Arcade Hardware Alu Belt Review

We’ve been on the Arcade train for a few years, as their belts make the perfect travel companion. Typically, they use a plastic buckle, so you don’t have to take them off when going through airport security.

These features are such a staple of the brand that when we received the Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt, we were confident they had developed a new plastic that looked, felt, and tasted like metal. Alas, we were incorrect. This belt uses aluminum, and the other materials are more substantial, too.

Will this beefed-up version of the Arcade belts we know and love make it worth taking off at airport security, or is it for something completely different? Let’s find out.

The Rundown

The composition of the belt material is 85% recycled REPREVE polyester and 15% rubber. Though other belts from Arcade utilize the same materials, the weave feels hardier, and the stretch is more subtle than we’re used to. This belt takes more to expand than our previous experience with the brand, though it still flexes when you’re on the move. It’s a solid choice for when you want to be active without your pants falling down, like if you’re rock climbing or playing dodgeball in gym class.

The materials are durable, though we’ve noticed some cosmetic issues in testing. The exterior has gotten roughed up around the edges, similar to a wool sweater. It doesn’t affect usage; however, it’s noticeable when looking closely at the belt.

The buckle is aluminum. It’s a G-hook, which is easy to maneuver. It looks sleek and offers durability but, unfortunately, forces you to take the belt off at the airport. If you’re used to this and are simply looking for a durable belt, that won’t be a problem. However, if you were considering upgrading from the Atlas or Ranger, you might scoff at that idea. After all, do they know who you are and where you shop for your belts? Asinine!

The belt’s receiving end has three loops. You can hook the aluminum G-hook through any of them for a secure fit. Other than tightness (and the pressure on your waist that comes with that), we’ve noticed no differences between using any of the three.

In testing, we found that the best way to use the Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt is to make the middle loop your default setting. From there, you can adjust to the tighter or looser option as you see fit. Eat a lot on your trip? Go to the looser loop. Have a bunch of stuff in your pockets? Go the other way. It isn’t a perfect system, but we’ve found that it works well in most everyday and travel situations.

There are three silicone strips on the backside of the belt to stop it from slipping. We affectionately call these “rumble strips,” mainly because it’s a fun name, but they work similarly to the ones on the highway. If things are drifting away from where they’re supposed to be, the rumble strips will sort it out and slow it down. They appear durable and are holding up a few weeks into testing.

We have an elastic strap keeper on the G-hook side of the belt to ensure that any extra material is properly wrangled. It works well and makes you look dapper, no matter the adventure.

A small tab on the end of the belt can help pull it tight and it adds a nice cosmetic contrast. Additionally, you can hang the belt from this.

Packability

The Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt is available in two lengths: the standard, which fits waists up to 40 inches (101.6 centimeters), and the long, which fits waists up to 50 inches (127 centimeters).

The belt is an inch and a half thick, which works best for most situations. It’s more versatile than something skinnier or fatter.

Unfortunately, unlike other Arcade belts, there isn’t a skinnier version available, which feminine-sized Pack Hacker testers have previously enjoyed. This belt appears to be tailored to a more masculine fit, but we hope to see a thinner model in the future for folks who enjoy pants with thinner belt loops.

At the time of writing, you can snag this belt in Black, Charcoal, Coyote, and Olive colorways. They all look snazzy, but none of the options are particularly vibrant or unique if that’s the vibe that you’re looking for.

This isn’t the most packable belt on the market, though it packs up reasonably similarly to a standard model you might already own. If that’s what you’re looking for, fantastic; if not, you might look at a different model from Arcade Belts.

Quick Comparison

The Arcade Atlas is our favorite Arcade model and one of the best travel belts on the market.

It’s significantly lighter than the Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt, coming in at 2.5 ounces (70.9 grams) compared to this model’s 4.127 ounces (117 grams). Though that feels like a lot written out, the difference when holding them (or wearing one on your waist) is negligible.

The Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt’s buckle and materials feel more durable than the Atlas and most of Arcade’s travel-focused models, which likely accounts for most of the added weight. It isn’t as stretchy and is slightly less comfortable, too; however, if durability is top dog for you in your search for the perfect belt, you’ve found a match.

We’ve found that the more structured feel of the Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt is easier to adjust than the other Arcade models, though both tend to stay put once you’ve locked them in place.

Overall, we dig both these belts, though we give the Atlas the nod for comfort and airport travel. However, if you already like Arcade Belts and want something more durable and hardy for every day, the Arcade Belts Hardware Alu Belt is the choice for you!