Replacement Sporran Belt Suggestions

**pbutts** · 27th October 12, 11:21 AM

I've been browsing through the forms while watching the Glennfidditch Piping Competition and have much to ponder. With all the discussion about sporran chain damage I thought I'd go looking for inexpensive alternatives. Following the suggestion to look for a women's belt, I found this 3/4" belt on Amazon for $3.99. The XL size is 39"-43" in so it should hang about right on 36" waist. Does it seem to be the right choice?

http://www.amazon.com/Solid-Color-Le...elts+for+women

**artificer** · 27th October 12, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by pbutts

I've been browsing through the forms while watching the Glennfidditch Piping Competition and have much to ponder. With all the discussion about sporran chain damage I thought I'd go looking for inexpensive alternatives. Following the suggestion to look for a women's belt, I found this 3/4" belt on Amazon for $3.99. The XL size is 39"-43" in so it should hang about right on 36" waist. Does it seem to be the right choice?

http://www.amazon.com/Solid-Color-Le...elts+for+women

Your measurements seem right on, but there is one GIGANTIC caveat with cheap belts (two actually, but they go hand in hand).

The edges.

Many cheap belts have square cut edges which will cut into the fabric of your kilt like a chainsaw. This is made worse when at least one half of the belt is composite leather or plastic (VERY stiff).

Even worse than badly finished edges, there is a new product which I'm seeing more and more of in the commercial market. It is a sort of rubberized edge finish, which when applied makes it look like the edges have been slicked and finished in the traditional way.
Unfortunately this material doesn't have a terribly long lifespan and gets gummy and smears. My wife ruined a VERY expensive wool coat last year with a purse that had it's strap edges finished with this crap. (I won't even say that I warned her ahead of time for fear of being called petty

)

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. A $3.99 belt will most likely be worth (at best) $3.99. Placing your trust and the fate of a potentially VERY expensive kilt in it's hands is a leap of faith that I don't think should be taken lightly.

ith:

**McElmurry** · 27th October 12, 02:10 PM

I like the custom sporran belt from Wyvern Leatherworks

http://www.wyvernleatherworks.com/accessories/

I really like the way my sporran hangs with the swivels. I tried a ladies belt while I was waiting for my custom belt to arrive and the sporran did not lie well when I was seated.

**pbutts** · 27th October 12, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

The edges.

Many cheap belts have square cut edges which will cut into the fabric of your kilt like a chainsaw. This is made worse when at least one half of the belt is composite leather or plastic (VERY stiff).

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. A $3.99 belt will most likely be worth (at best) $3.99. Placing your trust and the fate of a potentially VERY expensive kilt in it's hands is a leap of faith that I don't think should be taken lightly.

ith:

Good point. I was focusing on the metal and hadn't thought about the leather being a problem.

**brewerpaul** · 27th October 12, 02:44 PM

You can find some reversible with black leather one side and brown on the other. I have one like that, found at the local Good Will. This covers both needs for a sporran belt as I can use it for my black or brown day sporran. Make sure to get a decent one for the reasons stated above..

**pbutts** · 27th October 12, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

You can find some reversible with black leather one side and brown on the other. I have one like that, found at the local Good Will. This covers both needs for a sporran belt as I can use it for my black or brown day sporran. Make sure to get a decent one for the reasons stated above..

My wife has gotten into the idea of finding a tweed jacket for me at the consignment stories, so I'm sure she can find a belt too.

**Riverkilt** · 27th October 12, 05:40 PM

You don't say where you live but if you're near any big box stores check the women's belts there. You can check for damaging edges, length, and save shipping charges and shipping time. Have used a women's belt from Walmarche' as a sporran strap. Wasn't "perfect" but it worked for the need at the time.

**chemist93** · 3rd November 12, 05:21 AM

Sometimes I've seen folks using sporran hangers to hang the sporran from the main waist belt. And I would suggest a pure leather belt if you decide for a leather strap. It will last longer. My pure leather belts are 18 years old and still in good condition.

**flyrod6057** · 3rd November 12, 09:02 AM

You could check out a local tack shop if you have in the area. My first leather sporran strap was repurposed from a horse's reins I believe...

**pbutts** · 3rd November 12, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

You could check out a local tack shop if you have in the area. My first leather sporran strap was repurposed from a horse's reins I believe...

That's a good suggestion. I do have a couple of "horse-y" friends I could ask. The consignment store idea seems like my first stop, but it's good to have options. My Matt Newsome kilt is still several months out.