Wrist straps can arguably be categorized as the most comfortable and ergonomically sound straps based on how cameras are supposed to be held. They’ve traditionally had very common designs: with some being thin pieces of leather while others are a bit more grippy for your hand/wrist. Then there is Peak Design’s latest entry: the Clutch. The Clutch is inspired by climbing gear for those great outdoors types–and while it isn’t necessarily reinventing the wheel, it is surely making a big improvement on it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
– Very comfortable
– Much easier to load onto a camera than any other wrist strap that we’ve tested
– Extremely practical
– Makes your camera stay very deep in your hand when it is clutched around it
– Arca Swiss plate on the bottom for tripod use
– Works seamlessly with the Capture Pro system when there isn’t a massive behemoth of a lens attached.
Cons
– Could surely be sexier
Tech Specs
Taken from the B&H Photo listing
| Material | Hypalon, microfiber, and anodized aluminum |
| Attachment Method | Anchor Links, tension clip |
| Dimensions | Minimum Length: 7.1″ (18 cm) Maximum Length: 11.4″ (29 cm) Maximum Width: 2″ (50.8 mm) |
Gear Used
We tested the Peak Design Clutch with the Samsung NX30 and the Peak Design Capture Pro Clip system
Ergonomics
The Peak Design Clutch strap in many ways looks like a standard wrist strap, but it also works in conjunction with the company’s other products due to its design. We start our ergonomic top by looking at it from top down. The strap slips onto a DSLR or mirrorless camera’s strap loop with a bit of elbow grease. Once it’s in though, you’ll be all set.
To keep it secure, the Clutch uses a trap door system. The little tab comes back but won’t go forward at all. Once the tab is back, the strap can be disconnected from the buckle. The belt system is also how you adjust the specific tightness when your hand slips in.
To mount onto the camera, the Clutch uses an Arca Swiss plate. This goes into the tripod socket of the camera and we recommend fastening it on very tightly. In our experience, the camera sometimes twisted a bit out of place.
Build Quality
The Peak Design Clutch is quite honestly the most comfortable wrist strap that we’ve tested. It hugs your hand very snugly and makes using your camera like slipping on a glove. It is also easily adjusted via the specific belts. What you’re going to want to ensure though is that the Arca Swiss plate is firmly in place.
Ease of Use
Using the strap requires you to simply slip your wrist into it. It’s very comfortable and again, makes grabbing your camera feel like wearing a glove. In fact, cut off finger slots are the only thing that could possibly make this strap any better. What I also really appreciate is the fact that it is soft to the touch.
My only concern with straps like these is that they’re by far the easiest to slip off of your hand. A longer neck strap wrapped around your wrist isn’t coming off, nor is an actual wrist strap that mounts around the wrist–and so my only other recommendation would be some sort of extra security.that prevents it from slipping–hence the cut-off glove finger slots.
When your camera isn’t in use, we strongly recommend mounting it back into the capture system.
Conclusions
Likes
– Comfortable
– Easy to mount. The fastest that we’ve ever had to work with
– Affordable
– Works very well with the capture system
Dislikes
– More security would be really nice.
The Peak Design Clutch surprises us quite a bit. The company was born out of photographers who didn’t necessarily want to use straps, and now they’re starting to embrace them a bit more. But Adam and the folks at Peak Design have created a strap that works within their system and when used together, works perfectly for the outdoor photographer.
We rate the Peak Design Clutch Wrist Strap 4 out of 5 stars. Want one? B&H Photo has them for just under $40.
