The best camera wrist strap in 2022

The best camera strap is an essential accessory for keeping your camera safe and to hand. That said, it might not be the first purchase you think of as you lift your shiny new camera from its glossy box; especially as there’s usually a basic neck strap included.

Even the best camera bags are bulky and awkward compared to carrying a camera on a strap, and while a camera holster or pouch might offer protection for a simple camera+lens setup, it's still not as convenient as a camera strap.

But, depending on the creative pursuit you wish to put said camera to, the strap provided with the camera may not be the most suitable. For example, action photography/videography will require a camera strap that’s reliably sturdy, so it won’t slip from your grasp when you’re surfboarding, kayaking, or skiing.

And what about travel photography? The last thing you want is an uncomfortable, thin camera strap while you're out all day sightseeing. Thicker camera wrist straps, ones that allow your wrist to breathe can be the best option if you’re going to be wearing it for any length of time.

You’ll want to avoid an expensive leather strap however if you might be getting strap and camera wet. If you’re going swimming or snorkelling with the likes of a GoPro, then take a look at our recommendation for a strap that will float (no 10 on the list below) if you inadvertently let go of your precious device, or it slips from your wrist while doing the breast stroke.

The best camera wrist straps feature some clever innovations to help keep your hardware safe  – here's our pick of the best available right now.

The best camera wrist straps

1. Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap

Stylish and comfortable camera strap to carry most mirrorless, DSLR and even medium format cameras

Item dimensions: 16.5x6.1x2.8cm | Material: Nylon with aluminum hardware | Color: Beige & grey, sage green, midnight blue, or black | Weight: 36g

Comfortable

Bersatile

Secure

Tricky to use

Pricey

This cleverly versatile, length-adjustable camera strap is thicker than the string-like variety typically bundled with any camera. For a start, its thickness ensures it not only provides comfort in use, but that it can be used with larger cameras, including mirrorless, DSLR and medium format, as well as, of course, GoPro’s and any pocket sized point-and-shoot.

An ‘anchor link’ system provides speed, ease of use and security of operation, while slim, newly upgraded cords slip through camera strap loops or eyelets. What’s more it’s able to hold more than a whopping 90kg in weight, while it’s claimed that it won’t cause abrasion to your device. What’s even cleverer is that when not in use, this cuff type strap can remain worn on the wrist in bracelet fashion thanks to an embedded magnet that allows it to be wrapped around itself. Alternatively, it folds down into a sufficiently small and lightweight package to be stashed in a pocket. What more could you possibly want?

2. MegaGear Cotton Wrist Strap

Traditionally fashioned option, claiming to be more than a mere camera strap

Item dimensions: 21.2x5.6x2.8cm | Material: Cotton | Color: Cinnamon, green, mink, camel or black | Weight: 60g

Variety of sizes

Affordable,

Practical

Non adjustable length

Knotted like a giant hair ‘scrunchie’, this cotton weaved wrist strap in black or cream and offers equal parts comfort and convenience, whilst boasting sufficient strength to support a DSLR or mirrorless camera. It connects key ring-style to the eyelets or lugs of a camera via a small metal ring.

Its coiled length is fixed, though there is a toggle near the ring end that allows its tightness to be adjusted dependent on the size of your wrist, enabling the camera to be kept tight against your palm. Depending on territories, there is a choice of color as well as size and length, this being either small at 23cm, medium at 75cm or large at 100cm. Simply put, when it comes to securing your camera, this one’s your flexible friend.

3. OP/TECH USA SLR Wrist Strap

Unassuming looking strap is plenty mighty enough to hold a DSLR with lens

Item dimensions: 27.9x3.49cm | Material: Neoprene pad, nylon webbing & leather tab | Color: Black | Weight: 43g

Very affordable,

Simple and practical

Comfortable padding

Basic

Reasonably priced and utilitarian in looks, this practical solution constructed from a 1.4-inch wide neoprene pad with nylon webbing and leather tab construction, can hold a DSLR with lens attached to the ‘tune’ of 4.5kg, so is literally no slouch. Its ‘uni-loop’ solution is claimed to make the attachment of strap to camera quick and easy, with a security slide feature tightening the strap around the user’s wrist.

Some 11-inches long, this strap is designed to keep your camera never far from your palm, so any user can be up and shooting at a moment’s notice, complete with piece of mind that their photographic investment won’t slip from grasp. An easy to attach and detach solution that’s fuss free.

4. BlackRapid Wrist Breathe Camera Strap

Practicality and comfort in equal amounts from the ever-reliable photo accessory brand

Item dimensions: 22.6x2.5cm | Material: Nylon | Color: Black, blue, green or gray | Weight: 62.4g

Comfortable

Rugged construction

Expensive outside the US

There’s nothing worse than a sweaty wrist – fortunately the aptly named Wrist Breathe Camera Strap from US strap specialists BlackRapid allows photographers to maintain comfort whilst keeping their camera close to hand. A strong yet flexibly lightweight nylon webbing construction with buckle allows the tautness of the strap to be adjusted to suit the user, with the camera itself attached via a robust brass and zinc alloy locking carabiner.

A plastic protector is also included here to prevent the metal surface of this part of the strap from potentially scratching a connected camera. It really does seem like these folks have thought of everything.

5. Artisan & Artist ACAM 296 Acrylic Camera Wrist Strap

Acrylic strap with capability to hold a mirrorless camera with lens

Item dimensions: 26x2cm | Material: Acrylic | Color: Red, beige or black | Weight: 10g

Simple yet effective option at a reasonable price

Not adjustable in terms of size or tightness

Mid-priced acrylic camera strap option with leather ‘details’ in un-missable bright red or serious black to tempt the photo enthusiasts. At just under an inch in width this option attaches to the loop of our camera via a simple leather loop rather than a metal ring, potentially avoiding unwanted scratches or wear to our device. Handmade in Japan, which adds a certain cachet, what you see with Artist & Artisan’s well-made products is pretty much what you get here. Simply attach the strap to your camera, slip the other end around your wrist and away you go; a fairly priced, straightforward camera strap that does the job it’s intended for.

6. Maveek Camera Wrist Strap Braided 550 Paracord

Not ‘just’ a camera strap, this is a one-accessory-fits-all solution

Dimensions: 1.7x0.7x23cm | Material: Paracord | Color: Camouflage or red/black | Weight: 16g

Very affordable

Strong & versatile

Not specifically a camera strap as such

While it’s not specifically marketed as a camera strap – it’s suitable for tethering to a whole range of devices, including binoculars – this one comes in several colors, including our favorite in camouflage for photographers seeking to blend in with the great outdoors. Offering universal product compatibility, the strap is manufactured from durable paracord and comes with both a quick release clip and strong lanyard for both easy and secure attachment.

Claimed to be capable of withstanding around 200Kg of tension, sufficient that it could bear the weight of a body, this one is plenty tough enough to prevent an attached camera from falling to the ground. A microfiber cleaning cloth also comes as part of the valued added package.

7. Miggo Grip & Wrap Kit for CSC Cameras

Camera strap and protective wrap proves an innovative combination

Dimensions: 17x16x9cm | Material: Neoprene and soft lycra | Color: Black | Weight: 117g

Camera case and camera strap in one

Extra layer of protection for your camera

Includes pocket to stash a lens cap

Can look like you’ve wrapped your camera in a sock

More expensive than a standalone camera strap

This interesting and innovative grip-plus-wrap combination provides an extra layer of shielding for your small-to-medium sized compact system camera or super-zoom – by in effect also morphing into a camera case or bag while it’s comfortably attached to your wrist. Or perhaps it’s the bag that morphs into the strap. Either way, a flexible inner pocket even provides a space to stash a camera lens cap when you’re shooting.

With equal suitability whether the photographer in question is right or left handed, a bundle option is also available that includes a more conventional strap, which can be worn across the body to evenly distribute weight. Manufactured from a combination of neoprene and soft lycra, there is flexibility and comfort built in too. Yes, it may be more expensive than your typical wrist strap, but if you’re seeking to keep all your carrying options open, this one is worth investigating.

8. Nordic Flash Waterproof Camera Float

Affordable and flexible camera strap option for securing your device in both the wet and the dry

Dimensions: 16.76x9.91x5.33cm | Material: Foam and synthetic rubber | Color: Red, orange, yellow or pink | Weight: 9g

Camera strap and float in one

Prevents camera being lost if you let go of strap in water, an inexpensive form of insurance against doing so

May not last much longer than the beach holiday it was purchased for

Here’s something a bit different. Available in a range of primarily colors – including a surely impossible to mislay bright yellow – this strap and float combination is aimed at those who are taking a GoPro camera or phone swimming or snorkeling, and don’t want it disappearing into the beautiful brine-y. Alternatively, it could be attached to a compact pair of binoculars, or just about anything one would attach a strap to.

The comfortable foam filled accessory has been designed to float waterproof cameras up to 200g in weight, so we’re talking compact point and shoot cameras rather than DSLRs. Acting as inexpensive insurance, perhaps, rather than something you’ll necessarily covet in and of itself, this soft foam strap will float so your precious devices don’t sink. Saving an expensive device from watery doom may mean that this cheap and cheerful strap ends up being worth its weight in gold.

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