Velstretch for wriststrap?

[Cinders 0]

Anyone have any experience with velstretch? (Basically stretchy velcro).

I need a new wriststrap for my altimeter, the current one is too tight (have big wrists). I just use a watchband style strap, don't use a finger loop style.

Debating on velstretch, but I've never seen it and am wondering if it'll do the job well, or just plain velcro is better?

Thanks for any thoughts

[NovaTTT 2]

I've never seen Velstretch. My concerns would be durability and give. Standard 1" Velcro is pretty durable, both the hook and pile as well as the substrate tape. Velcro isn't going to "give" once you have it mated. Velstretch, by it's nature, is going to give, meaning your altimeter might not want to stay where you put it - and want it to stay.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[pchapman 279]

I don't know the Velstretch.

As an alternative:

I've got an alti with the finger loop at front and velcro wrist band at back. When I replaced the velcro band, I added in a couple inch section of elastic tape. The tape was from a fabric store and was doubled up so it wasn't too stretchy.

That provides a little "give" in the whole strap.

[tetra316 0]

I replaced the velcro wrist strap on my altimeter with elastic. It is sown shut so I just slip my hand through the loop to put it on. Works like a charm. I decided I didn't want the velcro picking at my new spandex sleeves jumpsuit

[dragon2 2]

My previous alti (non-digital) had an elastic velcro double strap, to fit around my hand. Loved that strap. I don't like the rubber ring around my fingers and this strap avoided that. Don't know if that material was what you call velstretch but it was stretchy velcro, it came with the 2nd hand alti. It held on for ~300 jumps I did with it before I had to get the strap replaced but the replacement was elastic band only, made by another skydiver for me. Didn't fit as well as the first one did. And I really really liked that velcro strap. You could also double the strap and put it on your wrist/lower arm instead of your hand but since I usually wear either big camerawings or a wingsuit this to me is useless. Hmmm I now want a neptune strap like the one I used to have....

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[rhys 0]

I use a suunto but the guys at work are using these stealth straps, they are made to hold flippers on bodyboarders legs when they get smashed.

They cost about $12 for two of them. Save you time on the sewing machine and cheaper than buying the materials. they have nice neoprene for comfort also!

These are the ones

They are from Australia but I'm sure you could find something similar in the US.

Stretchy velcro sounds like a nightmare to me, but i'm keen to check it out.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[thomas_crowe 0]

Found them on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/Creatures-Leisure-Heavy-Savers-Tethers/dp/B001MEGT1M

Thomas Crowe, NRP
Nationally Registered Paramedic
Red Hat Linux Geek

[rhys 0]

Quote

Found them on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/...ethers/dp/B001MEGT1M

cool, nice price too. less than 5 bucks each!

Altimaster 3's screw staright on to these.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[darkwing 5]

I used stretch Velcro for a wrist-mount for years. It was great!

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[riggerrob 643]

Agreed!

Stretch Velcro straps used to be standard on a European-made altimeter - Barigo?

... more comfortable than any of the American-made straps ...

[dragon2 2]

Quote

Agreed!

Stretch Velcro straps used to be standard on a European-made altimeter - Barigo?

... more comfortable than any of the American-made straps ...

I did have an older Barigo and it did come with a stretch strap... I want another one

ciel bleu,
Saskia