Best Camera Strap

If you’re a photographer, one accessory that is above them all in terms of importance is your camera strap. On a shoot, you’re going to be moving around a lot, and because of this, you don’t want to be packing your camera up safely each time you change location.

You’ll want your camera within arm’s reach so that you can capture even the most fleeting of moments.

But finding the right camera strap can be difficult. One look online or in stores and you’re given an almost overwhelming amount of options.

How can you know that you’re making the right choice? That you’ll pick a strap that will last you for years? That it will give you the right amount of support?

Shouldn’t picking a strap be simple? If you find yourself in this situation – don’t worry! We’re here to help you with it.

This article is going to take you through 5 of the best camera straps on the market. We’ll make sure to explore each one in detail, going through the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.

We’ve also made sure to include an in-depth buyers guide to explain our choices, as well as a short FAQ to clear up any questions or queries you may have.

So let’s get right into it!

The 5 Best Camera Straps

Best Simple Straps – MegaGear MG1515 Sierra Series Shoulder Or Neck Strap

Designed for the photographer who likes to look good and travel light, the MegaGear MG1515 Sierra Series Genuine Leather Camera Shoulder or Neck Strap is a great choice.

Made from premium-quality leather with a soft lining on the strap, it comes in a variety of different colors including brown/black and black. The snap hooks are stainless steel so they won’t rust.

The MG1515 is perfect for anyone who wants a well-made strap that can take some abuse—and be easily washed off afterward!

The MegaGear MG1515 Sierra Series Genuine Leather Camera Shoulder or Neck Strap comes with a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.

If you’re not happy with it, return it within 30 days for a full refund of your purchase price – which is a great deal if you’re not sure if it’s right for you.

Pros

• Materials – premium-quality leather with a soft lining on the strap.
• Stainless Steel – stainless steel snap hooks to help deal with rust.
• Adaptability – works with cameras that have a ¼-inch screw connector.

Cons

• Leather – may discolor or warp in high humidity climates.

Alled XN01-0943 Neck Shoulder Belt Strap

For our second simplistic camera strap, we have the Alled XN01 Neck Shoulder Belt strap.

This camera strap is made out of high-quality materials and features a thick leather shoulder pad, making it comfortable to wear even when you’ve got your DSLR on your back.

It fits a lot of popular DSLR camera brands, including Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Samsung, and Olympus.

The strap has been designed with an adjustable length that allows you to shorten or lengthen the strap as needed, making it perfect for people who prefer having their camera close by while they’re traveling around on a shoot.

It also comes in a lot of different colors and patterns which means you can choose the one that suits you best!

Pros

• Length – Adjustable length makes this strap ideal for most people’s needs.
• Compact – Thick leather shoulder pad can be folded up when not in use if you want to carry your camera over one shoulder instead of across both shoulders like a messenger bag.
• Padding – Comfortable shoulder strap that will support you through a long shoot.

Cons

• Suitability – Strap may feel too long when not adjusted to fit shorter people.

Best For Lighter Cameras – Peak Design Slide

If you’re looking for something that is most suited for small to medium cameras, then the Peak Design Slide is one of the best straps for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

It’s also ideal for medium-sized cameras like the Panasonic G7 and Sony A6300, as well as smaller cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 II and Fujifilm X100F.

The Slide will work with larger models too, including the Sony a6500 (with an adapter), Sony a7R II, and Nikon D750.

One of the best things about this strap is how it is adjustable to fit your body and the size of your camera.

A quick-adjust mechanism lets you lengthen or shorten the strap in a snap, and you can even remove it from one side if needed.

Your camera will be held in place by a simpler slider than most straps. It’s intuitive to use and quick to adjust.

You can also attach the strap directly to your tripod using a built-in connection point on the bottom of the Slide’s plate.

Finally, keep in mind that the Peak Design Slide is best suited for lighter cameras.

If you have a heavy one like the Panasonic GH5 or Nikon D800 (both with battery grip), then we recommend looking at another type of strap.

Pros

• Adjustable strap – This allows you to adjust it to your body and to the camera you’re using.
• Simple Slider – Means a lot less fiddling around.
• Accessibility – This allows you to attach it directly to your tripod.

Cons

• Weight – not suitable for heavier cameras.

Best Double Harness – BlackRapid Double

Are you looking for a way to carry two cameras at the same time?

This is something you may need if you’re an experienced photographer looking for something that will keep your cameras safe and secure when you’re out on long shoots.

The BlackRapid Double is one of the best camera straps for photographers who want an ergonomic design and a quick-release system.

It’s made of soft neoprene and nylon, so it’s comfortable to wear over your shoulder without any discomfort.

The pad length is 16” and the width is 2.2”, while the thickness is o.3”. The webbing is made of 100% nylon, which means it’s durable and takes a long time to wear out.

The BlackRapid Double also has a safety system that prevents the camera from hitting you in the face if you trip or stumble while walking around with it on your neck – this can be especially important if you have an expensive pair of cameras with you.

Pros

• Release System: Comes with a quick release system that allows you to easily release your cameras when you need.
• Materials: Made from nylon and neoprene which are very comfortable and durable.
• Color Options: Lots of color options so choose the one to suit you!

Cons

• Size: Much larger than other camera straps, so if you’re looking for something simplistic this is not the one for you.

Best Leash – HoldFast Gear Camera Leash

If you’re looking for a good camera leash that will fit onto your wrist, this might be the right one for you.

The HoldFast Gear Camera Leash is a simple and effective strap that can be worn around your neck or over your shoulder.

The strap is made of nylon, which makes it strong enough to hold up a camera but also comfortable enough to wear.

It features a carabiner clip that lets you attach your camera securely to the strap, and it’s long enough to go around your neck and over your shoulder.

This makes the camera easy for you to grab when you need it, but secure while you’re wearing it (even if there’s some sudden movement).

If you want a simple and comfortable strap to carry your camera, the HoldFast Gear Camera Leash is a good choice.

The price is reasonable for the quality of the product and the peace of mind it will provide you knowing that you can trust it to keep your camera safe.

Pros

• Length – Adjustable length means you can make it fit you.
• Clip – Carabiner clip which keeps it completely secure.
• Padding – Neoprene neck padding for a comfortable fit.

Cons

• Wrist Leash – Will only support certain weights as it’s just a wrist strap.

Buyer’s Guide

So that was a list of the 5 best camera straps we could find.

You’ll notice that we picked a lot of different types of straps, and that’s because the perfect strap for you is going to be all to do with your personal goals as a photographer.

Because of this, we’ve made sure to include an extensive buyers guide that will take you through everything you’ll need to know about why we made the choices we did.

Weight Distribution

If you have been using a neck strap for years without any problems, then there is no reason why this shouldn’t be one of the most important factors in choosing a new strap.

How heavy is my current setup? Does it feel comfortable? How long do I plan on carrying this around with me?

All these things can affect how well-balanced and comfortable an elastic band feels as well as what sort of weight distribution system should be used under its surface fabric or leather covering layer material (if any).

Length

Some people prefer shorter straps because they don’t want their arms dangling down too far while others prefer longer ones so they can wrap it around their waist like an actual belt instead of keeping everything tucked away inside their jacket pockets or pants pockets where everything gets jumbled up together into one big mess!

The length of a strap should be determined by how much space it takes up when attached to your camera and how many times you plan on using it.

If you only intend on strapping your DSLR into place once every few months then a shorter one might suit your needs best but if you’re going out for several hours at a time then perhaps something longer might work better for that purpose.

Padding

You might be wondering how important padding is to a strap – do you need one? If so, then what is the best padding to get?

The amount and type of padding that comes with your strap can be a factor in determining how comfortable it is to wear around all day long without causing any pain or discomfort due to chafing.

Thickness is an important factor here – generally the thicker the padding the more comfort you’ll get, but the more weight this will add to your strap.

Material

There are many different types of materials used for camera straps. The most common options include leather and neoprene, each with its own pros and cons.

Leather is a durable material that can withstand long periods of use without breaking down like some other materials might do over time while neoprene is lightweight enough to be comfortable but strong enough to keep your equipment from falling off if it gets wet or dirty.

Design

The design of a camera strap is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not it will be a good fit for you.

For example, if you want a more professional look, you may want to go with something that has leather straps and metal fasteners.

If you’re looking for comfort and easy care, then nylon webbing and plastic clips might work well for your needs.

It’s always better to make sure that your camera strap can’t fall off (or loosen) while carrying around expensive equipment like cameras!

Some straps have buckles that lock into place so they won’t come loose when carrying heavy equipment around town; others have velcro along their edges which makes them easier to adjust while shooting photos outdoors without having too much excess material hanging around your neckline area (this way there won’t be anything distracting or getting in the way).

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Should I Spend On A Camera Strap?

While there are many different types of straps available, it’s best to start with something simple. You don’t need to go all out at first, and the more expensive options will provide you with little benefit over the cheaper ones.

If you think that you’ll be using your camera regularly in the future, then investing in a better strap may be worth considering later on down the line.

However, if this is something that is just for casual use then there’s no real reason why you should spend lots of money on it!

Do Camera Straps Fit All Cameras?

While most camera straps are designed to fit any type of camera, there are some models that do not.

You’ll need to check the manufacturer guidelines before purchasing a strap in order to make sure that it will fit your needs.

Most cameras have their own specific specifications, such as size and weight limitations, so be sure you do your research first.

Do Professional Photographers Use Straps?

If you’re a professional photographer, then you may find that camera straps aren’t necessary. While they are useful for amateurs who don’t want their cameras to fall or get damaged, professionals tend to use other ways of protecting their equipment when shooting in the field.

That said, if you’re a professional photographer who is in motion – then a strap is going to be essential to you.

Many photographers use a strap to allow them to move freely without having to worry about dropping or damaging their cameras. By having a camera in arm’s reach, you’ll be able to easily get the shot and capture a fleeting moment.

How Does A Strap Fit To Different Body Types?

The loop at the end of each strap has two breakaway clips that you can use to easily adjust your camera strap’s length. Finding the perfect fit for you can take some experimentation, and you might get it wrong a few times before it fits you perfectly.

Generally, we’d suggest making an assessment of how long a strap you’ll need before committing to a purchase. If you’re especially tall you might need a longer strap than normal.

How Do I Clean My Camera Strap?

If your strap is made of leather and/or suede, you can use a natural leather cleaner like Saddle Soap to clean it.

For all other surface materials, we recommend using an alcohol-based cleanser like Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (IPA), which is generally safe for most surface materials.

Final Thoughts

That was a list of the 5 best camera straps out there, as well as a buyer’s guide to explain the choices we made. Although it may seem like a small part of your arsenal as a photographer, it’s an important piece of equipment that is worse than some careful selection.

We hope that this guide has given you some ideas for your new camera strap, and hope that you find one that is perfect for you!