Quick outline
- Why I got one
- How I set it up
- Real calls where it helped (and one where it didn’t)
- What I love
- What bugs me
- Care tips
- Who it fits best
- Final call
Why I even switched
I’m a firefighter/EMT. For years, I clipped my radio to my coat. It bounced. It slipped. I missed traffic once on a windy roof. That stuck with me. So I moved to a leather radio strap.
For another shift-by-shift breakdown of how a strap performs in real calls, see this leather radio strap field review.
If you’re after a deeper dive on what a strap does, how it sits, and why leather is still king, SB Newsroom lays it out clearly in their firefighter radio strap overview.
I use a Boston Leather 1.5-inch strap with an anti-sway. Mine is size large, paired with a Motorola APX radio in a leather case. Nothing crazy. Simple, tough, and plain.
At first, I thought it would be bulky. It wasn’t. The weight sits on my shoulder, not my chest. I can breathe. I can grab the mic without a fishing trip under my coat.
Setup and fit (the boring part that matters)
I run the strap under my turnout coat. The mic comes out at the storm flap. It stays close to my chest. Less snaggy. Safer near fire. On EMS runs, I’ll sometimes wear it over my job shirt. Easy access. Fast.
A few tweaks that helped:
- Chicago screws: I hit them with a drop of blue thread locker. Once, I lost one on a stairwell and didn’t notice till we cleared. Learned fast.
- Keepers: I added an extra keeper to guide the mic cord. Electrical tape held it while I waited for a new one.
- Anti-sway strap: Clip to my belt or bunker loop. It cuts the swing when I run or crawl.
Sizing tip: Sit with your gear on. Buckle the strap. Reach for the mic. If your shoulder hikes up, it’s too short. If the mic hits your belly button, it’s too long.
Not sure a strap is your speed? One medic put three different radio harnesses through the wringer and shared the pros and cons—read the full comparison here.
Real calls, real moments
Greasy kitchen fire at 2 a.m.
Hot, thick smoke. I crawled past a knocked pan and a loud range hood. I heard every word from command. Clear as day. I didn’t fumble for the radio. My mic sat right under my chin. I felt calm. That’s the win.
4th-floor EMS cardio call
Narrow stairs. I had a bag, monitor, and this strap. No swing. No clank. I could lean over the patient without the radio digging into my ribs. My partner laughed because I finally stopped swearing at my gear.
Windy roof check after a storm
I bent under a vent line and my strap brushed a nail. It caught for a second. I froze, backed up, and cleared it. No harm. Still, that taught me to keep it under the coat near tools or debris. Over is comfy, but it can snag.
Winter slip-and-fall
My glove froze to the mic cord. Funny, not fun. I started feeding just a little more slack through the keeper in cold weather. Small fix. Big help.
What I love
- Comfort: The leather breaks in like a good boot. It molds to you.
- Sound: The mic stays in the same spot. I hear better. I talk better.
- Hands free: My radio is there, but it’s not all over me.
- Toughness: Mine’s two years in. The edges darkened, but the stitching is solid.
- Price for value: My setup ran about $90 for strap and case, plus the sway. It’s not cheap. It’s also not throwaway gear.
If you’re comparing specs or looking for compatible radio cases, the guides over at Airtronics break everything down in plain language.
And if you’re weighing which holster actually lives up to the hype, this hands-on review of three go-to options is gold—check it out here.
Need a broader shopping list? Firefighter Insider rounded up the 10 best firefighter radio straps and shows where each one shines.
What bugs me
- Break-in: Week one was stiff. I used a little leather conditioner. Not too much. It softened up by week two.
- Sweat and smell: Summer hits, it gets funky. Saddle soap helps. I wipe it down after hot calls.
- Seatbelts: Over the shirt, it sometimes fights the harness in the cab. Under the coat, no problem.
- Reflective tape: I added a strip. It peels fast in heat. I might stamp my name next time instead.
Care and durability
I keep it simple:
- Wipe off soot with a damp cloth.
- Saddle soap once a month if it’s filthy.
- A light rub of conditioner in dry months. I like Obenauf’s. Don’t slather it. Too much can stain your shirt and make the leather floppy.
- Check screws and clips on Friday truck checks. Takes two minutes.
Mine has scuffs, sure. The holes didn’t stretch out. The mic loop still holds. It looks better beat up anyway.
Who it’s for (and who it’s not)
- Great for: Firefighters who want clear comms and less bulk on the coat. Medics who need fast access without wrestling a clip. Folks who run long shifts and hate gear bounce.
- Maybe not for: People who won’t keep up with simple care. Or anyone who must keep everything strictly inside the coat per policy. Follow your house rules.
Small extras that actually help
- Name stamp: Easier to spot after decon.
- Spare Chicago screws in the radio pocket.
- A short paracord loop on the mic. Easy grab with gloves.
- A glove clip on the strap. Not fancy. Handy.
Off duty chatter matters too: after a rough tour, some of us grab cold beers, others pick a change of scenery. If you ever rotate through northern France for training or mutual aid and want a low-effort way to meet locals when you clock out, take a look at PlanCul Lille—the service pairs you with like-minded adults in Lille quickly, so you can relax and enjoy the city instead of scrolling endless apps.
Traveling west instead? If a conference, wildland deployment, or vacation drops you in the Bay Area, you can short-circuit the usual dating-app grind by browsing local listings on Bedpage San Bruno—the site curates nearby adult meet-ups and events, letting you unwind off-shift without wasting hours on swipes.
Final call
I thought a leather radio strap was just “old school.” It’s not. It’s smart. It keeps my radio where my brain wants it—same place, every call. It’s not perfect. It can stink. It can snag if you wear it wrong. But it earns its keep.
If mine vanished tomorrow, I’d buy the same setup again before the next shift. That’s the best thing I can say about any piece of gear.