#op-tech

[makeabrandnewbag]

Shoulder Straps 2

The swivel hooks from Op/Tech are already much more than I need. They’re metal, and they weigh 40 grams each. I replaced them with plastic swivel hooks from ebay for 4 grams each. These were almost the only hooks I could find on the internet that were

cheap

plastic (for light weight) but have a metal spring rather than rely on plastic spring action

fit 1″ webbing

Next up, glue the swivel hooks in position so they don’t swivel. I wanted quick-attaching hooks in case I wanted to move the strap to another bag; otherwise I could have just looped the strap through a rectangular loop for ultimate light weight.

But swivel (or rotating) hooks are dumb. Most straps with swivel hooks are sold online with the promise that the swivel action reduces twisting. This is nonsense. The swivel action is why the strap gets twisted!

[makeabrandnewbag]

Shoulder straps 1

The shoulder strap of a messenger bag (or cross-body bag) can become fatiguing. Many shoulder straps have a pad to distribute the weight a little, but it’s still not great.

Tom Bihn actually offers a substantial upgrade in the form of their “Absolute Shoulder Strap”, which uses neoprene not as a shoulder pad but as the middle of the strap. That means that instead of just padding sitting between the strap webbing and the shoulder, the neoprene is a weight-bearing part of the strap. And neoprene stretches. The elastic action theoretically reduces perceived weight.

So I wanted that. And after a bunch of websearching, I found out that the Absolute Shoulder Strap is a rebranded S.O.S. Strap from Op/Tech, albeit with upgraded swivel hooks. And Op/Tech makes three versions of the S.O.S. Strap: the curved version, the regular, and the mini.

So I ordered the Mini S.O.S. Strap. It’s the cheapest of the three and while short, it’s still enough for me to wear the bag cross-body, because I’m not that tall.