I'm not allergic to nickel, so I can't speak about the effectiveness of the unique buckle of this belt, but I can say that it's a quality belt at a good price acts. You can tell a lot about the quality of leather when it comes out of the box. With a belt that often comes rolled up, the quality really shines through when it comes out of the box and you can see if it will keep its coil or unfold to its natural flat shape. This belt is so soft that you feel like you've been wearing it for a while and it doesn't look worn out. The finish of the leather is beautiful and I have a feeling it will look great for many years to come. The buckle and keeper are sewn in, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's sizing guidelines. I did and it fits perfectly.