Best Belts Powerlifting Belt Review www.bestbelts.net

[beniger]

Dean Best has a serious powerlifting belt made in the USA belt (North Carolina). I've previously owned a Sheik Belt (black fabric), a Altus tapered thin leather belt, and a 10mm Inzer Forever Lever Belt. The Inzer belt never really broke in. I hated wearing it because it benched my stomach and bruised my hips/ribs.

I ordered the soft belt (leather has been softened a little, but just as solid) It arrived in about 5 business days. Ships free. Dean put a few extra holes in the LARGE size, so that it would fit me when I diet for my next show. It's about a 12mm belt, offers great support for my next Power Lifting Meet.

Quality: 10/10 - roller, buckle, and leather all very heavy and solid
Look/feel: 10/10 - great looking black suede
Value: 10/10 - can't beat it for the service and price


(From www.bestbelts.net)
Athlete Suede Powerlifting Belt
Price: $54.00
There is no compromise on quality of this belt. It is made from one strip of heavy sole leather. Then your choice of color of deep drum dyed suede is added to both sides. It has four rows of high quality thread sewed on it. The buckle is made of heavy steel with a solid seamless roller buckle.

This belt has a broke in feel but still gives tremendous support for any upright lifting. Hours of detail go into building this belt. It demands time and quality materials for it to be a true custom belt by Best Belts and it gets it. The Athlete has made thousands of lifters happy during the last 30 years. Available in the standard firm version or a soft version for that broken in feel.

[odinlives]

Yeah I just ordered a belt and I can't wait to get it. Dean went out of his way helping me pick the right size and in fact made me a custom size so that my current size is in the middle with room to grow or lose. Hell of a good customer service.

[CBoxer]

Nice stuff there. I'll probably be putting in an order soon since APT never has what I want in stock when I check their site.

[odinlives]

Yeah you'll be happy with what you get. I got mine on Monday. It's high quality and made in the USA. He helped me get the size I'm at now right in the middle with room to grow or lose. I couldn't ask for a nicer belt. I've seen many belts that cost way more and this equal to if not better. If you contact him by email he will work with for a custom size belt and not just one that fits into the sizes listed. $54 shipped- can't beat that- not for thgis quality!

[cgc]

They look NICE....
Part of me would love to buy one, but man....as funny as it sounds, the weight belt that my mom bought me when I was 14 (I'm 37 now) STILL is in GREAT shape and when I do wear one, it works great...
Just no need for it....but if I did...yeah, I would pick one of these up.

[CBoxer]

Everything that has been posted in this thread is true. The gentleman at Best Belts (Dean?) was extremely helpful and set me up with a custom sized 10mm belt that is great quality. I've never messed with APT, Cardillo, or Inzer belts, but I can't imagine they're any better than what they sell at Best Belts. We talked on Friday and he told me that he would make my custom sized belt and have it sent out on Monday. I just received it today. Friendly service, great product, quick delivery; these guys rock.

[marilia05]

Very useful thread - I am writing an article for the lay public on belts and I'll get in touch with Dean for a short interview. I have personal contact with Alan (APT) and I have wonderful equipment from them.

But.... as cgc wrote, the best belt I have (because of this writing thing, I have some equipment) is one my first coach and old friend custom made for me on a little shop near the gym. Years of sweat, hope and happiness ingrained there - that texture can`t be reproduced.

I wonder if someday powerlifting belt will be sold like whiskey - you know: 8yr, 12yr, etc. The best are the oldest.

cheers

They look NICE....
Part of me would love to buy one, but man....as funny as it sounds, the weight belt that my mom bought me when I was 14 (I'm 37 now) STILL is in GREAT shape and when I do wear one, it works great...
Just no need for it....but if I did...yeah, I would pick one of these up.

[ironwill2008]

I've had my Cardillo belt for about 16 years. Other than a few cosmetic scrapes, it 's like new; even the prong holes show no wear. I won't live long enough to outlast it.

[lessonlearned]

How long does it usually take for them to get back to you? I sent them an email on friday and am still waiting to here back. At first my emails kept bouncing and on one of the errors the following email address appeared: 'bestbelts1982@aol.com'

I sent an email directly to that address and it appeared to go through.

[CBoxer]

Seems like they responded to me within a day or so. I'd just give them a call if you're having trouble contacting by email.

[Wintersole]

Gotta agree...Dean is great to deal with...I emailed him on Thursday and my belt was shipped out today and he custom built it to fit me...awesome customer service as far as I am concerned...Looking forward to getting it...

[musicianman]

Dean was the man. I just ordered a belt at 11:30 PM with a "check email" notice on the order. I wrote him an email asking him to make the belt 31-35 inches, rather than 28-31 or 32-35. He made the extra hole, and custom-tailored it for me. He even went as far as to make it extra thick (13 mm) without any added cost, all on his own recommendations.

This guy is awesome and the company is great. Can't wait to get the belt.

Sorry for necroing an old thread.

[snizzle77]

Would like to add to this thread. Just got off the phone with Dean. He's responded to all of my e-mails within just a couple hours each time, and tried to reach me numerous times on my cell (I was at work so couldn't pick up).

Although I have not recieved the belt yet, if you are out looking for a new belt I would highly recommend you give this guy a call or an e-mail.

All of his belts are made here in the U.S, free shipping, I could actually pay with paypal unlike most sites I've been looking at, and he calls to talk to you to see your needs and customize it to meet them, and they also have a lifetime guarantee.

My Athletes cut single prong soft cost $59. Since I cut/bulk and my waist varies drastically, he said he'd make it fit from 28-37 waist, puting in as many extra holes in it as could fit just in case I need them.

I'm not being paid or given anything extra for writing this, just very shocked out how genuinely nice a person can be and would like to spread the word.

Bestbelts.net , check it out.

[vic84875]

Bump.

Good Review. Helpfull. Thank you.

Anyone has more thoughts (or opinions) on the Athlete Suede Powerlifting Belt?

The product looks very good, and the Price is desirable; against other ''..brand names..''. Also, the custom feature: extra holes for bulk / cut comes in very handy.

Anyone who has lifted with these belt; Can attemp to compare against brand name belts like Inzer, Titan, etc...

[smcleod90]

ive had my inzer belt for about 3 months and i love that thing, highly recommended

[Movado96]

Happen to come across this forum little while back looking for details on powerlifting belts. Being a first time user of a REAL belt I wanted to make sure I was getting and paying for the right one. With that said I took a lot of your advice called Dean , played phone tag for couple days over the holidays. He ended up calling me little later in the night and laid out in complete detail what I would need and should expect from his belts. BAM!! With service like that I was most definately purchasing a belt and I did 40 minutes later once I reached work. That was Sunday night belt was shipped on Wednesday and received Friday. Belt is every bit what he explained to me and comparing to the other named brand belts in the gym Deans ranks right at the top. The new layout for your waist size should help a lot of people as well with growth and loss of weight. He has moved the sizing to the middle hole of the belt according to your waist size around the belly button and given an extra 3 to 4 inches each way. Also offsetting the tongue loop for a much easier tuck and flatter laying belt. Thanks for the forum and Thanks Dean for a very informative 40 minutes.

[jfindon]

Not sure how I missed this the first time around, but I'll definitely consider these if/when I decide I want a belt.

[Nicholas881]

Hey guys has anyone had any expirence with the ultimate, ive been talking to Dean and Jackie back and forth for a few days now and im stuck between the ultimate and the prime cut. My deads and squats are in the 500 mark now however im not a powerlifter and am in it for the bodybuilding aspect. The big question is: is there such thing as too heavy/stiff of a belt? Thanks Nick

[xjdesertfox]

Just wanted to bump this thread. I placed an order friday night, SATURDAY(how many companies do you know will email you on a weekend?) I got an email from dean saying he got my order and my comments on how I wanted it made. And he gave me an ETA of how when my order would ship(tuesday)

Inzer gave me lead time of 4 weeks when i emailed them on custom fitting/colored belt for me. Dean is making it happen in 2 working days, at about $20 cheaper at that.

Highly recommended, A+ on customer service.

[HevEw8]

Just giving this a bump as I just ordered a belt from Dean... he was VERY helpful... we spent about an hour on the phone chatting about lifting amongst other things... Super nice guy ... belt should be here today!

[VoxExMachina]

I have the athlete belt from BestBelts. Very happy with it and it's definitely a quality piece.

However, I noticed today that www.bestbelts.net is down for some reason. Are they out of business?

[PassinThrough]

However, I noticed today that www.bestbelts.net is down for some reason. Are they out of business?

Been trying to find out all morning. If anyone has an email or a phone # pm me and I will try and find out.

[KBKB]

Been trying to find out all morning. If anyone has an email or a phone # pm me and I will try and find out.

Here's the contact info obtained from an archived copy of bestbelts.net contact page:

Best Belts
2378 Power Dam Rd.
Walnut Cove, NC 27052

info@bestbelts.net

336-591-7159

[PassinThrough]

^^^^lol looked around all morning and couldn't find anything.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to KBKB again.

Thanks bro. Not sure why you don't got more reps. You are one of the more helpful people on here.

[BigStone]

Just got off the phone with Dean. He mentioned he won't be taking any orders until the middle of January or end of January. I waited this long I am sure I can wait a few more weeks.

Just wanted to give you guys an update.

[twodog]

There have been some health problems in his family and he's been doing everything himself lately. I'm sure he's taking off for the holidays. The good thing is that once he takes your order, the belt arrives about a week later. I got one about a month and a half ago and love it. Great quality and Dean's a nice person to deal with

[jfindon]

I had one on my Christmas list and I know my mom spoke to him a few weeks ago, not sure if it's going to be here or not.

[twodog]

I had one on my Christmas list and I know my mom spoke to him a few weeks ago, not sure if it's going to be here or not.

I'm pretty sure that Santa will probably drop one under your tree. Seriously, if your mom talked to him a few weeks ago you should be good because people on Rip's SS site had been getting them as recently as two weeks ago. Good luck and I know that you'll love it man.

[jfindon]

I'm pretty sure that Santa will probably drop one under your tree. Seriously, if your mom talked to him a few weeks ago you should be good because people on Rip's SS site had been getting them as recently as two weeks ago. Good luck and I know that you'll love it man.

Thanks. I went with the top level one (Premium I think) and my mom said she called him and he wondered if I wanted single or double prongs. I hadn't specified on my list so that's how I found out she called... he also asked if I was serious about training because this isn't a very thick belt not for beginners or something

[musicianman]

It seems that Dean's website is no longer up... I know he and his wife were having health issues and were advanced in age.

Thanks to him for a great belt and wishing him the best.