I am replacing some of the straps and adding some new ones to produce a more comfortable and secure pack for my dog. The original Granite Gear bags are quite good, but the straps left much to be desired. I now have a good design from the point of view of comfort and load control, but the ladderlock adjustments for the buckles tend to slip because of the low (and intermittent) tensions on them. I replaced some thinner and more slippery straps with thicker ones, but that has not entirely solved the problem. Some of the buckles seem to be of better design than others (sharper edges on the bar that is supposed to grip the fabric), and some have strap clips to hold the loose ends, but even the best of them aren't perfect.
I'm sewing all this by hand with heavy thread and a sewing machine needle used as a lockstitch awl, so I'd rather not start over with new straps and buckles. Is there a way to improve the friction of a ladderlock connection? I have thought of sewing a second layer of some lightweight grippy material onto the straps to make them thicker and less slippery. I think I could do that with a machine instead of by hand, but have no idea what additional material would work. I have also thought of filing the ladderlock edges to make them sharper. Another idea was coating the straps with diluted silicone seam sealer. Yet another was using a better design of strap clip for the ends. I don't know if there is one. Anybody coped with this problem?
Bookmarks