Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you’re searching for a high-quality, casual belt with a simple yet charming buckle, look no further than a Garrison belt. A timeless style with military roots, the Garrison belt was issued to all U.S. soldiers for wear with the overall smarter and less combat-ready dress worn in Garrison from sometime during WWI up until 1942.
This archetypal belt — the buckle of which creates a framing effect around the prong and the straps feed in and out of the buckle — still prevails today as a handsome heritage style that can slot into any wardrobe beckoning for a leather belt. If that sounds like your wardrobe we’ve chosen a selection of Garrison belts from a wide variety of makers for this edition of Five Plus One.
1) Burgus Plus: Leather Garrison Belt
Burgus Plus‘ Leather Garrison Belt is made from an ultra-thick 4mm veg tan leather sourced from Tochigi, a well-renowned Japanese tannery. Available in black, brown, and natural colorways, this is a great option for any workwear enthusiast in search of an everyday belt.
Available for ¥10,780 (~$73) from Sun House.
2) Obbi Good Label: Double-Prong Garrison Buckle Belt
If you’re a fan of double-prong belts then Obbi Good label‘s Double-Prong Garrison Buckle Belt might just tick all the boxes for you. Like many other belts on this list, it’s constructed from heavyweight leather — 10-12 oz. vegetable tan in this case — and features a solid brass garrison buckle. Not only that, but the buckle is secured with a brass Chicago screw, meaning you can remove and relocate the buckle if you ever need to.
Available for $145 from Rugged Gentlemen Shoppe.
3) Sugar Cane: Garrison Belt
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Sugar Cane‘s Garrison Belt follows the same design elements as many of the other belts in this list with its 5mm thick leather strap that is also relatively wide at 4cm. All in all, this is a pretty compelling belt at a fairly palatable price point. And its wide range of colorways and sizes makes it a accessible entry-level belt for many.
Available for ¥13,200 (~$89) from Hinoya.
4) Pigeon Tree: 35mm Tärnsjö Japanese Garrison Belt
Pigeon Tree is one of our favorite, small leathercrafting makers. They’re always introducing unique pieces of leatherwork such as their 35mm Tärnsjö Japanese Garrison Belt, which is customizable with two different garrison buckles, four colorways including the pictured green, and circular or teardrop prong holes.
Available for $170 from Pigeon Tree Crafting.
5) Iron Heart: Heavy Duty “Tochigi” Leather Belt
Japanese denim giants, Iron Heart make revered heavy-duty jeans, so it makes sense they make an equally awesome Heavy Duty Belt. It’s made in Japan from a 4.2mm leather from the aforementioned Tochigi tannery, and features sexy teardrop holes and a Chicago screw-attached solid brass buckle.
And speaking of that buckle, its extra-long shape really gives this belt a look unlike many others on this list.
Available for $210 from Iron Heart.
Plus One – Cramp by Ikenohata Ginkawaten: “Pinless” Saddle Cowhide Belts
Cramp by Ikenohata Ginkawaten is probably not a maker you’re too familiar with, but their Pinless Saddle Cowhide Belt is a really compelling piece. It’s made in Japan from a 5mm thicket strap from Baker’s, one of England’s iconic saddlery leather tanneries, that is unevenly dyed with a brown teacore that facilitates a beautiful patina.
But most special of all is the pinless buckle. This nifty feature allows the belt to be tightened without a pin, however, this special build for Corlection still features vestigial belt loops.
Available for $297AUD (~$191 ) from Corlection.
