Ratchet Belt vs Normal Belt: Which Should You Buy?

Holes or no holes? If you're buying a leather belt in Singapore, that's usually the first decision. Both a ratchet belt and a normal pin-buckle belt are real leather, both hold your trousers up, and both look smart. But they feel quite different after a full day of wear, and each one suits a different kind of week.

Here's how they compare, in plain terms.

The normal belt: simple and versatile

This is the belt most of us grew up with. The strap has five or so holes, a metal pin goes through one of them, and you're done. Nothing to learn and nothing to break.

It works with almost everything: jeans, chinos, office trousers. It also comes in the widest range of colours and widths. At Oxhide you'll find black, brown and tan straps from 25 mm to 38 mm wide, plus XXXL belts for waists up to 66 inches.

The trade-off is the gap between holes, about 2.5 cm on most belts. One hole can feel a little loose and the next a little tight. Over a year or two, the hole you use most also starts to stretch.

The ratchet belt: no holes, exact fit

A ratchet belt (also called an automatic belt, track belt or belt without holes) has a toothed track hidden on the back of the strap. Slide the strap into the buckle and it clicks into place. Press the small lever on the buckle and it releases.

Each click is about 5 mm, so you get a much closer fit than a holed belt allows. Feeling full after lunch? Release it one click and nobody notices. On Oxhide ratchet belts the track runs about 19 cm, so you have plenty of adjustment either way.

Because there are no holes, the strap stays clean. Nothing stretches or cracks, which keeps the belt looking sharp with office wear for longer.

Ratchet belt vs normal belt at a glance

Which one should you buy?

Plenty of men end up owning one of each: a black ratchet belt for work and a brown pin-buckle belt for weekends. If you only want one belt that switches between black and brown, a reversible belt is another option.

How to size each type

Ratchet belts are cut to fit. Put on the belt with the trousers you'll wear it with, mark where the strap should end, then trim a little less than you think you need. You can always cut more, but you can't add it back. If you're between sizes, order the larger one.

Normal belts are ordered by size. A good rule is to pick one size up from your trouser waist, so a 34-inch waist takes a 36-inch belt. For the full step-by-step, see our belt size guide. Need an extra hole? Ask at any of our stores.

A few belts worth a look

ABB9H Automatic Belt

35 mm black ratchet for daily office wear

$49

ABB2C Ratchet Belt

Slimmer 30 mm strap for slim-fit trousers

$58

GL1 Formal Belt

Clean 35 mm black pin-buckle for work

$45

BLC21 Casual Belt

30 mm in black, brown or tan, made for jeans

From $29

R21 Reversible Belt

Black on one side, dark brown on the other

$59

Replacement Buckle

30 mm stainless steel ratchet buckle

$19

Frequently asked questions

Are ratchet belts durable enough for daily wear?

Yes. A good metal ratchet buckle lasts for years. If the buckle does wear out, you can swap in a replacement buckle and keep the same strap.

Can I wear a ratchet belt with jeans?

You can, but most ratchet belts have a formal look. With jeans, a wider casual belt in brown or tan usually looks better.

Is an automatic belt the same as a ratchet belt?

Yes. Ratchet belt, automatic belt, track belt, click belt and belt without holes are all names for the same design.

Where can I try both types in Singapore?

Visit any Oxhide store, including our NEX Mall outlet, and try both on before you decide.