Bag advice - New shoulderpad needed for billingham hadley pro

[david.elliott]

I really don't care for the bilingham shoulder pad that I have for my hadley pro. I find it quite uncomfortable and not soft at all. In fact, I find that the strap without the pad is more comfortable than using the pad.

All that said...I'm going on vacation soon and plan to do a fair bit of hiking. Anybody have recommendations for a shoulder pad alternative? Something very comfortable would be greatly appreciated!

-David

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Billingham used to do a sling strap set that turned some of their bags into backpacks. I still have mine, though I no longer own any of the bags. I use it with a modified 'The Bridge' leather bag and it's more comfortable than any single strap, when carrying a heavy load.

 

[JayC]

Timbuk2 sell pads
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/deluxe-strap-pad
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/strap-pad-toughtek

 

[Godfrey]

I took a Timbuk2 pad I had laying about and have disassembled it. I'm having a friend replicate it in a soft leather with the cordura only on the back, and then add a small zipper around the strap rather than have it velcro closed. It will be more comfortable and will grip my shoulder better.

G

 

[david.elliott]

Billingham used to do a sling strap set that turned some of their bags into backpacks. I still have mine, though I no longer own any of the bags. I use it with a modified 'The Bridge' leather bag and it's more comfortable than any single strap, when carrying a heavy load.

Can't seem to find it. Will check ebay later. Thank you.

 

[david.elliott]

Timbuk2 sell pads
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/deluxe-strap-pad
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/strap-pad-toughtek

Have you used either or both? If so, how do you like it/them?

 

[david.elliott]

I took a Timbuk2 pad I had laying about and have disassembled it. I'm having a friend replicate it in a soft leather with the cordura only on the back, and then add a small zipper around the strap rather than have it velcro closed. It will be more comfortable and will grip my shoulder better.

G

So, not a big fan of the pad as it comes from the vendor?

 

[icebear]

You can get a seperate shoulder pad also for/from Domke, the "U.S. post office pad". Easy to attach with closing velcros
e.g. B&H :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Domke&sts=ma&N=4291486324&Ntt=shoulder+pad

 

[Godfrey]

So, not a big fan of the pad as it comes from the vendor?

It works but seems crude. 🙂

G

 

[kuvvy]

You can get a seperate shoulder pad also for/from Domke, the "U.S. post office pad". Easy to attach with closing velcros
e.g. B&H :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Domke&sts=ma&N=4291486324&Ntt=shoulder+pad

I use this, a bit chunky but sits on the shoulder much better than the Billingham one.

Paul

 

[Lflex]

I really don't care for the bilingham shoulder pad that I have for my hadley pro. I find it quite uncomfortable and not soft at all. In fact, I find that the strap without the pad is more comfortable than using the pad.
...

which one are you using? The old thick neoprene or the newer one?

 

[porktaco]

if you can get it to sit right, the post office pad is awesome.

 

[david.elliott]

which one are you using? The old thick neoprene or the newer one?

I have the newer one with the grooved dense foam cell.

 

[david.elliott]

Thanks everybody. I ordered a timbuk2 deluxe and a the domke pad as well. Will see how it goes. 🙂

 

[D&A]

I have the newer one with the grooved dense foam cell.

David, it's very subjective, but the older Billingham shoulder pads that are still sold along side the newer ones (as you described) in my opinion are much more comfortable...even though they have little padding. The bottom is neoprene with no closed cell foam. I find the thick closed cell foam is squishy and becomes uncomfortable after a while.

Opinions are really split on the Domke shoulder pad. Some love it others just the opposite. I'm in the latter camp with regards to that one.

Dave (D&A)

 

[david.elliott]

Thanks Dave. I find that the dense foam digs into my shoulder. It is too narrow and, well, dense. If neither the domke nor the timbuk2 pads are comfortable, I may end up getting an older billingham pad as suggested.