The best camera straps are well worth the money if you carry your camera around for any length of time. Yes, most cameras come with a strap in the box, but the ones I've picked out will be much kinder to your neck and shoulders, save you from aches and pains after a shoot, and look a lot smarter, too.
Good straps not only provide comfort but also offer added flexibility. Many of the best are cleverly designed to offer different ways to carry your camera, so they can be used as a neck strap, shoulder strap, or even a sling-style strap. Like all the best camera accessories, they're not always only available in boring black but can also be stylish and colorful.
I've handpicked the best camera straps to cover a variety of types, including for those on a budget, slide straps that dangle your camera upside-down, and more upmarket options, so you're sure to find what you're looking for. Best strap in…
But if you need to carry a pair of cameras, for shooting wedding, sports, or events, don't miss our guide to the best camera harnesses.
Adam is Digital Camera World's Guides Editor and was previously editor of N-Photo magazine. He likes big lenses but hates the strain they put on his shoulders and is an advocate of comfier camera-carrying systems.
Best camera straps
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The Quick List
A sling, shoulder, and neck strap in one, the Slide exudes quality with a seatbelt-style strap and premium fittings, which include clever quick-release buttons.
Your camera dangles upside-down at your hip on this cross-body strap, preventing it from bouncing around as you walk but ready to be raised to your eye at a moment's notice.
Made from eco-friendly materials and with a carbon-offset scheme, this strap comes in a range of outdoorsy colors and doesn't cost the Urth. I mean Earth…
This well-priced strap features a 6cm super-wide neoprene neck pad that really spreads a load, and is available in a wide range of colors.
A grippy coating on both sides enables this to double as a shoulder strap and it can also be used to attach your camera to a backpack for hiking photographers.
A sling-type design anchors the top of the strap to your shoulder for comfortable shooting all day long, and it comes in versions for left or right shoulders.
The best camera straps
Most versatile strap
The Peak Design Slide Lite is a versatile camera strap that can be used as a sling, shoulder, or neck strap and is particularly well-suited for everything from lighter mirrorless camera setups to heaver DSLRs with weighty lenses, as it's rated for a 90kg capacity, even if your back isn't.
It has a slim profile and is made from high-quality, eco-friendly water-resistant material, along with tubular webbing with an internal EVA pad to reduce bulk. Features include quick-adjusting metal buckles that make it easy to shorten or lengthen the strap, which is really useful when wearing it cross-body, plus, it has a grippy side to prevent it from slipping. The camera is secured with reliable quick-release anchors.
Overall, the Peak Design Slide Lite offers a big improvement over standard camera straps, combining great functionality with a premium feel, while offering good value for money.
Read the full Peak Design Slide Lite review
Best premium strap
The BlackRapid Blackline I Right and Left camera strap is a step up from the same company's lower-cost Sport Breathe strap in a few ways. Its all-black design is definitely more low-key for surreptitious shooting, and it's also more comfortable, thanks to the softer padding and bigger ventilation holes.
The strap attaches to the camera securely with BlackRapid's patented CR-3 ConnectR, FR-5 FastenR, and LockStar II gate, which all work really well, but there's also a Camera Safety Tether for extra peace of mind. The strap also has front and rear bumpers to prevent the camera from sliding around too much, and an Underarm Stabilizer that makes it even more secure and comfy.
While the Blackline I is relatively expensive, I reckon it's worth the extra money if you want more comfort and a less conspicuous strap. It has top-notch locking mechanisms, a comfortable shoulder pad, and is a solid, feature-rich choice that performs really well when out and about.
Read the full BlackRapid Blackline I Right and Left review
Best eco-friendly strap
The Urth Core Camera Strap has a stylish design and durable construction, made from high-quality materials including anodized aluminum buckles and recycled nylon webbing. The strap's features include a reversible silicone grip, Dyneema pebble fasteners, and tripod compatibility. It is available in two widths, standard (40mm) and slim (20mm), and comes in four colors: sand, moss, onyx, and ash.
Maker Urth is proud of the strap's environmentally responsible manufacturing, and the company is transparent about its carbon footprint and plants trees to offset every purchase.
However, the strap has some drawbacks, including a stiff quick-release mechanism and lack of padding. I also found the 40mm strap to be slightly uncomfortable on the neck. Despite these issues, the Urth Core Camera Strap is a premium product that complements high-end cameras, but prioritizes aesthetics and build quality over practicality and comfort.
Read the full Urth Core Camera Strap review
Best budget strap
The OpTech Pro Loop Strap is a budget-friendly padded camera strap that offers comfortable support when carrying heavy camera gear. It features a thick neoprene pad for even weight distribution, effectively reducing neck and shoulder pain during long shoots.
It comes in tons of colors and has a load capacity of up to a mighty 66kg, although the manufacturer recommends a maximum of 7Kg for optimal comfort. The OpTech Pro Loop Strap offers an upgrade from standard camera straps with its padding and color options, but it lacks metal hardware and a tether for full-featured performance.
I found the strap to be really comfortable and effective, particularly with heavier lenses, and the grippy material on the pad's interior helps keep it in place. While the plastic buckles are functional, they may not be as durable as the metal versions found on more expensive straps.
The OpTech Pro Loop Strap is a wise buy for photographers on a budget who need a comfortable and reliable way to carry their gear.
Read the full OpTech Pro Loop Strap review
Best thin strap
The Think Tank Camera Strap V2.0 is a budget-friendly but basic neck strap that nevertheless offers some nice upgrades over the standard straps that typically come in the box with your camera.
It comes in blue or gray colorways, and is made from surprisingly premium materials, including metal and leather hardware. It has a low-profile design, with the 2.5cm-wide (1in) neck section measuring 45cm in length, while the whole strap extends to a maximum of 135cm. It has a grippy material on both sides, which keeps it firmly in place on your neck or jacket and prevents it from slipping.
However, there is no quick-release system, which is something often found on more expensive straps. Also, while the metal hardware gives it a premium feel, it could potentially scratch your camera.
Overall, I think that the Think Tank Camera Strap V2.0 offers good value for the money and offers subtle but useful improvements over standard straps.
Read the full Think Tank Camera Strap V2.0 review
Best strap for comfort
The Sport Breathe is BlackRapid's best-selling camera strap, and it's not hard to see why, offering all-day comfort, good security, and some neat features. The cross-body sling design positions the camera lower than a traditional neck strap, so it hangs at your hip rather than bouncing around on your torso. The camera is securely attached via its tripod socket with BlackRapid's R5 fastener, while a LockStar gate and safety tether provide added security. The strap length and front and rear bumpers can be adjusted to control camera movement, and an underarm stabilizer provides additional comfort.
I found that the Sport Breathe excelled in comfort and security, even with a heavy camera and lens setup. The wide shoulder pad and ventilation holes contribute to its comfort, and BlackRapid's ConnectR, FastenR, and LockStar systems ensure the camera remains securely attached.
Out in the field, I found that the Sport Breathe excelled in comfort and security, even with a heavy camera and lens. Overall, it's a comfortable, secure, and feature-rich camera strap that hits the sweet spot of price and performance.
Read our full BlackRapid Sport Breathe review
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