We were introduced to Great State camera straps recently through Facebook; and were inspired by their all American made mantra with the classic/minimalist aesthetic and emphasis. Based in Portland, Oregon the company hand makes the straps before boxing them in something almost like a jewelry box and putting a little tag telling you that it will essentially get better with age.
Great State shipped us their Classic Skinny strap, which they sell for $59–and which is very affordable for a strap like this. To be very brief, we’re in love. These straps have elements of both Tap and Dye and Cub and Co in their design; and you should wear yours like a special badge of honor.
Pros and Cons
Pros
– Beautiful straps
– Very minimal
– Soft but tough feeling to them
Cons
– You should really beat the strap up for the absolute best comfort
– Wish that there were a small shoulder strap on this one.
Gear Used
We mounted the Great State Skinny Classic strap on the Sony A7.
Tech Specs
Specs taken from the company’s listing
- Classic durable stitching
- ‘Great State’ branding stamp
- Great State’s trademark Tough Edge finished edges for superior durability
- Leather lug guards protect camera finish and keep strap aligned
- Packable design perfect for camera bag
- Designed for common Split-Ring Strap Lugs
- Measurements: Width: 5/8″, Length: 44″
- Recommended for:
Ergonomics
The Great State Skinny Classic strap is very minimalist in its creation and design. In fact, they seem even more minimal than those from Tap and Dye. To start our ergonomic tour, consider the fact that the strap is made of brown leather–or at least this one is. The outside has a soft and almost pebbled leather along with the company’s branding around the ends of the straps.
Move around to the strap lugs to connect the strap to your camera and you’ll find the split ring along with a leather securement. This securement isn’t as secure as Tap and Dye’s and the split ring isn’t made from the same quality as Tap and Dye’s either, but that just makes the strap that much simpler to attach to your camera
We’re confident that it doesn’t make it that simple to get ripped off though.
The strap’s underside has a slightly softer leather, but not by much. Again in comparison to Tap and Dye, the Great State’s underside is a bit tougher but feels more like an actual classic camera strap.
Comes with a little tag attached when you first open the box. Indeed, the company states that it will get better with age.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Great State Classic Skinny strap is really very solid. It isn’t the fool proof and more selective design that Tap and Dye has, but it’s still quite a great option for the price. For what it’s worth, Tap and Dye coats the outside of their straps with Beeswax to seal them from the elements and also has a softer underside. For what it’s worth though, those straps will attract more dirt to show their age.
If that’s what you’re all about, then spring for those. But the offering from Great State seems much more like a strap that you would find attached to an old rangefinder.
We wish that the skinny strap also had an option for a shoulder pad of some sort for a bit more protection and comfort, but that’s a very small quibble.
When wrapping the strap around the wrist, the feeling is actually very comfortable, but it isn’t as soft as the offering from Tap and Dye. Still, you’ll live for sure–or at least my burly hairy man arm can take the beating well enough.
Ease of Use
Every time that a new camera comes in, I often let out a giant sigh because of the fact that I’ll need to attach a strap to it. Attaching and threading straps are often tedious, but this one from Great State wasn’t a problem at all. It was very quick, and perhaps the quickest that I’ve ever worked with a camera strap that has securements to go around the lugs.
For that, the Great State Classic Skinny strap earns extra brownie points from us.
Conclusions
Likes
– Beautiful looks
– Pretty comfortable
– Durable
– Easy to slip on, but not to slip off
– Extremely minimal
Dislikes
– Wish that the underside were softer
– A shoulder pad would be nice. Doesn’t have to be too large, but something that also lets our skin breathe.
The Great State Classic Skinny camera strap is a beautiful offering for a pretty darned good price. They’re made well, pretty comfortable, durable as heck, and most importantly–they’re minimal. You’re not going to regret the purchase.
The Great State Classic Skinny camera strap gets an award of four out of five stars. Want one? They’re $59 on the company’s website.
Recommended Accessories and Cameras
– Sony A7s/A7/A7r: These cameras are lightweight and their DSLR style body will suit the straps perfectly.
– Olympus OMD EM5/EM1: These cameras also have a unique DSLR style body that works for the straps.
– Fujifilm XT-1: Do you see the trend here with DSLR style bodies?