Straps, tethers and not dropping the phone

Phone straps work by threading a thin tab through the case, between case and phone. That tab is the weak point of the whole system.

Check the tab, not the strap

The webbing will outlast the phone. The tab is thin polyester under a shear load every time the phone swings. Look at it once a month and replace it at the first sign of fraying or stretch at the hole.

The case matters

A tab needs a case with a snug edge. In a loose or very soft case the tab can pull through the gap. Hard cases with tight tolerances are safest.

Crossbody versus wrist

Crossbody straps free both hands and suit travel and markets. Wrist straps are lighter and better where a swinging phone would be in the way — on a bike, or in a crowd.

Retractable tethers

A steel cable with a carabiner is the option for stalls, delivery work and site use. It is heavier and less discreet, and that is the trade.