I know, I know, it’s another belt to give to the guys in your life this holiday season. Along with whiskey stones and wallets, it might be the most unoriginal gift idea for men out there. But I can’t help myself from beating the horse just one more time to talk about the Arcade A2 Belt because it’s truly the best belt I’ve ever owned.
This flexible, pinch-free belt is great for the guys or gals in your life who need a belt that can move with them. With plenty of colors to choose from, a low-profile clip and a super-stretchy material that makes you forget you even have it on, you’ll never want to wear a normal belt again.?
How I found the Arcade Belt
I’m always looking for new outdoor gear to test, and Arcade Belts had been on my radar for a while, ever since it released an update to its already famous adventure belt in early 2023. With a reworked buckle, the new Arcade A2 belts promised to be more comfortable than ever before. So, I got one for myself, and after months of hiking, climbing and all sorts of other adventuring with it on, I can safely say the Arcade A2 is my favorite belt I’ve ever worn.
Why it’s a score
I climbed in a normal leather belt for years, and its bulky metal buckle would almost always pinch and poke me, being an all-around nuisance whenever I tried to move my legs around. Arcade solves this problem with a low-profile, contoured buckle that easily clips together and actually stays out of the way. Since the buckle is so thin and has a slight contour, it effortlessly blends into the waistline of your pant, so much so that I’ve almost never felt it while climbing or hiking.
Beyond its thin buckle, I absolutely love how flexible the belt itself is. Made from a performance material constructed of 85% post-consumer recycled Repreve polyester, this belt has an absurd amount of stretch that moves when you move. Whether I’m trying to get a high foot on the rock wall or just sitting around at the computer, I’m amazed at how just comfortable the Arcade belt is.
Plus, the belt’s buckle lets you easily change its length without fussing with any holes, so you can find your perfect fit down to the centimeter. The adjustable length also means that one size fits most (up to 40 inches), but if you need a longer belt, Arcade offers designs up to 50 inches.
And if you think the Arcade belt is going to be ugly since it’s built for the outdoors, you’re wrong. It’s available in a truly ridiculous number of colors and styles to match any occasion or outfit. I have a Carto, which has a little pop of color that I enjoy in my day-to-day, but if you need a belt that can fit in at the office, check out the Atlas, which comes in solid, classic colors.
The one gripe I have with this belt is that it isn’t as easy to loop through your pants or take off as a traditional belt. The clip is small enough to slide through the loops on pants I’ve worn, but it doesn’t go nearly as quickly as a smooth, tapered leather belt. If you want an easier time or have pants with smaller loops, Arcade offers slim versions of its belts too.
Yes, giving a belt for the holidays is overdone. However, if you need an easy gift that the guy in your life will actually like and use, I think the supremely comfortable, flexible and stylish Arcade belt is a surefire hit.
