A belt for an elevator system includes one or more tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, each tension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the belt length. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes one or more tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, each tension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the belt length. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members.