Best Hiking Belts of 2023 (Buying Guide)

When it comes to hiking, having the right gear can make all the difference, and one often-overlooked accessory that can greatly enhance your experience on the trails is a reliable hiking belt. A good hiking belt should not only keep your pants in place but also provide support for carrying your gear and can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. From lightweight options for minimalist hikers to heavy-duty belts for those carrying heavier loads, there is a wide range of hiking belts to choose from. So, whether you’re planning a day hike or a multi-day trek, finding the right hiking belt can be a game-changer for your outdoor adventures.

This post is about the best hiking belts of 2023. In this article, we’ll explore the best belts on the market and what makes them stand out. We hope that by highlighting our top 15 hiking belt models and explaining the main designs, materials, features, and characteristics of belts, we’d help you choose the best hiking belt for your needs.

Let’s dive in!

Quick answer: BEST HIKING BELTS 2023

1. Groove Life Groove Belt                                   View on Amazon               View on Backcountry

2. GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal Belt                      View on Amazon               View on CampSaver

3. Bullhide Belts Eastwood Belt                         View on Amazon

4. Patagonia Tech Web Belt                                  View on Patagonia        View on REI

5. JUKMO Tactical Belt                                           View on Amazon

6. Bulliant Tactical Belt                                            View on Amazon

7. Arcade Adventure Slim Belt                            View on Amazon               View on Campmor

8. Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Belt             View on Amazon               View on CampSaver

9. Arc’teryx Conveyor Belt 38                             View on Amazon               View on REI

10. KUHL Resistor Belt                                            View on KUHL                        View on REI

11. Arcade Ranger Belt                                            View on Amazon               View on REI

12. Bison Designs Box Canyon Leather         View on REI

13. GRIP6 Honeycomb Web Belt                      View on Amazon               View on CampSaver

14. Thomas Bates Hiker Belt                               View on Amazon

15. Helly Hansen HH Adventure Belt            View on Amazon               View on Helly Hansen

 

Best overall

#1 Groove Life Groove Belt

Pros:

• Robust workmanship – designed not only to keep your pants securely in place but also provides support for carrying your everyday carry (EDC) items + No BS Warranty (94-year warranty that covers any manufacturing damage to your belt) so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re investing in a durable and reliable product
• Versatile as it works great on trail and around town: a great choice for any outdoor sport or activity such as hiking, climbing, or mountain sports as well as daily use at work
• Easy to use magnetic locking mechanism with N42 neodymium magnets for an easy and secure fit; easy to adjust as its adjustable design ensures a comfortable and secure fit
• A multitude of different colors allowing you to choose a color that complements your outdoor gear or personal style

Cons:

• Individuals who have a pacemaker or any other medical device that could be impacted by magnetic fields should avoid using this belt
• No machine wash as this belt should only be washed by hand

Best for: Versatility (in the outdoors)

Women’s Version: Unisex

Amazon | Backcountry

Best lightweight

#2 GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal Belt

 

Best leather hiking belt

#3 Bullhide Belts Eastwood Belt

 

Best for performance

#4 Patagonia Tech Web Belt

 

Best budget hiking belt

#5 JUKMO Tactical Belt

 

Best tactical belt for hiking

#6 Bulliant Tactical Belt

 

Best of the rest

#7 Arcade Adventure Slim Belt

 

#8 Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Belt

 

#9 Arc’teryx Conveyor Belt 38

 

#10 KUHL Resistor Belt

 

#11 Arcade Ranger Belt

 

#12 Bison Designs Box Canyon Leather Belt

 

#13 GRIP6 Honeycomb Web Belt

#14 Thomas Bates Hiker Belt

#15 Helly Hansen HH Adventure Belt

 

 

Table 1: Best hiking belts – comparison table

PRODUCT	DESCRIPTION	PROS	CONS
Groove Life Groove Belt	#1 Best hiking belt Length -> 41" fits waist 71-81 cm or 28"-32" (size S), 46" fits waist 84-91 cm or 33"-36" (size M), 51" fits waist 94-102 cm or 37"-40" (size L), 56" fits waist 104-127 cm or 41"-50" (size XL), 65" fits waist 130-152 cm or 51"-60" (size 2XL) Weight -> 156 g (5.5 oz) Width -> 3.81 cm (1.5") Price -> $65 Material -> 80% Polyester, 20% rubber	-> Robust workmanship, can support the weight of an EDC -> Versatile - works great on the trail and around town -> Easy to use magnetic locking mechanism -> A multitude of different colors	-> Some people may not use this belt because of the magnetic fields -> No machine wash
GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal Belt	#2 Best lightweight Length -> 71.1, 76.2, 81.3, 86.4, 91.4, 96.5, 101.6, 106.7, 111.8, 116.8, 121.9, 127 cm (28", 30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42", 44", 46", 48", 50" respectively) Weight -> 68 g (2.4 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $44 Material -> Nylon	-> Hardly noticeable due to the ultralightweight design -> Plenty of color and sizing options -> Doesn't need constant readjustments as it doesn't slip -> Stylish and comfortable with a clean classy look	-> A bit hard getting used to -> Make sure you use your pants size when ordering the belt
Bullhide Belts Eastwood Belt	#3 Best leather hiking belt Length -> 81.3, 86.4, 91.4, 96.5, 101.6, 106.7, 111.8, 116.8, 121.9, 127, 132.1, 137.2  (32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42", 44", 46", 48", 50", 52", 54") Weight -> over 340 g (12 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $75 Material -> 100% Leather	-> A well-made belt crafted from premium leather -> Hard-wearing construction with solid stainless steel roller buckle -> Versatile -> Lots of combinations help to get the right fit	-> Thick and heavy -> Can't support the weight of an EDC -> Expensive
Patagonia Tech Web Belt	#4 Best for performance Length -> 118 cm (46.5") Weight -> 128 g (4.5 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $35 Material -> 100% Recycled nylon	-> Multifunctional belt -> Perfectly designed and well-made -> Recycled materials -> Great sturdy buckle works just as expected	-> A bit long -> Thinner webbing than the previous version
JUKMO Tactical Belt	#5 Best budget hiking belt Length -> 45" fits waist 76-91 cm or 30"-36" (size S), 49" fits waist 91-107 cm or 36"-42" (size M), 53" fits waist 107-117 cm or 42"-46" (size L), 57" fits waist 117-127 cm or 46"-50" (size XL), 61" fits waist 127-137 cm or 50"-54" (size 2XL) Weight -> N/A Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $20 Material -> 100% Nylon (stretch nylon)	-> Comfortable to wear anywhere -> Easy to set up and super easy to adjust -> Solid construction -> Great price:quality ratio	-> Not a really heavy-duty belt -> The buckle won't go easily through smaller belt loops -> Not the most durable belt of this type
Bulliant Tactical Belt	#6 Best tactical belt for hiking Length -> fits waist 30"-34" (71-86 cm), fits waist 34"-38" (86-97 cm), fits waist 38"-42" (97-107 cm), fits waist 42"-46" (107-117 cm), fits waist 46"-50" (117-127 cm), fits waist 52"-56" (132-142 cm) Weight -> 259 g (9.14 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $27 Material -> 100% Nylon	-> Solid construction with thick, strong webbing -> Stays tight and secure without slipping -> Flexible and comfortable to wear anywhere -> Interesting color options	-> The buckle is not heavy-duty -> Run small -> Heavier than the typical belt for hiking
Arcade Adventure Slim Belt	#7 Length -> 101.6 cm (40″) Weight -> 50 g (1.76 oz) Width -> 3.17 cm (1.25") Price -> $30 Material -> 100% Nylon	-> Easy to fit through narrower belt loops -> Low-profile, light, stretchy, and very comfortable -> Good for active use during various sports and activities -> It's a packable alternative to a solid leather belt	-> The belt won't be able to accommodate a waist more than 40"-41" (in this case) -> Definitely not the best looking belt
Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Belt	#8 Length -> 120 cm (47") Weight -> 80 g (2.8 oz) Width -> 3.5 cm (1.38") Price -> $35 Material -> 75% Polyester, 13% elastodiene, 12% viscose	-> Versatile -> Lightweight construction that holds up well in most situations -> Easy to adjust low-profile plastic buckle -> The elastic stretch allows for a better fit, comfort, and ease of movement	-> One size only meaning that while it's the perfect fit for some, it will be a bit too long/short for others -> Takes it a bit more time to dry
Arc’teryx Conveyor Belt 38	#9 Length -> 106 cm (size S), 116 cm (size M), 130 cm (size L) (or 41.7", 45.7", 51.2" respectively) Weight -> 119 g (4.2 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $40 Material -> 98% Nylon, 2% polyester	-> Strong and heavy-duty belt -> Good functionality -> Versatile - suitable for all your indoor and outdoor activities -> High-quality and lightweight	-> A bit tough to tighten up initially -> Sizing can be confusing for some
KUHL Resistor Belt	#10 Length -> fits pant size 28"- 34" (size S/M), fits pant size 35"- 42" (size M/L) Weight -> 85 g (3 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $42 Material -> Polyester	->Rugged belt with a distinctive quick-release non-metal buckle -> Well-built: high-quality materials and excellent craftmanship -> Looks classy and feels good -> Can be adjusted to fit perfectly to the size you want	-> No belt loop to hold the extra belt in place -> If you're wearing 35-36", size S/M will be short and size M/XL will be way too long -> A bit too much stretch
Arcade Ranger Belt	#11 Length -> 101.6 cm (40″) Weight -> 74 g (2.6 oz) Width -> 3.81 cm (1.5″) Price -> $32 Material -> 85% REPREVE recycled polyester, 10% rubber	-> Lightweight, flexible, and very comfortable -> Stays put and doesn't bind up -> The fit can be adjusted to the right length -> Travel-friendly	-> Hard to adjust especially if not used to the way this belt works -> Can be difficult to thread through belt loops
Bison Designs Box Canyon Leather Belt	#12 Length -> 76.2, 81.3, 86.4, 91.4, 96.5, 101.6, 106.7 cm (30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42") Weight -> N/A Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $51 Material -> 100% Genuine leather	-> Can be used for a range of indoor and outdoor activities -> Leather and buckle of high quality -> Rugged classical look -> Reliable construction	-> Run small, size up -> The loop seems to be relatively weak -> Needs to be maintained regularly
GRIP6 Honeycomb Web Belt	#13 Length -> 71.1, 76.2, 81.3, 86.4, 91.4, 96.5, 101.6, 106.7, 111.8, 116.8, 121.9, 127 cm (28", 30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42", 44", 46", 48", 50" respectively) Weight -> from 64 g to 94 g (2.26 oz to 3.32 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $59 Material -> Nylon	-> Lightweight, yet durable -> Appealing design -> Functional and easy to adjust -> Tens of options to get the right fit	-> Takes time to learn how to put it on and take it off -> A bit stiffer material than it should be for a hiking belt -> Not the premium quality one would expect given the price
Thomas Bates Hiker Belt	#14 Length -> 122 cm (48") Weight -> 57 g (2 oz) Width -> 3.2 cm (1.25") Price -> $19 Material -> Nylon	-> Lightweight yet rigid nylon webbing belt -> Has everything to be popular among avid outdoorsmen -> Easy to cut the belt to adjust the length -> Several different colors	-> The webbing is very thin and looks a bit flimsy -> The quality is decent but far from the best -> The buckle is not of high quality
Helly Hansen HH Adventure Belt	#15 Length -> 120 cm (47") Weight -> 90 g (3.18 oz) Width -> 3.8 cm (1.5") Price -> $30 Material -> 100% Polyester	-> Streamlined and effective design -> Suitable for active use or casual wear -> The belt threads easily through belt loops -> Moves with the user and is comfortable	-> Only one length available -> Hard to make it fit tightly initially -> Not suitable for carrying tools (too stretchy)

 

Materials

When it comes to hiking belts, there are some essential requirements to keep in mind, such as durability, flexibility, functionality, and comfort. The material used to make the belt is crucial in meeting these requirements. There are lots of materials suitable for making outdoor belts but we’ll focus on three of them:

Nylon and polyester

Nylon and polyester are the two most popular synthetic fibers used for outdoor clothing and gear, and they are also among the top three leading materials in the hiking belt market, alongside leather. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Nylon and polyester are lightweight materials that are popular choices for hiking belts due to their strength, durability, and abrasion resistance. Nylon, in particular, is even lighter than polyester. In addition to their performance benefits, synthetic fibers are often more affordable than alternatives such as leather. Both nylon and polyester are sometimes blended with spandex, rubber (Arcade Ranger), elastodiene (Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Belt ) or other elastomers in order to form an elastic stretch webbing. Such webbing allows for a comfortable individual fit. Nylon has better elastic recovery properties than polyester but it also absorbs more water. That’s why some nylon belts are treated with a durable water-repellent.

Leather

It’s a traditional belt material for hiking, backpacking, hunting, and all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Leather is a preferred material in the belt-making industry due to its unique set of features and characteristics. These include its ability to stretch and retain its shape, durability, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and comfort. Keep in mind that even though we have included only two leather belts in our review (Bullhide Belts Eastwood and Bison Designs Box Canyon Leather), it doesn’t mean that leather is not a suitable material for hiking belts. In fact, it is. However, leather is usually thicker and heavier than all-synthetic materials, and requires a more solid buckle, often made of metal, which can add weight. Solid leather belts can carry a phone holster with ease. Leather belts are a very popular choice because a genuine leather belt can last for years and years if properly treated.

Belt buckles

Each belt has a mechanism called a ‘buckle’ that’s used for fastening the two ends of the belt. Classical designs usually utilize buckles while modern designs often rely on devices that allow for micro-adjustability. Don’t be surprised if finding designs with different buckles as there are several types of belt buckles with different widths and looks and crafted from different metals (stainless steel, zinc, brass, aluminum) and non-metallic materials (polymers).

• The conventional belt buckle (or tongue buckle) has a frame, bar, and prong. It’s easy to use and a very reliable mechanism used by many traditional models like the Bullhide Belts Eastwood. It’s not surprising to know that the conventional belt buckle is the most commonly used type of buckle.
• The quick-release buckle is a very typical feature of military and tactical belts. However, some hiking belts such as the KUHL Resistor also use quick-release buckles allowing rapid fastening and release. While some great models such as the JUKMO Tactical Belt have solid metal buckles, non-metallic quick-release buckles seem to be more popular among outdoor lovers.
• The flip-closure buckle or flip-top belt doesn’t have any holes but uses a flip-flop mechanism with teeth on the underside of the belt instead. These are usually worn with casual clothing.
• Another popular type with a simple and effective design is the webbing buckles. They have a simple loop at one end (Helly Hansen HH Adventure Belt). Belts with webbing buckles are suitable for general outdoor use as well as for casual wear.
• Magnetic locking mechanisms are a relatively new innovation in hiking belts (this year’s winner Groove Life Groove Belt utilizes a magnetic locking mechanism with neodymium magnets – these are versatile magnets that can be used in a range of applications), and they offer a convenient and secure way to fasten and adjust the belt. The magnetic buckle is made up of two pieces, which attract each other when brought into close proximity. To fasten the belt, you simply bring the two pieces together and they snap into place. To release the buckle, it’s usually enough to just pull the two pieces apart. Magnetic locking mechanisms are popular among hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts because they are quick and easy to use, even with one hand. They also tend to be more comfortable to wear than traditional belt buckles because they do not have any sharp edges or protruding parts. Their biggest downside – may not be suitable for use in extremely cold or wet conditions where the magnetic attraction could be weakened or compromised.

Durability

One of those factors that can hardly be measured quantitatively, durability depends mostly on the material used. Note that both webbing and buckle are very important for the overall durability of the belt construction. Manufacturers usually use man-made fibers such as nylon and polyester for improved durability. Leather is another belt material known for being durable, and abrasion and puncture-resistant. Hard-wearing plastic and metal buckles are no less important. Durability issues related to the buckle are among the most widespread problems with belts and especially cheap belts.

Photo by Pexels

Durable designs are often more expensive yet there are relatively cheap belts that hold up well. Yes, cheap doesn’t always mean garbage. We know for sure that there are many popular and not-so-popular companies that make hiking belts that hold up fairly well. The problem is that finding a cheap robust model that can last at least a couple of years can be difficult. You can try getting a cheap and sturdy hiking belt but we think it’s a shot in the dark.

Length and width

Belt length and width are important factors for functionality and (especially for) convenience.

Length

Belt length varies widely – from 71 cm (28″) and below for some of the shortest women’s and unisex designs to 153 cm (60″) and above for some men’s belts. The belt should always be the length that allows it to fit well without being too long. It’s not advisable to purchase a belt that is excessively long unless it is made of a material that can be trimmed down to fit properly. Materials like nylon and polyester can be cut to length using heated cutting tools such as scissors or a knife.

You may also wish to look for a belt with a micro-adjustable belt buckle like the Arcade Adventure Slim because such models allow for flexibility to fit better in many situations as you can use them even if you put on/lose weight. Wearing a belt that’s too long is not only uncomfortable but also unflattering. If you’re unsure about the right length, a good rule of thumb is to choose a belt that’s around 15-20 cm longer than your waistband. This way, you’ll have enough room to fasten the belt without too much excess hanging off.

Width

The range of the width is much narrower than the range of the length available. The two graphs below show the width in cm and inches of the fifteen models discussed here. None of the belts has a width of more than 3.81 cm (1.5″). Generally, wider belts cannot be used with as many different models of pants and shorts as the narrower options. However, they fit better and are more comfortable when wearing trousers with wider belt loops. Narrower belts such as the Thomas Bates Hiker are recommended for models with narrower belt loops. The width of the majority of belts is 3.75-3.81 cm (1.5″) – a more universal width allowing the belt to fit a range of trousers and shorts for various activities.

Graph 1: Hiking belt width comparison  (in cm)

Graph 2: Hiking belt width comparison  (in inches)

Weight

Not the most important thing to consider before buying a hiking belt, weight is still important to those who aim to travel lighter.

Graph 3 and 4 below show the weight comparison (in grams and ounces) between 11 of the 12 designs. They show that the weight of the belts ranges from 50 g for the lightweight all-nylon Arcade Adventure Slim to about seven times more than this for the all-leather Bulllhide Belts Eastwood. More solid belts such as the Arc’teryx Conveyor 38 and Patagonia Tech Web weigh a bit more than 100 g with 119 g and 128 g  (4.2 and 4.5 oz respectively). These are fantastic options for outdoor enthusiasts who need a good balance between functionality and weight. We recommend the lighter GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal for those who are ready to sacrifice some functionality for less weight.

Belt weight depends mostly on the material used (type, thickness, etc.) and the specifics of the model (length, width, buckle, etc.). Nearly all models in our review have synthetic webbing (with the exception of the all-leather Bullhide Belts Eastwood and Bison Designs Box Canyon Leather). So where does the difference in weight come from? There are two main reasons:

• Some belts such as the Thomas Bates Hiker Belt and GRIP6 Honeycomb Web have a less dense webbing whereas others like the heaviest Bullhide Belts Eastwood have a much thicker webbing.
• The weight differences observed are due to the buckle and its size, material, and most importantly – weight. Heavy metal buckles can add a lot of grams to the overall weight of a particular design. Take the Bulliant Tactical Belt, for example. Its solid metal buckle is heavy and bulky and makes the whole belt look heavier in comparison to other belts with similar webbings.

Graph 3: Weight comparison between hiking belt designs (in grams)

Graph 4: Weight comparison between hiking belt designs (in ounces) 

Price

The price range of hiking belts is very wide – from as low as $5 for cheap, generic synthetic belts to $100 and above for high-quality all-leather belts embossed with the logo/name of a premium brand. Let’s get back to the data from our review.

The cheapest belt is the Thomas Bates Hiker, whose official price (MSRP) of $19 is a small fraction of the price of the most expensive design – the Bullhide Belts Eastwood. It will cost you exactly $75 or less if on a sale. The price is not low by any means but we consider it a fair price for a good, versatile belt crafted from 100% premium leather. An interesting mid-priced option is the Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer offered for $35. If not familiar with the brand Fjallraven (it’s rather Fjällräven), it comes from Sweden. The company with the same name as the brand is a Swedish outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer known for producing functional and eco-friendly outdoor gear. They use premium materials and never compromise on quality, which is reflected in the price of their products being sometimes higher.

The average price is a bit more than $40, while the median price is $35 (both are priced about $5 higher compared to less than two years ago). Of course, there’s a sound reason behind the disparity between the average and median prices as the former is inflated by the $75 the Bullhide Belts Eastwood costs. Without this outlier, the average would be approximately $38, which is much closer to the median price of the 15 belts discussed. More than half of the belts cost between $30 and $44 including the best lightweight GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal ($44), and our top choice for functionality – Patagonia Tech Web ($35). The Groove Life Groove Belt, which is currently rated as the top choice, comes in as the second most expensive belt on the list at $65.

Graph 5: Hiking belts price comparison (US dollars)

Conclusion

When looking for a hiking belt, look for a belt that fits well and is comfortable, functional, and fairly durable. Finding such a belt for the outdoors should be your top priority.

In our minds, the Groove Life Groove Belt is the best overall hiking belt as it provides a great combination of durability, functionality, and comfort in addition to the incredible versatility it offers. Bullhide Belts Eastwood is a great all-leather option. GRIP6 Horizon Gunmetal is a good low-profile and lightweight option with a clean look, whereas Patagonia Tech Web is our recommendation for those wanting a belt that can perform significantly above the average.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this guide to the best hiking belts. Here you have all the information about how to make an informed choice and find the right belt for your outings.

What is your favorite choice for a hiking belt, and why? Please feel free to leave us a comment in the section below. We value any advice, suggestions, or questions you may have.

 

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