I really didn't know what to expect when I ordered this belt. I needed a ratchet belt that fit around my waist, but I didn't want a "tactical" belt that made it impossible to thread through the half buckle loops on either end. It was exactly what I was looking for. First the packaging. There was a box with a sleeve in a plastic bag with desiccant. I took off my sleeve and opened the box. In the box was a nice cloth pouch that held the belt. Judging by the packaging, these were high-quality haberdashery. I took off the belt. The buckle is beautifully painted (ordered in black) and processed. It appears to be well designed and finished. The prongs holding the webbing at both ends are strong and hold up with no issues. The buckle has a unique latch that is accessible in the lower right corner. It's a little strange at first, but it's easily accessible. Belt fabrics are essential. It's flexible enough to fit through belt loops with ease, yet stiff enough to hold heavier CCWs without folding. It has vertical ribs which I suspect have a lot to do with stiffness and flex. The length of the strap is sufficient and can be easily shortened to the desired length at the end. The free end is rounded and closed. This is not intended for attaching LE gear (firearms, handcuffs, baton, flashlight, etc.) in my opinion, but is definitely sufficient for everyday CCW use. My only complaint (more of a minor thing) is that the belt is 1.3 inches wide and I would have preferred 1.5 inches. I cannot fault the belt for this as this was clearly stated in the product description so I knew what I was ordering.