Guitar straps are one of the most essential accessories for a guitarist. Choose a great guitar strap, and you’ll enjoy playing even more. Choose the wrong one, and your playing experience will suffer.
Guitar straps can greatly enhance your playing experience. Despite their importance, they’re often overlooked, with many guitarists neglecting to select from the best guitar straps available. Instead, they settle for basic, cheap slings from Amazon (we’ve all done it!).
Worn by Carlos Santana in the music video Smooth
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In this article, I’ll explore the coolest guitar straps (and bass) on the market for comfort, uniqueness, and style (or cool factor).
Note: links below may be affiliate links where we earn an affiliate commission from Etsy and Amazon.
Best Guitar Straps for Comfort and Style 2023
The most popular guitar strap on the internet is the Ernie Ball Polypro. It’s a great strap for electric or acoustic guitars, especially for beginners. However, most guitar players will want a cool, and unique guitar strap.
And here are the top 5 guitar straps from our entire list below:
- Couch Black w/ Red Racer Stripe
- Cool, Unique Style
- Made in the USA
- 12,000+ Etsy Shop Reviews
- Must enjoy vintage vibes for some designs
- Limited widths
- Metal buckles/rivets
- 3" Birch and Smith Foam Padded Strap
- High quality
- Easily adjustable
- Beautiful leather
- Full-grain leather means natural imperfections can be anywhere on the strap
- Personalized Leather Guitar Strap
- Custom leather and personalization
- 4,000+ 5 star reviews
- Up to 1 month lead time
- Tigerwood Gordo Guitar Strap
- Comfortable for long periods of time
- Unique Look
- Wood design is not for everyone
The complete list of best guitar straps (click to jump to the section)
- Most Unique Guitar Strap
- Revo Handmade Cocobolo
- Best Electric Guitar Strap
- Couch Racer Stripe
- Best Cheap Strap w/ Quality
- Levy’s Leathers Signature Series
- Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar Strap
- Art Tribute
- Best Custom Leather Strap
- St. George Leather
- Best Wide Guitar Strap
- Walker & WIliams 4″ Wide
- Best Padded Guitar Strap
- Birch & Smith Foam Padded
- Best Guitar Strap with Conchos
- Black Reptile Custom
- Best Locking Guitar Strap
- D’Addario Auto Lock
- Best Neoprene Guitar Strap
- KLIQ AirCell
- Best Hemp Guitar Strap
- Levy’s Vegan Hemp
- Best Vintage and Woven Guitar Strap
- Fender Tweed
- Best Gigging Guitar Strap
- Revo Tigerwood Gordo
The purpose of a guitar strap is not only to keep the guitar in place but to allow the player to feel comfortable while playing. It should also fit the style of the player. Let’s explore the list!
Most Unique Guitar Straps
The most unique guitar strap is the handmade Cocobolo Guitar Strap.
Each piece in the strap contains a mix of sapwood and heartwood of a rosewood tree, making them naturally unique and rare (~100 made per year). There is a permanent black leather end on one side, with a detachable one on the other, allowing for adjustable length.
Carlos Santana wore a similar strap, the Rosewood Solano, in the music video Smooth and wore a blonde Revo strap on the cover of Rolling Stone. Many guitarists love the style and comfort it provides during long gigs.
The downside is they are expensive. In addition, there are times when it’s not available, as it’s a boutique guitar strap company. They are often given as unique gifts for guitarists.
Plus, there is the baked-in cool factor in this strap, even with the plain black guitar straps.
Best Electric Guitar Straps
Couch Guitar Straps are some of the coolest straps on the market, perfect for electric guitars. They are made in the USA in a cruelty-free.
Their straps used recycled material like seat belt material, repurposed auto upholstery vinyl, etc. View Couch Guitar Straps.
They make for a great Father’s Day Guitar Gift.
- Cool, Unique Style
- Made in the USA
- 12,000+ Etsy Shop Reviews
- Must enjoy vintage vibes for some designs
- Limited widths
- Metal buckles/rivets
Couch makes top-rated electric guitar straps and they’ll work for your other bass and acoustic as well. Reddit loves these as well when you search “best guitar straps Reddit“.
Acoustic Guitar Straps
Best Budget Acoustic Guitar Strap
The Levy’s Leather Cotton Signature Series is one of the most popular guitar straps for beginners. It’s simple, comfortable for most, and can be easily adjustable.
It’s a budget strap, and it’s very affordable.
- Great strap for beginners
- Trusted brand
- Adjustable while in use
- Not great for gigging
- No extra padding
- Reported issues with the strap breaking or fraying after prolonged use, but should last long enough for the price
It’s currently available in 9 different colors and styles. They also make an XL version which adds 12 inches of additional length.
Another cheap guitar strap option is the Ernie Ball Polypro Guitar Strap. The guitar pick holder is built into the strap, making it easy to not lose your guitar picks.
If you are a beginner acoustic guitar player, this strap has everything you need to start playing. It includes 2 picks, strap locks, and a neck strap button for your acoustic guitar.
- Over 7000 reviews with 95% 4 stars or more
- Best budget acoustic strap
- Retro design
- Will wear quickly
- Not as durable as most straps
- Intermediate and above should avoid
Best Leather Guitar Straps
Custom Leather Guitar Strap
The St George Leather Shop is a popular personalized leather guitar strap choice. They make perfect gifts for guitarist friends and family… or for yourself.
- Custom leather and personalization
- 4,000+ 5 star reviews
- Up to 1 month lead time
This is a great option to add a personal touch at a reasonable price.
Top Rated Wide Guitar Strap
The best wide guitar strap is the Walker & Williams 4″ leather strap. It is excellent for those looking for a wider strap than typical ~3″. It’s great for those heavy guitars that pound the shoulder when playing standing up.
- High-quality leather
- Soft leather back
- Great for heavy instruments
- Extension piece too long for some
A wide strap tends to be more comfortable holding other variables constant. This 4″ strap is also available in Black.
Best Padded Guitar Strap
The best padded guitar strap is the Birch and Smith foam padded strap. Premium padded straps like this aim to provide relief to your shoulder. This Birch and Smith strap uses Full-Grain leather which is more rigid, yet more supportive than Top Grain leather used in other straps.
This and the padding allow for better weight distribution and comfort.
- High quality
- Easily adjustable
- Beautiful leather
- Full-grain leather means natural imperfections can be anywhere on the strap
It should be noted that it comes with natural imperfections because it’s full-grain leather. Full-grain leather is the outer most layer of the hide, meaning it will have scars and markings not found on top-grain leather straps. Those unaware of this may be disappointed when they get a leather strap with many markings and imperfections.
Another great padded leather strap to consider is a Walker & Williams GB-101.
Coolest Guitar Strap with Conchos
The CiciRuiz Leather shop on Etsy has some wild and beautiful custom leather guitar straps with conchos.
While they are expensive, they are tailored by hand and custom.
It has glowing reviews on Etsy, and the customer photos show it makes for some awesome combinations.
- Top quality leather
- Personalized
- Bronze cast conchos
- Expensive
Another cool option is the Walker & Williams Concho strap.
Guitar Straps Reviewed for Function and Style
Top Rated Locking Guitar Strap
The best locking guitar strap is the D’Addario Auto Lock. It’s is a unique way to secure your strap to your guitar. The auto-locking mechanism is an alternative to my typical Schaller locking system. The downside is it’s only adjustable to 55″.
D’Addario also sells gel guitar strap pads which can help make this or other straps more comfortable.
- Locks over existing guitar pins, no add'l hardware needed
- Many color options
- Max length 55"
- Won't work on rear-mounted strap pins (SG/ES355)
Best Neoprene Padded Strap for Heavy Guitars and Bass
The KLIQ AirCell Guitar Strap is a great neoprene guitar strap on the market, or at least one of the most used.
It is adjustable up to 59 inches, making it suitable for players of different heights.
The strap also features a padded shoulder that provides extra comfort, making it ideal for heavy guitars. In addition, bass players tend to try this strap out.
- Comfortable
- Great for heavy guitars and basses
- Neoprene can be slippery
- Nose dive issues
The Ernie ball neoprene Polylock Guitar Strap is another favorite.
Best Hemp Guitar Strap – Vegan
The best hemp guitar strap is the Levys Hemp Webbing guitar strap.
While some appreciate the effort of Levy’s making a vegan guitar strap, others do not like the metal buckles and patterns. It’s adjustable from 37 to 62 inches. The extra length helps fit a variety of guitar players.
- Natural materials
- Available in 10+ patterns
- Can be scratchy on bare skin
- Patterns do not cover full strap
- Metal buckles
Best Vintage and Woven Guitar Strap
The best vintage guitar strap is the Fender Tweed. It gives off those vibes. Some people love it, and some people hate it. The tweed gives a springy, stretch feel to the strap. It makes it super comfortable for some and a huge annoyance for others.
- Vintage vibes
- Affordable
- Fabric stretch
Most Comfortable Guitar Strap for Gigs and Shows
The Tigerwood Gordo is a favorite for guitar and bassists playing gigs and touring. While counterintuitive, the wood strap is comfortable. In fact, it’s the most comfortable guitar strap design for Revo users. The dual braided cords running through the strap distribute the weight of the guitar across the entire width of the strap, not the centerline.
Additionally, you’ll get tons of comments after shows!
A great guitar strap for gigs and shows is the Tigerwood Gordo.
- Comfortable for long periods of time
- Unique Look
- Wood design is not for everyone
Buying Guide: Guitar Straps
There are several important factors when choosing the best guitar strap for you. Some straps will be great for acoustic, electric, or bass, while some straps may try to solve particular issues for one type of player.
When it comes to playing guitar or bass, comfort is key. It impacts how you feel and even how you play. There is no shortage of guitar straps on the market. How do you choose the right one for you?
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a guitar strap, whether it’s an acoustic, electric or bass.
Price: How Much Does a Guitar Strap Cost?
Guitar straps can range from $15 to $200, depending on the quality of the guitar strap.
High-end leather straps can cost over $100, and custom guitar straps with conchos or other premium straps can cost up to $200.
Your average player will find a $20 to $40 strap suitable for most situations.
Material: What are the best materials?
Guitar straps come in a wide variety of materials, from leather and nylon to suede and cotton and even wood.
Each material has pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider which will work best for you. Leather straps are often the most comfortable but also the most expensive, while nylon straps are lightweight and affordable but not as durable.
Here’s an in-depth look at guitar strap materials.
Sizes: What’s the Best Size for a Guitar Strap
Speaking of length, it’s important to choose a strap that’s the right length for your body type and playing style. Tall players may need a longer strap while shorter players need a shorter strap.
And if you like to play your guitar low, you’ll need a longer strap to achieve that look. The length of the strap you wear is generally personal preference, so it’s good to have room to shorten it or lengthen it and not just focus on the maximum length.
Comfort: How to Determine?
In my experience, a comfortable guitar strap is the most important thing to consider. You’ll be wearing your instrument for hours, so finding one that feels good on your shoulder is important.
Some factors that contribute to comfort include the width of the strap, the material it’s constructed of, and any padding or cushioning it has.
However, too much material will lead to sweating and other discomforts. And if the material isn’t strong enough, the weight will canoe along the centerline, causing discomfort and shoulder fatigue.
Adjustability for Custom Fit
Different players have different preferences regarding how high or low they like their guitar to hang. A good instrument strap should be adjustable to find the perfect length for you. Look for straps with adjustable buckles or sliding mechanisms that allow you to customize the length.
Padding
Finally, you should consider whether you want a strap with padding or cushioning. This can be especially important if you have a heavy guitar or play for long periods. Some gutiar straps come with built-in padding, while others allow you to add padding inserts for extra comfort. The first time I went with a padded guitar strap, I was impressed. However, they can be bulkier and cause some shoulder sweat, at least in my case.
Width: How Wide Should a Guitar Strap Be?
The width of a guitar strap can also make a big difference in comfort. Some players prefer wider straps for better weight distribution, while others find narrower straps more comfortable.
At the same time, wider straps don’t always translate to comfort. Wide straps only work if the material is good enough to distribute the weight fully across the width of the strap.
Consider your own preferences and try out a few different widths to see what feels best for you.
Durability: How Long Does a Guitar Strap Last?
Most guitar straps should last years of normal use. Some natural materials will stretch over time, fabric will fray and normal wear and tear will get the best of most straps.
A good guitar strap should be able to withstand years of use without breaking or fraying. Look for straps made of high-quality materials, and make sure to read reviews.
Types of Guitar Strap Material
Different materials offer different levels of comfort, durability, and style, so it’s important to choose one that meets your specific needs as a player.
Leather
These are the most common type of guitar straps, and they come in a wide range of different designs and colors. They are comfortable and durable, making them perfect for heavy guitars.
High-quality leather straps will last a long time.
Pros
- Considered the most comfortable type of strap to wear due to their softness and pliability
- Generally durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
- High-quality leather will last a long time
- Variety of price points
- Often look stylish and professional.
Cons
- Typically more expensive than other guitar strap materials
- It may not be suitable for players who sweat a lot, as they can absorb moisture and become heavy.
- Some require some breaking in before they feel completely comfortable.
Nylon
Nylon straps are the most affordable straps and are often popular for beginner guitarists on a budget.
Pros
- Lightweight and affordable price range
- Wide range of colors and designs, making them a popular choice for players who want to show off their personal style or match their instrument
- Generally easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Tend to be less comfortable vs leather straps, especially for extended playing sessions
- Tend to be les durable vs leather straps and may need to be replaced more frequently.
- Less grip than other types of straps
Suede Straps
Suede straps are soft and comfortable, making them a great choice for players who have sensitive skin. They are also durable and can support many types of guitars and basses.
Pros
- Provide a good amount of grip and prevent the guitar from slipping around
- Often have a unique texture that can add visual interest to the strap
Cons
- Difficult to clean and maintain, as they can absorb dirt and moisture.
- May not be as durable as leather straps, but depends on the quality
Wood
Wood guitar straps have bee around for 20+ years, originating in Costa Rica and Florida.
Players were looking for a way to deal with the hot and humid environment. Wide and padded straps would be soaked with sweat in minutes and become uncomfortable.
While they aren’t for everyone, they are a favorite for musicians that gig or tour regularly.
Pros
- Unique and head-turning appearance
- Surprisingly comfortable due to the unique weight distribution compared to pliable materials
- Great for gigs and shows where style is an important factor
- High-quality materials and premium leather ends
Cons
- Some styles are not great for long hair due to the many individual pieces that form the strap
- Don’t fit easily in all guitar gig bags
Hemp
Hemp straps are a more eco-friendly option for guitar players. They are made from natural fibers and are known for their durability and strength. Hemp straps can be comfortable and come in a variety of colors and designs. However, you won’t have as much variety compared to other materials.
Pros
- Eco-friendly, hemp is a highly sustainable crop that grows quickly
- Typically soft and flexible
- Hemp is known for its strength and durability making it a great traveling strap.
Cons
- Prone to stretching: Like any natural fiber, hemp can stretch over time, which can cause the strap to become loose and require readjustment.
- Not as soft as other materials: While hemp is comfortable to wear, it may not be as soft as other materials like leather or suede.
- May not be suitable for heavier guitars, seen often on acoustic guitars
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic material that has become popular in the manufacturing of guitar straps due to its durability and affordability. Here are some pros and cons of polyester guitar straps:
Pros
- Affordable, generally less expensive than leather or suede straps, making them a popular choice for beginners or those on a budget.
- Incredibly durable for the price and are resistant to stretching overtime like more natural fibers
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Lightweight and easy to travel with
Cons
- Lack of breathability in the material can lead to discomfort and sweating during long playing sessions.
- Lack of style – typically available in plain colors and patterns
How to Attach a Guitar Strap to a Guitar
Electric guitars and bass guitars will have similar styles of connecting guitar straps. There will be strap pins attached to the guitar, however, some guitar models will have them in slightly different locations.
Acoustic guitars may or may not have strap pins.
You can watch this video to give you an idea of how to attach a guitar strap.
In addition, Levy’s has a great model to show how to attach their straps.
Adjusting the Length of a Strap
Most straps are pretty straightforward to adjust the length. However, if you’re a newer player, the ladder adjustment system may not be obvious.
Final Thoughts
Guitar straps are not always thought of as the most exciting piece of gear, but hopefully, these options help you see the variety to find the best one for your instrument.
Consider factors such as comfort, durability, adjustability, and material when choosing a strap.
Leather, nylon, and polyester are popular options, each with their own pros and cons. Other materials such as hemp and suede may also be worth considering.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to choose a strap based on personal style preferences, as there are many options available with unique designs and colors.
By taking the time to research and choose the best guitar strap for your needs, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable playing experience for years to come.
- Cool, Unique Style
- Made in the USA
- 12,000+ Etsy Shop Reviews
- Must enjoy vintage vibes for some designs
- Limited widths
- Metal buckles/rivets
- Comfortable for long periods of time
- Unique Look
- Wood design is not for everyone
- High quality
- Easily adjustable
- Beautiful leather
- Full-grain leather means natural imperfections can be anywhere on the strap
