Backpack Straps, My Method

Awesome guide Chris! Thanks a ton for sharing that, I will definitely be using it on my first pack. Quick question, where did you get the exact shape for the straps? Was that just a common sense move or did you base it on something? how do they feel? I have seen a lot of different strap shapes, some with more or less drastic curves, and am trying to figure out the benefits of the varying styles.

Thanks!

Thanks for taking the time to take the great photos and add the step-by-step instructions. Very helpful.

I have a new pack idea in the works. The first thing I thought when I saw your was "How's he making those straps?"
Thanks for sharing.

Nice Tutorial. Keep up the good work.

Nice! Thanks for sharing! Any idea on how many miles before these straps flatten out?

Hey thanks! Perfect timing. Have a pile of pack bodies without straps in the other room.

Very nice. I'm bookmarking this thread for when I work up the gumption to get serious with the sewing machine.

I've had a MYOG pack plan in the works for some time now, and was planning to just use straps from an old or damaged pack. Now i can make my own. Thank you for the step by step info.

Thanks Christopher – This is extremely helpful!

matt

Hey glad to here this is helpful to others out there and I hope it encourages you to give it a try. Here is a jpg of the general shape and dimensions of the straps I make. I like the strap to be around 2.5" wide 21" long. I have found that the bigger or harder the curve to the ladderloc, the better the straps lay with a chest strap attached. But hey give it a try and see what works for you that is all part of the fun!

Chris

Chris, I saw your tutorial on the spade as well, very very helpful!
Do you guys remember that show aired on Fox, about 10 years ago, called "Magic's Greatest Secret's Revealed"?
This is like the same thing, but for MYOG. Freaking awesome.

Great work on the packs and thanks for letting us see how you make your straps. Sewing the gross grain around the perimeter is tough to make come out right. So hats off to your work! I am wondering if you really need the 3D foam on the "outside" of the shoulder strap "away" from your body. The cordura will stop sweat from wicking thru to the outside. Maybe just two layers, mesh and Cordura? But then maybe you would feel the 3/4 webbing too much without the second foam layer? I have also made and like the shoulder straps that Jay Hamm explains on the "5 yard" BPL Project. Scott

Christopher,

Do you know how much they weigh?

Would that 4mm mesh be stiff enough to lie flat under the tension of a waist belt?

Keep up the good work!

You could by all means leave the top layer of foam mesh off and just use the cordura or xpac or what ever fabric you wanted. It would take away from some of the padding, but you could always put in a layer of foam. I have tried some with a layer of foam, and they turned out nice but add more weight, so you have to think about what you want, less weight or padding.

The weight of these are around 2.6oz for the pair, 1.3oz for each strap.
I'm not 100% sure what you mean by laying flat under weight…
I have tested them out with 25-30lbs, which is way more then I want to carry normally, in my pack and they stayed flat.

Chris

This seems easier than sewing them, turning inside out, and then stuffing in the foam. Is this just a cosmetic choice, or do people find it uncomfortable to wear straps with grosgrain sewn around the outside?

My favorite straps (MLD and Zimmer’s current designs) are not bound with grosgrain. I don’t know if there are other factors at play I’m under the impression that grosgrain makes straps feel hard on the edges.