I wasn't sure about this, at first.  It's not the usual plain strip of leather than I'm used to with rugged belts.  However, the belt is holding up well.  I've been wearing it a couple months, and there's minimal deformation of the belt.  Of course the really strong point of this belt is the ratchet system.  I REALLY like that, and now it's not as pleasant to wear a belt with a traditional buckle.