Arcade belts are worth a closer look if you’re hiking or backpacking and looking for a comfortable, lightweight, no-fuss belt that will keep your hiking pants up. Made of elastic straps and flat plastic straps, they lie flat under the waistband and won’t slide down underneath. I am a total member and wear mine every time I go hiking, backpacking, skiing, fly fishing, and even business meetings. They are available in many styles and colors for any occasion!
- Model: Atlas A2 (pictured above)
- Weight: 2.5 oz
- Gender: Unisex
- Fabric: Web made from 85% consumer grade recycled polyester
Comfort and fit
Arcade’s scalable expansion is a feature of the title. The stretch allows the belt to move with your body while you walk or move without digging into your waist. That provides a noticeable comfort advantage over stiff webbing or leather, especially if you’re carrying a belted pack or wearing multiple layers. The elastic helps keep the clothes in place even when you change gear or change position, while the bottom strap reduces pressure points when you’re sitting or shouldering a pack. There are also no belt holes on their belts, so you can adjust them slightly for a better fit.
If you’re a hiker, you might want to stick with the plastic straps and not their new magnetic strap because it’s strong enough to touch the magnetic compass if you’re a dinosaur like me and still carry it. Not only will it affect the accuracy of the magnetic compass and it can also throw off its polarity. If you don’t use or carry a compass, you should be safe, as long as you stay away from anyone who does.
Maintenance and safety
These belts use a combination of elastic belt and a polymer belt that locks the belt at the desired tension. With the use of a track, the maintenance is reliable and the belt does not slip under load.
Durability and Care
The elastic webbing holds up well in wet and wet conditions. I’ve been wearing mine every day for months and haven’t noticed any loss of elasticity or grip. The elastic webbing dries quickly when wet and still provides excellent grip.
Arcade belts are also washable, so you can keep them in your pants, even if you hit the town laundromat to wash your clothes while hiking or hiking.
Fixability and Washability
One clip design and easy strap make adjustment quick. The stretchy fit means you don’t need to adjust when sitting, breathing heavily, or putting on clothes. For hikers who change baselayers or add inserts regularly, that ease is a real plus.
TSA (Seize Items)
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll be happy to know that Arcade’s plastic strap doesn’t trigger an alert when going through TSA airport screening. I like that! I never take my belt off when I go through security or fumble to put it back through my pants loops on the other side.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable belt that keeps your pants in place, feels great under a backpack’s hip belt and reduces pressure points, Arcade’s stretchy work belts deliver. Given the comfort, low weight, and long service life it represents a good value for hikers and backpackers who prioritize comfort without compromising performance.
Disclosure: Bands were donated to the arcade for review.
SectionHiker never accepts payment for gear reviews or editorial submissions. If you shop through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Help us keep checking and writing unsponsored and independent gear reviews, hiking and backpacking FAQs, and free hiking guides.
