I like straps that use methods other than traditional holes to stay tight. I have skinny hips and the difference between one hole and the other often means my pants almost fall off! In any case, the ratchet works well. The belt looked great on arrival but after a while (three years) I noticed that the belt had ripples where the outer leather sleeve had stretched a bit but the inner core (don't know what it was made of) had 'T It doesn't look very good now. But for the price I'd happily buy another one.