After you’ve spent a small fortune on your new camera, the last thing you want is for it to slip out of your hands and tumble to the floor. To keep your camera safe and sound, you need a reliable camera strap. A camera strap keeps your camera within reach, and off the ground.
But you don’t want just any old strap. Your camera is a capable tool, and it deserves something special to keep it safe. Here are the best camera straps for 2020. Pair one with one of the best camera bags to build out a functional — and fashionable — kit.
The best: Peak Design Slide
Peak Design is known for its innovative collection of bags, camera clips, and one surprisingly exciting tripod, but the company has also made a name for itself in the world of camera straps.
The aptly titled Slide features a unique — and proprietary — method of snap-on anchor points, which are capable of holding more than 200 pounds. Pair these with the optional mounting plate and its seatbelt-style shoulder strap, and you have yourself a strong, capable camera strap. Peak Design also offers lighter options in the event you’re using a smaller DSLR, mirrorless camera, or a point-and-shoot.
The Rest
HoldFast MoneyMaker Camera Swagg
Sometimes you just want to feel like an Old West gunslinger. HoldFast’s collection of MoneyMaker dual-camera straps are perfect for the working pro photographer who doesn’t have time to switch lenses and always has to be quick on the draw.
This dual-sling setup supports two mirrorless cameras or DSLRs, allowing each to be freely raised to eye level at a moment’s notice. When not in use, let the cameras hang by your hips and free your hands to set up lights, direct your talent, or take a shot of whisky.
While we picked the new canvas version here (available in blue, black, copper, or red), the MoneyMaker also comes in a variety of leathers, including a genuine python skin version and a white-leather “Storm Trooper” limited edition. And if two cameras aren’t enough, you can even order the MoneyMaker in a three-camera variant.
RucPac Slide
Tested to hold over 220 pounds, this camera strap is built for professionals in the most demanding situations. We couldn’t find a camera big enough to test that limit, but we did strap it to the medium-format Fujifilm GFX 100 with a 120mm f/4 lens and it worked like a charm.
You can attach the strap either to the existing mounting points on your camera or the tripod socket. Made with a seatbelt-like material that’s nearly 2 inches wide, it evenly distributes weight around your neck, over your shoulder, or across your body. The three-button pinch clips add an extra layer of security while still making it easy to remove the strap in a, um, pinch.
One side of the strap features silicone ribs that help keep it in place on your shoulder, while the other is smooth, letting it easily slide as needed. It might not be quite as classy as Peak Design’s strap of the same name, but it’s equally capable and happens to be less expensive.
ONA Oslo
Designed for advanced point-and-shoots, mirrorless cameras, and rangefinders, the Oslo is a low-profile premium leather strap with classic ONA style. The brand is known for its very high-end leather and canvas camera bags, and the Oslo strap fits right in with the good-looking family.
The padded leather provides a comfortable fit around your neck, while steel keyring clasps with leather scratch guards keep the Oslo secured to your camera. The length of the strap itself can be extended from 40 to 46 inches to help you find the right fit for your body and camera.
Blackrapid Breathe Curve
Not only is Blackrapid a prominent brand in the world of photography, but it also was the first in the camera strap industry to promote a sling-style strap. Any dedicated photographer knows the importance of having a hands-free option like this one.
The Curve Breathe is an update to one of BlackRapid’s original straps, and improves upon its predecessors with a new mesh material that’s designed to improve airflow while still offering substantial padding and the same ease-of-use BlackRapid customers have come to love. Rather than putting the brunt of the camera weight on your neck, this strap puts the weight on your shoulder. This one is designed for mirrorless cameras, but there’s a similar Black Rapid Hybrid Breathe designed for heavier cameras that can accommodate two bodies for not too much more.
HoldFast Sightseer Sling Camera Strap
Crafted in the United States and made of waxed canvas and bison leather, the Sightseer Sling Camera Strap is an elegant option for the aesthetically conscious photographer. Rather than focusing on unnecessary features, HoldFast puts an emphasis on quality materials and construction. You can also add an optional accessory pouch, which allows you to stow a smartphone or camera lens directly on the shoulder strap.
While it may not be the most affordable strap on the market, the Sightseer is a high-quality option and caters to an artist’s professional needs with its premium design.
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