The Blackline II Double Dual Camera Harness does everything its more affordable Double Breathe sibling can but builds upon it with softer and more breathable shoulder padding, it’s kitted out with an all-black design that will be a hit with photographers looking to keep a low profile and not attract attention. Unlike the Double Breathe, it doesn’t come in a Slim model, and understandably it doesn’t come in other color variations, so you have fewer options. There's also nothing stopping you from separating the two shoulder pads and using one as a cross-body strap for those times when you just need a single camera which adds to its value for money too. Its build and security are top notch and we had no problem trusting it to keep our expensive camera kit safe.
Pros
+
Safety features
+
High quality
+
Comfortable
+
Accessory pouch
+
Vegan-friendly, unlike leather
+
Nondescript all-black design
Cons
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Expensive
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Some may not find it as stylish as a leather strap
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No slim option available
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One of my favorite things about owning an interchangeable lens system is that I can simply swap over lenses when I need to shoot wider, more zoomed-in, or macro and close-up depending on the specific subject matter I’m shooting and what I’m trying to achieve creatively. While superzoom lenses such as 18-300mm exist and bring many focal length options into a single lens, they simply don’t cut it for professionals who need both razor-sharp glass and super-fast apertures too.
When taking photos of fast-paced events, sports, or weddings however you rarely have the time to switch your lenses and that’s where a double camera harness can be a game-changer. Important aspects to look for in a good dual camera harness are first and foremost security - you want to be able to trust that your pride and joy aren’t suddenly going to go crashing into the ground. Secondly, there's comfort: if you’re shooting for a whole day with two heavy cameras loaded up, you’ll need decent padding to save your shoulders.
I recently got hold of both BlackRapid’s Double Breathe and Blackline II dual camera harnesses to test them out. On face value they look very similar - they’re both dual camera harnesses that allow you to carry two systems with different lenses attached, making them a good fit for weddings and events. The Blackline II however is a third more expensive, so I was keen to put it through its paces and find out if it’s really 33% better!
Specifications
Price: $199 / £199 Size: One size fits all Colours: Black Features: 2x Locking Swivel Carabiner ConnectR CR-3 Includes: 1 x CoupleR II; 2 x Nylon-Coated FastenR FR-5 (1⁄4-20”); 2 x Lockstar II; 2 x Camera Safety Tether II Shoulder Pad material: Highly breathable Polyester Mesh, TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) Foam and Polyester Air Mesh Shoulder Pad Size: Length: 16ʺ (40.5 cm); Width: 2.2ʺ – 3.7ʺ (5.5 cm – 9.5 cm); Thickness: 5mm Webbing: 100% Nylon; Webbing Width: 1ʺ (2.5 cm) Adjustable Strap, Maximum Length: 63ʺ (160 cm) Weight: 11.6 oz / 45.3g
Features
I’ve recently reviewed BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe, Blackline I and Double Breathe camera straps, and following suit the Blackline II harness uses the exact same mounting system that I’ve raved about in those other reviews.
It uses a ConnectR and FastenR system to secure your camera to a metal carabiner, this is then secured with a spring-loaded metal piece on the carabiner, and the LockStar Gate is clipped shut to stop it from being accidentally opened - the LockStar Gate can also only be closed in place with the carabiner fully secured and locked down for added security, you do this for both cameras on either side of you. Many of these security features are patented too, so you'll only find them on BlackRapid products.
The BlackRapid Blackline II Double Camera Harness has two straps for each left and right shoulders which you can mount your cameras to (Image credit: Future)
For even more peace of mind, the Blackline II comes with two safety tethers which can be lashed to each carabiner and then to the strap lug on your camera for another point of camera and a failsafe should the main connection fail, though in our testing everything felt totally rock-solid and we never felt like it would be needed, though it’s nice to have nonetheless.
Two safety tether straps come with the BlackRapid Blackline II Double Camera Harness giving you even more security (Image credit: Future)
The camera straps on your left and right are both height adjustable so you can get them hanging precisely where you need them to be within easy grasp which you need to quickly grab one and start shooting. Unlike the Double Breathe harness however, there’s no Slim model, though it has to be said the shoulder pads are already a little slimmer than the Double Breathe and its padding is softer, so perhaps this isn’t needed as much here.
Each strap has both a front and rear bumper to limit the amount of camera travel (Image credit: Future)
As with the Sport Breathe, Blackline I, and Double Breathe that I’ve previously reviewed, the Blackline II has front and rear bumpers on both left and right straps. These can be adjusted with just one hand to limit or expand the area of travel the carabiner with your attached camera can travel along.
The rear bumper acts as a good backstop to stop it moving too far back out of reach, while the front bumper is great for those times you need to lean forward to adjust a lightstand or bend over to pick something up, as the front bumper can be slid down to prevent your camera from coming hurtling forward.
Performance
The Blackline II put in a solid performance by being constructed from high-quality materials and parts patented by BlackRapid. The FR-5 FastenR is metal but nylon coated for a premium feel and has a 3mm thick rubber disc to help you add just the right amount of tension when screwing it into your camera’s tripod mount port or lens foot. The metal carabiner feels high quality too and screws down to secure it in place, with the LockStar II gate then shutting to keep it from opening accidentally and keeping your kit safe.
One big difference between the Blackline II and the Double Breathe is that, as the name suggests, it has an all-black design. The Double Breathe has a bright white logo on the front right shoulder pad and a shiny metal buckle on the back too, whereas the Blackline II is dressed more like a ninja with all-black plastic buckles and a blacked-out rubber logo on the front too. This makes it much more nondescript and makes it easier to blend in, whether you’re wearing a tuxedo at a wedding, or just want to keep a low profile while shooting street photography.
The BlackRapid Blackline II Double Camera Harness has nylon straps that allow your camera to be brought up to eye level easily (left). There's also an optional elastic coupler to bring the two back straps together and make it more secure (right) (Image credit: Future)
Another noticeable upgrade from the Double Breathe is the Blackline II has slightly smaller yet more comfortable padding and larger ventilation holes too for ‘ultra’ breathability. I found this to be notably more comfortable as it molded to the contours of my shoulders a little better.
Both the back and chest straps have an elasticated piece of material in them so they move with your body a little and there’s some give which increases comfort. When using mirrorless camera bodies loaded up with lightweight primes or small zoom lenses you hardly notice you’re wearing it as the strain is on your shoulders rather than your neck. However, load them up with heavier DSLRs and big telephoto lenses and you’ll inevitably start to feel the strain a bit sooner.
Much of the attachment system is patented so you'll only find it on BlackRapid straps (Image credit: Future)
We had full faith that the Blackline II could handle the weight of whatever we could throw at it. It’s a solid bit of kit with sturdy metal carabiners and attachment points that give you plenty of peace of mind. The carabiners also glide like butter over the nylon straps so you can effortlessly raise your camera up to eye level to take a shot and never get in the way.
Verdict
Alongside this harness, I’ve recently reviewed BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe and Blackline I slings as well as the Double Breathe Harness, and while I’ve been thoroughly impressed with all four products, in my opinion, this is the one to go for. It has a fully blacked-out design which makes it more nondescript and better padding too.
The padded shoulders are softer and also a little smaller than the Double Breathe, so this will potentially be a better fit for women and people of smaller stature without the need for a slim model (like the Double Breathe). Plus, it shares many of the great features of the other straps I’ve mentioned, such as the FastenR and LockStar Gate to keep your camera secured to each strap, in addition to an extra safety strap and bumpers to limit the travel of your camera.
Okay, it might not have the bougie style of a leather (or faux leather) strap, but it prioritizes substance over style with this reliable and solid harness, and for what it’s worth I think the all-black design looks pretty good! The shoulder pads can also be separated and you can use just one as a cross-body sling for those times when you just want to shoot with one camera which adds to its value too.
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Features
As we’ve come to expect from BlackRapid products, the Blackline II is packed with useful features and a top quality build too. It’s more substance than style: though its black aesthetic with large shoulder pads will no doubt be more comfortable for working pros than of a stylish leather strap. The FastenR and LockStar Gate do a solid job of connecting your camera to the strap via a metal carabiner. Plus, for added peace of mind you can attach additional security tethers too. It also doubles up as a single cross-body left or right-handed sling for times when you only need a single camera, plus it comes with a handy mesh bag to keep everything neat and tidy when stashed away and not in use.
★★★★★
Design
While its design isn’t quite the same hipster vibe you get with a leather strap, I personally like the all-black aesthetic and prefer the comfort from its large padded shoulders. It’s been designed to have ‘ultra’ breathability with larger slits cut into the padding than on the Double Breathe which helps keep your shoulders cool and stop them getting clammy when wearing the harness for long stints. It’s also been designed so that the left and right straps can be disconnected for those times when you want to venture out with just a single camera on a sling.
★★★★★
Performance
The Blackline II put in a solid performance and was completely reliable on demanding shoots such as weddings. As a 5’10” male the standard Double Breathe worked great for my height. I found the Blackline II contoured to my shoulders a little better, it’s also fully blacked-out for a more low profile design. The Blackline II costs $20 more than the Double Breathe but we think it’s worth the extra.
★★★★★
Value
Its price of $199USD or £199 may sound expensive at first glance, but I personally wouldn’t want to take a chance relying on a cheap unbranded strap to hold and secure two expensive camera bodies and lenses. You get a lot for your money, and its top build quality and security features are priceless at the end of the day. If you’re considering a single cross-body strap but you have even the slightest inklings that you might need a dual harness at some point it’s much better value to get this dual harness as it will save you a tidy sum in the long run.
★★★★★
Should you buy the BlackRapid Blackline II Double Dual Camera Harness?
✅ Buy this if...
You’re looking for a comfortable harness to carry the weight of two cameras all day long
You want a reliable and rock-solid system you can trust with your pride and joy
🚫 Don't buy this if...
You have a very limited budget
You like the extra size and color options of the BlackRapid Double Breathe
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Deputy Editor on PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Dan also brings his technical wizardry and editing skills to Digital Camera World. He has been writing about all aspects of photography for over 10 years, having previously served as technical writer and technical editor for Practical Photography magazine, as well as Photoshop editor on Digital Photo.
Dan is an Adobe-certified Photoshop guru, making him officially a beast at post-processing – so he’s the perfect person to share tips and tricks both in-camera and in post. Able to shoot all genres, Dan provides news, techniques and tutorials on everything from portraits and landscapes to macro and wildlife, helping photographers get the most out of their cameras, lenses, filters, lighting, tripods, and, of course, editing software.
