Quick-Adjust Strap

[tsukemono]

Well, I took the plunge and bought myself an Ego with the Q-A strap when I was stateside last month. Since it's my first messenger bag it took some getting used to but, all in all I'm pleased with it. The one thing I would like to see is changed is the thickness of the strap on the Q-A strap. There are times when I go to pick up the Ego I have to 'untwist' the strap. I feel if the strap were a bit thicker (stiffer) it wouldn't be so quick (easy) to 'twist'.
It's a minor complaint in an all around great bag and maybe it's just me (I do have a tendency to just throw (not place) my bag down).

[Patrick]

Hehe, I'm getting used to it myself... I think it'll be very useful bike riding next spring though.

[scholar]

I have the q am on both my super ego and my imago and love them dearly... as much as I love the absolute( one is on my aeronaut and one is on another bag that isn't a bihn) I honestly can't see using it for my daily commute...

[kengreen]

I love the Quick-Adjust strap I got with my ID. I used an Absolute with my Empire Builder and ordered another one with my Aeronaut. But I agree - for daily use, the Q-A strap is excellent. I love being able to change the bag's position so easily.

The one thing that I don't like about the Q-A strap is that it's too slick to reliably use hanging off one shoulder (bag on right side of body, strap over right shoulder). This same slickness does make the bag great when used across the body (bag on right side of body, strap over left shoulder) because it means you can maneuver the ID from behind you, to the side, to in front of you to get inside the pockets - all with ease.

Still, it's scary when on really short trips - like from the car to the front door - and you need both hands free, and you want to just sling the bag from one shoulder. I've had the ID drop on me once.

I think a perfect upgrade for the Quick-Adjust strap would be a small strip of rubber (similar to Absolute grippy material?) on the *top* of the strap. This way, normal use would be as before, taking advantage of the slickness for maneuverability. But for those times when you want to walk a short distance with the bag off one shoulder, and need a little more grip, you could flip the strap around and put the rubber stripe down. This would twist the straps - but again, it would only be for occasional use - and would be a much more reliable method of one-shoulder carrying.

[judge]

I think a perfect upgrade for the Quick-Adjust strap would be a small strip of rubber (similar to Absolute grippy material?) on the *top* of the strap. This way, normal use would be as before, taking advantage of the slickness for maneuverability. But for those times when you want to walk a short distance with the bag off one shoulder, and need a little more grip, you could flip the strap around and put the rubber stripe down. This would twist the straps - but again, it would only be for occasional use - and would be a much more reliable method of one-shoulder carrying.

Definitely agree with you about the Q-AM strap. Great for across the body use, but not for shoulder carry. I actually had the same idea just a little while ago for the double-sided strap. Also, if the straps were attached with hooks, then there wouldn't be a problem of the strap twisting. I would be interested in something like that.

Also, I tried using the Absolute Strap across my body to carry my Super Ego. It actually worked out ok, with some caveats. It didn't allow for on the fly adjustment. The grippy side is too sticky to really use (for me, but some people might like that), but if you flip the strap over and use the other side, the strap slides around pretty well. Most importantly, the pad is just too small for this. No idea if this is possible, but maybe they can make an Absolute Strap with a much longer pad. This is sort of like what kengreen suggested. I think this would make it more comfortable, whether you carry it on your shoulder or across the body. Just a thought.

[kengreen]

Definitely agree with you about the Q-AM strap. Great for across the body use, but not for shoulder carry. I actually had the same idea just a little while ago for the double-sided strap. Also, if the straps were attached with hooks, then there wouldn't be a problem of the strap twisting. I would be interested in something like that.

Also, I tried using the Absolute Strap across my body to carry my Super Ego. It actually worked out ok, with some caveats. It didn't allow for on the fly adjustment. The grippy side is too sticky to really use (for me, but some people might like that), but if you flip the strap over and use the other side, the strap slides around pretty well. Most importantly, the pad is just too small for this. No idea if this is possible, but maybe they can make an Absolute Strap with a much longer pad. This is sort of like what kengreen suggested. I think this would make it more comfortable, whether you carry it on your shoulder or across the body. Just a thought.

Just guessing, but I think the stretching of the Absolute would make it inferior to the Q-AM strap for quick position changes. But I never thought to use the other side.

I think of the Absolute Strap as meeting completely different needs - bigger/heavier loads. That is, the type of load that would really benefit from an Absolute Strap isn't likely to be slung around from hip to back with much ease.

Also, I would never have suspected this to be true, but I actually *like* the fixed/non-swivel strap connections on the ID. For me (and the Q-AM), the straps actually untangle easier when they are twisted.

The idea of a "sticky stripe" on the Q-AM is just for those quick trips to/from the car, down the hall, etc. I'd put up with twisted straps for the ability to hang my ID off one shoulder occasionally.

Tom/Darcy?? Is this something likely to be considered?

[Tom Bihn]

I'll have to think about this one. The way the Q-AM strap is assembled does not lend itself to an easy modification, but like I say, I'll be thinking about it.

[kengreen]

Thanks, Tom. This is definitely a "function over form" modification - I can't imagine adding a sticky stripe to the top side of the strap would *improve* the looks... But I trust you can come up with something that is cool and functional.

[lingo]

I must say that I've recently added the QA strap to my ID bag and I'm really enjoying the functionality of cinching it up close when I walk to work and back. Though I typically don't carry any of my bags on the same-side shoulder, I could understand the desire for some non-slip capacity.

Given that I'm no tailor, my suggestion here may exceed the realms of plausibility, but, I guess I'm ok with that:

Perhaps on the seam side (i.e., where the two ends of the cover material meet at the centerline), the TB crew could find some sort of grippy piping that could run along the groove on one side of the strap. (Even better if it was reflective!) Just thick enough to serve the short-term usage described above without getting into adding seams, etc.

Just a thought. Of course, even if it never changes, I'm stoked that I'm able to use it as is.

[kengreen]

Wow... very cool idea! I like the reflective stripe suggestion. That way, for those who might never use the strap flipped over (same shoulder/side), it wouldn't be a "useless" stripe. I'm a sucker for anything reflective anyway.

Like you, I'm still happy with the Q-AM strap as it is. I use it every day with my ID. I even sling it on same shoulder/side on occasion - but VERY carefully...