Comments on: Absolute Strap Update: the best shoulder strap gets better

By: ftucker

ftucker — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:40:29 +0000

To answer Till’s question: it looks like Op/Tech has come out with an OEM version of the curved strap.

http://optechusa.com/product/d.....UCT_ID=41#

However, I don’t see anyplace online with it listed for sale, so the pricing may or may not be that different from Tom Bihn.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:45:26 +0000

Peter:

Thanks for your comment; I’ll definitely check it out.

By: Peter Ess

Peter Ess — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:28:14 +0000

Kevin, if you do decide to do another test, I would suggest that you look at the Tumi strap they use for their leather briefcases. The Tumi strap is similar to the new Absolute strap in that it has a curved shoulder piece that distributes weight well, a wide strap, and good hardware. I bought mine as a replacement for a briefcase strap but have also used it on an older Rick Steves bag with equal comfort.

Thanks

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:19:31 +0000

Paul: check out this description from the Bihn Forum — http://is.gd/4GraX This is an attempt from Darcy Gray of Bihn to explain how the strap should be oriented if you’re using it on the shoulder or over your neck…

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:44:04 +0000

No, you are right – although I no longer have “re-curve” straps to play with (I put a piece of tape on the strap of a regular bag as an imaginary indicator for the curved side). The north-south orientation changed on my Gator but the expanding pockets remain “outward” oriented where I want them.

So now I’m going to have to dig out a recurve strap and see why I stopped using them – it wasn’t due to the north-south reorientation I’m sure. Maybe it was because you have to “land” the correct side of the strap on the shoulder each time (or the recurve does end up in the wrong orientation)? But now I’m not only trying to resolve my confusion, I’m trying to exhume long-gone memories.

BTW the “claw” style strap on the Gator (RedOxx) continues to satisfy since (1) it never slips, even on slippery nylon windbreakers) and (2) I never have to worry about reorienting the “top” surface of the strap so that I am using the grippy side – both sides are equally grippy, and the swivel hardware on the attachment points keeps the strap from getting tangled.

You do have me interested in the Absolute strap now, though. The stock strap that comes with the MLC is actually VERY comfortable on my shoulder – but doesn’t have anti-slip on either side, and is always slipping off, hence useless to me for anything but cross-body carry. But at least the MLC strap made me realize that while there isn’t anything more SECURE than the RedOxx “claw” strap, there certainly are other alternatives that are more COMFORTABLE.

(BTW there was a time in the ’90’s when I was buying silicone “rubberized” bathtub sealer and applying thin strips of it to my straps, just to add “grip” – ugly but effective.)

Sorry for my goof-up on my earlier comment. I was working from memory and should have experimented before yapping.