Hiking Camera Strap

[keitaro]

Hello,

I am looking at replacing my terrible stock OEM canon strap. I am looking for a strap that I can use for traveling, hiking, etc. I've looked at a few straps online, and searched the forums.

The optech pro loop strap seems to be great, but I find it might be too big and bulky. The same goes with the Crumpler Industry disgrace.

I plan to wear the strap around my neck, so I am not looking for shoulder straps.

Also is does neoprene straps absorb moisture? There is a Lowepro Voyager C on sale at a local camera store now, it looks enticing. How is also the Kata Reflex E, or Domke Gripper?

In short, I am looking for a strap with comfort, durability, and a convenient size. Quick disconnects would nice, but are not necessarily, therefore it would not affect my final decision.

Thanks! :D

[Rey.dos]

i would really, really not recommend using neck straps for hiking. The stress levels on your neck will
get you after the hike.

as for moisture absorption, i really don't like it. That wet **** on my neck is not so good and the lil grip thingies loose their grip.

but from your demands. Op/tech seems to be the answer.

[keitaro]

I don't plan on hiking with it around my neck the whole time. I'd bring it out if i see something nice. But I am looking for a strap that is more rugged in harsher conditions i.e. hiking :)

[SuzyView]

The POTN strap is the Optech brand made. It is very sturdy and has the bumps on the back to take heat and sweat from your neck well. I use them exclusively and have hiked Zions, Bryce, Yellowstone, etc. with that strap. You will love it! Just make sure you get the extenders if you need longer straps.

[Hogloff]

If you have a pack while hiking, there are some straps from Think Tank that can attach to your camera strap that will take the weight off of the neck and put it onto the pack. I use them and they work wonders when hiking with a camera.

[Mark Theriot]

This is the best I've found by far.

http://www.blackrapid.com/

Mark

[Needsnow]

Just in case you're not aware, the Cotton Carrier is the best solution I've found for me. It has been perfect for snowshoeing this winter.

[Win]

I hike a lot and have loved my POTN straps but... I'm now using a Cotton Carrier and couldn't be happier. Last weekend we did just under 6 miles over some rougher terrain and the CC worked great. I had the harness on under my jacket and an Osprey Atmos 50 for a pack.

For short walks and such I'll still use the strap. I like the elasticity of it and have no issues with heat build up.

Win

[themadman]

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a strap question as well. I've been using my stock Canon strap, and it isn't really giving me too many problems, but I hate the way neck straps work. The camera bounces around when I walk or move around. When i lean forwards the camera dangles freely, when I crouch to mess with lighting or posing my camera dangles and sometimes hits my knees. When I have two cameras... o boy, double the issues. Is there a solution?

I've seen the black rapid straps, but I have heard folks losing their eye pieces because of the way it hangs.

Is there a nice DIY strap tutorial or strap mod or something?

[katodog]

Cotton Carrier (http://cottoncarrier.com/). As far as I'm concerned those two words should go down in photography history.

[SuzyView]

I love the idea of it, but knowing how often I drop things, I can't risk it. I have to have a shoulder/neck strap.

[katodog]

You stand way more risk losing gear on a strap than you do on the Cotton Carrier.

[themadman]

How does the cotton carrier work with clothe? ok?

[katodog]

Works great over whatever you're wearing, even heavy winter coats. Here's the thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=726545) that has the most information in it about the Cotton Carrier

[jcothron]

I've got the Lowepro you mentioned, as well as a Pac-safe, and a Optech Pro Loop as you mentioned as well.

I didn't stop buying straps till I got the Optech Strap. It's far more comfortable than the other two or the supplied Canon strap. As an additional bonus, you CAN get attachments made by Optech that attach to your backpack shoulder straps that use the same type connection. This is typically how/where I hang my camera if I'm hiking with it out.

I haven't tried the Domke strap, but I suspect if it's like the straps on their bag, it would prove to be comfortable as well. Either way I prefer being able to change from the Optech pro loop neck strap to hanging it from my backpack shoulder straps in about 10 seconds, so I'll stick witht he Optech strap.

[keitaro]

The POTN strap is the Optech brand made. It is very sturdy and has the bumps on the back to take heat and sweat from your neck well. I use them exclusively and have hiked Zions, Bryce, Yellowstone, etc. with that strap. You will love it! Just make sure you get the extenders if you need longer straps.

by any chance do you know why a black strap is shown in the picture, but there is no black POTN strap selection?


Just in case you're not aware, the Cotton Carrier is the best solution I've found for me. It has been perfect for snowshoeing this winter.

I hike a lot and have loved my POTN straps but... I'm now using a Cotton Carrier and couldn't be happier. Last weekend we did just under 6 miles over some rougher terrain and the CC worked great. I had the harness on under my jacket and an Osprey Atmos 50 for a pack.

For short walks and such I'll still use the strap. I like the elasticity of it and have no issues with heat build up.

Win

I like the idea of the cotton carrier, but it doesnt fit my current criteria. I'll look into getting one if I do more hiking/treks. Looking for a strap that can fit many needs.


I've got the Lowepro you mentioned, as well as a Pac-safe, and a Optech Pro Loop as you mentioned as well.

I didn't stop buying straps till I got the Optech Strap. It's far more comfortable than the other two or the supplied Canon strap. As an additional bonus, you CAN get attachments made by Optech that attach to your backpack shoulder straps that use the same type connection. This is typically how/where I hang my camera if I'm hiking with it out.


I really enjoy your first hand experience for the straps that I listed. I think I am going to get an optech strap.

Does anyone know how much it costs to ship in to Canada, as well who is the carrier?

I am looking at getting it with the 3/8 webbing strap. It looks more secure with a ladder lock system compared to a string loop. How are the adapt its? are they made of plastic, or are they metal? Do they fit on the 40D attachment points?

Is the strap big and bulky? My street bag is a Crumpler 7MDH, will it fit?

Thanks for the suggested straps so far! :)

[Jon]

I suspect they're sold out of black. I have at least 3 in black, plus blue, red, green and grey but they only show 3 colours available now.

[SuzyView]

I have one in every color as well. When they run out, it's not on the list. I actually love my red one the best, don't know why.

[Tsmith]

I've hiked many a miles through Yosemite and Glacier NP's and never had an issue using the Canon strap. Plan on using it hiking this coming summer also.

[jcothron]

I really enjoy your first hand experience for the straps that I listed. I think I am going to get an optech strap.

Does anyone know how much it costs to ship in to Canada, as well who is the carrier?

I am looking at getting it with the 3/8 webbing strap. It looks more secure with a ladder lock system compared to a string loop. How are the adapt its? are they made of plastic, or are they metal? Do they fit on the 40D attachment points?

Is the strap big and bulky? My street bag is a Crumpler 7MDH, will it fit?

Thanks for the suggested straps so far! :)

I have no idea on the shipping to Canada, but I believe B&H will calculate that for you online.

I prefer the loop because it's basically a slip attachment on the camera. Therefore it falls away easier and stays out of the way, such as when I'm primarily using the tripod and have the neck strap disconnected.

I don't consider it big and bulky, anymore so than the Lowepro, and less so than the Pac-Safe due to the wire in the strap of that one. I used a 7MDH for a while..had no problem fitting it in there.

I'm sure either attachment type will fit a 40D.

[Moose408]

I have never been able to carry a camera around my neck. I always wound up just slinging it over my shoulder which worked OK for street photography, but sucked for hiking.

I now have both the Black Rapid and the Cotton Carrier and love them both. For hiking I would 2nd (3rd, 4th) the recommendation of the Cotton Carrier. It's what I use whenever I hike or ski.

[Rigby470]

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a strap question as well. I've been using my stock Canon strap, and it isn't really giving me too many problems, but I hate the way neck straps work. The camera bounces around when I walk or move around. When i lean forwards the camera dangles freely, when I crouch to mess with lighting or posing my camera dangles and sometimes hits my knees. When I have two cameras... o boy, double the issues. Is there a solution?

I've seen the black rapid straps, but I have heard folks losing their eye pieces because of the way it hangs.

Is there a nice DIY strap tutorial or strap mod or something?

I'm wondering if something like this might be adapted for camera use:

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Christophers/category_name/UT7S8833UPJW8MUVBR76UXN8P7/product_id/LBS

[jcothron]

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a strap question as well. I've been using my stock Canon strap, and it isn't really giving me too many problems, but I hate the way neck straps work. The camera bounces around when I walk or move around. When i lean forwards the camera dangles freely, when I crouch to mess with lighting or posing my camera dangles and sometimes hits my knees. When I have two cameras... o boy, double the issues. Is there a solution?

I've seen the black rapid straps, but I have heard folks losing their eye pieces because of the way it hangs.

Is there a nice DIY strap tutorial or strap mod or something?

Here's one solution:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/39643-REG/OP_TECH_USA_5301002_Stabilizer_Strap.html