I don’t like wearing belts very much — well, traditional belts anyway. I do it because I have to. And that’s because I don’t like my pants or shorts sagging low. No shade if you do; if that’s your style, go for it. It just doesn’t feel comfortable to me. But it also doesn’t feel comfortable to have a belt tightly wrapped around your waist, cutting off the circulation to your legs. So, I only like wearing them when I’m going outside the house, unless I have to.

At the risk of repeating myself a lot on this site, and over-hyping something, the upgraded Arcade Momentum belt has made that a problem of the past for me. I no longer feel the need to rip off my belt the second I get home. I can wear the belt comfortably around the house, sitting at my desk, relaxing, or even if I’m active. It has essentially renewed my wardrobe as well, because after losing a lot of weight, there were some pants and shorts I just couldn’t deal with. It matches so many styles, dressing up or dressing down. You can also grab Arcade belts in different colors or designs if you want more variety.

The belts I wear, although not restrictive normally, do tend to cut off my circulation when I sit down. So, when I’m at my desk, driving, relaxing, or whatever, that’s when it becomes a problem. The Arcade Momentum is tight enough to keep your pants or shorts in place, but not so tight that it causes an issue. More importantly, the belt doesn’t tighten more when you sit. It remains loose and comfortable.

Of course, those concerns relate more to my needs than the driving idea behind the Momentum. They’re not why the belt was created. Nor do they have much to do with what makes it special. I’m not a fashionista, so someone more stylishly inclined might have more to say than me. But I am reviewing the belt from the perspective of the average person. I just want something reliable, comfortable, and versatile that I can wear pretty much anytime and with any outfit. The Arcade Momentum snaps that buckle.

If you’re more interested, grab a drink, a snack, and let’s slide this belt through the loops, shall we?

What is the Arcade Momentum belt?

Keeping it simple, the Arcade Momentum is a soft, stretchy belt. There’s nothing more to it than that, to be honest.

It’s made from 85% Repreve recycled polyester, which is created from plastic bottles and other waste. The newest variant introduces perforated, performance stretch webbing, a design that’s comfortable, breathable, and stretchy so it moves with your body. That last bit might not seem like much, but when you’re running, bobbing, weaving, lifting, or just doing any active movement, it prevents the belt from hindering you.

Don’t get me wrong, there are other features. Like the easy-use buckle, no-metal and TSA-friendly design that’s convenient for travel, and sleek aesthetics. Oh, and it comes in five unique colors.

But this is a waist belt. If you don’t need a waist belt, then you’ll have no need for the Arcade Momentum or any of the brand’s other belts. Personally, I don’t believe that. I think everyone will need a belt sometime, somewhere, but it’s your life, and no one can tell you what to do.

The other excellent point about the Momentum is that it’s great for any occasion. If you’re dressing up, it will work with some nice slacks. If you’re dressing casually, it goes well with a pair of khakis or active shorts. And if you’re throwing a change of clothes in your bag or luggage, it’s convenient to have an Arcade belt — they’re super quick and easy to take off and put on.

The fabric, though durable, is lightweight and won’t chafe your skin if it comes into contact. I know because I’ve been wearing one for over a month now. It’s soft to the touch, but even so, with its stretchy properties, it’s tough. 

What do you like most about the Arcade Momentum belt?

The Momentum belt is machine-washable, which is a huge win. I have a set of belts I use for yardwork and outdoors when I get sweaty. With this belt, I can simply wash it when I’m all done, and it’s good to go. That seems like something so basic, but it’s a game-changer.

But the best part — and you could have seen this coming — is the comfortability. It’s reliable, yet lightweight and won’t intrude upon your movement or put extra pressure anywhere on your waist or stomach. That includes when you sit down.

As someone with ADHD who’s very much sensory-oriented, with the Momentum around my waist, it quite figuratively does not feel like I’m wearing a belt at all. To me, that’s an absolute win. 

It really kicks into gear when you’re moving. Like I said, when you’re running, lifting weights, or doing something active, belts can be restrictive and limiting in these scenarios, whereas the Momentum weaves and moves with you. It’s difficult to explain or put into words, but that basic description is a very good representation. Because it’s flexible, breathable, and lightweight, it has exactly the kind of properties you’d want in active or sports-friendly wear.

A buckle and a strap meet in a bar

It’s worth noting, the plastic clasp that works to secure the belt is phenomenal. It’s super quick and easy to use, whether you’re taking off the belt or putting it on. It also makes adjusting the belt size for your waist simple enough. You pinch the mechanism on both sides to unclasp it, or click it securely into place to fasten the belt. When closed, the buckle is not loose, wobbly or weak in any way. It holds fast, no matter how strenuous the task.

And the decision to waylay the use of metal makes perfect sense for travel. You can effectively go through TSA checkpoints without taking the belt off, which is nice; my pants won’t fall. It will depend on the agent you get; some of them are sticklers and might make you take it off, anyway. If you speak up and tell them there’s no metal, they’re usually okay with it.

The overall usability of the buckle goes hand-in-hand with the design of the strap. The precise fit mechanic means you can find the perfect fit, no joke. There aren’t any holes to plug a pin or clasp into. You just slide the strap through the fastener, and there’s a built-in “belt keeper” which holds the extra strap in place.

I will say, the belt strap is about 1.5 inches wide, and the buckle is 1.6 inches wide, which means you might have a little trouble sliding it through smaller belt loops. With some of my shorts, I really had to jam it in there to get it through, but once it was through the loop, everything was all good.

What’s the verdict, and the price?

The quality is fantastic. The value is good, and the price is, well, the price. I will admit, Arcade Belts are not exactly cheap, but when you consider the longevity, that becomes less of an issue. One Arcade belt is going to last you a long time. Especially when you realize how the fit adjustment works. The biggest failure point I could potentially see is the plastic buckle, but my belt has held up well to a lot of abuse, so I doubt that’s going to be a major problem. If my opinion or experience changes, I will absolutely update this review.

A single Arcade Momentum is $50, but there is a unique Arcade Momentum Belt Kit that comes in two colorways, with two belts, saving you about $12 off the cost of buying them separately. So, if you want more than one belt, that’s the best way to go here.

I don’t normally call out Amazon or retail reviews, because we all know how they can be skewed, but Arcade overall has some excellent ratings with customers. If I were on the fence, that would give me the confidence to leap over.

Taking everything I said into account, it’s apparent why the Arcade Momentum and the brand’s belts are so highly rated. I will continue to use mine that’s always the test of a good review, right? But more importantly, I’m going to grab a couple more in different colors to make sure I have a bunch to choose from.

• Recommended Buy: Yes.
• For Who: If you need a belt, but normally hate belts, the Momentum is for you.
• Alternative: Arcade Momentum Belt Kit
• MSRP: $50