I've noticed that many sporran belts are "less strap, more chain." My old one certainly was. I went the opposite direction with the new one: "more strap, less chain." The leather strap comes around the front of my hips about 2 in (5 cm) on each side and then has 5 in (12.5 cm) of chain. This gives me the drop I like and centers the buckle in the back. And with the chain not wrapping around (and therefore not rubbing on) my hip bones, it might protect the kilt from wear as Jock noted. And I think it looks better.