Guitars are sexy. Bass guitars are sexy. Amplifiers are sexy. Pedals and effects units are sexy. Hell, even wireless units are sexy to a point. But what isn’t sexy? Cables. Cases. Stands. Guitar straps. Especially guitar straps. I feel like they get so often overlooked, and I, too, have been guilty of this a lot.
That’s changed, however. As I’ve gotten older and continue to play basses in the nine- to ten-pound range (along with taking the better part of a decade off from gigging), I’ve come to value a good, quality, comfy strap.
So that’s what this post is going to be about–great guitar and bass guitar straps that are worth their money. Straps that provide excellent comfort and support with a reasonable value attached.
I don’t personally own a ton of straps, as most of them in my more formative years have been the inexpensive nylon weave straps that we all got as a throw-in with a Squier starter pack or some such kit. But what I do have, at this point, is a decent small collection of straps I love and can provide real advice about.
As I acquire more straps throughout my renewed second (or is it third by now) chance musical phase, I’ll update the list, but for now, I hope this list of guitar straps I love helps you make a good decision for yourself and save your back, neck, and shoulder some ache.
Contents
D’Addario 2″ Nylon Auto Lock Guitar Strap (padded version)
The best guitar strap for most people.
- AUTO LOCKING GUITAR STRAP: The D'Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap is a simple integrative quick release guitar strap locking system built for your performance that easily locks in place to keep your guitar safe and secure.
- FITS EXISTING GUITAR PINS: Unlike ordinary guitar strap lock systems, it is designed to fit securely on your guitar's existing end pins, eliminating the need to change the hardware on your guitar. No extra parts, no installing hardware.
- EASY TO USE: The latch is spring-loaded, so it automatically clamps down on the strap button and will not release unless desired.
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When I bought my NK 7 string guitar, I needed a guitar stand that works on asymmetric bodies and I also needed a new strap–preferably with strap locks. I found the D’Addario 2″ Nylon Auto Lock Guitar Strap and for anything on the lighter side of things, this is my go-to strap.
First, it’s a padded strap–my number one feature. Second, it has built-in, easy-to-use strap locks that don’t require modification to the guitar. And third, it’s pretty affordable! It’s not a super-cheap strap, but it’s built well, has great features, and is super comfy.
I now have four of these straps, and I use them on my NK 7 string, my Ibanez Prestige S-Series, and my Volgoa GTWT-01. All very lightweight guitars, so they don’t need a 3″ mega-padded strap. The lighter the strap, the better.
I also have one on my AliExpress Strandberg Boden 5-string bass copy. A note about that guitar: While the real-deal Boden 5 is about 6 lbs in weight, this copy is close to 10 lbs. But even with that extra weight, this strap surprisingly isn’t the worst. It’ll get me by for maybe an hour-ish before really getting uncomfortable, but it does its job.
The D’Addario Auto Lock strap comes in multiple colors in the padded variant, and even more in the non-padded version. If you want to save some cash and a regular nylon strap with the Auto Lock ends is good enough, it’s a decent strap. But the padded version is my favorite strap for most guitars and light basses.
- Material: Nylon
- Width: 2″
- Minimum length: 30″
- Maximum length: 55″
- Padded: Yes
- Locks: Yes (D’Addario Auto Lock)
KLIQ AirCell Guitar Strap
The best light, breathable, and weight-reducing strap for heavier instruments.
- Short Length: Intended for people under the height of 5' 5" (Please measure before ordering by measuring current strap length). With adjustability from 38" - 44" (Short), this strap is ideal for players who like to wear their guitar or bass really high up. (Also available in Regular and Long lengths). Strap ends feature top-grade stitched leather for durability and a secure fit onto strap buttons or strap locks.
- Style Meets Comfort: Take a load off your shoulder with AirCell technology. The unique air cells on the underside of this strap offer flexibility and cushion that deliver unparalleled lasting comfort.
- Perfectly Balanced: The 3" wide neoprene shoulder pad disperses the weight of your instrument evenly across your shoulder and back, allowing you to play for longer periods without strain or discomfort.
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have a lot of hope for this strap. I previously purchased a similar-looking strap from another brand known for pretty cheap budget stuff and I did not like it one bit–too stiff, no give, and too long for how I wear my basses.
That was not the case with the KLIQ strap. For me, with a heavy instrument, no other strap I’ve tried has been this lightweight and effortless. Would I pay twice what I paid for that cheapo strap to get this one? Without a doubt.
The KLIQ’s main attraction is the grid of padded nubbins that is supposed to create not just a resilient cushion between the strap material and your shoulder, but also allow for airflow to help stay cool and not get the irritated sweatiness that many heavy-duty straps will create. After having a bad experience with the knockoff brand version, trying this one was an absolute breath of fresh air.
The KLIQ strap has become the main strap for my main bass, a 9-pound Schecter Stiletto Studio 5, and reduces the weight considerably. Between the padding and the slight springiness and stretch to the rest of the strap webbing, it makes long practices a breeze and performances are effortless.
While the Extra Short version only comes in black, the other lengths come in multiple colors or patterns. They also have a slip-on padding sleeve that can fit on any other normal strap. You could, for example, get the D’Addario strap with the auto-locks and put the KLIQ sleeve over it for a good combination.
- Material: Neoprene padding, leather attachment points, nylon
- Width: 3″
- Minimum length: 38″
- Maximum length: 44″ (Extra short version)
- Padded: Yes
- Locks: No
Strandberg ACME VitalGrip Guitar Strap
– Perfectly sized for Strandberg guitars
– Comfortable and long lasting
– Built from seat-belt-grade webbing
– Body-hugging padded neoprene shoulder cushion
– Adjustable length from 35 to 42.5 inches
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Okay, hear me out on this one, there’s a bit to it. When I ordered my Strandberg Boden NX Fusion 6, I thought to myself “Man, I should probably get their strap too.” … I guess there isn’t much to it after all–I just wanted to get the matching strap!
That said, this is quite a nice strap, designed by Basiner. It feels premium, it’s stitched well, feels good, and the VitalGrip lock system is simple but effective. It’s easy to put on, stays there without fuss, and the strap is easily adjustable while easily making the guitar nearly weightless on your shoulder–as expected from a guitar that weighs only 4lbs 13 oz.
It’s also a modified version of Basiner’s self-branded ACME-series VitalGrip strap, as this shaves about 5″ off of the length due to the change in strap button locations. This means that if you like to wear your guitar high you can do that properly with a Strandberg or other similarly designed headless guitar.
No, it’s not the cheapest strap and it’s not too readily available anywhere, but if you have a Strandgerg (or any other guitar with a strap button behind the horn not on the end), it’s a good choice.
- Material: Woven outer, neoprene padding, soft inner, seatbelt-grade webbing
- Width: 2.25″
- Minimum length: 35″
- Maximum length: 42.5″
- Padded: Yes
- Locks: Yes (VitalGrip)
Levy’s Signature Legacy Series MSS2-BLK
If you love leather, this is about as good as it gets.
- 2 1/2 inch Signature Series garment leather guitar strap with foam padding and garment leather backing.
- Adjustable from 38 inches to 53 inches.
- Also available in extra long (XL), which adds 12 inches to overall length.
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you ask for guitar strap recommendations online (or anywhere, for that matter), Levy’s is probably the name that comes up the most. They have a long history of making excellent hand-crafted leather products that last an extremely long time and are highly reliable while looking great at the same time. Oh, and they’re super comfy!
Now that I’m playing bass again in a band, I needed something wide like my old bass strap but padded for my old-man back and shoulder. After looking around at a bunch of recommendations, I decided to give a Levy’s strap a try, and I’m glad I did.
At first, I ended up getting the MSS2-4-BLK. My logic was “Hey, if a 2.5″ strap is comfy, a 4.5″ strap would be even better, right?” I was partially right! The 4.5″ wide MSS2-4-BLK model pulls almost all the weight of the bass off of the shoulder, but the problem is that 4.5″ is just way too wide–it would prevent me from being able to easily turn my neck to the left because it was so wide!
I ended up swapping for the 2.5″ MSS2-BLK, which is the same strap but thinner. Now I can turn my head without issues, just like my old 2.5″ non-padded strap.
The only real downside is the fact that it’s leather. If you don’t like the look of a leather strap (and some people aren’t a fan of the vibe), you may want to go elsewhere. But even more of a dealbreaker may be that leather gets hot. And stays hot. If you are sensitive to a strap that won’t let you breathe, this may be a tough one for you.
But if you dig leather straps and want to buy a strap that should probably last you the rest of your life, you can’t go wrong with a Levy’s strap.
Oh, and if you’re in Team Wireless Instruments like I am now, they sell two different wireless pack holders, the MM14 and the cheaper, older version the MM4.
- Material: Garment leather wrapped 1/4″ foam padding and walnut veg-tan oval
- Width: 2.5″
- Minimum length: 38″
- Maximum length: 52″
- Padded: Yes
- Locks: No
