My previous adjustable belt had no trace. Instead, the reel hooked nicely into the strap to keep it in place. Unfortunately, the tape material was thin and broke over time. With this new guidance system, the buckle hangs from a spring-loaded clip on the underside. There is a small latch on the buckle to lift the clip and remove the strap. My girlfriend hasn't figured out how to deal with it yet. She can't rip my pants off my body when she's not feeling well.