other similar belts I purchased. This is now my go to belt for everyday wear.

The belt seems to be well made. The leather is heavy and so far has held up. The buckle is heavy and has close tolerances.

I like this belt. I don't dislike anything about it. So far (six months or so) it has held up very well. I love the concept of the buckle and track. Works for me. Great price. I have always hated spending 50+ dollars on a belt.

After seeing the Anson belts, I really wanted one but in the UK they’re hard to come by.I opted for one of these as reviews seemed to be better than most.First the positives:It looks pretty decentIt works very wellIt’s easy to cut to the length you needNegatives:Even though it has the ‘genuine leather’ hallmark, it certainly doesn’t feel like genuine leather. This could be because the ratchet teeth need to be housed in the belt but close up, the colour looks like it’s printed on.After a year of use, the belt has started to crack.So would I recommend? Well, it’s still working and I still wear it but when it does finally split, I’ll opt for an Anson.

Easy to cut to the right length with handy guide markings. Functions well and is very adjustable, much more so than a traditional belt. The leather did seem quite hard at first but has softened with use. I would recommend you pick which design you prefer and give it a go. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Belt is perfect & great quality. Husband has 4 of the ratchet belts now. A couple of jeans style & 2 dress ones too. He wishes he had them yrs ago. Also given one a a gift this yr too as they also come in smashing box.

Very good quality. I have bought a few ratchet belts from Amazon and this is by far the best. It is a bit thicker than some cheaper belts, so you might have a problem if your belt loops are tight.

This has to go down as one of the best items I’ve ever bought , genius invention, I’ve always been in between sizes with belts , but this just ratchets up to correct size , quality leather belt as well , highly recommend