Sporran Straps: Leather vs Chain?

[MacGumerait]

I'm with the leather crowd . Wait a minute ... that sounded a bit odd ! Let's try that again ... I prefer the leather sporran belts over the chain belts .

[Jock Scot]

So I guess with a resounding LEATHER is better that means that I'll need a full array of colours! Is black only for dress or will it work for day as well?

Black will be fine for day wear. If it helps, I wear a black sporran and black leather strap during the day and have done for some thirty years. In fact these days, it is my only sporran and it does for any occasion that I require, including minor formal events. You don't need to have a full array of colours and whilst leather sporran straps are probably the choice of most, if you want to wear a chain one then that is a perfectly valid choice.

The problem with chains is that some have rough edges where the links join and that can catch on the kilt apron, in consequence damage to the kilt can ensue.So, if you prefer the chain it might be best to check the links.

[Calgacus]

I currently have one leather and two chain straps. I like both types and none of them have ever caused any damage to my kilts. I prefer the look of a chain strap for evening wear, and probably lean towards leather for day wear.

If you get a decent quality chain with no rough edges it will do your kilt no harm, so I say wear whichever you best like the look of.

[Chas]

In the end I think it comes down to comfort and confidence. If a man is not comfortable in what he is wearing then he will not project an air of confidence and will not wear whatever well.

There are many times during a kilted day when it is more comfortable to wear your sporran on your hip. Sitting down to eat; driving; dancing close; Scottish country dancing;taking your lady in your arms and last, but by no means least, emptying your bladder.

If you use chains, then you have to turn the whole of the belt and chains and sporran round. If you wear a strap, it is the effort of a moment to slide your sporran on to your left hip. Then after you have finished eating, driving, dancing, dancing, holding, or gaining access, again a split second and you are correctly dressed. You don't even have to look at the sporran and it can be done with one hand.

In this picture, please note where my sporran strap buckle is - at the front, just forward of my right hip. I have never understood the logic of having a buckle in the middle of your back. Tears the fabric of everything you sit on; has to be done by touch; stabs you in the back while you sit or drive - no, give me a strap every time.

[Father Bill]

I'm absolutely a leather strap man... with one caveat: Make sure that the leather is smooth on the edges and that the die is of good quality. Otherwise you may have some of the same "rough edge" problems that you get with a chain, or some very dark stains that will be hellish to remove. These problems are rare but worth noting.

[creagdhubh]

Here's what I prefer: A plain leather strap (usually in a shade of brown, tan, or conker from McRostie) with my Highland day attire and a plain (smooth black) leather, sterling silver chain-link strap (Ian Grant) with my Highland evening attire. Though I have always adored this sporran and chain strap ensemble for Highland day attire:

[RockyR]

I have been wearing kilts daily to work for 11 years. In those 11 years, I have only worn chain straps. NONE of my kilts show signs of wear on the apron (either PV kilts OR Wool kilts), aside from the odd coffee stain.

I have seen good quality flat link chains (with tight links whose 'welds' are on the ends of where the links meet) and bad quality chains (with little burrs). GENERALLY speaking, if you get a quality sporran, it should come with a quality flat link chain and there should be no burrs to snag the kilt.

I've seen good quality leather straps and bad quality ones. Ones made by a mass producer of sporrans (who shall remain nameless) use a reasonably stiff leather and allow the edges on the leather strap to remain at a CRISP 90* cut instead of beveling the edges. To me, the rubbing of stiff leather on a crisp edge cut would wear at the front apron (and sides and back) of the kilt much more than a smooth quality (well welded) chain would.

Also, if the sporran chains ripping up the front aprons of a kilt were a major issue, I would think / hope that customers would complain to the company where they bought the sporran chain that it ruined their kilt!


The ONLY * I will put on my comments above - The kilts I own are either wool or PV (with "Anti Pill Technology"). If you have an ACRYLIC kilt or a POLY COTTON kilt, odds are you will get pills on the front apron where the sporran and / or sporran chain rub. This is due to the nature of the fabric itself, NOT the fact that your sporran or chain have a burr or are "too rough".

Take the above for what it's worth... just my $.02

[sailortats]

I definitely prefer the chain straps. As long as it is a good chain strap there is no problem with burrs catching the kilt. I have one leather belt but rarely use it as I do not like the way the sporran hangs when I wear it.

[IsaacW]

I love the look of a classy leather but admit that I have not invested in such yet and currently have only a nice chain. That said, I am very pleased with how the chain has worked and looked. It also has caused no damage to my kilt, but I have a tank of a regimental kilt... HEAVY wool.

Add me to the leather and chain crowd... and hopefully typing this at work will not get me in trouble

[artificer]

I much prefer a leather strap for all but the most formal occasions.

As has been mentioned elsewhere- a cheap leather strap is as bad as a cheap chain. Beware of square 90* edges and unburnished backs. One other thing to beware of (and this pertains mainly to those who use women's belts for sporran straps) is "edge paint".

Manufacturers use it as a cheap alternative to either a folded or burnished edge, it's almost like plasti-dip and has a smooth, slightly rubbery feel.

Unfortunately, I've seen first-hand how it can break down. My wife had a handbag with that junk on the edges and after a season or so they started to leave odd brown streaks on her off-white wool coat.

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