The best camera straps in 2023: be more comfortable when using your DSLR or mirrorless camera

Best camera straps; Peak Design Slide Lite
(Image credit: Peak Design)

The best camera straps are well worth the money if you carry your camera around for long periods of time. Yes, most cameras come with a strap in the box. But the ones on our list will be much kinder to your neck and shoulders, and save you from aches and pains after a shoot.

And they don't just provide comfort, but added flexibility too. Many of the best camera straps are cleverly designed to switch between modes, so they can be used as a neck strap, shoulder strap, or even a sling-style strap. Like other best camera accessories, these camera straps can be stylish and colourful, too.

We've researched the best camera straps of all different types, including some dual-camera harnesses, so you're sure to find what you're looking for here.

Best camera straps in 2023

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(Image credit: Peak Design)

1. Peak Design Slide Lite

The best slim strap for mirrorless systems

Specifications

Weight: 104g
Maximum length: 145cm
Material: Seatbelt-style nylon webbing
Colors: Black, ash, midnight or sage

Reasons to buy

+
Reassuringly strong build quality
+
Very easy to adjust

Reasons to avoid

-
A little bulky when packed down

A sling, shoulder, and neck strap in one, the Slide exudes quality with a seatbelt-style strap and premium fittings, which include clever quick-release buttons to detach the strap. This is the Lite version of the Slide and is designed for mirrorless and small-DSLR setups first and foremost. It is available in four colors: ash gray, black, sage green, and midnight blue.

The unique Peak Design Anchor Link connection system makes it easy to quickly reconfigure the strap. The two-point connection system is also extremely strong, with the anchors rated to take up to 90kg of kit. Like other Slide straps, it is all still a little bulky when packed down. But otherwise, this is a highly versatile and functional strap, with a little style thrown in as well.

(Image credit: Cooph)

2. Leica Rope Camera Strap by Cooph

Premium quality that cushions the price

Specifications

Weight: 150g or 181g
Maximum length: 100cm or 126cm
Material: Leather/rope
Colors: Red, blue, olive, gray, or midnight

Reasons to buy

+
Novel rope design
+
Leica branding
+
Good choice of colors

Reasons to avoid

-
Luxury pricing

Fancy owning a Leica, but don't have the funds? Then this beautiful-looking strap could be exactly what you have been looking for – giving you the perfect piece of luxury without the price of the best Leica cameras. These straps are actually designed by hip photo community Cooph, and the thick rope coupled with leather detailing creates a distinctive way of accessorizing the camera you do own. You get a choice of two different lengths – and nine different colors. For our money, the red version is the most distinctive, and matches the logo on the front of your Leica! 

(Image credit: Capturing Couture)

3. Capturing Couture 2" Camera Strap

If you want vintage style, then this strap is the way to go

Specifications

Strap Length: 59" / 149.86cm
Strap Width: 2" / 5.08cm
Material: Neoprene, Nylon, Polyester
Colors: 25 pattern/color options available

Reasons to buy

+
Retro design
+
Comfortable padding

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much padding
-
Hard to get outside US

With a vintage design ripped straight from 70s fashion, this retro-inspired camera strap from Capturing Couture is perfect for the fashion-forward photographer. The outside of the strap is made from decorative polyester ribbon (the image above is in Melody, but you can choose from a variety of designs). Meanwhile, the inside has neoprene padding covered with polyester velvet to help provide ultimate comfort for your neck. 

With a maximum strap length of 59", you can even wear this strap across your body messenger-style for ultimate versatility. It's a little hard to get outside of the US though, so international readers may want to consider a different option.

Blackrapid Nicole Elliott Camera Sling camera strap

(Image credit: Nicole Elliott)

4. Blackrapid Nicole Elliott Camera Sling

Sling-style strap designed specifically for women

Specifications

Weight: 6.35oz
Maximum length: 63 inches
Material: Unspecificed "high tech materials"
Colors: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Clever design
+
Useful pockets

Reasons to avoid

-
Hand wash only

While women make up a significant proportion of the photography community, many camera straps and bags are seemingly designed solely with men's bodies in mind. Here's a notable exception: a sling inspired by a trip Nicole Elliott took to Ecuador in 2016, where she observed women carrying babies and young children on their backs with a wrap around their shoulders. 

In a similar way, Nicole's patented design is designed to take the pressure points away from your neck and shoulders by “hugging” your shoulder to evenly distribute the weight. The shoulder pad is reversible to wear on either your left or right shoulder — black on both sides — with two lens cap pouches and two zippered pockets for memory cards, batteries and whatever other small accessories you want to keep close.

(Image credit: Woolnut)

5. Woolnut Camera Strap

This premium leather and wool strap oozes luxury

Specifications

Material: Vegetable tanned full-grain leather/ 100% natural wool felt
Strap length: 47.24 to 53.15in / 120 to 135 cm
Weight: 3.5 oz / 100 g
Color: Brown

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable to use
+
Fantastic quality
+
Available in black or walnut brown

Reasons to avoid

-
A little on the expensive side

This camera strap from Scandinavia-based company Woolnut is beautifully designed and manufactured. The outside of the strap is made of a special signature tanned full-grain leather that comes in either brown or black, while parts of the inside are lined with wool felt. 

While not one of the best camera wrist straps, you can adjust the length for use as either a shoulder or neck strap. The neck part has a soft padding for comfort, while the ends have added metal rings for compatibility with most cameras. 

This is a super comfortable camera strap to use and the quality of the materials and manufacturing is clear to see and feel. While the strap comes at a premium price, we feel it's worth every penny.

6. OpTech Pro Loop Strap

A camera strap at a reasonable price

Specifications

Weight: 82g
Maximum length: 109cm
Material: Nylon / Neoprene
Colors: Black, navy, blue, green, camouflage, or red

Reasons to buy

+
Wide neck pad
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Square-cut edges tend to rub

This well priced strap features a 6cm-wide neoprene neck pad that really spreads a load, although its square-cut edges can rub. Two clips will detach the pad, leaving the connected ends able to join and form a hand strap, albeit one that’s on the long side. With this level of versatility, Op-Tech straps are very popular with outdoor photographers, and this version is no exception.

7. BlackRapid Binocular Breathe Strap

This BlackRapid offering isn't just for binoculars

Specifications

Weight: 38g
Maximum length: 95cm (approx)
Material: Synthetic rubber / Nylon
Color: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Breathable, stretchy neck pad
+
Incredibly light

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit pricey

While it’s billed as a binocular harness, this neck strap will attach to a camera equally easily. Its unique feature is a breathable, stretchy, and very flexible neck pad. It also folds small and can be detached quickly. Its price might be a little high for some, but you do get an impressive amount of engineering for your money here. Plus, black never goes out of fashion.

8. Think Tank Camera Strap v2.0

This camera strap is thin, grippy and compact

Specifications

Weight: 60g
Maximum length: 147cm
Material: Polyester / Silicone
Colors: Blue, or gray

Reasons to buy

+
Non-slip coating on both sides
+
Extremely compact

Reasons to avoid

-
Narrow strap can cut in

This is the most compact strap on our list, but this is unfortunately due to a design that's left the strap about as wide and comfortable as a standard neck strap. However, the Think Tank Camera Strap v2.0 does have a grippy coating on both sides that enables this to double as a shoulder strap. Meanwhile, extra hardware can usefully connect it to your backpack straps. It works especially well as part of a broader Think Tank system, so it's worth considering if you already have one of their camera bags.

(Image credit: BlackRapid)

9. BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap

The best side camera strap

Specifications

Strap length: 36 to 65.7" / 91.4 to 166.9cm
Strap Width: 4" / 102cm
Tripod connector: 1/4"-20 Male
Material: Nylon
Color: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Spreads load across shoulders
+
Lefty version available

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive

Designed to be worn across the body, the BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap drapes from the left shoulder to the right hip (there is also a version for left-handed photographers as well). This means that you can rest your camera upside-down at your hip, but it's within easy reach once you need to start shooting.

Perfect for sports or adventure photographers who want to move quickly without fussing about a camera hanging around their neck, side camera straps are a great neck camera strap alternative. 

(Image credit: Op/Tech)

10. Op/Tech Dual Harness - Regular

Spread the load with a dual camera harness

Specifications

Material: Neoprene and webbing
Size: ChestL 34-44"/ 86-112cm
Attachment Method: 3/8" System Connectors
Load capacity: 15lb / 6.8kg
Color: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Great for carrying two cameras
+
Evenly distributes weight

Reasons to avoid

-
Connects via strap eyelet rather than a tripod plate

Perfect for wedding and events photographers, dual camera harnesses are great when you need to switch quickly between cameras without having to mess around with camera bags or pouches. 

The Op/Tech Dual Harness enables you to comfortably carry two cameras or binoculars totally hands-free. With a U-shaped neoprene neck pad, this harness is designed to evenly distribute the weight of your gear while reducing shock. There's an adjustable back section and sternum strap that helps you fit the harness comfortably and evenly balance your kit.

(Image credit: Coiro)

11. Coiro Dual Harness Strap

Combine comfort with style with this leather dual strap

Specifications

Material: Leather
Color: Brown

Reasons to buy

+
Carries two cameras
+
Easy access to kit

Reasons to avoid

-
A little expensive

This leather dual camera strap is designed to fit both you and your camera perfectly with adjustable straps. Made from leather, these straps attach to your cameras via both a tripod plate and metal eyelets. This means you've got the ultimate security to ensure your cameras don't meet a sticky end on the pavement. 

Available in both a stylish brown and a classic black, this dual camera harness is perfect for wedding photographers who need both comfort and style for their camera strap.

(Image credit: Zeiss )

12. Zeiss Comfort Carry Harness

The best harness for small cameras and binoculars

Specifications

Color: Brown
Maximum number of cameras: 1
Accessories: clips form a carry handle
Suitable for: Larger sized binoculars
Key features: Quick release fasteners, the set up keeps binoculars within easy reach, prevents excess swinging of binoculars
Color: Black/brown

Reasons to buy

+
Build quality
+
Quick release mechanism

Reasons to avoid

-
Small cameras only

Although this simple harness is designed primarily for binoculars there’s no reason it can't be used with a small camera. It consists of a simple wearable harness that you put on as you would a coat, slipping your arms into two loops. They’re joined on your back by a leather pad. And the straps are fully adjustable. The Zeiss Comfort Carry Harness uses loops to attach to a camera’s strap eyelets, with clips to attach – and easily detach – a camera from the harness. Do the latter and the two clips can be attached to each other to form a small carry handle for your camera. 

Peak Design Leash

(Image credit: Peak Design)

13. Peak Design Leash

The best slim strap for small cameras and binoculars

Specifications

Color: Black, ash (gray), sage (green), midnight (blue)
Maximum number of cameras: 1
Accessories: Anchor Links
Suitable for: Small cameras and binoculars
Key features: Quick release
Colors: Black, ash, sage, or midnight blue

Reasons to buy

+
Slim, minimalist design
+
Quick release mechanism

Reasons to avoid

-
Small cameras only

The Peak Design Leash is a slimmer, smaller design than the Slide, and an ideal strap for carrying lighter camera gear. It can be configured as a sling, shoulder or neck camera strap, but works just as well with binoculars or any other equipment with strap eyelets.

The strap can be lengthened from 83cm to 145cm very quickly using micro-adjusters, making it one of the most versatile options on this list. It comes with Anchor Links for quick camera changes, and with a lifetime warranty, you can be sure that you're getting value for money. A great strap for small mirrorless cameras, and for street shooting.

Peak Design Micro Clutch strap

(Image credit: Peak Design)
Get extra flexibility by using a wrist strap

Specifications

Material: Nylon
Strap length: 6.1in / 15.5cm
Weight: 2.11 oz / 60 g
Color: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Made for mirrorless
+
Fits wide range of cameras
+
Protects your camera from drops

Reasons to avoid

-
Fiddly to fit

Another type of camera strap that's worth considering is a wrist strap, which allows you to carry your camera in your hand without needing to grip it tightly. The Micro Clutch is specifically designed for mirrorless cameras, and supports a wide range of them. That said, you need to be careful to pick either the I-plate or L-plate version that matches your model. 

The benefit of using this strap is that your index finger remains free to press the shutter button while your next two fingers slide through the strap to keep the camera safe. On the downside, it's a bit fiddly to fit, and you'll have to remove it every time you want to change your camera's battery. 

For more details, see our Peak Design Micro Clutch Strap review, and for other options check out our guide to the best camera wrist straps.

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Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 


His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 11 Pro.


He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.