What are the best leather straps for a Leica M11?

sooo i would suggest going with a neck strap for the Leica M11 cuz wrist loops are actually pretty tiring for long days. unfortunately, ive had issues with some big brands being way too stiff and uncomfortable right out of the box.

• Artisan and Artist ACAM-280 Leather Camera Strap: basically the standard choice, but ngl, its not as soft as expected right away. the leather is a bit thin and i think it takes way too long to break in, though the lug protectors are solid.
• Rock n Roll M Classic Leather Camera Strap: honestly, this one is probably better for long shoots. its reallyyy soft and flexible because of the link design. it doesnt bite into ur neck like flat leather does, which is a huge relief. i mean, its all about comfort when ur out all day. highkey avoid anything too rigid or youll regret it... gl!

Seconding the recommendation above! Those thin cords are literally a nightmare for ur neck. Adding my two cents cuz I found some high-value picks that look premium but cost way less. Im still learning about leather grain specs, but these felt amazing:

• MegaGear Sierra Series Genuine Leather Camera Strap
• JJC Deluxe Genuine Leather Neck Strap with Lug Protectors Both are under $40 and look fantastic on an M11. Have u checked the strap width yet? gl!

Honestly, metal lugs will totally scratch your finish if they arent shielded, so integrated protectors are a safety must. I went with a neck strap and am super happy with my Oberwerth High-End Leather Camera Strap because it protects the body perfectly. It is super soft for long walks and looks premium tho!!

@Reply #1 - good point! zjhpflmnpn is totally right about the break-in period. I actually had a nightmare experience with a super expensive strap that felt like a saw blade on my neck. I ended up going the DIY route and spent a whole weekend rubbing saddle soap into a vintage piece I found just to get that buttery feel people talk about. I even had to cut my own leather circles for the lugs because the built-in ones on the retail strap were way too flimsy. You might want to consider how much work you want to put into the leather yourself if it arrives stiff. Before you buy anything tho, I wanted to ask:

• What kind of budget are you working with for this?
• Are you the type who likes to wear the camera cross-body or just straight down the shoulder? Make sure to look closely at the stitching too. I have seen some high-end looking ones fall apart because the thread wasnt waxed properly. Better to be safe than sorry with an expensive M11!

tl;dr: Go for a wide neck strap with integrated leather flaps to protect the body and save your neck from strain. Yo! Had a moment to think about this more and honestly, my biggest warning is to AVOID those super thin cord-style leather straps. They look highkey amazing for photos, but they LITERALLY dig into your skin after an hour. The M11 is heavier than it looks! I learned that lesson the hard way when I first started out with the system. I suggest looking at brands like Rock n Roll or even Oberwerth for that premium vibe. You want a strap thats at least an inch wide to distribute the weight better. Also, make sure the lug protectors are actually part of the strap design so they dont slide around and let the rings scratch the finish. Neck straps are way better than wrist loops for long days cuz they let you actually use your hands when youre not shooting. Anyway, thats my two cents. gl!

Been using this for years, no complaints