This distinctive belt is crafted at the Kreis leather workshop from two layers of the finest leather, sewn flat with raw-edge seams. The outer layer is made of vegetable-tanned calfskin from Italy, which is given a silky-matte finish through the “glanzgestoßen” process. The lining is a sturdy, pit-tanned smooth leather from the German tannery Kobel in Kellinghusen. The natural-colored leather is polished along the belt’s edge with a colorless, transparent wax, giving the belt a casual and sporty look. Belts crafted in this style are also known as “sneaker belts.” Thanks to the high oil content of the inner leather, the belt becomes exceptionally supple after just a short period of wear. It features a nickel-plated, brushed solid brass buckle from Italy.

Founded in 1963 by Erich Kreis, the Offenbach-based leather manufacturer Kreis specialized in belts early on. Today, Bernd Kreis, the founder's son, runs the business. He only uses full-grain leather: classic Boxcalf and pit-tanned cowhide from Germany, Saddle from England and the legendary horse leather Shell Cordovan from the Horween® tannery in Chicago. And Kreis is one of the very few who still cultivates the elaborate art of three-layer belt construction for some of his handmade belts.