Best Guitar Straps

If you enjoy playing guitar, a guitar strap is an aid to reduce the strain from playing, and distribute the weight of the guitar more evenly. This is all the more so when playing standing--a guitar strap can help you devote more of your energy to playing style, rather than just the mechanics of holding the guitar. You can find straps made from leather, suede, or nylon. It will also make a difference whether you play electric or acoustic guitar: electric guitars will always have two strap buttons, while acoustic guitars may only have one strap button--you’ll need a special adaptor to attach the strap in that case.

We've put together this guide to help you select the guitar strap that answers to your needs. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of guitar strap,

• See useful tips about that type of guitar strap,    

• Read reviews of different brands of guitar strap, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of guitar strap, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can classify guitar straps by the material from which they are made:

• Leather: Many strap manufacturers work primarily with leather straps. These are the most expensive, but they will also be the most durable.

• Suede: Suede straps are slightly cheaper than the leather, and also are quite durable.

• Nylon: The ProTec guitar strap is mostly nylon, with leather at the ends where it attaches to the guitar, for extra strength. Some guitarists prefer nylon straps to leather, because leather tends to get “stuck” on the guitarist’s neck. On the other hand, some say that nylon cuts into your neck. These will be the cheapest--some starting at as little as $8.

We can also distinguish between how the strap attaches to the guitar:

• Strap buttons: There are buttons on acoustic and electric guitars, to which you attach the strap. There is a hole at each end of the strap. One end is attached to the base of the guitar, while the other end is attached to the top of the guitar’s body.

• Strap locks: These are plastic reinforcements that are put on top of the strap buttons, to lock the strap in place. This will reduce wear and tear on the guitar strap.

• Suede padding:  The Levy Leather strap provides padding for where you put the strap on your neck. This is more comfortable than leather or nylon. People say how important the padding is, especially if they play and practice for several hours at a time.

• Better to spend on real leather straps: If your guitar is expensive, you wouldn’t want to risk it getting damaged by using an inferior strap. So guitarists prefer investing in a leather strap, since it is the most durable.

• Attaching the strap: Some guitars allow you to slip the strap on the strap buttons. But in some cases, you must unscrew the strap button from the guitar, to thread it through the hole in the strap, and to screw it back onto the guitar.

• If a guitar has only one strap button: Some acoustic guitars have a strap button only at the base of the guitar. In order to attach the strap to the guitar, there is a special string (or an “adaptor loop”) that you thread through the hole in the guitar strap. Insert the string underneath the strings, at the headstock. Then tie the string with a double knot.

• Thicknesses: You’ll see that guitar straps come in 2” and 2.5” thicknesses. Walker and Williams straps are even 3.5” wide.

• Adjusting the strap: You should adjust the length of the strap so that you don’t have to lower your left hand (with which you play the chords) too low, because then it will place too much weight on that hand. That might be suitable when you’re playing just rhythm guitar, consisting of a lot of chords. But generally speaking, the higher you place the guitar, the greater range of mobility you will have when playing. That would be best if you’re playing most of the melody, as a lead guitarist.

• Pick pocket: Some straps will be equipped with a “pick pocket”: a small pouch where you can hold extra guitar picks. But others feel that it’s too easy for the picks to get lost--there are special packs that let you hold 2 or 3 picks at a time. The pack attaches to the back of your guitar. That is a safer option.

Protec--was founded in 1977 as makers of specialty bags, making protective gear for professional musicians. They make hard shell cases, besides straps for guitars, brass, string and wind instruments, as well as for percussion and electronics.

Levy’s Leathers--was founded by Dennis Levy in 1973, who starting out as a leatherworker, making small leather items; later the business started marketing guitar straps and gig bags. They make basic and designer guitar straps, as well as genre guitar straps. Their guitar straps are made of leather, cotton, and polypropylene.

Perri’s Leathers--was founded in Concord, Ontario, by Lou Perri, a music teacher and musician himself, in the year 1998. He started with 50 guitar strap designs, and gradually expanded. He focuses on comfort and artistic design in his guitar straps.
Souldier--first appeared on the scene of making guitar straps in 2006.  They also make belts, handbags, messenger bags, and leather apparel. They make straps for guitar, banjo, cameras, saxophones, and for other purposes.