Genuine leather. that's the key. I bought this belt because the coloring on the faux leather belt I bought at the department store started cracking and chipping about a week after I bought it! I use this belt for work every day and it shows its quality. I'm very happy that I bought it even though I originally ordered the wrong size. (too small)

This Carhartt belt is very well made, is made of genuine leather and is exactly the type of belt I was looking for. I also bought another belt in another color (Bordeaux) made by American Apparel. The Carhartt belt arrived first, arrived better packaged, and it arrived first! (I ordered the Carhartt belt AFTER the American Apparel belt.) I know this Carhartt belt will last much longer than the Bordeaux-colored belt because that one looks too much like the faux leather belt from the department store...