Comments on: Travel Gear: Shoulder strap comparo – 4 contenders for “best bag strap”

By: John

John — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:16:25 +0000

I agree that the Absolute will “tend(s) to bounce around.” It is also not a new idea. I saw a version of a lightweight neoprene strap on a consumer product in the early 2000′s. Took the idea back to the shop and started working on a heavy-duty version for use on pro=video bags where it is still sold as model HB-15 for $50. I used it on my briefcase for years, but I found that when I was at a trade show the brief case would fill up and get heavy. As I walked, weight of the case would load and unload in a bouncing rhythm in time with my gait.
If not sewn properly this could cause the stitching to pop, and I can see how this action might cause fatigue. Nice and soft,love the light weight and tends to mold to the slope on the shoulder. Sure does grip!
The big problem with a strap that grips is that it grips. It’s like having someone grab onto your clothing trying to pull it off, and while it doesn’t slip off like it would without a good gripping surface, it still needs adjustment from time to time when trying to maneuver from one end of O’Hare International to the next. Watch someone wearing a suit coat and notice how it looks like someone is dragging their jacket off. Not ideal…

By: J Lees

J Lees — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:08:17 +0000

Only draw back with the Absolute is that when you’re carrying a fully loaded bag it tends to bounce around, which can be something of a pain….

By: Till

Till — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:47:22 +0000

Kevin, thanks to you for the fantastic review. Get one of the BR straps and let us know what you think. I am pretty sure you will not regret it. In the meantime you and your readers might be interested in perusing some of the related reviews I did.

This one is a shoulder bag shootout including the BR 235x:
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog.....otout.html

And this one is a review of the BR BB107 daypack/ man’s bag:
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog.....g-man.html

Cheers, Till

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:41:59 +0000

Till,

Thanks for the comment. You’ve convinced me that I need to get one of the B&R straps. The description (and illustration) on their site are minimal – thanks for filling in the blanks!

By: Till

Till — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:06:28 +0000

While I have not tried the Absolute strap, I do use a similar OpTech for my heavy camera and love it.

That said, I also love the Briggs and Riley strap. It is very well made and also flexible because it uses neoprene as well. Perhaps it has not quite as much give as the Absolute but it is still very comfortable. It also has a good anti-slip coating.

What I think is really nice and unique about the BR strap is its shape. It has a double convex shape. That means it is not only curved inwards at the shoulder but also at the neck. This allows for the trapezoid muscle to rise properly. Where it says Supraspinatus in your nice anatomical drawing the muscle rises toward the neck. The BR strap has a cut-out at that spot and thus doesn’t cut into the muscle.I don’t have huge shoulder muscles but it makes difference even for me.

Finally, the BR strap has two leather loops on it. I am not sure what those are for. If it were tactical gear, I’d say those are for attaching MOLLE accessories but that’s not it. In any case, these are ideal to attach your sunglasses or a carabiner that can hold your keys safely and within reach.