Comfort issues

May 12, 2007 9:01 PM

How do I add some padding to my messenger bag's strap?

I bought this leather laptop messenger bag that I really love here but the strap is too thin. I don't want to return it but the strap is becoming very uncomfortable with the heavy load. Can I add some cushion around my strap? Any readymade product like that?

posted by raheel to Grab Bag (9 answers total)

These are intended for seatbelts but might do the trick.
posted by bac at 9:07 PM on May 12, 2007

Here's one you can buy; don't know if it would be too wide for that strap, though.
posted by mcguirk at 9:17 PM on May 12, 2007

this is probably too wide, but would otherwise work great
posted by sponge at 9:17 PM on May 12, 2007

For a wonderfully low-tech solution: I know a bass player who used to use a maxi-pad to fulfill this function.
Probably not what you're looking for, but I have been assured that it works for this purpose.
posted by ktrey at 9:30 PM on May 12, 2007

I, also, have a friend that will on occasion use a maxi pad as a quick fix strap booster.
again, probably not what you're looking for.

I, personally have had the same issue with my daily carry messenger bag, and here's what I did:
(first, be pretty proficient at sewing, or make a friend who is)
I called the "Call for an information kit and a free sample of our REVOLUTIONARY Tempur material!"
I waited 2-4 weeks (if you don't have 2-4 weeks, go get a some of that yellow couch foam, I guess. You can get it in sheets at a number of places like michaels and similar.)
Then, I sewed that little sponge of foam into a pillow/pouch sort of thing, then sewed another piece of cloth onto two sides of that, with the strap in the middle, so it created a little tunnel, and I could move the shoulderpad around on the strap.
I'm hoping you understood that cockamamy description of my moveable shoulderpad.
but yeah, the tempur foam makes it so comfortable. wow.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 11:59 PM on May 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Here's a ready made nylon one from Manhattan Portage for 12 bucks. The bags from this company are pretty sturdy so I imagine the pad would be too. If the opening is too wide for your strap and slides around, you could probably put a few stitches in it to narrow the opening.
posted by boomchicka at 5:47 AM on May 13, 2007

Timbuk2 also sells strap pads. The rubberized no-slip one is handy if you wear the strap on the same shoulder the bag hangs on, since it won't slide off as easily.
posted by mendel at 8:16 AM on May 13, 2007

Here's another one. Kind of ugly, but probably very comfortable.
posted by O9scar at 11:17 AM on May 13, 2007

Response by poster: Thank you. Thank you everyone.
posted by raheel at 6:09 PM on May 13, 2007