Seldom do I purchase something that surprises me with its ingenuity, but this belt has done just that. And we're talking about a belt here, perhaps one of the simplest, most common items there is.

There are two features of this belt that make it truly extraordinary.

First, it comes in one size, which makes choosing one a cinch, and probably makes manufacturing less costly. They all come in a 44" length and you cut the belt to size. The belt has markings 1" apart on the inside to make this very easy. You then insert the cut end into the buckle, which has a clamp with teeth that bite into the end of the belt to hold it. So some assembly is required, but the only thing you need is a sharp razor knife, and we're only talking about a minute or two to complete.

Second, the ratcheting buckle is to die for. No more flipping and flopping with old-style belts and buckles, you just slide the belt through the buckle and click-click-click until it feels exactly the way you want. Detents on the ratchet are about 1/4" apart, so you have unprecedented control over tightness. Releasing the belt is a simple matter of pulling up on the edge of the buckle; if you eat too much out at a restaurant, you can ever-so-subtly let out the belt right there at the table without anyone knowing (it doesn't click when you release).

The belt itself seems solidly made, with tight stitching around the edges and the ratcheting piece on the inside. It looks good, too, on blue, brown and khaki pants. And the comfort and convenience factors can't be overstated. Being able to tighten the belt precisely to the level of tightness you prefer is fantastic, and it's so easy to tighten and release these. I've not had any issues with the belts releasing on their own; they seem to hold solid.

I'm 49 years old and for the last 30 years I thought I was getting a good deal when I'd catch Dockers belts on sale for $25 at the local Penneys store. But after this, I am sold. Marino make an excellent product here, and if they can maintain this price point I may never again buy another "old fashioned" belt again.

ok belt but there are better quality belts on the maket. This is the 4th belt i have purchased but not from this maker. For the price and functionality it is worth the purchase.

I bought this belt over 3.5 years ago and love its look, design and functionality. The ratcheting mechanism works well and allows for fine tuning when my waist expands after big meals, making the fit perfect all the time. This great functionality does not compromise the sleek look of the belt, nor the elegance of the buckle. A month ago, the leather strap split. I notified customer support and the next day I got an email asking me to confirm my address. A week later, I got a replacement strap. All my future belts will be Mio Marinos.

****updated on 8/4/23***.

I recently purchased another one of these belts and the ratchet mechanism would slip too easily when bumped. I returned it for an exchange and promptly got the replacement. It also slipped so I just returned it for a refund. I then ordered a different style and found the ratchet slipped too, but not quite as badly as the others, so I kept that one. Seems that quality control has slipped since COVID. I have therefore dropped my rating to 4 stars. Too bad because I really like these belts and hope the issue will be fixed in the future.

I love the clean look of the buckle. My only complaint is the belt is narrower than I expected. Other than that it's a good, versatile belt.

There are quite a few ratchet belt candidates out there, but I decided to try my first Marino back in July 2016 after some poor results from a ratchet belt from another manufacturer. Each Marino belt comes in a very elegant box, which is perfect for gifting. I am selfish and bought them solely for myself. Since I am unwilling to share my belts, I will share my humble opinion instead

The review I am writing today is for my third Marino purchase, bought in October 2018. That in itself should be an indication of my opinion of this product. Each belt I have purchased has been a different style (in both belt and buckle) and each continues to serve me well.

I use these belts with everything: shorts, jeans, khakis, and dress pants. In particular, it's very important for me to maximize comfort during formal events because, typically, most of my attire is built for appearance rather than comfort. Having a comfortable belt during these uncomfortable situations is a must. The Marino fits that requirement precisely.

The belt buckle, once secured properly, stays in place and does not become loose, but is not difficult to remove if you need to trim down the belt or switch out the buckle itself. Having the belt buckle come loose during your day-to-day is the last thing you want. I have experienced this with other ratchet belts and it is infuriating, especially when the buckle falls off during an inconvenient time, such as while in a public restroom"¦ into the urinal. But let us not dwell on the horrors of the past and, instead, look to the future. Marinos are the go-to for ratchet belts because they're durable, they look fantastic, and they have an excellent price especially given their exceptional quality.

So why a ratchet belt over a traditional belt? In general, a ratchet belt allows for the perfect fit with the ability to make smaller incremental adjustments. This is very helpful if want to quickly and easily adjust your comfort level during the day, if you're focusing on weight loss, or need to adjust the belt after eating 5 lbs of bacon and cheese during a very dark period in your life. I also find that a ratchet belt has a much smoother on/off process and less degradation in the leather itself as a result of the tightening/loosening process.

I highly recommend a ratchet belt and, to fulfill that need, I highly recommend the Marino.