How to Add a Pad to Your Shoulder Strap

A padded strap could relieve that cutting, digging feeling on your shoulder.

Packing around a loaded book bag, laptop case, over-stuffed purse, weighty diaper bag or even a camera case for a length of time can irritate your shoulder as well as your nerves. A slipping strap only causes further, needless aggravation. Adding a shoulder padding to the underside of a strap may relieve that digging, cutting or slipping feeling of some straps. A comfy, padded fix could be just minutes away.

Things You'll Need

• 1 to 2 strips of color-coordinated 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick closed cell foam, cut to determined length and slightly less than the strap width
• Tacky glue
• Scissors
• White sewing pencil
• Weight, such as a large book
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Place the bag strap(s) over your shoulder as you would normally carry the bag or case. Determine the part of the strap(s) you need padded. Mark the underside of the straps with a white sewing pencil for foam padding placement.

2. Cut the durable, closed cell foam sheet to the determined length but slightly narrower than the strap width to hide the padding. Cut one foam strip for each strap. Closed cell foam is a durable foam like that of a yoga mat and can be purchased in most department and craft stores.

3. Lay the bag or case on a counter. On a piece of wax paper, to protect the counter from glue, turn the underside of the straps upright and as flat as possible. If the straps unhook from the bag, remove them to make the process easier.

4. Open a nearby window for ventilation. Apply the glue to the underside of the straps. Squeeze the tube or bottle to release a line of glue from one pencil mark to the other. Spread the glue with a small folded piece of wax paper as a spatula. Tacky glue is similar to white glue but, as the name suggests, is instantly stickier making it easy and quick to work with on certain projects.

5. Spread the glue evenly over one side of each foam strip.

6. Bond the foam glue-side to the strap glue-side and gently press together by hand. Continue to press for approximately 2 minutes. Place a piece of wax paper over the finished project in case of glue seepage; place a heavy book carefully over the wax paper for weight. Allow one hour for the glue to dry before removing the book.

Tips & Warnings

• Additional layers of foam can be attached in the same way for added thickness and comfort. Closed cell foam tape may provide a temporary, quick-fix in a desperate, comfort-deprived situation.

References

• "Popular Mechanics"; 1959
• Closed Cell Foam: Closed Cell Foam

Resources

• Closed Cell Foam: Closed Cell Foam