Where do you get wallets and belts that LAST?

  • TheFamousGrouse
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 11519
    March 22, 2014 at 8:51 am #1357439

    OK, so this frustration with cheap leather goods has been building for some time.

    Everything leather I buy, belts, wallets, etc now in various department stores, etc, seems to be made out of cheap, “reconstitued” leather. So it falls apart within a few months. This cr@p says “genuine leather”, but I think it’s cheap ground up leather pressed into shape and then coverd with vinyl to make it look good.

    I go through 2-3 belts a year, a wallet every year, it’s all the same problem.

    The last straw was that I bought a new “Genuine Leather” wallet 3 weeks ago and paid almost $40 for it. And I look today and it’s got a freaking hole in it where a seam has split because the cheap “reconstituted” leather is so thin. What a POS.

    Where can I get REAL leather goods that are 100% leather with NO reconstitued sh!# and NO viynal or pleather? The only thing I’ve had that lasts are Filson belts, but I like to have different syles and Filson doesn’t make a reversable belt, which is very handy for travel.

    Where else can I get some freaking QUALITY?
    Thanks.

    Grouse

    Brian Hoffies
    Land of 10,000 taxes, potholes & the politically correct.
    Posts: 6843
    March 22, 2014 at 8:58 am #1398269

    Good luck with the search. The WalMart mentality of “cheaper, cheaper, cheaper” has made quality a thing of the past.

    As far as the wallet goes….. maybe if it wasn’t stuffed so full?

    mwal
    Rosemount,MN
    Posts: 1048
    March 22, 2014 at 9:02 am #1398271

    I bought my last belt in Branson MO from a small leather shop who made them. It has basket weave pattern and is solid leather it is going on its 5th year. He said it was a favorite of the local police and conceal crowd. I paid $75 and its been worth it and yes it does support weight of a carry gun or my .357 gp100 hunting. He also made wallets. I cannot find a receipt. My father may be going in the fall and I am having him look for the shop again to get another belt just to have one in case this one wears out. I had gone through many as you had. If he finds the shop I will post name.

    Mwal

    yellowdog
    Alma Wi
    Posts: 1303
    March 22, 2014 at 9:02 am #1398272

    Go to a leather smith. Not to hard to find. There is a good one here in Alma. You can expect to pay more but a quality belt will more than make up for it. I have one that is still usable after 40 + years.

    Mike Stephens
    WI.
    Posts: 1722
    March 22, 2014 at 9:14 am #1398275

    Grouse; I’ve gotten a few from Tractor supply that have lasted longer than most. You might check them out.

    mwal
    Rosemount,MN
    Posts: 1048
    March 22, 2014 at 9:14 am #1398276

    Grouse,

    MY Dad said name of shop is Sunrise Leather Works Branson MO
    no website. There has to be a similar shop that makes belts in the Twin Cities. If you do let us know.

    Mwal

    BCNeal
    Bloomington, MN
    Posts: 370
    March 22, 2014 at 10:35 am #1398302

    Filson leather wallets are pricy but wear like iron.

    bluewing
    North Iowa
    Posts: 106
    March 22, 2014 at 10:36 am #1398303

    Quality products from Filson. Not cheap but very durable.

    Good luck

    rkd-jim
    Fountain City, WI.
    Posts: 1606
    March 22, 2014 at 10:54 am #1398306

    When you buy a belt you have to see if it is split leather. IF that’s the case it will make a serviceable belt for dressware. If you want a belt that lasts get it from a leather shop or stores that sell genuine leather products. Thus more money at first, but will outlast split leather 10x.

    smoke grub
    Posts: 251
    March 22, 2014 at 11:50 am #1398314

    my last belt came from a kiosk in the Mall of America.. and its well over 20 years old.. I don’t know if the guy is still there but thats were I went.. and it was hard to find a belt for a big moose like me..

    barebackjack
    New Prague, MN.
    Posts: 1023
    March 22, 2014 at 12:03 pm #1398320

    Western stores usually have good stuff, I end up throwing my wallet away not necessarily because they wear out just want a new one. Last one I had lasted 15 years. Belts, same thing or just make sure you are buying real solid leather, not that veneer leather.

    iowaeye
    Posts: 160
    March 22, 2014 at 12:17 pm #1398321

    I bought a Columbia leather wallet 10 years ago. I’m still using it today. Nothing has ripped either. I think it maybe cost 40$.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22380
    March 22, 2014 at 12:38 pm #1398326

    My last one (wallet) came from Cabelas… not sure who made it but, it’s going on 9 years. It is in my pocket everyday and comes out way too often as far as I am concerned (it has a fish embossed in the leather on the front)

    pantherpop
    Kalispell, MT
    Posts: 264
    March 22, 2014 at 1:08 pm #1398329

    Quote:

    Good luck with the search. The WalMart mentality of “cheaper, cheaper, cheaper” has made quality a thing of the past.

    As far as the wallet goes….. maybe if it wasn’t stuffed so full?

    I think the problem is that there are to many hands in it…Dayton,Obama,Congress

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13292
    March 22, 2014 at 1:29 pm #1398337

    From the guy at the Northwest Sports show. No idea who he even was. Had a booth full of belts, wallets and some other leather goods. Seem to remember the prices where very good. I picked up some pretty heavy work belts with nice stamping on them. Think they could double for tow straps if needed.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13292
    March 22, 2014 at 1:34 pm #1398340

    Might of been this guy at the show. Found this on the NW sport show list of exhibits. That guy seem to know his way around a mans waist.

    Genuine Leather
    P.O. Box 3423
    Chattanooga TN 37404

    311hemi
    Dayton, MN
    Posts: 742
    March 22, 2014 at 1:45 pm #1398342

    Get a wallet from Coach. I just looked at the wallet my wife got for me 10+ years ago, and it’s a Coach. This wallet has been in my back pocket almost daily, been washed at least 5 times, and it’s still in good condition. No holes, really not much of any wear the through the surface of the leather Until today I didn’t know who made it, but I would definitely recommend it!

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    March 22, 2014 at 2:51 pm #1398366

    Holy crap. I get a belt and wallet about once every 3 years? I just get them from department stores.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22380
    March 22, 2014 at 5:38 pm #1398403

    Speaking of wallets… don’t know if it matters as far as longevity, but I like Tri-folds over Bi-folds

    blackbay
    Posts: 699
    March 22, 2014 at 5:41 pm #1398405

    Quote:

    That guy seem to know his way around a mans waist.

    Um…yea…not that there’s anything wrong with that.

    Anyway I’ve noticed the same thing with belts lately. Junk!

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    March 22, 2014 at 6:44 pm #1398416

    I have a Columbia Leather trifold that’s had about 288 lbs on it for several years and looks great! (the wallet that is )

    PikeFishman
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 364
    March 22, 2014 at 7:00 pm #1398418

    Check out Tumi wallets, they have a store in the MoA and Galleria in Edina. I’ve had a money clip that’s a combo of leather and ballistic nylon for 8 years and the leather is now just starting to fray. They are pricey, but if you only need one every 5-10 years that bill looks a lot cheaper. I highly recommend anything Tumi makes.

    carroll58
    Twin Cities, USA
    Posts: 2094
    March 22, 2014 at 8:01 pm #1398435

    From one of this sites sponsors,

    Mills Fleet Farm!

    gary d
    cordova,il
    Posts: 1125
    March 23, 2014 at 4:53 am #1398479

    Believe it or not but, I bought my wallet at a office supply co. It was a small day planner. It had all the slots that I wanted and a few hided one’s. I carry it in my front pocket.

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