This too shall pass. I bought the "leather" belt with the stiffener, because I am cheap and didn't want to pay Beltman prices. After several weeks with the 5.11 belt it lost its color. It's a stiff belt and may be ok if looks don't matter, but I was unhappy with mine. It looks like crap because it scratches very easily.
I also agree that their interpretation of "brown" is a little off.