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There’s major buzz around smartphone crossbody straps and wristlets, and it has been building up for a few years now. I’ve tested straps and cases from third-party brands like Casetify, MOFT, and Otterbox over the past couple of smartphone release cycles, but the trend really came to a head when Apple released its official Crossbody Strap alongside the iPhone 17 series last year. So far, it seems like people either love the idea of strapping their phone to their person, or can’t even conceive why anyone would want to do so.
If I could only pick one, I’d be in the latter camp. I haven’t found a strap that’s worth the hassle of needing to attach and remove it from my smartphone situationally. That said, when I heard Peak Design was planning to make mobile phone straps, they immediately caught my attention. I use a Peak Design strap, micro clutch, and capture clip with my mirrorless camera, so why not try one of the brand’s straps on my iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?
You can buy Peak Design’s mobile straps starting today, and I’ve been using them all for a few weeks now. There’s the wristlet Mobile Cuff ($30), the Mobile Crossbody Strap ($50), and the Mobile Crossbody Multi-Strap ($60) — each are available in Black, Ibis (orange), and Ocean (blue) colorways. Peak Design’s expertise making camera strap looms large in its mobile ecosystem, as these wristlet and crossbody phone straps are easily the best I’ve used.
Peak Design’s mobile cuff is perfect for everyday wear
Out of the three Peak Design mobile straps, the mobile cuff shines as the best option for everyday use. It’s small and compact, measuring 7.9 inches at its shortest length. Unlike with other mobile straps I’ve used, I didn’t mind keeping the cuff attached to my phone most of the time. In fact, I love how easy pulling your phone out of your pocket becomes with the short wristlet attached. I no longer have to wrestle my phones out of my front pockets, and instead simply tug on the Peak Design mobile cuff to remove them.
All three straps use what Peak Design calls Micro Anchors to connect with your phone case. They’ll also work with small (and light) devices that have smooth eyelets, like an earbuds case or a tiny point-and-shoot cameras. Micro Anchors are pill-shaped and snap into corresponding connectors on your straps. Peak Design also includes a universal adapter that slots in behind your generic phone case, adding a Micro Anchor even if your case doesn’t have eyelet mounting points.
The Micro Anchors require quite a bit of force to remove from the strap attachment points, but that’s a good thing for security.
In terms of weight, Peak Design isn’t publishing official weight limits. Instead, the brand is sharing that Micro Anchor attachment points can withstand up to 50 pounds of force. There’s no official weight limit due to the unpredictability of real-world variables, like movement, impact, and attachment design, according to the company. You’ll have to use your judgement when deciding what to attach to Peak Design mobile straps using Micro Anchors.
The brand does use Ricoh GR and similar compact, point-and-shoot cameras as examples of devices that should work fine with the mobile straps. My advice? The weight of an average phone is about 200 grams, give or take. Attaching devices roughly the same weight with soft eyelets should be alright, but as a rule of thumb — if you have to ask whether a camera is too heavy for the mobile straps, it’s probably too heavy.
The Micro Anchors do have a nice dual-layer design to help you keep tabs on wear. They’re black on the outside, but if you see the inner red core become visible, it’s time to replace them. Speaking of colors, it would’ve been nice to see color-matched Micro Anchors for the Ibis and Ocean straps.
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All three straps have a satisfying braided material similar to Peak Design’s form rope straps it recently launched for full-size cameras. They look great, although I’m partial to the blue Ocean versions, which are stunning. The strap hardware is all metal, and the Micro Anchor attachment points are mostly plastic.
Back to the mobile cuff in particular — the wristlet is easy to adjust and cinch simply by sliding the metal adjustment point. There’s a metal stopper that can be set to your preferred cinch length, so you don’t need to consciously adjust it every time. If your phone slips out of your hand while the loop is around your wrist, the mobile cuff automatically cinches, stopping at the pre-set point. I tested it myself, and it has the makings of a lifesaver if you’re the kind of person that drops their phone a lot.
The crossbody multi-strap feels like a perfect fit for hikes
The strap rope, metal adjustment sliders, and Micro Anchor attachment points are basically identical across each variant, so I’ll skip to what makes the crossbody multi-strap unique. For one, it’s a crossbody strap adjustable between 35.4 inches and 66 inches in length. Like the cuff, it’s easy to adjust with the metal sliders. The difference here is a built-in carabiner that houses three Micro Anchor attachment points.
The idea is that this one strap can hold multiple everyday carry items. I used one for my phone, another for a flashlight and pocketknife, and the final one for my AirPods Pro 2 case. Save for everything slamming into itself as I walked, the multi-strap worked as expected. The built-in carabiner feels incredibly premium — it’s made out of machined/anodized aluminum and has a locking mechanism for security.
You can open up the carabiner to add or remove Micro Anchor attachment points as you see fit, which is exciting for versatility. Remove the extra two Micro Anchor slots when you want to go solo with only your phone, and add more when you need extra gadgets.
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There’s a bit more space on the carabiner for even more attachments. I could see people adding their keys or similar items in addition to the three Micro Anchor points on the crossbody multi-strap. In that sense, this strap becomes a replacement for a small bag or sling. It’ll be great for short hikes, where you need the essentials close by but don’t want to carry a full kit.
The standard crossbody strap is a subtle alternative
Finally, there’s the standard crossbody strap. This one is the least exciting of the bunch for my taste, mostly because it’s designed to be used with two Micro Anchors. You put one on each side of your phone case, completing the crossbody loop. It’s similar to alternatives from Apple and other brands, but I’m not a fan since it leaves an extra Micro Anchor dangling when the strap is removed.
To be fair, Peak Design thought of this, and you can loop one of the Micro Anchors into an attachment point on the strap if you only want to put one Micro Anchor on your phone. I’d recommend the standard crossbody to those who don’t need the multi-strap, but to me, the multi-strap and the cuff are more enticing.
Are the Peak Design mobile straps worth buying?
Peak Design’s mobile cuff seems like an easy sell for any smartphone user that’s constantly on the move and wants an extra sense of security. It’s great for taking photos and using your phone one-handed without worrying about a slip or fall. Even when it’s not around my wrist, I find myself pulling my phone out of my pocket or bag by the cuff for convenience. It helps that the cuff is only $30, and it’s both cheaper and less intrusive than the other straps.
The crossbody straps may be a tougher sell at $50 for the standard version and $60 for the multi-strap model. I can’t imagine wearing my phone on a crossbody strap daily, but can definitely see the appeal in certain situations, like while traveling or camping. If you have a use in mind for a crossbody strap, it’s safe to say Peak Design’s options are some of the best. They feel the most durable and premium out of all the best I’ve tried.
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