Finest Digicam Straps for Mountaineering & Backpacking (+ Clips & Harnesses)

Getting the perfect digicam strap for mountaineering is important for critical backpacking adventures. 

One of many nice pleasures of being out in nature is having the ability to {photograph} landscapes and wildlife.

After I’m mountaineering, I don’t need my digicam to be hidden away inside a digicam bag or dangling from my neck from a strap.

I don’t wish to miss any pictures, and I definitely don’t need muscle ache or a smashed digicam!

Ideally, all hikers ought to have a hands-free, simply adjustable, versatile digicam strap system that gives easy accessibility in addition to safety when the terrain will get tough.

On this information, I’m going to stroll you thru a few of the greatest digicam harnesses, straps, clips and digicam holsters for mountaineering accessible proper now.

You’ll be capable to put away that annoying neck strap as soon as and for all and get out and about to shoot within the wild with confidence.

Extra helpful guides earlier than we begin:

What’s the Finest Option to Carry a Digicam Whereas Mountaineering? 

Peak Design Seize Clip | Finest Digicam Clip for Backpack

That is my high decide for the straightforward motive that this piece of digicam gear adapts to no matter you have already got.

It’s a strong, weatherproof clip, which may be connected to any backpack strap (or every other strap) between 6.4 cm and a couple of.2 cm huge. So it may be connected to your belt or the straps of your digicam bag.

It will possibly comfortably maintain as much as 200 lbs of weight, so can simply be used with a full-frame skilled digicam.

The Peak Design Seize Clip is light-weight, robust and intensely versatile. It holds your digicam in 4 other ways as a way to regulate it to your type, and you’ll even mix it with equipment to carry different digicam gear reminiscent of additional lenses or a GoPro.

As for safety, as a lot because it means that you can entry your digicam rapidly, it’s additionally designed with a redundant safety lock that stops unintentional launch.

Better of all, it’s small, light-weight and powerful – excellent for any mountaineering journey the place weight is of the essence and also you’re fearful about your heavy DSLR dropping on the bottom.

Seize Clip in motion whereas backpacking in Colorado | Marc Bergreen

Since they’re additionally so reasonably priced, many mountaineering photographers I’ve met have a few Seize Clips – one on their foremost digicam backpack, and one other on a smaller on a regular basis sling.

Critically – in the event you’re searching for probably the most environment friendly solution to connect your digicam to your backpack, look no additional.

Spider X Belt and Backpack Holster Equipment | Finest DSLR Digicam Harness for Mountaineering

With this DSLR digicam setup, you possibly can safely and securely carry even the heaviest DSLR digicam when mountaineering. 

It’s robust, light-weight, and may be connected on to a belt or, utilizing the adaptor, to a backpack.

With its self-locking mechanism and quick-release thumb-switch, the Spider X Belt and Backpack Holster Equipment may also hold your digicam each safe and straightforward to entry when you trek outside.

Securing a digicam to your hips (waist) additionally ensures that the burden is distributed off your again, though in case your DSLR is especially heavy, you might wish to alternate which facet you connect it to.

Suppose Tank Photograph Digicam Strap V2.0

For photographers who’re pleased with utilizing a digicam shoulder strap however need one thing infinitely higher than third celebration model choices, this may very well be a fantastic possibility.

The Suppose Tank strap has non-slip materials on each side. Regardless that it’s a shoulder strap, this design eliminates the curse of the odd digicam strap – the slippery, falling digicam!

While you’re out mountaineering, a shoulder digicam strap might not be the perfect alternative for lively photographers, however in the event you put on it throughout your physique, it could possibly get rid of a lot of the motion.

It is available in two colors, so it’s excellent for photographers who shoot with two totally different our bodies and/or lenses and must rapidly differentiate between them whereas taking pictures.

One other cool function is the strap’s metallic rings which let you connect it to Suppose Tank Digicam Help Straps in the event you really feel like an improve or some added versatility.

Relying on the type of mountaineering you do, you could possibly make a shoulder digicam strap like this one give you the results you want.

Suppose Tank Digital Holster 10 V2.0 | Finest Digicam Holster for Mountaineering

This digicam holster is a superb piece of kit. You should use it as a stand-alone in the event you solely wish to take one digicam and lens out with you or as a part of an even bigger system.

It has a wide range of pockets for carrying every other digicam equipment you would possibly must take with you – SD playing cards, batteries, lens filters and the like.

Because it’s a modular system, you too can connect an additional lens bag to the holster itself or use it as half of a bigger system utilizing different Suppose Tank merchandise and equipment – this makes it ultimate for hikers who’ve loads of digicam gear.

It’s designed to carry most cameras, together with point-and-shoots and DSLR or mirrorless cameras with lenses connected, so that you simply have to achieve in and seize your digicam to get taking pictures.

(Holsters are often known as ‘high loaders’, given the power so that you can load them along with your gear from the highest. This makes them handy for mountaineering to maintain each your arms free.)

One in all its greatest options, particularly for photographers who like taking pictures wildlife, is its ‘pop-down’ backside, which extends the bag’s compartment far sufficient to permit you to connect a telephoto lens.

Cotton Provider CCS G3 Digicam Harness System | Finest Digicam Harness for Mountaineering

This digicam harness for mountaineering is good for these photographers searching for a bit of additional assist for security of their digicam gear.

It has each a chest and again plate to assist distribute weight evenly over the physique, and padded, adjustable straps to maintain issues comfy.

Its distinctive twist-and-lock system retains your digicam shut and safe however simple to launch and use when that you must.

Not all backpackers and hikers will admire the look of getting a chest harness connected to their higher our bodies.

It’s additionally value contemplating that in the event you hike in colder climates, the harness could not even be capable to match over cumbersome ski jackets or heavy layering.

Nevertheless, in the event you handle to place it on, the Cotton Provider provides probably the most handy methods to hold your digicam whereas mountaineering, holding it proper in entrance of your physique.

BlackRapid Backpack Digicam Sling | Finest Digicam Sling for Mountaineering

For fast and easy accessibility to 2 cameras, the BlackRapid Backpack Digicam Sling may very well be the piece of kit you’re searching for.

You put on it in the identical method you’d put on a backpack, however there’s no weight in your again. All the burden is taken by the straps, which have additional padding, and is distributed evenly over your chest and again.

The locking mechanism is stable and holds one heavy digicam on both sides. The versatile straps also can lock every digicam in place with a toggle.

If you wish to use two totally different DSLR or mirrorless our bodies, or two totally different focal lengths to shoot with when you’re mountaineering and don’t wish to fiddle with altering digicam lenses, this light-weight system may very well be the way in which to go.

As with all BlackRapid digicam straps, a 1/4″ screw loop attaches to the underside of your digicam, permitting you to slip the digicam up the strap with out the shoulder padding transferring.

After I’m out mountaineering on shorter journeys the place I don’t use a backpack, that is the digicam strap I take advantage of most frequently.

(If I do have a backpack, I desire to make use of the Peak Seize Clip talked about above.)

Peak Design Clutch CL-3 Hand Strap | Finest Hand Strap for Mountaineering

Picture: Tommy Williams

For the minimalist hikers out these, that is the digicam hand strap for you.

The Clutch has microfiber pads, so it’s extraordinarily comfy to put on, even for lengthy intervals spent strolling outside.

It’s additionally easy to regulate with the cinch and is appropriate for all hand sizes.

This strap will make it easier to maintain your digicam with a stable grip, and even along with your hand relaxed, so long as you’ve gotten it tightened appropriately, the digicam received’t slip out of your hand.

Regardless of its small dimension, the Clutch hand strap can maintain as much as 90 kilograms, so it could possibly carry a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless digicam, even with a cumbersome battery grip.

Keep in mind, although, in the event you’re mountaineering with this strap, you’ll solely have one hand free. So don’t fall over, and don’t use this on extraordinarily rugged terrain.

Maybe use it as an additional mountaineering digicam strap, or pair it with a holster bag to remain minimal.

I’d solely ever use this if I used to be mountaineering on pretty unrugged terrain, the place there’s little probability to journey over. Having just one hand to interrupt a fall isn’t ultimate, in spite of everything.

LensCoat Digicam/Binoculars Harness

This product is designed to offer you quick access to both a digicam or binoculars when mountaineering.

The adjustable nylon straps match across the again and over the shoulders, distributing the burden of your gear, and the quick-release buckles allow you to connect and detach with ease.

The LensCoat can be sufficiently small to fold up in a bag and even jacket pocket, so you possibly can simply take it out as and once you want it.

It’s additionally bargain-priced, which means that you may personal it at the side of one of many different digicam clips or harnesses for mountaineering discovered on this information.

One caveat: as a result of total slimness of the design and straps, I’d suggest this extra for folks utilizing point-and-shoot cameras or, at a stretch, smaller DSLRs and mirrorless our bodies.

Nicama Multi Digicam Carrying Chest Harness Vest System

The Nicama is a superb alternative of digicam chest harness for these on a funds. It’s comparable in design to the Cotton Provider G3, however with out the worth tag.

Weight is distributed properly over the chest and again due to the plates, and the digicam is stored firmly in place by the locking mechanism on the chest plate.

For lengthy hikes with a digicam, you received’t want to fret about your DSLR going AWOL, or not being shut handy when that you must seize a shot.

As with all digicam chest harnesses, you’ll want to think about the clothes you put on beneath it since bulkier waterproof jackets and many others could not allow you to put on the harness on high.

You may also think about a photographer vest or jacket as one other carrying possibility for mountaineering.

Cotton Provider Skout Sling Fashion Harness

The Cotton Provider Skout Sling Fashion Harness is a light-weight sling strap for carrying your digicam securely on lengthy hikes, particularly if you wish to journey mild by way of gear.

Its design is straightforward. The crossbody strap retains your digicam firmly on one facet of your chest whereas ensuring the burden is evenly distributed throughout the straps.

This sling strap additionally has the identical twist-and-lock because the Cotton Provider harness, so your digicam isn’t going anyplace except you need it to.

Honorable Point out – Really helpful Mountaineering Digicam Backpack

Okay, so it’s not precisely a digicam harness or clip for mountaineering, however for anybody searching for a bespoke piece of photographer’s mountaineering gear the Lowepro Photosport AWIII backpack deserves a point out.

In my expertise, that is probably the most versatile digicam backpack for day hikes within the wilderness. 

Relying on the way you pack it, you may additionally use it for an overnighter as properly.

Lowepro Photosport AW III | Most Versatile Backpack for Mountaineering Photographers

This feature-packed digicam backpack is available in each 15L and 24L variations. The smaller large enough to accommodate a small mirrorless digicam and wide-angle lens (packed individually), and the larger backpack is appropriate for carrying bigger cameras reminiscent of DSLRs.

The backpack’s higher compartment is designed to carry mountaineering equipment – heat layers, waterproofs, meals – and there are many pockets for maps and the like.

There’s additionally a zippered pocket within the again designed for a hydration pack, it has a gap on the high to permit the consuming tube to come back out.

For Nordic walkers, there are exterior loops on the bag for holding mountaineering poles, and the chest strap buckle can be a security whistle.

The Lowepro Photosport III 15L is a reasonably small bag. On the left, the mannequin is 5’9′, the mannequin on the best is 5’3. (The mannequin on the best is carrying the digicam dice on the hip belt.) | Teryani Riggs

The underside compartment is made particularly for images. It’s padded and has Velcro dividers, so you possibly can tailor the pouch to your wants.

However the perfect factor of all about this compartment? It comes out of the bag utterly, giving you extra space in the principle backpack and a separate, easily-accessible digicam bag.

How do you utilize this compartment when you’ve taken it out? The Lowepro has an adjunct pouch which comprises quick-release adapters that connect to the backpack straps so you possibly can grasp the picture bag in your chest.

The accent pouch mixed with one other strap also can change into a waistband with pockets.

And, in the event you don’t need the bag hanging over your chest, there’s a shoulder strap too.

My Digicam Carry Suggestions for Mountaineering Photographers 

The only option is certainly not the digicam strap that got here along with your digicam. So that you’ll want one thing else.

As at all times, this comes down to private choice, taking pictures type, and the way a lot gear you wish to carry.

However, no matter digicam strap, harness or clip you find yourself selecting for mountaineering, it’s going to wish to fulfill three fundamental standards:

Does it hold your digicam protected?

Does it permit you to entry your digicam (or cameras) rapidly?

And, is it comfy sufficient to put on all day?

Digicam hand grip straps and shoulder straps are greatest mixed with different items of kit, reminiscent of holster luggage or belts whereas mountaineering.

These items of substances, in addition to sling straps, are greatest in the event you solely wish to take one digicam in your backpacking adventures.

A digicam clip is likely one of the most versatile items of kit, as you possibly can connect it to your belt when travelling mild, to a digicam backpack’s straps in order for you fast entry but additionally to hold loads of gear, or just to a mountaineering rucksack.

A digicam harness or a chest harness is a superb alternative for lightning-quick entry to both one or two cameras.

And naturally, there are backpacks particularly designed with the photography-loving hiker in thoughts.

The easiest way to hold a digicam when mountaineering is the system that helps you hike and {photograph} your method. 

Last Phrases

I hope this text exhibits you that there are loads of choices on the subject of holding your digicam protected and accessible when mountaineering.

Even in the event you’re on a good funds, there’s actually no want to stay with the neck strap your digicam got here with. Actually, something is safer and extra comfy than utilizing that in your subsequent mountaineering journey.

Whether or not you select a sling strap (or crossbody digicam strap), digicam harness for mountaineering, a chest harness strap, or a digicam clip, your life within the nice outside will likely be markedly higher.

Any one among these merchandise, both used alone or mixed with others, will elevate your images expertise and provide the confidence to take your craft to the subsequent stage when mountaineering.