Proven Hands Settler Belt vs. 500LB Log - Ultimate Strength Test

Mar 14, 2025

The Ultimate Test for Heavy-Duty Handmade Leather Belts

At Proven Hands™, we believe in proving quality. That’s why we put our handmade leather belts through an extreme durability test. We took our 100% Made in USA leather belt, the Settler Belt, and put it against a 500lb log lift challenge.

The goal? We wanted to see if it could withstand the weight without stretching or breaking. Then, we tested a competitor’s belt leather using the exact same setup.

The results? One belt passed. The other completely failed.

Test 1: The Proven Hands Settler Belt – A True Full-Grain Vegetable Tanned Leather Belt

Proven Hands Settler Full Grain Leather Belt Made In USA

Our Settler Belt is crafted from full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, sourced from Wickett & Craig, one of the best tanneries in the USA. We designed it to be one of the most durable leather belts available—but could it handle lifting an over 500lb log?

The Setup – A Real Test for Durable Leather Belts

Here is how we set up the test:
🔹 Used a ratchet strap and lifting load strap to secure the log
🔹 Looped the belt directly over the steel forks of a tractor—sharp edges included
🔹 Lifted the log completely off the ground

Strapping up a Proven Hands Settler Full Grain Leather Belt for a real-world strength test.

Proven Hands Settler Full Grain Handmade leather belt put to the test with a heavy 500lb log lift.

Under Full Load – Strength in Action

As the tractor lifted, the heavy-duty Settler Belt took the full weight. Instead of failing, it held strong.

Proven Hands Settler Full Grain Heavy-duty leather belt supporting 500lbs without stretching.

Proven Hands Settler Full Grain Heavy-duty leather belt continuously supporting 500lbs without stretching. Showing its durability.

A cheap leather belt would stretch or snap under this pressure, but the Settler Belt stood firm.

Post-Test Inspection: Does the Best Leather Belt Hold Up?

After lifting the log, we closely examined the belt:

✅ Minimal deformation at the lifting strap connection
✅ No structural damage—just light marks that rubbed out easily
✅ Slight stretch—only one hole size

First inspection—did it stretch? Examining the durable leather belt after lifting 500lbs.

Further Examining the durable leather belt after lifting 500lbs.

Testing the durable leather belt after lifting 500lbs. Did it stretch?

The buckle end—which endured heavy pressure—remained fully intact with no damage.

Loop hole may have stretched slightly under extreme weight. Will need to test and see.

No buckle end stretch at all—Proven Hands Settler belt holds firm under 500lbs.

Final result? This USA-made leather belt remained fully wearable, proving why it’s one of the best leather belts for durability. In fact, it only stretched one hole size after lifting over 500 lbs!

Loop hole stretched slightly under extreme weight, proving the strength and durability of the full grain leather.

Test 2: Competitor’s Leather “Quality Leather Belt” – A Failure

We repeated the exact same strength test with a well-known competitor’s leather belt. Would it hold up?

The Test Begins... and Fails Quickly

The setup was identical—same log, same straps, same test.

Competitor’s full grain leather belt set up for a 500lb log lift

Handmade competitor’s leather belt started to lift the log, then broke before lifting the weight.

But this time, the belt immediately started stretching.

Competitor’s leather belt began lifting the 500lb log

Then—disaster.

The log barely lifted one end before the belt snapped completely in two.

Heavy-duty? The competitor’s leather belt snapped before lifting 500lbs

Competitor’s leather belt began lifting the 500lb log but failed, snapping under strain

Post-Test Results: Cheap Leather Belts Can’t Compete

After retrieving the belt, the damage was clear:

❌ Billet end completely ripped in half
❌ Buckle end failed—the snaps tore straight through the leather
❌ Stretched at least 4 hole sizes—though hard to measure since it was in pieces

First inspection—belt snapped under pressure. The competitor’s belt couldn’t handle the weight

Buckle end stretched too much, and the competitor’s belt snapped instantly under the 500lb weight

Final result? Completely ruined and unwearable. It stretched at least 4 hole sizes, but hard to tell with the belt in pieces.

Why This Test Matters: Choosing a Quality Leather Belt

This wasn’t just a fun experiment—it’s proof that not all 100% made in USA leather belts are created equal.

💪 Many "USA-made leather belts" use cheaper chrome-tanned leather to cut costs.
🛠 We use full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather—stronger, longer-lasting, and far more resistant to stretching.
💪 If you want a durable leather belt, this test proves the difference.

Limited Release: Best Leather Belts Drop Monday, March 17th at 5PM CST

We’re launching 100 Belts, made from the same premium full-grain leather that survived this test. After they sell out, future orders will be pre-orders with a longer wait.

🔥 Don’t settle for cheap leather belts—get the real thing. Sign up to be the first to know when it releases and get yours before anyone else.

🎥 Watch the full test here: [Click Here To Watch The Video]

Final Thoughts: Invest in a Handmade Leather Belt That Lasts

If you’re tired of leather belts that stretch, sag, crack, and snap, this test proves there’s a better way. The Proven Hands Settler Belt didn’t just survive—it performed.

When we say our American-made full-grain leather belts are built to last, we mean it. Sign up now so you can know when it releases and be one of the first to wear the Proven Hands 100% Made in USA Full-Grain Leather Belt.

Dylan Strachan