The Ultimate Player's Guide to Guitar Straps for Comfort and Performance

You want a guitar strap that is comfortable and makes a statement, right? A guitar strap says a lot about you as a player and lets you stand out from the crowd.

The purpose of a comfortable guitar strap is to make playing the guitar easy and enjoyable. A low-quality strap that impedes your sound, feels uncomfortable and wears down quickly defeats the purpose of having a guitar strap.

What guitar player wants to worry about that?

Fortunately, there many high-quality guitar straps that are long-lasting and feel great. There's no need to worry about sacrificing comfort and sound for a styling guitar strap.

No matter your size, playing ability, or style preference, there’s a comfortable guitar strap out there for you. You don't need to break the bank to find a strap that mixes comfort and durability with personal style.

If you’re in the market for a new guitar strap or looking for one to give as a gift, here’s what to look for when searching for a comfortable guitar strap.

Comfortable Guitar Straps for Acoustic, Electric, and Bass

Believe it or not, the same guitar strap doesn’t always to wok on every type of guitar. Technically, you can get away with using the same strap on all of them, but it may not be the most comfortable or efficient.

Here's the breakdown of what guitar straps work best with each guitar.

Acoustic & Electric Guitar Straps

The difference between acoustic and electric guitar straps is how they attach.

One side of an acoustic guitar strap will button on the bottom of the guitar. The other side of the strap has strings that tie to the neck of the guitar.

For most this isn’t the end of the world, but the strap may impede your playing and the balance of your guitar will feel off. To improve the balance, you can add a button at the base of the guitar neck.

An electric guitar usually has 2 guitar strap buttons ready-to-go making attachment quick and easy.

You can make any comfortable guitar strap you love work with your guitar just by adding a little string, extra buttons, and some creativity.

Bass Guitar Straps

Bass guitars are heavier than regular acoustic or electric guitars. A longer strap made of durable material is necessary to hold the bass’s weight.

Quality bass straps are longer and have added padding to make the strap more comfortable and the bass feel lighter. These extra features will cost more than the average guitar strap.

You can use whatever strap you like, but it may wear down fast and make playing painful after a long set compared to a longer bass strap.

What to Look For in a Comfortable Guitar Strap

With the endless styles of straps, where do you begin when looking for a comfortable guitar strap? 

Sifting through thousands of guitar strap styles is a daunting task. Here are the main features to look for in a comfortable guitar strap.

The Width

Your average guitar strap is around 2 inches wide. Narrow straps like this are a great choice for players with light guitars.

Wider guitar straps are 4 inches wide and offer better support and more comfort when playing a heavier instrument.

Guitar players with higher instruments will want to stick with a narrower strap. A wider strap is unnecessarily bulky and can impede playing a lighter instrument.

The Length

The length of a comfortable guitar strap should have a length that allows for easy and enjoyable playing. 

The average guitar strap adjusts between 40 and 60 inches, which fits most players.

Tall players, bass players, and those who like their guitar hanging low will prefer an extra-long strap. Extra-long straps extend around 70 inches or more.

The Lock

Over time, your guitar strap will wear and the buttonholes will stretch. The last thing you’ll want is for your guitar to come smashing down while you’re in the middle of an epic riff.

Invest in a locking mechanism for your guitar strap to avoid any risk. You can confidently play with your favorite comfortable guitar strap for years to come.

The Material

The guitar strap material is the most important comfort feature of all. The material determines the strap’s comfort, durability, performance, and price.

The most popular strap materials out there are leather, polyester, cotton/canvas, and nylon. Each one has its benefits and you’ll find one to be more comfortable than another.

Let’s start with a classic leather strap. Leather is versatile, comfortable, easy to customize, and ages well. Leather is known to stretch over time, so you may need to add extra holes to keep the fit right.

Nylon is a durable material that makes for a comfortable guitar strap. If you dance, swing your guitar around, or just looking for something reliable, then nylon is your best bet.

Looking for the ultimate comfort? Polyester, nylon, and cotton guitar straps have extra padding options for optimal comfort and support.

Finding the perfect comfortable guitar strap will take some trial and error. Ultimately, the best material for you will be what feels the most comfortable for you.

Guitar Strap Prices

Guitar prices range from budget options to premium quality straps. Material, size, and style are determining factors in the price of a comfortable guitar strap.

Budget-friendly strap options average around $20-$30. There is the risk these straps may get uncomfortable after a while or slip off if you’re not careful.

However, many budget straps are long-lasting and reliable when playing a light-weight guitar.

Mid-grade comfortable guitar straps cost about $30-$70 depending on the features. They’re more comfortable, longer-lasting, reliable, and come in a wider selection of styles and materials.

Premium straps offer great style choices with superb comfort. These comfortable guitar straps will run you upwards of $100 or more. If you’re a serious guitar or bass player, you’ll want the comfort, style, and durability of these straps offer.

You can make any of these guitar straps work. If it’s quality and reliability, you’re looking for in a comfortable guitar strap then spend a little extra to get what you want.

Find the Perfect Comfortable Guitar Strap

Whether you’re looking for a comfortable guitar strap for yourself or as a gift for a friend, there are lots of options to consider. Knowing what key features to look for in a strap will make finding the perfect guitar strap a breeze.

Have questions or looking for customizable straps? Let us know. We’ll hook you up with the best quality guitar straps to keep you rocking on.