This gear performs great, and it looks great. The real problem is that it can sometimes be a pain in the neck (or shoulder) to lug around. On the market you can find dozens of shoulder pads and custom straps to try and address this issue. The problem is that these designs are typically bulky, ugly, or leave you with a nasty patch of unflattering sweat, which isn’t getting you any phone numbers at that wedding reception you’re shooting.
Thankfully the guys at CSLR (makers of the C-Loop) have stepped in with a rather creative solution to this problem. They call it the Split Strap.
The split strap seems pretty straightforward. This is a camera strap with a split in the middle. So what’s the big deal? Compared to my Canon DSLR strap that came with my camera, I’d say the difference is night and day.
Designed for Comfort & Functionality
Most photographers shoot with their camera strap around their neck, but they carry their gear on their shoulder. It’s this default position that really irritates you, because it’s in this position that the camera’s full weight is on you (and not in your hands).
The makers of the Split Strap looked at the basic human anatomy of the shoulder. What they noticed was that the shoulder is not a flat plane, and most straps don’t conform to the body. What you end up getting is a very irritating cutting feel into your shoulder or collarbone.
By contrast, the Split Strap conforms to the shape of your shoulder, evenly distributing the weight of your camera (or messenger bag, or video gear, or heck… even your medical sling) over a larger surface area. That means a softer feel, and a much more comfortable experience.
The split also acts as an air vent, allowing your body to remain cooler, which means less nasty sweat accumulating under the strap, and a better chance that the cute bridesmaid you wanted to ask to dance is going to want to put her hand on your shoulder… you dog you.
The portion of the strap that makes contact with your body has a comfortable and cool feeling silicone print. In addition to making your strap look and feel cooler, it also helps reduce slippage.
There’s also a rotating buckle on the front and rear, which allow you to attach one Split Strap to multiple items. That’s especially handy if you have more than one camera in your bag (as every professional should). With the click of two buttons you can switch your strap from your main camera to your backup without fooling with a complicated loop. You also don’t have to carry as much around in your camera bag. Travel light and you travel right!
One Strap to Rule Them All!
The interesting thing about the split strap, it’s not really limited to camera applications despite it being made by a company called Customer SLR. The manufacturer suggests a plethora of uses including using your Split Strap as a laptop bag strap, a duffel bag strap, a camera & camera bag strap, a gliding bag strap, a fishing bag strap, a guitar strap and even an arm sling (an accessory sold separately on the CSLR Webpage).
Basically, if you need to carry a bag more comfortably they want you to consider the Split Strap. The only real drawback I see is that the double strap doesn’t sit on your neck as well as it sits on your shoulder. I imagine with a few weeks of use I’ll get used to a thicker strap on my camera, but after years of cheap nylon sitting on my neck it’s hard to get used to something new.
In spite of that, I will say that my Split Strap is staying securely attached to my DSLR. I might even pick up a second to use with my messenger bag (or just a second set of clips since I can detach my Split Strap from my camera with ease. So what’s my final verdict on the Split Strap? This is comfortable, stylish, well designed, and has enough versatility that I have no problem endorsing this product. If you want your own you can pick it up here.