Occidental Leather Belt Stretching

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I have an Occidental Leather tool belt and the leather belt is stretching.  The belt grew about 4-5 inches over a 1 1/2 years.  I know leather will stretch over time,  I feel like that's a lot of movement.  I'm on my second belt from them.  My pants all fit the same so I'm not getting heavier or lighter.  Anyone else experience this problem?  I do live in North Carolina and we have a lot of rain and humidity.  I might have to go to a saddle shop or maybe a shoe repair place and have it shortened.

 

[GhostFist]

Or just punch another hole in it.  If you're loading your belt with a lot of weight it's gonna stretch no doubt

 

[Dogberryjr]

Maybe you're bucking the trend and getting thinner with time.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Or just punch another hole in it.  If you're loading your belt with a lot of weight it's gonna stretch no doubt

The way belts are made there's no way to add a hole.

 

[bionicus]

Stretching is common for Occi leather belts but 4-5 inches seems like a lot. I'd contact them first though they'll probably just suggest adding their hip pads to take up a couple notches. I have the sheepskin pads and they're pretty friggen comfortable.

 

[tjbier]

Mines about 10-12 years old, I've had it for 6 now and I have added 2 holes to the belt, just by knife and making the smallest  x in the leather and puching pushing the buckle through. I'm about to the part in the belt where it get wider and won't fit in the mouth of the buckle.
A guy at work bought the oxy lights set ( after breaking 2 pouches and I always rub it in that mine are half as old as him) and he bought a medium belt and already is on his last factory belt hole. So I will probably buy his, and he can buy a small belt.
  Yes they stretch a lot, should almost order 2 sizes smaller than what you need. The sheep pads would be nice way to fill up some room.

 

[waho6o9]

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I added suspenders to my Occidentals and the've worked out well.

 

[DB10]

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I added suspenders to my Occidentals and the've worked out well.

That is what we would call, belt and braces - literally.

 

[WastedP]

There's no reason not to approach the problem from a different angle.  Try eating a lot of pancakes with syrup for breakfast every morning, and the belt might fit again in no time.