Backpack shoulder wear?

Lord_Clarence · Post by **Lord_Clarence** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 7:04 pm

Couldn't find this specific topic addressed before:

Has anybody experienced an issue with wearing a backpack frequently on an easily-distressed jacket like the lambs? As a student, (will be one for a couple more years) I'll be forced to wear one, and I'm worried about unsightly wear marks on the shoulders when I finally pick up a jacket. This could influence my choice of leather. Alas, I will be carrying too much to go for Indy's solution, the gas mask bag.

Perhaps I could just go with a larger messenger bag... but I'm still curious about anybody's experience with shoulder straps on the leather.

Cordially,
Lord Clarence

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 7:08 pm

Wear isn't your biggest consideration. If you plan on wearing a backpack that's made of nylon, the straps can literally cut through a soft leather. I've experienced this on softer leather from my seatbelt shoulder strap! If this is a main concern, you better consider goatskin or cowhide, especially if you're going to be packing that pack for a while. Regards. Michaelson

Michigan Smith · Post by **Michigan Smith** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 7:41 pm

The new finish cowhide I had several years ago began to show wear on the left shoulder/collar from seatbelt shoulder strap. I'd go with the goatskin, mine still isn't showing any sign of finish surface wear, but is creasing and wrinkling nicely.

Lord_Clarence · Post by **Lord_Clarence** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 8:02 pm

Well, rats. I sure don't want my jacket to get torn up, and I definitely want to wear it with pride at school. I was hoping for at least the lightness of the lambtouch cow (CA, ya know), but I can probably live with goat. It solves another riddle of mine--whether to go for lamb for drape or goat for warmth in winter, durability, and adventureability. (Never go on an adventure without your jacket!) And at least the goat comes in an authentic color. From what I can tell, it doesn't seem to drape too badly. I wasn't going to artificially distress my jacket, so that's not a concern, either. Thanks guys!

Cordially,
Lord Clarence

Rixter · Post by **Rixter** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 1:43 am

Being very familiar with a large music shop in our area, one day I was trying out the instruments as usual when on the way out I stopped by the used gear department and noticed some large, thickly padded, adjustable black shoulder straps. They were wider, and much thicker than the single one you normally see on guitars and I found out that they were actually designed for accordions. Having had similar problems with backpacks (and apparently having the ability to think of two things at once - at least at the time) I amazingly deduced that this would solve a problem that I had been wrestling with also. :idea: I got em’ for near nothing and replaced the nylon ones on my backpack with these padded leather straps with the additional long thick flexible-ribbed pads (that prevent them from sliding,) heavy duty clips and all. Not only did they look good, but more importantly they felt and worked amazingly well. Although I don’t wear ‘the’ jacket ALL the time, so far so good.

Lord_Clarence · Post by **Lord_Clarence** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 2:12 am

That's a durn good idea, Rixter. I bet I could come up with something to prevent a messenger bag shoulder strap from sandpapering my jacket down to nothing. (As it happens, my father plays the accordion... :!: )

With that concern alleviated, back to the which-leather drawing board.

*Goes off muttering: "Authentic lamb... No, lambtouch for durability... But the color... And the authentic lamb is now heavier...

*

Cordially,
Lord Clarence