How do you carry your monopod? (or, help me find a better wrist strap)

Even though I love my compact little Velbon tripod, it's not something I want to carry around all the time, especially at crowded places like the zoo. But with my beast of a zoom lens, I still need something for stability, so I picked up a Manfrotto 790B Monopod, and added a Velbon ball head, so I could use the same quick release system on both the tripod and monopod. The monopod is great, except for one thing: the "belt strap" that comes with it. Cheesiest excuse for a strap ever, if I have to unwind the whole thing to attach or detach the 'pod, and the strap unwinds itself if there is no weight to act as friction.

Long story short, I need a better way to attach my monopod to either my belt or my camera case. My new Crumpler 6MDH case will arrive tomorrow, and the plan is to either hang the 'pod off the loops on the end, or if I'm really lucky lay it along the front or back and secure with two clips/straps/velcro/so​mething.

Any suggestions? How do you carry your monopod?

I have a side mess pocket on my Kata 465 that the tripod sits in. It's useful and the upper strap keeps it in place. See if that is something your new bag has.

I carry mine attached to the back of my backpack, but you do not have that option.

How about making a shoulder sling?

Bag mine came with. Need one, find the cheapest lawn chair that comes with a bag.

Another option is sewing on some straps to the bottom of the 6MDH.

I have a benro monopod... i carefully removed the included wrist strap and used a lanyard from my school its quite nice because i now have the buckle on it also! to remove just carefully cut the stitches on the bottom of the lanyard

My Lowepro Stealth Reporter bag has little bumps on the side. I'm not sure if it's meant for it, but I can stick my monopod through there at the right angle and it can't fall out.

For light weight running around I use dog leash clipped to the D ring on the Bogen QR plate I standardized on.
The next heaviest setup is an Induro MA 25 monopod clipped with a beaner onto one of the loops of my Think Tank Skin belt.
or
clipped to a short sling strap slung over my head/across my chest.
In either configuration my clipped water bottle keeps the monopod from swinging around in front of me when I lean over or take a knee...so it's never in the way swinging around.

My Manfrotto carbon monopod had exactly the same issue. The daft plastic clip is never going to stay secure, rubbish design! Probably found a cheap job lot in the local flea market. So it's been ditched in favour of one "borrowed" from my Lowepro backpack, which does the job the original should, and does it well.

It looks identical to the untrained eye, except its actually been designed - by a designer - who actually knows what he or she is doing!

hold and use it like a cane / walking stick.. comes in handy for driving off pesky children and animals also..
lol

I just leave the camera on it and carry it on my shoulder...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6266282
I just leave the camera on it and carry it on my shoulder...

Works for me too

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6266282
I just leave the camera on it and carry it on my shoulder...

I'm still a bit too paranoid with my new lens to try that.

For wandering around with the monopod attached, it works pretty well to just pull the two upper sections in so I don't trip over the thing.

But attaching it to to my bag/belt/wrist while not in use is really where the issue is.

I do have a camera backpack with mesh pouches and tripod straps, I'll have to try that, but I really hate backpacks.

I think I will dig around through REI and the craft stores for some straps to attach to the bag. Although, as EricFry suggested, the friction of the loops on the end of the bag may be enough to hold it in place. That would be too easy, though.

Zip tie a carabiner to it and hook it to your belt loop.

Ok, I might have a solution. I won't know for sure until I have a chance to actually work out of the bag later this week, but for now I've put the monopod into the end pocket on the 6MDH, between the strap and the body of the bag. It sticks up about 6" but since that's behind me, and doesn't seem to be at an angle that will stab me in the ribs when I crouch down, I think it will work.

Random observation: I have too many camera bags. Or maybe not enough, but at least I've managed to pack some of them inside each other so it looks like all my gear fits in 3 bags!

ben_r_ wrote in post #6269882
Zip tie a carabiner to it and hook it to your belt loop.

I used a camera strap as a sling for mine but I really like this idea!