I have 3 pairs of these 10-15 year old (when they were made in America) and they were made of much better material. Very comfortable and they wear like irons. I liked the old buckle better too. Very low profile and the woven belt was as smooth as silk. The current version is very light and thin. I hardly left her in one summer. Unfortunately, KAVU is just another purveyor of cheap, overpriced crap made in Chinese sweatshops.