So, here’s one you almost definitely haven’t seen before, a belt that can blast out your favourite tunes. At first all I could imagine was some irritating oik on the bus blaring out tinny EDM from their waist, but to be fair they will do that on their phones anyway, there’s no stopping them. However, when I took a second to silence my inner Karen and read up on the inspiration behind the Boomin Belt it suddenly made a lot of sense.
The creator behind this niche little gadget is a keen golfer and wanted a handsfree way to enjoy and share their music with their friends whilst playing. The belt comes in two colours, grey or black and looks like an unassuming standard nylon web belt, but the magic is in the buckle. It’s a two-piece design with a magnetic speaker attachment, so you can pop it off when needed and replace it with a buckle cover. The belt itself is comfortable, has a little stretch, and fits waists up to 56 inches, so it’s pretty versatile. The buckle locks in securely, which is a plus since you don’t want your speaker flying off mid-stride. The magnetic connection also means you can pop it on the buggy or cart when you want to step away from the audio for shots that require extra concentration.
For something the size of a belt buckle, the speaker is surprisingly decent. It’s not going to replace your high-end Bluetooth speaker, but it delivers clear audio with some surprising bass for its size. The volume is good for personal listening, but don’t expect it to blast music at a party. If you’re seated or have a bigger waistline, the sound can get muffled, which is something to consider. It features Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable connection, 4GB of internal storage (for playing music without a phone) and up to 6 hours battery life (USB-C charging). Although the internal storage is a cool feature, there is no shuffle mode, so your music will always play in order, like in the olden days.
Boomin Belts is more than just a gimmick, it’s actually a functional gadget. If you love quirky fashion and personal music devices, this could be a fun addition to your wardrobe. Aimed but not limited to golfers, I would happily go jogging or cycling with this so I can still hear the world around me, but I do live in a very rural area, I think I’d look a bit of a tool in urban settings. RRP $59.99
- Unique and fun concept
- Surprisingly Good Sound
- Detachable magnetic speaker
- Bluetooth 5.3 Connectivity
- Internal Storage (4GB)
- Up to 6 hours of playback
- Sound can get muffled if you’re sitting or have a bigger waistline
- No shuffle mode
