Leather belt - stiff?

[tobee]

If I buy a standard leather belt with ordinary buckle, and belt holes etc. The kind you use for trousers etc. Not woven am I wrong to expect it not to be stiff but pleasantly soft? Or do they need wearing in? Or is it because I’m looking at ones that are too cheap?

tldr:
AIBU to expect a nice soft leather standard width belt with buckle and holes?

Cheap belts tend to be made from reconstituted leather so remain stiff (or fall apart). However, a trouser belt does need a degree of rigidity or they tend to curl through the belt loops.

Thank you for the very useful answer @unsync