There are various types of closures for medieval leather belts, which influence both their appearance and how they are worn: - Buckles: The classic method, made of metal (brass or iron), allows for precise length adjustment and often serves as a decorative element with engravings or motifs.
- Rings: A simple metal ring serves as the closure, through which the long end of the belt is threaded and then knotted. This is typical for LARP or reenactment.
- Belt hooks: An early historical form (Bronze and Iron Ages) where a hook engages in holes or loops.
- Knot closure: Particularly common with long belts, the end is threaded through a buckle or ring and knotted using a special technique ("twisted knot"). This significantly determines how the belt is worn: While buckles offer a more secure hold for heavy equipment such as swords, ring and knot closures allow the long end of the belt to hang down, emphasizing the medieval silhouette. Depending on the closure, the belt can also be worn as a hip belt, waist belt, or diagonal belt.