Edit: The seller has been in touch and said there is a bad batch of buckles. The new tape was shipped and the space I was talking about was attached to the new tape. It snaps into place and stays locked. I would have given four stars as it didn't work initially, but the customer support and quality care is always worth an extra star for me. (Old review: I should have listened to the other negative reviews. It doesn't close. I'm exhaling and it opens, I have a 36" waist. The strap doesn't close at all. There's just too much space between the clasps and the metal guide. The strap is thin enough not to get caught at the ratchet points. I even had 2 other people try it on to see if it was just me. It's not. )