Lucky Straps review: Two leather camera straps, two different uses
Disclosure: I purchased my Lucky Straps Classic Wrist Strap myself. My Deluxe 45 Padded Leather Camera Strap was given to me as a thank you for appearing on the Lucky Straps podcast. These are my own opinions and experiences with both straps.
Camera straps might not be the most exciting piece of photography equipment, but they are something we spend plenty of time wearing. How they fit matters, and I certainly don’t mind if they look good too.
I now have two leather straps from Lucky Straps: a Classic Wrist Strap in Antique Brown and a Deluxe 45 Padded Leather Camera Strap in Classic Brown in the long length. Both are personalised with my name, such a nice touch. They serve different purposes, and there is one thing I would change.
Classic Wrist Strap in Antique Brown
The Classic Wrist Strap was my own purchase, and I chose the Antique Brown with my name embossed into the leather.
That personalisation is a lovely detail. It makes an everyday camera accessory feel a little more special and distinctly mine. There is something rather nice about having your name on your photography gear, especially when it looks this good.
A wrist strap and a shoulder strap suit different ways of carrying a camera, so I see these as two separate options in my kit. The wrist strap gives me that smaller option, with the Antique Brown leather and embossing adding a personal touch.
Deluxe 45 Padded Leather Camera Strap in Classic Brown
Lucky Straps gave me the Deluxe 45 as a thank you for appearing on their podcast, which was a lovely gesture.
Mine is the Classic Brown in the long length, and it works well on my older Olympus film camera. The combination looks particularly good together. Brown leather and an older film camera just seem to belong together, and I do enjoy an accessory that complements the camera it is attached to.
Of course, looking good is only part of the equation. Fit is where I have a little feedback.
My main criticism: I would like more length
Although mine is the long version, I would personally like it to be longer to better accommodate my bigger build.
It works, but a little extra length would give me more flexibility in where the camera sits. That is worth mentioning because “long” will fit different people quite differently. Your build and how you prefer to wear your camera both affect whether a strap feels right.
If you also prefer a longer strap, I would suggest measuring a strap you already find comfortable and comparing that with the available sizing before choosing. It is much easier to judge a measurement than a label.
For me, more length would make the Deluxe 45 a better fit. As it stands, it has found a suitable home on my Olympus.
My thoughts on owning both
What I like about these two straps is that each has its own place. The personalised wrist strap feels like something I chose specifically for myself, while the Deluxe 45 pairs beautifully with my film camera.
My experience also reinforces how personal a camera strap can be. Colour and leather finish might catch your eye first, but length deserves just as much attention.
I am pleased to have both in my collection. The embossed name is my favourite detail on the both, and the Deluxe 45 looks right at home on the Olympus. My request to Lucky Straps? A little more length for those of us who need it, please. Other than that? The safety straps and the buttery goodness of the leather are pure magic.
Quick release, security and strength
There is more to Lucky Straps than good-looking leather. Their quick release system lets you remove the strap without leaving little anchors or connectors attached to your camera. That is handy when switching straps or wanting the strap out of the way for tripod work. The alloy clips also have a safety lock designed to prevent accidental release.
On the security side, the quick release ends use cut- and abrasion-resistant Dyneema webbing. Combined with the locking clips, this is designed to make the strap harder to cut or quickly detach in a theft attempt. I would describe that as added protection, rather than calling any strap theft-proof.
Lucky Straps states that the system can handle up to 50kg. That is the manufacturer’s claim, rather than something I have personally tested, but it provides a reassuring margin for camera equipment. My Olympus or even my Sony certainly won’t be challenging that figure!
Who would these straps suit?
I can see these appealing to travel and street photographers who want a practical camera strap with a little character. The quick release system and cut-resistant webbing also add useful security features when out and about.
They are a lovely match for anyone who enjoys older analogue cameras, too. My Classic Brown Deluxe 45 looks right at home on my Olympus film camera. There is something about brown leather and a vintage camera that just works.
But they certainly aren’t limited to travel or film photography. I love using my wrist strap in the studio for portraits. It gives me that extra connection to the camera without a longer strap hanging around while I shoot. The Antique Brown leather and my embossed name are lovely finishing touches, but it is the usefulness that earns it a place in my kit.
More than camera straps
Lucky Straps also offers apparel, belts and photography gloves, so it is worth having a browse beyond the camera straps. Hubby has a few of their belts and T-shirts and loves them too. Apparently, I’m not the only Lucky Straps fan in the house!
