7 Best Belts for Fat Guys & Big Bellies

Belt shopping is hard when you’re larger than a super model. It is easy to get discouraged when you walk into a clothing or department store and the only options for belts available are never going to fit around your waist.

After searching around at all the stores that promise to offer belts for fat guys and leaving in disappointment, you spend the rest of the week with pants that will not stay up, looking and feeling uncomfortable because you can’t find a belt.

While they might be a little hard to find, there are actually a lot of great belts for fat guys, they’re just not found at the typical clothing or department store. With a little bit of research, you’ll find there are quite a few belts that will fit comfortably, without you having to magically become a supermodel overnight.

Our favorite belt is the 5.11 Tactical Men’s 1.5-inch Convertible TDU belt. It is sturdy and strong enough to be used each day at the office or at your job, while still being stylish enough to work for a dressier occasion.

And it is not likely to break over time like many other belts. You can check out more reviews and the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.

This is just one of the many options that are available for big, fat and tall guys who want to wear belts too.

But it’s also my favorite.

We’re going to go in-depth on several belts, and much of it is based on my first-hand experience. But if you just want to see which ones made the list you can check them out here:

What To Look For In A Belt For Fat Guys

Finding a strong and sturdy belt is so important. Not only will it help you be more comfortable but it will also help you look good.

Let’s talk about the factors that went into our reviews.

Easy To Adjust

It is important to pick out a belt that is easy to adjust. You do not want to spend all day figuring out how to get the buckle to work or to make sure the belt is in the right location. There are different ways that the belt can buckle up and you want to make sure that it is easy to use.

Something else to consider is if the belt can keep you secure the whole time you would like to wear it. Some belts have a design without notches, so they might slide or become loose with wear, especially if it isn’t designed well.

Additionally, when you look at the belt, consider how much work it will take to put the belt on and off. It may not seem so important now, but when you are tired from working all day, or you need to go to the bathroom, having a belt that adjusts easily will make all the difference.

We’ve kept this in mind with all our picks and only selected belts that are easy to adjust, but that will stay in place for most of the day.

Multiple Size Options

Sizing your new belt is an important step to make sure that it will fit the way that you want. Many people, overweight or not, find it hard to pick the right size belt for their needs. Fortunately, it’s a pretty simple process once you know what you are doing.

Choose a belt that is between two to four inches longer than your pants size. This accommodates the length of the belt buckle and for fastening the belt and should leave you with some wiggle room. Wiggle room is always nice if your weight fluctuates like most people.

In some cases, you also might find belts that are “trim-to-fit”. These are another good option if you don’t know what size you need.

Right Materials

As you can see through some of the different belts that we recommended, there are different materials that you can choose for your belt. This includes the material around the belt and the buckle on the belt as well.

The material you want to go with will depend on your goals and how you plan to use the belt. For example, some people might choose leather for a dress belt but a softer, more flexible material if they need something for everyday wear.

Materials matter for comfort, which is why you might want something more flexible if you’re going to wear it all the time. They also affect the durability, which is something else we’ll discuss.

Look at the Length

One of the first things you should double-check when picking out your new belt is the length. You do not want to get a belt that is too short or it will not fit around your waist at all.

You should measure the length around your waist before purchasing, making sure to add at least a few inches to the end to allow the belt to go through the buckle and stay in place.

If the waist of your pants is 40 inches, you’ll want a belt that is 42-44″ long. Even if you do not know what your pant size is, or you like to go with pants that have a lot of stretch to them, there are a few methods we’ll talk about later that you can use to find your perfect belt size every time.

In addition to having the right length, be sure the belt fits true-to-size. Sometimes, you’ll find a belt runs small or big when reading customer reviews, and you should always adjust accordingly.

Choosing the Best Belt for Fat Guys

There are many great belts out there that you can choose from. Unfortunately, us fat guys don’t always have the biggest selection, especially if we’re shopping in-store instead of online.

For me, the biggest challenges are first, finding a belt that is comfortable and second, finding a belt that will hold my pants up all day long. So many of the options on the market stop at sizes that are way too small, making the cause seem hopeless for larger men. Others don’t have that staying power that you need to keep your pants up when your body is rounder.

All of the belts on our list are designed with large men in mind, whether you are short and fat, big and tall, or somewhere in between. They come in different sizes, with lots of options to adjust to get the exact right size that you are looking for.

While there of course are other belts that might fit the bill, I’ve tried to include a variety of belts for different occasions, whether you’re looking for comfort, durability, casual style, or dress up. Now, let’s jump into these belts!

The Best Stretch Belt: No Buckle Show Belt for Men

Buckles can be uncomfortable for heavier men. They may look nice, but they may push into the stomach and are not fun to wear for long-term.

This belt is the perfect solution for painful belt buckles (and I love it)! It is really functional, easy to adjust, and comfortable. Plus, it comes in two different sizes, with the bigger size fitting a waist from 44-64″.

This belt is comfortable and flexible because of the elastic material that makes up the belt. You thread it through your belt loops and then snap it into place. There’s also a small piece of hardware on the back that you slide to make it tighter- you can see how it works in this video.

Being nice and stretchy, this belt has plenty of room for my big belly. However, it’s not so stretchy that it gets loose with wear. The snaps are nice for extra security and easy access.

I also love that you don’t have to unbuckle anything when it’s time to go to the bathroom- just undo your pants like you usually do. There’s no more fighting for elbow space to take off your belt in small bathroom stalls.

This belt is comfortable above all else and solves many of the issues around buckles. Not only that, but it’s also got its own unique style that I love.

It can even lay flat under some of your fitted shirts without the buckle bulge along the way. It is flexible, tear-resistant, and easy to wear, making it a great option to add to our list and one of my favorites.

You can check more reviews and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: The buckle-free style means extra comfort for bigger bellies. It’s also a unique look that you don’t see very often.

 

The Strongest Belt: 5.11 Tactical Men’s 1.5-inch Convertible TDU Belt

While “tactical” might seem a bit fancy this belt is strong, durable, and comfortable for men of any size. By strong and durable, I mean that this belt supports 5,500 pounds per inch of width and that’s the reason that it is a top pick among survivalists, military personnel, and emergency services personnel. That being said, it’s also a great belt for fat guys.

Big guys like me often find that our belts wear out and break down over time. My favorite belts always end up with creases in the leather from the work of holding my pants up all day and eventually, the belt starts to break down.

This isn’t really a problem with a belt this strong. Additionally, it’s made from nylon webbing that’s strong but really flexible, so it’s comfortable.

The trade-off here though is that this type of material is more likely to bend and deform compared to something like leather. So while it won’t be damaged, there can be indents left behind from the buckle sitting on the belt.

You may also find that you will need to handle the tension buckles more often than you do with a regular buckle. They might slide just a little, though I find it doesn’t happen so often that it interrupts my day. I might just need to adjust my belt once or twice.

That being said, I know a lot of fat men prefer this material because it is more comfortable to wear all day since it bends to your girth instead of fighting against it.

While there are some drawbacks to using this type of belt, there are a lot of benefits as well. The belt is more comfortable compared to some of the other options, and it is sturdier compared to some of the other materials. If you are looking for a good belt for those days off, relaxing at home, then this is one of the better options.

You can see a great breakdown of the belt dimensions along with a close up of exactly how the buckle works in this quick video:

You can pick your favorite color (I like black) and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: The super-strong nylon material means this thing isn’t ever going to tear. Most fat folks, like myself, find nylon to be more comfortable, too.

 

The Best Lightweight Belt for Fat Guys: Drizzte 47-75-inch Plus Size Stretch Dress Belt

The big perks of this belt are that it’s lightweight but still incredibly strong. It has that flex factor that you want to stop it from digging into your belly and love handles, especially when bending or sitting, but it’s also not going anywhere that you don’t want it to.

Plus, this belt is extra long compared to the others on the list, maxing out at 75″. If this belt doesn’t fit you, then no belt on this list can do the job. And that’s coming from a bona fide fat guy.

They recommend sizing up by about 11 inches (which means you have a little extra dangling) but I actually suggest going more than that. Not only do you have more room on bigger days, but this is also a trim-to-fit belt, so you can always trim it down if the belt ends up being too big.

The nylon material this belt is made from is fat-friendly because it has just the right amount of flex. It won’t fight against your belly or love handles like leather might because it bends with your shape and leaves room for your body. Just look at how easily it flexes when bent-

Even when you bend down or squat, you can feel the belt move around as it shifts with your body. It’s super comfortable to wear and there’s no digging, making it a great option for long work days or when you plan to be moving around a lot.

I will say that the nylon material is a little scratchy against my skin right out of the box. That may or may not be a problem depending on if you are wearing an undershirt or if you leave your shirt tucked or untucked.

When it comes to the buckle, it’s made from a hard, strong thermoplastic. You hear an audible click the first couple of times you click the belt in place and then you don’t have to worry about it moving again until you open it back up. I’ve pulled on either side of this many times and it is strong.

I also love the no-hole design on this that makes it easy to make those minor adjustments you might need from day-to-day. You can put the buckle through the belt literally anywhere, making it really easy to adjust.

You see these ridges in this close up? The buckle might not look like a lot at first glance, but it grabs onto these ridges and your belt (and pants) aren’t going anywhere.

And, my final point? This belt just looks nice. It comes in black and the belt buckle looks sleek and stylish, but it is also really smooth and has a low profile that won’t dig into your belly.

Comfortable, adjustable and allows for a lot of free movement- what more could you want in a belt for a big dude?

You can see all the sizes and the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: The no-hole design leaves a ton of room for adjustments. The flexible nylon is also comfortable when sitting or bending over- even for fat guys.

The Best Daily Wear Belt: BETTA 1.5 Inch Wide Men’s Elastic Stretch Belt

I’m a big fan of the BETTA belt line. They use quality materials but they also just look cool with a simple but sleek black design.

This belt uses an elastic buckle that’s certain to keep everything in place, no matter how often you decide to use it. The 1.5-inch wide strap is big enough to get the job done but small enough to not dig into a fat belly, making this belt really comfortable.

The buckle is extra-sturdy, which is critical if you’re working with a lot of girth. I know that when I sit down and my belly pushes out, I can sometimes hear my belt buckle cry.

Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but you need something strong and this BETTA belt will do the job. You can see just how much this belt stretches (so it doesn’t break when you bend) in this quick video:

Similar to the other mesh options, there are no buckle holes to contend with. This means you can easily choose the size that fits you best with this belt and making adjustments is no problem.

It is also abrasion resistant, water-resistant, and easy to use. And, for animal lovers, it’s also animal-friendly, since it’s free of leather or any other animal items.

You can read more about this belt and check today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: Animal-friendly design means there are ZERO animal products used in this belt.

 

The Best Hypoallergenic Belt: Loop Belt No-Scratch Reversible Web Belt

Not only is this belt hypoallergenic and nickel-free, but it’s also big enough for fat guys.

Like many on our list, it’s made of flexible material. But unlike others, it offers a unique combination of loop and hook fasteners without a buckle.

Instead, this belt uses something that resembles Velcro and that is super easy to use. This results in a bit of unique look that is really comfortable on the belly because there is no metal or hard pieces of plastic. The fabric of the belt is also really flexible.

I find the latch that goes with it makes it easier to use compared to a buckle belt. This belt can be on and ready to go in a matter of seconds, adjusting it directly to the size that you want. Like no-hole styles, this is easy to make those micro-adjustments between sizes as well.

You can check out today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: Big enough for fat guys all while being hypoallergenic.

 

Best Leather Belt for Fat Guys: Bulliant Slide Ratchet Belt for Men

I feel like a nice leather belt is something everyone should have in their collection, even fat guys. This belt has a lot of features that I love and it just takes your outfit up a notch.

For starters, this belt is really sturdy. It’s thick enough that it’s going to fill your belt loops and will actually hold your pants up. I will say that it’s a little rigid out of the box, but honestly, that’s something that you can generally expect with good, quality leather like this. And look at that shine.

This belt has a nice, sturdy design. It’s thick enough that it doesn’t bend too much and will actually hold your pants up. While it is a little rigid out of the box, you kind of expect that from leather products and this belt does soften with wear (a LOT of wear, think around 10-15 uses at least).

Generally, you’ll want to buy this belt a little bigger than you need. It has a trim-to-fit design that has .25-inch increments so you get the perfect fit. You can see the size markings in this photo (as well the the durable double-stitching that’s evidence of the quality you expect from a higher end belt like this).

As a general rule, I’d go a few notches bigger than you need- just so you have the option of wearing it bigger if you gain a few pounds.

While the design does look a little fancy, it’s still casual enough to wear daily. The design is pretty simple to use and you shouldn’t run into any issues with needing size in-between holes because of the way the buckle is designed.

When it comes to the buckle, it makes a statement without being too heavy and dragging your belt (and your pants) down. On top of that, it’s really easy to use and has one of the best release systems because it’s easy to take off, but also stays in place really well when buckled.

You see, the buckle has prongs that keep it locked in place even if you have a big belly pressing against it. You can see the where the prongs “lock” into place near the thumbs in this photo.

This video shows you exactly how the little prongs work to keep everything in place (and your pants on):

Check out more reviews along with today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: Dressy enough for formal use but still casual enough to use daily.

 

The Best Dress Belt: Beltox Reversible Dress Belt

It’s important to have a comfortable belt that works well for day-to-day work when you are focused more on having something functional around your waist than how you look. That being said, this affordable two-sided dress belt from Beltox is a great addition to your wardrobe when you don’t want to sacrifice style or functionality.

 

There’s a lot to like about this belt. The width is 1.25 inches wide, so it isn’t so thick that the leather digs into your skin or underbelly. Plus the leather is soft and flexible, so there’s not even really a break-in period like you usually get with thicker belts. Just look how easily this bends-

Plus, if you’re looking for something affordable, this is literally two belts for the price of one because it’s reversible. The buckle on this belt rotates fairly easily, so there’s no complicated removing of the buckle when you want to use the othe side of the belt. This particular one is deep blue and black, but it comes in lots of different color combinations.

Compared to some of the other leather belts that are available, the leather in this belt probably doesn’t seem like a lot. It’s not over the top with its design like the Bulliant belt, but it is going to look great when you are at church or a big work function.

That being said, while the leather is smooth, shiny, and has a nice look, you do get what you pay for when it comes to leather. You see, compared to the Bulliant belt and it’s high-quality, double-stitching, this belt leaves a little to be desired.

Even so, this belt will look great around your waist if you don’t want to spend more money on a higher quality belt. After all, leather isn’t something that always works for bigger guys, so this is a good belt if you aren’t sure if leather’s for you. It’s also a good belt for fat guys on a budget.

The only thing I can say I don’t like about this belt is I’m unsure how the quality will hold up with a lot of use. Even though I only break this out on occasion, you can see a few scratches on the buckle from use if you look closely. Plus, the leather is soft- but it might be too soft and bendy, if you get what I’m saying.

I’ll be honest though, there’s a good chance that these tiny marks on the buckle are going to be hidden under my belly, so it’s not really something that bugs me much. Especially when I consider the price I paid for this 2-in-1 style belt.

You can see all the sizes available and check the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.

What I Love About Them: Reversible design works great for any dressy occasion.

How to Size the Belt

If you already have a belt at home, measure the length from the buckle to the hole that you use. This is the size of your waist. You’ll want to add 2-4 inches to this to get the total length for your belt.

Alternatively, measure your waist. This can be a little hard if you’re a bigger dude like me. Instead of wrapping the measuring tape around my waist, I find it easier to wrap a piece of string around my waist and measure that.

Keep in mind when measuring that you want a belt that fits wherever you are most comfortable. For example, some guys (like me) prefer to wear their pants over their bellies instead of at their waist, so my belt sits a little higher up than the waist area.

Pick the Right Pants

In many cases, the belt is only as good as the pants…and vice versa. So make sure you’re picking out quality pants that actually fit fat bodies. If you’re struggling in that department, consider checking out my review of the best jeans for big, tall, and fat guys. 

Belts Have A Purpose

I know it’s probably obvious, but it’s important to remember that belts aren’t all the same. We’ve put these belts into big categories to help you sort through them but really think about what you want to do with your belt.

If you want a belt that can do literally everything, then our tactical option is probably the best. But if you’re looking for a belt to run with or carry items, then a belt specifically made for running or another functional belt is probably a better pick.

Closing Thoughts

Some folks think that belts are just for skinny guys with loose pants.

You and I both know that just isn’t the case and fat guys need belts too. But not all belts are created equal.

Far from it.

But hopefully, you’re now armed with everything you need to find the perfect fit.

Let me know which belt is your favorite?