Best Guitar Straps for Beginners: Comfort, Material, and Fit
A strap lets you stand up and play, and a comfortable one makes long sessions painless. It is a small purchase with a real effect on how much you enjoy playing — and how your shoulder feels afterward. Here are three worth wearing.
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- Even if you mostly sit, a strap helps stabilise the guitar and is essential the moment you stand.
- A wider strap (2"+) spreads weight better and is more comfortable for heavier guitars and long sessions.
- Suede or padded straps grip your shoulder and resist sliding; nylon/poly straps are light and cheap.
- Consider inexpensive strap locks so your guitar cannot slip off the strap buttons.
- Acoustic guitars often have only one strap button — you may need to tie the other end or fit a button.
Why you need one (even sitting down)
A strap is obviously essential for standing up to play, but it helps even when seated: it stops the guitar sliding around and lets you relax your fretting hand instead of using it to hold the instrument in place. Getting comfortable standing early is worth it — it is how you will play at a jam, a lesson, or eventually a stage.
The basics that matter are width and material. Wider straps (2 inches or more) spread the guitar’s weight across your shoulder, which makes a real difference on heavier electrics and during long practice. Material affects both comfort and grip.
Material, grip, and strap locks
Polyester or nylon straps (like the Levy’s M8POLY) are light, cheap, and perfectly fine to start. Suede straps (the Levy’s MSS3) grip your shoulder so the guitar does not slide forward, and feel plusher under load. Woven seatbelt straps like Souldier’s are tough, comfortable, and come in fun designs while staying very strong.
Whatever you choose, consider a cheap pair of strap locks — small clips or rubber washers that stop the strap from popping off the guitar’s strap buttons. A guitar slipping off mid-song and hitting the floor is a heartbreak that a couple of dollars prevents. Note that many acoustic guitars have only one strap button (or none), so you may need to fit one or loop the strap around the headstock.
Levy's M8POLY Polyester Strap
$10The honest budget strap. Levy’s M8POLY is a 2-inch polypropylene strap with sturdy leather ends and smooth tri-glide adjustment — light, durable, and inexpensive. No padding or frills, but it does the job dependably and comes in plenty of colours. A fine first strap for most beginners.
What's good
- Cheap, light, and durable
- Leather ends and easy adjustment
- Many colour options
What's not
- No padding for heavy guitars
- Can slide on the shoulder more than suede
Levy's MSS3 Suede Strap
$30The comfort sweet spot. The Levy’s MSS3 is a wider 2.5-inch suede strap whose suede backing grips your shoulder so the guitar stays put instead of sliding forward, with reinforced stitching to resist stretching. It feels plush under the weight of an electric and looks great. The strap most players are happy to settle on.
What's good
- Grippy suede stays on the shoulder
- Wider and more comfortable under load
- Durable, reinforced build
What's not
- Costs more than a poly strap
- Suede needs a little care over time
Souldier Seatbelt Strap
$40The strap with character. Souldier’s handmade straps use woven seatbelt webbing with double-thick leather ends — extremely strong, comfortable across the shoulder, and offered in striking vintage-inspired patterns. A small premium for a strap that is built to last and genuinely looks the part.
What's good
- Tough, comfortable seatbelt webbing
- Distinctive handmade designs
- Durable leather ends
What's not
- Pricier than basic straps
- 2" width (not extra-wide padded)
The cheapest insurance in guitar is a pair of strap locks — small clips or even rubber washers (a few dollars) that stop the strap from slipping off the guitar’s buttons. A guitar dropping off its strap onto a hard floor can crack a neck or finish. Fit strap locks and never think about it again.
Before you buy
Choose a 2-inch-or-wider strap to spread the weight comfortably.
Suede or padded straps grip the shoulder and slide less.
Add cheap strap locks so the guitar can’t slip off the buttons.
Check whether your acoustic has one strap button or two — you may need to fit one.
Set the length so the guitar sits at a similar height standing and sitting.
Guitar strap questions
Do I need a strap if I only play sitting down?
What width guitar strap is most comfortable?
What is the best material for a guitar strap?
Do I need strap locks?
My acoustic only has one strap button — what do I do?
A strap is a small purchase that makes playing more comfortable and lets you stand up. The Levy’s M8POLY is the cheap, dependable starter; the Levy’s MSS3 suede is the comfortable all-rounder that grips your shoulder; the Souldier seatbelt strap adds toughness and style. Whatever you choose, fit cheap strap locks so your guitar can never slip off.
The HobbyStack editorial team researches each guide using practitioner communities, published resources, and direct input from active hobbyists. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy before publication and updated when practices change.
About our editorial process →More gear guides
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