Kirk Safety Carrying Strap SS-1

Kirk Safety Strap SS-1, when the second camera just comes along

You usually only notice it after a few hours of use: carrying a second camera or a heavy telephoto lens just in your hand gets pretty annoying in the long run and, to be honest, it’s not particularly safe either. The Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 is designed exactly for these situations. It offers you a comfortable, stable and at the same time unobtrusive way to carry your additional gear close to your body without it constantly getting in the way or swinging around uncontrollably with every movement.

What you get here is not an overloaded high-tech strap with 100 gimmicks, but a well-thought-out, robust camera strap that does exactly what it’s supposed to do: reliably secure your camera or telephoto lens, relieve your back and stay inconspicuous in everyday use – except for the fact that everything simply runs more smoothly.

Comfortable camera strap with shoulder pad for long shoots

The Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 is designed as a classic camera strap, but with a clear focus on comfort and safety. The integrated shoulder pad distributes the weight pleasantly so that you don’t lose interest after a short time even with a massive telephoto lens or a second DSLR/mirrorless camera. This difference really shows during reportage work, weddings, sports or wildlife, where you’re on the move for hours.

The strap length is adjustable, and in a range that is genuinely practical: you can set the strap so that the camera sits high at your side when you move around a lot, or a bit lower if you prefer quick access. The maximum strap length is about 137 cm, which fits most body sizes comfortably without forcing you into any compromises.

Arca-style compatible, seamless integration into your quick-release system

A crucial point for many photographers: the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 is ARCA compatible and therefore integrates cleanly into common Arca-style quick-release systems. On the underside of the clamp there is a square 38 mm dovetail clamping profile that works with many 38 mm dovetail profiles on quick-release plates for lenses and cameras.

What this means for you: you don’t have to constantly rebuild your setup when switching between tripod and strap. The camera or lens stays on your Arca-style compatible plate, and you simply clip it in wherever you currently need it – on the strap or in the quick-release clamp. Especially if you frequently switch between handheld, tripod and shoulder carry, this saves you a lot of fiddling.

Made in the USA, solid build quality without frills

The Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 is manufactured in the USA, and you can tell by the feel of the parts: the clamp feels high-quality, precisely machined, nothing rattles, nothing feels “cheap”. We’d say it’s more of a tool than an accessory. Especially if you use your gear in tough everyday conditions – outdoors, at events, while traveling – this kind of reliability is worth its weight in gold.

The combination of sturdy webbing and a cleanly machined clamp ensures that you can rely on its holding power. The webbing itself is about 2.4 cm wide, making it narrow enough not to be bulky, but wide enough not to cut into your shoulder. A good compromise between stability and carrying comfort.

Technical details that really matter in everyday use

A few numbers to help you better assess the whole thing: the strap weighs roughly 175 g. That’s light enough not to add much to the load, but not so delicate that you’d worry it might give way at the first sign of stress. The maximum strap length of 137 cm allows you to adjust the safety strap to your height and preferred carrying style, whether across the body or classically over one shoulder.

On the underside of the clamp, next to the 38 mm dovetail profile, there is also a 1/4-inch thread. This standard thread opens up additional options if you want to use the strap in a special setup, for example in combination with other accessories or alternative mounts. It’s not a gimmick, but a pragmatic extension of the possible uses.

Who the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 is particularly useful for

If you regularly work with two cameras – for example one with a wide-angle, one with a telephoto – you know the problem: one camera is always somehow in the way. With the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 you carry the second camera or a telephoto lens close to your body, relatively still, yet always within easy reach. Especially at weddings, sporting events, concerts or in nature photography, this is a real advantage.

This safety strap is also interesting for photographers who frequently work with heavy telephoto lenses, for example in wildlife or bird photography. You can attach the lens to the Arca-style compatible lens collar and transport it safely without having to hold it in your hand all the time. Your hands are free, your shoulders are relieved, and the gear is still ready for use at any moment.

Practical handling without any fuss

In practice, it works like this: you attach the clamp of the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 to a suitable Arca-style compatible quick-release plate or to a corresponding lens collar with a 38 mm dovetail profile. Thanks to the 1/4-inch thread on the underside of the clamp, you even have additional mounting options if you want to run a slightly more specialized setup.

The strap itself can be quickly adjusted in length so you can react to the situation. Sometimes you need the camera higher on your shoulder, sometimes a bit lower when you bring it to your eye more often. It’s not a complicated system with ten straps and clips, but more of a “connect, adjust, go” approach. And that’s exactly what makes it so pleasant in everyday use.

Robust, functional and pleasantly understated

We’d describe the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 as an unpretentious workhorse. No flashy design, no exaggerated promises, but a straightforwardly engineered camera strap that noticeably makes life easier with your second camera or telephoto lens. The combination of shoulder pad, adjustable length, Arca-style compatibility and the 1/4-inch thread on the underside of the clamp makes it a versatile tool in everyday photography.

So if you’re looking for a solution that lets you carry a second camera or a heavy lens safely, comfortably and system-compatibly without having to throw your existing quick-release system overboard, then the Kirk Safety Strap SS-1 fits the bill quite well. No marketing fireworks, but a well-thought-out, solid piece of equipment that simply works.