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Guitar straps are probably one of the most overlooked guitar accessories.
For a vegan trying to find guitar straps, you may be disappointed to find out that the choices can be somewhat limited outside the realm of genuine leather-made guitar straps.
Guitar straps may appear insignificant to warrant an entire article in dedication, but when you put into perspective the importance of the role guitar straps play in a performance, you’re led to think otherwise.
Having a strap break during a set can be a nightmare for performers and it happens more often than most people think.
I’m going to share with you a selection of vegan guitar straps that are kind to animals and eco-friendly. But before we get to that, allow me to also share a few tips that will help you choose the right vegan guitar strap.
What To Look For In A Vegan Guitar Strap
As a vegan, the first thing to take into account as you research a vegan guitar strap is the materials used in the construction.
Most guitar straps use genuine leather because it’s usually seen as a durable material that can last years, and it also has a low chance of breaking.
However, what you’ll find is that most of the time vegan guitar straps are made from nylon. Plus, some of these products are sourced from countries where there can be variations in manufacturing standards, such as China, Pakistan, and India, among others. As a result, besides the nylon material, there might be concerns about the durability of the guitar straps.
That’s why in this blog post I’ll mostly recommend handmade guitar straps that are made in small batches but still remain affordable to most people despite the superior handcrafting.
Furthermore, I’ll include guitar straps that are crafted with a sturdy construction using recycled materials (and more), but that are also made in the UK and the U.S., two places where the craftsmanship (when it comes to textiles) is often of better quality.
Length
Standard strap lengths are adjustable between forty and sixty inches, which is a range that is suitable for most people.
However, if you play bass, are very tall, or like your guitar hanging low, then you should go for an extra-long strap, which usually extends to 70″ or more.
Width
Guitar straps typically range from 2″ (for thin straps) to 4″ inches (for thicker straps). Generally, thicker guitar straps are used to:
- Support heavier instruments (bass);
- Offer more comfort for extended play.
This also means they’re more expensive than thinner straps.
At the same time, thicker guitar straps are not necessarily better. Guitar players that use lighter guitars may find thicker guitar straps to be overwhelmingly bulky and less comfortable.
Locking Mechanism
In some cases, guitar players choose to avoid standard loops because of their tendency to slip off sometimes, based on different factors like the weight of the guitar, the movement of the player on stage, and the wear and tear on the guitar strap itself.
This is why many guitar players will only buy guitar straps with custom locking mechanisms such as strap locks or clip locks, which prevent the guitar and strap from getting separated.
But that often comes down to each guitarist, so there are diverging opinions.
Material
The most crucial element in the creation of a high-quality guitar strap is the combination of materials used in its construction. Ultimately, the materials will determine the comfort, performance, and durability of the strap.
High-quality vegan guitar straps often use materials like:
- Automotive and industrial vinyl (preferably recycled);
- Cotton or hemp;
- Stainless steel for the rivets;
- And more.
Though, in the age of conscientious materials that may differ from company to company, this is a common pattern I’ve found for most high-quality vegan guitar straps.
Furthermore, the use of conscientious materials has opened the doors to other (more exotic) materials that can now be repurposed and used to create guitar straps.
Therefore, it shouldn’t be unusual for you to find other unique materials in guitar straps.
8 Vegan Guitar Straps
Couch – Hippie Weave Guitar Strap
This is one of my favorite guitar straps. The way the black-colored tabs mesh with the funky, hippie-weave pattern makes this guitar strap look really beautiful.
The team behind this guitar strap reutilizes otherwise wasted resources, making it significantly more eco-friendly than others.
In fact, the multi-colored weave is sewn onto recycled seat belt material and finished with original streamlined end tabs and hand-tooled stainless steel rivets.
If you’re in the U.S., you’ll be happy to hear that these are made in California, by people that actually play guitar.
Furthermore, the prices are really competitive when compared to other guitar straps of the same style. And needless to say, these are vegan-friendly as the brand has been vegan since day one!
Coco Guitar Straps – Soft Floral
This unique guitar strap is made using super stylish soft cotton fabric, with three layers of cork on the end pieces for added durability.
If this particular design doesn’t catch your eye, there’s a wide variety of other designs to choose from – and all of them are vegan!
The straps are packaged in a sugar cane based eco-friendly material.
If you decide to go with a Coco guitar strap, you will have the privilege of owning a strong, comfortable, handcrafted vegan strap from North Carolina. Isn’t that amazing?
Moonflower Music Co. – Aquatic Blue Woven Guitar Strap
Moonflower offers lovely guitar straps and picks featuring delicate light-colored flower patterns.
Tired of the leather-based guitar straps on the market, Moonflower set out to craft their own vegan alternatives — and the results are impressive!
The straps are constructed using a seatbelt-like material, yet softer, and they feature vegan suede end tabs for added strength.
They’re adjustable, ranging from 36 to 60 inches in length and 2 inches in width.
They are both comfortable and affordably priced, making them a perfect gift for those seeking a cute vegan guitar strap.
Vtar -Irish Celtic Guitar Strap
If you love guitars that exude the celtic spirit, then perhaps you’ll love this guitar strap.
While this one isn’t made from recycled fabrics, it uses vegan-friendly materials such as cotton, hemp, and faux leather, which are obviously kinder to animals.
The guitar strap is available in 5 colors, it features a traditional Irish Celtic knot print, and is handmade in the United Kingdom by exceptional craftsmen.
Vtar is a totally vegan brand. Moreover, the reviews are simply outstanding, and I challenge you to find a bad one.
Denali Strap Co. – White & Black Guitar Strap
Cruelty-free guitar straps are at the core of this brand’s ethos – they are entirely vegan and handmade in the USA.
This strap is crafted from fabric and features vinyl end tabs. It is 2 inches wide and can extend to 54 inches long.
For some patterns, you have the option to choose between soft cotton or vinyl for the strap’s backing.
If you would like even more personalization, you can send Derek a message, and maybe it’s possible to create your dream guitar strap using the materials available at the shop.
Levy’s leathers -Natural Cork Guitar Strap
Although Levy’s Leathers is not exclusively a vegan brand, they offer several vegan-friendly options.
These straps are crafted from cork and cotton, adjustable between 35″ and 60″.
Another stylish vegan choice is their hemp straps with cork end tabs. All are beautifully made in Canada.
All reviews for the vegan straps are overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that the straps are even more impressive in person than in the photos.
Fender
Yap, it’s true! Fender offers vegan guitar straps too! If you’ve been eyeing a strap from this iconic brand, this could be your chance.
These straps are simple yet elegant and come in three colors: black, butterscotch, and pink.
Unlike the options I previously suggested, these are entirely made from faux leather (microfiber). Also, they feature a ladder-style adjustment tail instead of a slide.
Ortega
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable guitar strap that has that classic leather look, you might want to check out this one from Ortega.
Ortega is renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. In addition to their ukuleles and classical guitars, they have high-quality guitar straps, including a series of vegan straps.
Made from PVC faux leather, they come in four colors: red, light brown, brown, and black. They’re 3 inches wide, but if that’s a bit too chunky for you, there’s also a slightly slimmer version that’s 2 ⅜ inches wide.
Conclusion
Many expert guitarists have a knack for personalizing accessories, especially guitar straps. While it’s tempting to prioritize design to match your style or guitar, the quality of the strap shouldn’t be overlooked.
When searching for a vegan guitar strap, it’s crucial to pick one that’s built to last. This means prioritizing top-notch materials and construction quality.
Typically, guitar straps within the 30-50 bucks range employ long-lasting materials, although you can find outliers such as the Black Recycled Seat Belt guitar strap that costs 20 bucks but still manages to have a pretty similar quality to higher-priced straps.
Hope this list helps you find the perfect vegan guitar strap for you. These are, in my opinion, the best vegan options out there right now.
