10 Best Guitar Straps (2024 Review) - Music Critic (2024)

Guitar Strap Buyers Guide

What to look for in a Guitar Strap?

Firstly you need to look for the right style for your guitar and preferred playing style in regards to how the strap attaches.

An important factor is the quality of fabrication, this is key no matter the style required or desired.

Regardless of the fabrics and components used, it needs to be well constructed if it is poorly made it won't be of much use.

You will also want a decent adjustable length, If you are below or above average size you will want something that has a wider range of length. Pretty much all straps are adjustable, however, some do not stay adjusted well once your heavy instrument is hanging on it.

Leather straps typically are belt like with buckles or have slits to thread through. Man-made straps use a buckle feature to shorten or lengthen.

Where your straps buttons are the most vulnerable part of your strap to damage even the highest grade leather will stretch over time and possibly rip of slip over the button ends. So a lock of some sort can be nothing but a bonus.

Leather and suede will generally set you back a few extra bucks. Suede is very soft supple and comfortable and it is also has a naturally lower risk of slipping. However, suede can become easily damaged from water and will harden and break over time when exposed to profuse sweating under stage lights.

The leather is stronger than the suede on the whole but it is nowhere near as soft and supple. If you have a fair amount of money to spend there are some great leather options which have additional padding. Leather will take a while to break in and will outlive many other straps but it requires maintenance to keep in tip-top condition.

Synthetic blends make for some very durable versatile strap solutions but their composite nature means they have more weak areas along the way so some are more prone to wear and tear.

Best Electric Guitar Strap?

Electric guitars are typically solid bodied much heavier than an acoustic or classical guitar so they need a more heavy duty strap. It is also sometimes wise to seek a wider strap (2.5”/3”) to better spread the weight, though wider straps can slip off of smaller shoulders.

The pressure in one place can be damaging in the long run over long periods of playing. Having a wider strap can be less comfortable so you also might prefer padding in the shoulder area as wide cut thick straps can leave marks if you have a particularly weighty instrument and a history of taking your shirt off during performances! Our top contender for best electric guitar strap is the KLIQ with its AirCell technology.

Best Acoustic Guitar Strap?

When choosing an acoustic guitar strap you need to know how you prefer it hanging if you aren't sure just opt for something with a button adapter or at least a cord or string. Some acoustic guitars don't have a second button if that's the case then you will definitely need one.

Acoustic guitars are much more lightweight so you don't need to worry heavily about the straps tensile strength. This means you have far more options we like the TimbreGear.

Cotton and woven cotton blends are ideal just make sure they are well made and comfortable if you play for long periods.

Some people think a nice natural leather or suede strap suits the natural wooden finish of your acoustic guitar but many prefer the heavily patterned stylized retro designs on their instruments.

Conclusion

Guitar accessories are often something people want to personalize whether its to match their bands' image or their own individual one and you obviously want it to compliment your guitar. So you might find yourself blind-sighted and neglect to shop with your head over your heart.

Looks should never be your primary constraint. When shopping for something that is a necessity item that needs to withstand a lot of wear and tear the materials and quality need to be prioritized above all else.

Fortunately, the majority of companies make their products available in a range of aesthetically different styles, so once you have found a well made suitable strap be sure to browse.

Expert Tip

If quality is what you are after you should be looking in the 30-50 bucks range they will typically last you a lot longer as they employ premium materials and manufacturing.

Did You Know?

If standing out from the crowd appeals to you and money is of no object there are some amazing custom design options out there, and it just down to prints or embroidery. You could go for a wooden beaded strap, or even a military style ammo belt or studded spikes. There are a host available from the fluffy to the downright weird!

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