Men's Belt Cascade Stretch With Hooks

★★

Don't buy

Not a good belt. It's awkward to thread through your belt loops, and it's too stretchy and you're constantly having to re-tighten it because of the design of the buckle part.

★

Too cheaply made, worth $5, maybe.

I bought this because I had some money left on a gift card and there was a sale. I already knew from past experience Columbia belts were not up to the same quality standards as their clothing. I also know the subcontractor who makes their belts uses the cheapest materials (like bonded leather) and doesn't replace their products under warranty. This is a terrible stretchy belt. It stretches too much. I know it sounds like something minor, but anyone who has used a good hiking belt like First Lite knows the best belts are ones that are thick and only stretch a little. Belts that stretch too much you have to tighten too much or they won't work well ... you end up with a belt more uncomfortable than a regular leather or fabric belt. I've bought Walmart belts better than this one for 1/5 the price. Columbia, you need to get rid of the subcontractor and start producing good belts, it's been what, 15 years at least that your belts have been garbage?

★

AVOID - Belt loosens by itself constantly

I thought this belt would be a good choice whem used while traveling. Unfortunately, it loosens by itself when the extra belt slack will slip or release while walking. Last month, as I walked through Portland airport with a heavy backpack and a separate carryon, the belt started to loosen by itself. With my hands full, my jeans started to fall down and I couldn't reach them in time. I say "Whoa!" out loud and the older gentleman walking behind me also said "Whoa!" I can't say that most products that I've bought work flawlessly from the beginning. This belt, however, fails at the one job it was designed to do. And something it fails at the most inappropriate times (like having your jeans to start falling down while wolking through an airport). Buyer Beware