This Seemingly Indestructible Wrist Strap Has Kept My Cameras Safe for Over a Decade

Over the past 10 years, I’ve acquired and abandoned more than 10 digital cameras and roughly the same number of film SLRs and point-and-shoots. For many people, that would sound insane, but for me it’s not surprising — I’m a camera journalist, after all. (Also, it’s a sickness. I need help.)

In all that time, there’s been one constant: my Gordy’s Wrist Strap.

Straps are an often-overlooked piece of the camera gear obsession. Most cameras come with one, and, typically, they’re fine — especially if you like to carry your camera around your neck or over your shoulder. Me? I like mine around my wrist.

But cameras that come with a wrist strap, like the Ricoh GR III, tend to cheap out on their straps. The ones that came with my GR III and IIIx — $1,000 cameras, mind you — felt little better than the multicolored, FrgKbTm-branded lanyards I got in an eight-pack for under $5 on Amazon. (Honestly? They’re a heck of a deal. Get some.)

But I’m not here to talk about FrgKbTm’s fine wares. I’m here to talk about Gordy’s. And Gordy’s strap is built different. It’s made from genuine leather and tough waxed cord. How tough? Gordy’s has an entire page on its charmingly early-2000s site dedicated to the question, with pictures of its strap holding up everything from a CRT monitor to a bench vise without breaking. Suffice it to say, your camera will fare just as well.

A person holding a digital camera with the wrist strap hanging onto their wrist. — The minimal strap rests comfortably around your wrist and can be tightened with a simple, included rubber band. Ben Keough/NYT Wirecutter

I bought my Gordy’s strap for my Ricoh GR I, way back in 2013. Since then, it’s adorned a wide range of cameras — from a Nikon D700, to a Fujifilm X100T, to various vintage film shooters. It’s handled each of these with aplomb, thanks to a few key features.

First, its waxed cord is thin enough to slip through just about any camera’s strap lug. Lots of people love the Peak Design Cuff, but they’ll tell you it’s a pain to get the anchor to go through the tight lugs on a GR and other compact cameras. Typically, they have to turn to dental floss to snake it through — not so with the spindly yet tough cord on the Gordy’s strap.

A closeup of the attachment point where a wrist strap is connected to a digital camera. — The waxed cord is thin enough to fit through even extremely narrow strap lugs. Ben Keough/NYT Wirecutter

Second, its leather loop is not only comfortable (once you’ve broken it in), but it also develops a tasteful patina over time. Lovers of vintage models — Leica cameras in particular — will know what I’m talking about. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you of all the good times you’ve spent shooting with your cameras and gives you the warm fuzzies when you pick it up.

Third, it’s really customizable. You can choose from four leather colors, 14 wrapping and attaching cord colors, and two sizes. Each strap is made to order, so while there may be many straps like it, this one is yours.

A closeup of the wear on the genuine leather Gordy’s Wrist Strap. — Over time, the genuine leather and customizable accent threads develop a patina that will remind you of all the quality time you’ve spent with your gear. Ben Keough/NYT Wirecutter

Gordy’s makes other kinds of straps, too. So if you’re not a wrist strap weirdo like me, you can get neck straps or finger straps (basically mini wrist straps), and the company even makes keychain straps. And if you prefer a different kind of mounting point for your wrist strap, you can get them with lug and tripod mounts in addition to my preferred string setup.

There’s a saying among seasoned photographers: “Cameras are temporary; lenses are forever.” I feel the same about camera straps, and the Gordy’s Wrist Strap is my forever strap.

This article was edited by Phil Ryan and Erica Ogg.

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