Mission Belt Review

Like their names says, Mission Belt is on a mission and has taken the industry to a whole new level. By that, I don't mean that they have created some earth-shattering new technology, after all, there are several competitors within the ratchet belt world. What they are doing is giving back.

For every Mission belt that is sold, the company donates $1.00 to Kiva, a well-respected, non-profit "micro-lending" organization. Kiva (www.Kiva.com) provides opportunities to support economic development and entrepreneurship, mostly in developing countries, in an effort to alleviate poverty and create more economic opportunity. Mission Belts does not collect back or receive any interest on any of the donated funds. Instead, they help to increase the supply of credit to borrowers who might not have access to traditional banking services in their home countries.

The company got a big boost when it was featured on the hit reality TV show, Shark Tank back in April 2013. FUBU founder Daymond John  the most likely partner  was impressed with the company's product and vision and agreed to invest $50,000 in the company for a 37.5 percent ownership stake. The move paid off and now Mission Belt has crossed the $1 million sales threshold. Although they have agreements with several apparel chains, the majority of the company's sales are still via the Internet.

Mission Belts are made of a high quality leather with is both supple and pliable. Their belts are available in colors other than black and brown; colors like red, blue and gray. They also has licensing agreements with several NCAA, NHL and NBA teams which adds greatly to the color spectrum.

The way they work is what makes them so attractive. Rather than using a holes spaced 1 inch apart, they use a ratchet system which allows the belt to be tightened in ¼" increments. The buckles are interchangeable  a nice feature when going through airport security  and have a locking mechanism which holds the belt in place from the back. The buckles are available in several styles and colors - brushed stainless steel, gold, or brass, plain solid colors and a three-bar design.

Mission Belt basically becomes a one-size-fits all belt  provided you don't go way above the intended size. For example, suppose you've just completed a very successful diet, lost a bunch of pounds and you need to downsize. All you need to do is remove the buckle, and cut off as much as you need. Re-attach the buckle and you are good to go. Much easier  and definitely more stylish than punching more holes in a standard belt.

On the flip side, let's say you tend to over eat at the lunch buffet every day and your waist line is expanding. There is a small lever that sits on the bottom side of the buckle. Simply pull the lever away from your body, and the belt easily releases. Just remember, it's a lot easier to downsize than it is to expand!

Mission Belts are available in two belt widths: 35 mm and 40 mm and are priced from $35 to $40. They can be worn comfortably by men, women and children. For more information, visit the website at www.missionbelt.com.