·	A "cage"-type device which encloses the male genitals, intended to prevent stimulation and erection. "Metal-detector safe" models also exist; these are made entirely of plastic and fasten with tamper-evident plastic seals.

·	A "Florentine"-style belt has a band around the waist or hips, with a "shield" running between the legs to cover the genitals.

·

For females, the shield is commonly a flat band with a slot through which the labia can protrude and through which urine can pass. Some manufacturers fit a perforated cover - the secondary shield - over this slot to both to prevent the wearer from being pinched when sitting and also to prevent masturbation.

·	For males, the shield usually covers a tube in which the penis is held facing downward with perforations at the bottom of the shield to allow urine to escape.

·	Belts with a "thong" arrangement have a single strap running up between the buttocks to the waistband. On some, this is a plastic-coated cable or a thin curved metal rod; on others, it is a steel strap with an aperture over the anus to allow passage of feces.

·	Belts with a "V"-arrangement have a pair of chains attached together the bottom of the shield and apart towards the back of waistband in a "V" to leave the rear open.

·	Modern chastity belts are designed for long-term, continuous wear. However, before investing in a chastity belt, it is usually advisable to clarify one's budget and goals, then balance them against the potential physical and mental discomfort.

·	"Florentine"-style waist belts can be incompatible with vigorous sporting activity because they make bending forwards or sideways at the hips difficult.

·	The choice of materials used in the belt is also important: some plastics, alloys (especially those containing nickel), and rubber (such as that used in neoprene) may cause allergic contact dermatitis after constant contact with the skin.

·

Weight gain or a protruding belly may make the fitting of a "Florentine"-style belt difficult, or render an existing belt uncomfortable for constant wear. For long-term wear, a hip belt that rests on the taper of the hips is usually preferred to a waist belt that encloses the narrowest part of the waist.

·	Badly designed or adjusted devices can compress male genitals in a potentially harmful manner.

·	Devices made entirely of plastic, as well as plastic single-use verifiable closures, are available for wearers who must travel through airports or other places where metal detectors are used.

·	For custom made stainless steel belts, accurate measurements for the wearer's body must be supplied according to the manufacturer's specifications because they are impossible to tailor.

·	After the belt is delivered, a period will normally be required for the wearer to bend and adjust the belt for fit and comfort, as well as for the wearer's body to become used to wearing the belt.

·	The wearer should check regularly for bruising, edema and chafing where the device contacts their skin. These, as well as pinching when walking or sitting, can be caused by ill fit or an inappropriate lining material.

·

For belts with a "thong" arrangement, access to a bidet can greatly simplify hygiene. The belt must also drain well enough to prevent water and bodily fluids from being trapped against the skin and possibly causing chafing or rashes. A hairdryer may be helpful for drying difficult-to-reach areas of skin after bathing.

·	During periods of long term wear, the belt should be removed occasionally to clean off accumulated skin, urine and body fats - especially parts of the belt which are in constant contact with the body.