This beige belt was the second of two belts I bought. The grooves are 1 inch farther from the belt end on brown than on black. You'll have to tighten it about an inch for the ratchet to engage. Customer service said you should measure it twice to determine the size. Well, unless I'm missing something, two straps of the same length should fit on the same thing, period. Two 34 inch belts should fit the same, period. If not, then it's either a design issue or a quality control/manufacturing issue.