Horween® Leather Belts · Chicago
Our Standard Belt is one solid strap of Horween® leather, tanned six-tenths of a mile from the shop and finished at our bench. Pick your leather, measure the belt you already own, and wear it for decades.
4.9 stars from 170+ reviewsSizes 30″ to 42″Free domestic shipping on orders over $150.
Year 6Day 1
Left: 6 years of daily wear. Right: new Natural Chromexcel®.
How it ages
Horween® Chromexcel® starts as a light natural tan. Wear it and it darkens, softens and picks up character where it flexes.
“My 6 year old CXL belt that I literally wear everyday.”
Robert L., Ashland customer
★★★★★“The leather is thick and will age wonderfully as all Horween® leather does.”
Rob L, Brown Chromexcel® belt
Closer look: the buckle end after six years, beside a new belt.
Built to be worn like this. Handcrafted in Chicago. Guaranteed for Life.
Shop belts in stockEvery Standard Belt is 1.5″ wide, €90,95, and made from a single strap of Horween® leather. The difference is how the leather feels and looks on day one and how it ages.
Match your shoes. Not sure what color to get? Look at the color of your shoes and match the closest one. Traditional men’s style says your belt should match your shoes.
Full grain, combination-tanned, firm and stout
Tough, durable Horween® Illini Latigo. It starts firm and only gets more comfortable the longer you wear it, as body heat softens the waxes in the leather. Stout enough to carry keys, a holster, tools or a phone clip without losing its form.
Veg-tanned, hard wax, pull-up
A durable, stout Horween® Dublin with a very heritage look and feel. It pairs perfectly with casual jean wear, and the tan darkens and builds character with every wear.
Full grain Black Illini Latigo, black buckle
All black, strap to buckle. Tough, stout Horween® Illini Latigo that starts firm and only gets more comfortable as you wear it. It holds keys, a holster, tools or a phone clip without losing its form.
Combination-tanned, hot-stuffed, pull-up
Comfortable out of the box. Horween® Chromexcel® is the only leather we use that needs no break-in. Durable and water-resistant, with a rich pull-up that shifts color as the stout strap flexes.
B-Grade, minor cosmetic flaw
A Horween® leather belt with a minor cosmetic flaw, such as a small mark on the grain. Same construction as our standard belts, $75. Leather varies and may be Illini Latigo, Chromexcel®, Dublin and more, all 100% Horween® leather. Handcrafted in Chicago. Guaranteed for Life.
Narrower 1.25″ strap for chinos and trousers
Handcrafted from tough, durable Horween® leather and cut to 1.25″ to fit trouser loops. Goes from jeans to the office.
Horween® Shell Cordovan, Color 8 or Black
The heirloom belt. Horween® Shell Cordovan is a dense, durable leather that is self-polishing and resists creasing.
| Leather | Tannage | Feel and break-in | Ages and patina | Best with | Match your shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Illini Latigo | Combination-tanned, full grain | Starts firm, only gets more comfortable with wear | Body heat softens the waxes; tough and durable, holds its form | Jeans, work wear, carrying keys, a holster or tools | Brown shoes and boots |
| English Tan Dublin | Veg-tanned, hard wax | Stout and waxy, breaks in with wear | Darkens and builds patina | Casual jean wear, a heritage look | Tan and light brown shoes and boots |
| Blacked Out | Combination-tanned, full grain (black Illini Latigo, black buckle) | Starts firm, only gets more comfortable with wear | Body heat softens the waxes; tough and durable, holds its form | Black denim, darker outfits, carrying keys, a holster or tools | Black shoes and boots |
| Natural Chromexcel® | Combination-tanned, hot-stuffed | Comfortable out of the box, no break-in | Pull-up; color shifts where it flexes and darkens with wear | Jeans, weekend wear | Tan and light brown shoes and boots |
| Match your shoes | Not sure what color to get? Look at the color of your shoes and match the closest one. | ||||
Get the fit right
The leather can stretch up to about 1″ depending on how hard you pull the belt closed, so for a snug fit you can size down an inch. We make even sizes only, so if you are between sizes, size up. Need something else?
Request another size
One strap, no layers
A lot of belts are two thin layers bonded around a filler. When the glue lets go, the belt is done. Every Standard Belt is one solid strap of Horween® leather, cut full thickness, so there is nothing to separate.
Tannery to shop
Horween® has tanned leather in Chicago since 1905, six-tenths of a mile from the shop. We pick the hides, cut every strap, and finish every edge in Chicago.
Fifteen years in, the idea is the same: Horween® leather, made into things you keep.
Our StoryBased on 170+ reviews of Ashland leather belts
Customer photos
“love the cordovan black belt! beautiful, sturdy, and well made!”
“The Illini Latigo used for these belts is very unique. They're very firm and keep their shape while remaining very soft and comfortable. The tear drop hole design is also a great touch for ease of use.”
“Great high quality casual belt!”
“Fantastic belt and company.”
“I absolutely adore the products you guys put out and am a customer for life.”
“A real leather belt, period. I expect this belt to wear well and age well for years to come. You just don’t see quality like this anymore!”
“Beautiful leather! Thick, soft, and I expect durable. Natural Chromexcel® is absolutely the best.”
“When they say this is the jean belt, they are correct. The Horween® leather is soft and thick. There is no break-in with this belt.”
“The brown chromexcel® belt is very well made; soft and supple, yet rugged and sturdy. It’s finished well and I can’t wait to see how it wears in and develops some character.”
“I’ve had leather belts my whole life and Ashland leather takes it to a new level. The quality and feel is unmatched and will probably last several lifetimes . It is a joy to wear.”
Measure a belt you already wear, from where the leather meets the buckle to the hole you use most, or take your jean size and add 2″. That number is your size. The leather can stretch up to about 1″ depending on how hard you pull the belt closed, so for a snug fit you can size down an inch. We make even sizes only, so if you are between sizes, size up.
Want it comfortable out of the box: Natural Chromexcel®. Want a firm, stout belt that holds keys, a holster or tools and only gets more comfortable with wear: Brown Illini Latigo. Want a heritage look for jeans: English Tan Dublin. Want all black: Blacked Out. Want a deal and don't mind a small cosmetic mark: the Mystery belt. Not sure on color? Match the closest color to your shoes.
Most suit trousers have loops made for a narrower belt. The 1.5″ Standard Belt is built for jeans and casual trousers. For chinos and trousers, choose the 1.25″ Bucktown.
Our belts are water-resistant. If yours gets soaked, wipe it off and let it air-dry at room temperature.
A Horween® leather belt with a minor cosmetic flaw, such as a small mark on the grain. Same construction as our standard belts, $75. The leather varies and may be Illini Latigo, Chromexcel®, Dublin and more, all 100% Horween® leather. Handcrafted in Chicago. Guaranteed for Life.
Horween® leather belts, sizes 30″ to 42″. Handcrafted in Chicago. Guaranteed for Life.
