Sporran chain vs. Sporran leather strap

[TheMacfie]

I currently only own a black leather strap for my sporran, but know people who mainly wear chains. I personally haven't noticed wear on the chain wearer's kilts, but can imagine that the movement of the links may cause some fraying of the materials. On the same note, the underside of my black leather sporran strap is unfinished and pretty rough, and im thinking that may wear on my material as well.

I could probably go on and on about individual situations, but depending on the frequency of kilting as well as the material and cost paid for the kilt, the concern will vary as well. In the case that you wear it infrequently, you may go with whatever you think looks better regardless of wear and tear. On the other hand, if you've paid $800+ for your kilt and plan to wear it often, you will most likely have other concerns.

since i frequent less expensive kilts i will wear whatever suits the occasion regardless of kilt durability. but again, like most other things, it depends on your personal situation. kthx

[Farlander]

I agree with Berserkbiship, contact cement is great stuff, but not a replacement for a rivet.

My general advice for leather or chain? Leather for day and typical informal wear. Chain for formal evening.

I have found that the biggest danger with cheap sporran straps (chain or leather) is the cheap clasps often used. They are small and sharp, and will do damage! If you get a cheap strap, I suggest replacing the clasp. Check out the following for an example of one that I did recently:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/i...505/index.html

[McFarkus]

I really like the belt system that comes with a Ferguson Britt sporran. Matt Newsome has a picture of it here http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s....html?p=509848

And a picture of how it looks in from here http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s....html?p=509848

[JakobT]

I have to say I vastly prefer a strap to a chain.

I don't know about wear (not having been a kiltie long enough), but I think that would depend on the design of both chain and strap. Most chain straps supplied with sporrans are quite badly finished, with cheap hardware and rough edges, and will easily cause undue wear or even snag on the kilt.

For daily wear, my favourite is a simple continuous leather strap with a buckle. This makes the sporran easy to slide to one side when sitting at my desk, or obeying a "call of nature". With a chain strap, you have to rotate both sporran and chain around your waist, which will probably cause more wear. This will also be the case with a leather strap with carabiners at each end.

Also I find that a chain strap has a tendency to wrinkle the kilt beneath it, something a leather strap doesn't do.

[cavscout]

Great discussion. I'll just chime in a pennies worth on one point. The great benefit of the trigger snaps on the end of the strap is that you don't have to fiddle around with a buckle behind your back to put your sporran on or take it off. Working in an office environment or around the house where I'll put a sporran on/off frequently while coming and going it's nice to be able to throw the strap around my waist and clip and go. No question if it's in the correct hole and no buckling on the side then turning the strap to put the buckle in the back.

It's absolutely preference though.

[davedove]

Great discussion. I'll just chime in a pennies worth on one point. The great benefit of the trigger snaps on the end of the strap is that you don't have to fiddle around with a buckle behind your back to put your sporran on or take it off. Working in an office environment or around the house where I'll put a sporran on/off frequently while coming and going it's nice to be able to throw the strap around my waist and clip and go. No question if it's in the correct hole and no buckling on the side then turning the strap to put the buckle in the back.

It's absolutely preference though.

I can see that and do agree with those assertions. I do wonder though if the snaps wouldn't cause some of the same wear on the kilt as does a chain.

I do like using the plain strap; as has been mentioned, you can easily slide the sporran to the side when needed.

I have found, that some sporrans don't give you any option. I have seen some that have the rings mounted on them, but no slot that you could slide a strap through.

[James MacMillan]

I find myself just pushing the sporran to the side when it gets in the way. I tend to take it off in the house, but when I'm out and about, and it becomes a problem, like when driving, I just push it to the side. Oh, and all my current sporrans have a slot or loop for a belt, so that makes it easier too.

[Jack Daw]

I only wear the chain for (semi-) formal occasions. Otherwise, I prefer the belts and a hanger that I have.

[Colin]

I got a couple of really good leather straps from Robert at www.rkilts.com that work great.

I haven't seen the evidence that either wears on a kilt, but I rotate the leather strap and chain belts based on the event and the formality, but I do the same with my sporrans. My brown Freelander always has a leather strap and my seal skin dress sporran always has a chain belt.

[Hamish]

...............................My brown Freelander always has a leather strap and my seal skin dress sporran always has a chain belt.

That is the way it should be, Colin. Day wear = leather strap with buckle - no 'D' rings and clips; Dress wear = chain strap, probably with 'D' rings and clips.

Take care,
Ham.