Perfect. There once was a time when these could be bought at any sporting goods store, now they are special order . I guess because everyone thought modern velcro etc was better. NOT SO ! Old school lifting belt is always better. Thanks for still producing a great product!!

This belt is everything I wanted. The quality is incredible!

Great belt. Pioneer cut makes a huge difference in both belt tightness and comfort.

Hello Matt,
the LB4L weight belt you sent me is excellent, great quality, fast shipping and great prices and every thing is made in the USA. I will definitely spread the word, thank you and your family,

Sincerely,
Jim

Hello Matt,
the LB4L weight belt you sent me is excellent, great quality, fast shipping and great prices and every thing is made in the USA. I will definitely spread the word, thank you and your family,

Sincerely,
Jim

Amazing belt. Hardware works great and leather is of great quality.

Amazing belt. Hardware works great and leather is of great quality.

Perfect level of stiffness for Olympic lifts. Super comfortable yet optimally supportive for maximizing performance of snatches and jerks. Also works real well for full squats.

Perfect level of stiffness for Olympic lifts. Super comfortable yet optimally supportive for maximizing performance of snatches and jerks. Also works real well for full squats.

I've had the 4" weight training belt since about 2017. Great belt, fits snug as needed. I have the Small size.

I bought the 2-prong version with black stitching & black buckle -- looks great. I've always liked using 2-prongs vice 1-prong.

When the belt arrived I got out a metal bowl and filled it up with Neatsfoot Oil. Then I wrapped-up the belt tightly with zip-ties. And placed the belt in the bowl -- completely submerged in the Neatsfoot Oil -- for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, I pulled the belt out and wiped it down vigorously. This has provided the protection and flexibility I wanted.

Thanks Pioneer for a great traditional 4" weight training belt. I really like the old school traditional look, buckle, and thickness.

And hey Pioneer -- my only recommendation would be for you to embed the your name -- "Pioneer" -- on the *inside* of the belt. I think you deserve your name on your belt. I don't like a brand name on the outside of a training belt -- which is a reason why I avoided another brand.

Plus, sometimes a person can forget over the years, -- "Hey, where did I get this belt from? Dang."

So ... when others ask, I want to be able to always say loud & proud, -- "That's a Pioneer belt - get the best."

Thanks Pioneer.

I've had the 4" weight training belt since about 2017. Great belt, fits snug as needed. I have the Small size.

I bought the 2-prong version with black stitching & black buckle -- looks great. I've always liked using 2-prongs vice 1-prong.

When the belt arrived I got out a metal bowl and filled it up with Neatsfoot Oil. Then I wrapped-up the belt tightly with zip-ties. And placed the belt in the bowl -- completely submerged in the Neatsfoot Oil -- for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, I pulled the belt out and wiped it down vigorously. This has provided the protection and flexibility I wanted.

Thanks Pioneer for a great traditional 4" weight training belt. I really like the old school traditional look, buckle, and thickness.

And hey Pioneer -- my only recommendation would be for you to embed the your name -- "Pioneer" -- on the *inside* of the belt. I think you deserve your name on your belt. I don't like a brand name on the outside of a training belt -- which is a reason why I avoided another brand.

Plus, sometimes a person can forget over the years, -- "Hey, where did I get this belt from? Dang."

So ... when others ask, I want to be able to always say loud & proud, -- "That's a Pioneer belt - get the best."

Thanks Pioneer.

Fantastic value. I absolutely love this belt. I have preferred tapered shape shape for 25 years. Yes - I do have a 10MM straight cut (no taper) belt for certain power lifting movements. My old belt was well past the sweat stained patina of good hard use. I bought two belts from other vendors and immediately returned them. This Pioneer belt was comfortable and supple right out of the box. The Pioneer cut pattern is genius and allows me to get just the right fit. It took me a little poking around the site to find the 6.5mm stock training belt. Ordered on a Monday and working out with it on a Friday. Love at first sight. It felt just right on day one and just gets better and better. As a good belt should. How is this for a review comment: "THANK YOU"

Fantastic value. I absolutely love this belt. I have preferred tapered shape shape for 25 years. Yes - I do have a 10MM straight cut (no taper) belt for certain power lifting movements. My old belt was well past the sweat stained patina of good hard use. I bought two belts from other vendors and immediately returned them. This Pioneer belt was comfortable and supple right out of the box. The Pioneer cut pattern is genius and allows me to get just the right fit. It took me a little poking around the site to find the 6.5mm stock training belt. Ordered on a Monday and working out with it on a Friday. Love at first sight. It felt just right on day one and just gets better and better. As a good belt should. How is this for a review comment: "THANK YOU"

I'm very happy with this purchase. They were generous enough to rush my order so I could get it in time for the Texas State Weightlifting Championships, where I was able to hit a clean & jerk PR and secure a gold medal. I'd give it another star if I could.

I'm very happy with this purchase. They were generous enough to rush my order so I could get it in time for the Texas State Weightlifting Championships, where I was able to hit a clean & jerk PR and secure a gold medal. I'd give it another star if I could.

The belt is excellent quality - it is thick yet surprisingly supple before ever being used. I had a suede covered belt before and I have to say I prefer it without, as with this model. The suede is mostly cosmetic. However, be sure to protect the belt from moisture when not in use, because water may stain it - perhaps they could work on the leather treatment to make it more water resistant on the smooth side, perhaps not. Also, I did not get a shipping notice until a week after ordering due to a backlog of orders.

However, the reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because the sizing advice given in the video from the president was off for me. I measured around my navel, which is 33", just 1" less than him, and he said he is a perfect medium, so I got the medium. Turns out I only use the 2nd and third holes, so the belt is one size, possibly two, too big. The reason is my natural waist - the narrowest point between your chest and hips for a non-fat person - is above my navel, and is 31" or 2" less in circumference. And I wear it around this point - below is my pelvis and above is my ribs, so it's definitely the right place. I'm also not below 10% body fat, so it's possible the belt wouldn't be tight enough if I slimmed down.

The belt is excellent quality - it is thick yet surprisingly supple before ever being used. I had a suede covered belt before and I have to say I prefer it without, as with this model. The suede is mostly cosmetic. However, be sure to protect the belt from moisture when not in use, because water may stain it - perhaps they could work on the leather treatment to make it more water resistant on the smooth side, perhaps not. Also, I did not get a shipping notice until a week after ordering due to a backlog of orders.

However, the reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because the sizing advice given in the video from the president was off for me. I measured around my navel, which is 33", just 1" less than him, and he said he is a perfect medium, so I got the medium. Turns out I only use the 2nd and third holes, so the belt is one size, possibly two, too big. The reason is my natural waist - the narrowest point between your chest and hips for a non-fat person - is above my navel, and is 31" or 2" less in circumference. And I wear it around this point - below is my pelvis and above is my ribs, so it's definitely the right place. I'm also not below 10% body fat, so it's possible the belt wouldn't be tight enough if I slimmed down.

So I spent hours searching a plain (no brand on belt) good quality belt and what I received far surpassed my expectations; God knows how I stumbled on General Leathercraft Inc.
I have never done a review for a company in my life, but after doing business with Matt I had to. I was a bit on the fence about ordering one from here because I didn't know if it would fit right or if I would even like it, but after receiving it in the mail, I LOVE IT!
I placed my order probably at 1am; around 9-10am I received a email saying the belt was shipped. Within 2 days of receiving this email I got my belt.
The video he has explaining the sizing of the belt is great. I took the measurements he said to take, explained to him what I wanted, and I even asked if there was a way he could make sure the package wasn't left on my doorstep (I live in apartments and USPS likes to do that here); sure enough, the belt fits Perfect with plenty of room to lose weight or bulk, the material and quality of the belt was TOP OF THE LINE (Very comfortable and it feels durable), and written on the box topped with highlighter said, "DO NOT LEAVE ON DOORSTEP." I also followed the USPS tracking code and it said it was delivered in mailbox.
Overall, I was very pleased with the product and extra please with how they paid attention to the shipping detail.

Oh! And like one the reviews above said "..guaranteed for a 'Lifetime'. Who does that anymore?" They stand by their work.
I will be recommending this company to all those who lift.

Thanks a lot,

Saul

So I spent hours searching a plain (no brand on belt) good quality belt and what I received far surpassed my expectations; God knows how I stumbled on General Leathercraft Inc.
I have never done a review for a company in my life, but after doing business with Matt I had to. I was a bit on the fence about ordering one from here because I didn't know if it would fit right or if I would even like it, but after receiving it in the mail, I LOVE IT!
I placed my order probably at 1am; around 9-10am I received a email saying the belt was shipped. Within 2 days of receiving this email I got my belt.
The video he has explaining the sizing of the belt is great. I took the measurements he said to take, explained to him what I wanted, and I even asked if there was a way he could make sure the package wasn't left on my doorstep (I live in apartments and USPS likes to do that here); sure enough, the belt fits Perfect with plenty of room to lose weight or bulk, the material and quality of the belt was TOP OF THE LINE (Very comfortable and it feels durable), and written on the box topped with highlighter said, "DO NOT LEAVE ON DOORSTEP." I also followed the USPS tracking code and it said it was delivered in mailbox.
Overall, I was very pleased with the product and extra please with how they paid attention to the shipping detail.

Oh! And like one the reviews above said "..guaranteed for a 'Lifetime'. Who does that anymore?" They stand by their work.
I will be recommending this company to all those who lift.

Thanks a lot,

Saul

I emailed Matt with questions and he responded timely with exceptionally helpful information. He helped me pick this belt as the one that was most appropriate for me as I am a competitive weightlifter. He also emailed me personally when the belt was made and shipped. I live in Alaska and the belt arrived very quickly! I was very impressed with the craftsmanship of the belt. Though a relatively simple design, I knew that it was well taken care of, and some TLC went into the process. The leather is great quality and far surpasses belts I have used in the past. The treated belt is great with essentially zero break in time.

I cannot recommend this belt enough.

I emailed Matt with questions and he responded timely with exceptionally helpful information. He helped me pick this belt as the one that was most appropriate for me as I am a competitive weightlifter. He also emailed me personally when the belt was made and shipped. I live in Alaska and the belt arrived very quickly! I was very impressed with the craftsmanship of the belt. Though a relatively simple design, I knew that it was well taken care of, and some TLC went into the process. The leather is great quality and far surpasses belts I have used in the past. The treated belt is great with essentially zero break in time.

I cannot recommend this belt enough.

I needed to replace my old lifting belt which I had for about 30 years. I wanted to replace it with another just like it. I was not able to find a good replacement in any of the local stores and was so pleased when I came across General Leathercraft on-line and saw this belt which was as close as it could possibly be to the one that I was used to. I sent an email to the company late in the evening and got an almost immediate response from Matt. Since it was well after the business closing hours I was surprised. In fact, Matt was actually working out at the gym himself but took the time out of his work-out to respond several times to my questions via email. I had some specific specifications that I was looking for and Matt assured me that they could be met. So, I placed an order for the LB4 (treated) the very next morning. I received the belt two days later and they even paid for the shipping. The leather quality is superb and I was able to comfortably wear the belt right out of the box...whatever treatment they use makes it just soft enough to be comfortable but not compromise the stiffness that I was looking for in a weightlifting belt. I can not offer enough praise for how responsive Matt was to my numerous emails to him. He was always very quick to respond, always very positive and his primary concern was that I be satisfied with the belt, which I am. I was glad to be able to purchase from a family-owned business where the product was made in the USA, and the belt is guaranteed for a "lifetime". Who does that anymore? I am so satisfied that I posted a General Leathercraft flyer in my gym so that others can know that this company and their great products exist. You can not go wrong with this belt. It is of the highest quality, very comfortable, very fairly priced (especially considering that the shipping is included in the price), and, if you have the pleasure of dealing with Matt, I can assure you the buying experience will be one of the best you have ever had. Matt, thanks again for offering such personal attention to me during this purchase. I look forward to doing future business with you and referring others to you as well. I don't take the time to write reviews but felt obligated to write this one based on the product quality and excellent customer service. Best regards.

I needed to replace my old lifting belt which I had for about 30 years. I wanted to replace it with another just like it. I was not able to find a good replacement in any of the local stores and was so pleased when I came across General Leathercraft on-line and saw this belt which was as close as it could possibly be to the one that I was used to. I sent an email to the company late in the evening and got an almost immediate response from Matt. Since it was well after the business closing hours I was surprised. In fact, Matt was actually working out at the gym himself but took the time out of his work-out to respond several times to my questions via email. I had some specific specifications that I was looking for and Matt assured me that they could be met. So, I placed an order for the LB4 (treated) the very next morning. I received the belt two days later and they even paid for the shipping. The leather quality is superb and I was able to comfortably wear the belt right out of the box...whatever treatment they use makes it just soft enough to be comfortable but not compromise the stiffness that I was looking for in a weightlifting belt. I can not offer enough praise for how responsive Matt was to my numerous emails to him. He was always very quick to respond, always very positive and his primary concern was that I be satisfied with the belt, which I am. I was glad to be able to purchase from a family-owned business where the product was made in the USA, and the belt is guaranteed for a "lifetime". Who does that anymore? I am so satisfied that I posted a General Leathercraft flyer in my gym so that others can know that this company and their great products exist. You can not go wrong with this belt. It is of the highest quality, very comfortable, very fairly priced (especially considering that the shipping is included in the price), and, if you have the pleasure of dealing with Matt, I can assure you the buying experience will be one of the best you have ever had. Matt, thanks again for offering such personal attention to me during this purchase. I look forward to doing future business with you and referring others to you as well. I don't take the time to write reviews but felt obligated to write this one based on the product quality and excellent customer service. Best regards.

By far the best 4" training belt I've ever owned, even after 50 years of lifting. Well made and worth every penny! And then some.

By far the best 4" training belt I've ever owned, even after 50 years of lifting. Well made and worth every penny! And then some.