Non-Leather Guitar Straps

[AAT65]

I own almost as many guitar straps as guitars (currently one short, but I might sell the strapless guitar, which is another story).
All those guitar straps (bar a cheap polyester one on a rarely played acoustic) are leather, but I have decided my next new strap won’t be… I’m not a vegan or even a vegetarian but I don’t want to endorse an animal death just to hold up my guitar…

What do you all think? Is leather the only option? Who has got an interesting non-leather strap?

 

[trandy9850]

I strarted using Comfort Strapps years ago….super comfortable, affordable, and made in the USA.

www.comfortstrapp.com

 

[bullfrogblues]

I've been gifted a few Couch straps that are made from old automobile seat belts and fabrics. Nice way to recycle.
Couch

 

[Harry Styron]

I’ve got a couple of neoprene straps for my two heavier guitars, which are quite comfortable.

 

[Ryden]

I've used gun slings, this style looks rather nice

Back in my teens I used a shotshell bandolier, can't recommend that as it was insanely heavy.

 

[Greggorios]

Merino Wool as used by Reunion Blues guitar straps. It's light, breathable, durable and strong. Good quality construction. $40.00

 

[JohnnyThul]

Just posted this in another thread:

Strap ideas - Olympic white Tele/Strat

I dunno if you’re a Beatles/george Harrison fan but if you are, I just pre-ordered one of these: https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_george_harrison_leather_strap.htm

www.tdpri.com

They all make version without leather, I have those versions from all of them, and they are very high quality, higher than most leather straps I came across.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

Suede or suede backed leather for me.
I alternate between sitting, standing and walking around the room (I can't seem to help the latter) when I play.
The suede prevents it from sliding off my shoulder when I sit.

After decades of various straps, from the Fender cotton one to the Rockabilly sliding pad ones to quite expensive tooled leather one (and many more), I eventually found the strap I like about 5 years ago.
I'm working my way through getting one for each guitar but they're rarer than hen's teeth in the UK.

First thing I do is unpick the logo, (I'm logo averse) and put a set of Schaller strap locks. Then slide the buckle for an hour to loosen it a bit because I wear the buckle to the front for changing height on the fly (I picked that idea up from watching Stuart Adamson).

As for leather goods, most of my leather jackets and boots are 20+ years old and cleaned/serviced regularly. My leather pea coat is 30 this year and worn from October to March every year which throws some folks current argument about sustainability into question.

 

[teletimetx]

Interesting thoughts. Perhaps it is different in Scotland, but here, the cattle are not murthered for the purpose of making guitar straps. Here, we eat the meat (which is why the animals must die) and the leather, mostly for shoes and women’s purses, is a byproduct. The amount utilized by guitar strappage is minuscule.

Nonetheless, the constraints of civility require some measures of rationalization, just to quaff our beer in peace, so I salute the effort and raise my glass in your general direction, OP.

Wool makes pretty ok straps. Not too hard to find in Scotland, by all accounts.

Here’s one I converted from a Jicarilla Apache wedding belt. The triangle pattern indicates that the belt maker married into the Badger Clan. I didn’t have to get married to acquire the object - just bought it at an arts & crafts fair.

Of course, in Portugal, the bull is not killed.

The Bull Is Not Killed - Quill and Quire

Mary Soderstrom

quillandquire.com

 

[Greg70]

I've always used the woven nylon ones that are similar to a seatbelt material. I've got basically the same strap in 3 different colors. I think they are made by Fender. I'm just a spare-bedroom player now but it served me well back when I was in a band.

 

[Festofish]

SUADE! The only nylon I’ve found to be comfortable are these. Limited colors/design but comfy.

Auto Lock Locking Skater Guitar Strap | Accessories | D'Addario

The D’Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap is the simplest integrated strap locking system for your performance. Simply slide the strap end over the guitar strap buttons and you are locked in - it’s that easy. The grey latch is spring-loaded so it

www.daddario.com

 

[buster poser]

I've never had a leather strap. Couple of these and similar others

Classic Jacquard Guitar Strap

The world's number one Polypro guitar strap now in nine stylish new designs featuring embroidered leather ends with durable yet comfortable Polypropylene webbing.

www.ernieball.com

 

[Festofish]

Search “vegan guitar strap” on Sweetwater.

 

[WingedWords]

James' Home of Tone in the W Midlands has a range of vegan straps. (Good fella to do business with too.)

RightOn!

If you are a regular visitor to my store, or even a new visitor, you will have noticed that every single item, every single brand, is one I have personally chosen to offer. I have a number of things I look for, but quality is usually up at number one. I love to offer an item that represents...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

 

[ChicknPickn]

I own almost as many guitar straps as guitars (currently one short, but I might sell the strapless guitar, which is another story).
All those guitar straps (bar a cheap polyester one on a rarely played acoustic) are leather, but I have decided my next new strap won’t be… I’m not a vegan or even a vegetarian but I don’t want to endorse an animal death just to hold up my guitar…

What do you all think? Is leather the only option? Who has got an interesting non-leather strap?

I've found these to be quite good for the money. Kliq Air Cell, at Amazon, $40. Comfortable even with heavier guitars.

EDIT: If the choice being made is mostly ethical, know that the ends are leather. Sorry about that. But it's only a little bit . . . . .

 

[Happy Enchilada]

I have a bunch of Dunlop "Hendrix" straps. They are about a half inch wider than the normal 2" strap, which is good for your shoulder and back. And they adjust out to something like 70 inches, which is good for me since I'm 6'6" and 280 (gotta have straps in the 65"+ range). They're built sturdy and don't slide off your shoulder. And they come in an array of vibrant colors that dress up any guitar. Lastly, they sell for around $20 - a fraction of what decent leather straps go for.

 

[Swirling Snow]

I appreciate the sentiment and wish I could help, but I've never seen any strap end but thick leather that gave me any confidence in its ability to last the night. I think strap locks might be in order.

However, if you are willing to compromise, I love the feel of the Levy's polyester straps on my bare shoulder. Softer than the seatbelt stuff. They were a big favorite of mine when I didn't have air conditioning.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...lyester-guitar-strap-cherry-blossoms-and-snow

 

[Cyberi4n]

I have a vegan strap. Tried giving it meat and if flipped me the bird before refusing point blank to stay around my shoulder!!

To be fair it’s a lovely strap, even smells like leather (almost) and is properly wide!

It’s one of these

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewellery, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

 

[AAT65]

Interesting thoughts. Perhaps it is different in Scotland, but here, the cattle are not murthered for the purpose of making guitar straps. Here, we eat the meat (which is why the animals must die) and the leather, mostly for shoes and women’s purses, is a byproduct. The amount utilized by guitar strappage is minuscule.

Nonetheless, the constraints of civility require some measures of rationalization, just to quaff our beer in peace, so I salute the effort and raise my glass in your general direction, OP.

Wool makes pretty ok straps. Not too hard to find in Scotland, by all accounts.

Here’s one I converted from a Jicarilla Apache wedding belt. The triangle pattern indicates that the belt maker married into the Badger Clan. I didn’t have to get married to acquire the object - just bought it at an arts & crafts fair.
View attachment 1021277View attachment 1021278

Of course, in Portugal, the bull is not killed.

The Bull Is Not Killed - Quill and Quire

Mary Soderstrom

quillandquire.com

Hey I’m not saying the leather thing is logical!! Nor am I proposing to enquire too deeply into the mechanics of the leather industry. But I do like your wedding belt guitar strap..!

 

[AAT65]

I have a bunch of Dunlop "Hendrix" straps. They are about a half inch wider than the normal 2" strap, which is good for your shoulder and back. And they adjust out to something like 70 inches, which is good for me since I'm 6'6" and 280 (gotta have straps in the 65"+ range). They're built sturdy and don't slide off your shoulder. And they come in an array of vibrant colors that dress up any guitar. Lastly, they sell for around $20 - a fraction of what decent leather straps go for.
View attachment 1021306View attachment 1021307View attachment 1021309View attachment 1021311

Those Hendrix straps do look quite appealing… not sure about that last one with Jimi’s faces keeping an eye everything but the others are cool.