UPDATE: I was about to put my pants on this morning and the buckle broke in two. I don't have any large or heavy equipment, and I don't weigh it down with heavy utensils. The only job was to hold my pants and that didn't work, no belt should fail like that so I have to change my guess. It's a belt, it holds my pants and it looks good too. Interestingly, the straps are filled with a mat made from recycled fibers. I wouldn't say it's good or bad, only if you cut it with a hot knife or melt the end it's necessary to prevent not only dissolving but also unwrapping.