That $80 leather belt I scoffed at finally wore out my old one after 3 years

I used to laugh at guys dropping serious cash on a belt. Like come on, it's a strip of leather, not a car payment. My $25 Target belt served me fine for about 18 months before the buckle started wobbling and the leather peeled at the holes. Then I overheard a guy at the hardware store complaining about his seventh cheap belt in five years. He said he did the math and figured he spent more on those disposables than he would have on one good belt that outlived them. That stuck with me. I grabbed a thick double layer belt from a local leather shop here in Portland for $78 and it's been two years now with zero sagging or cracking. Anyone else find that the math on cheaper gear usually works against you in the long run?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sam24d ago

Man, the "buy once cry once" rule hits hard with belts. That math on cheap gear is brutal once you do a three year comparison. The hardware store guy was totally right, those $25 belts add up way faster than people realize. Good leather just molds to you over time instead of falling apart.

mianelson24d ago

Wow @the_sam, honestly that math really hit me, I used to grab cheap belts but you totally changed my mind.

the_thomas24d ago

Yeah but Sam's math isn't totally right either. Those $25 belts last about a year if you wear them every day. So it's more like $75 over three years, not $100. Still way more than one good belt though.