If this is not possible, then the strap MUST be adjustable on both ends. The pad must be rubberized to prevent slippage. The pad must be padded to prevent from cutting into the shoulder. By the way, you can cinch up the shoulder strap on your travelpack and clip each end of the strap to the D-rings where your backpack straps go. It will not provide you the support you'd get from a real back pack waist belt, but it will provide you with some stability.
Some people like to wear their shoulder strap diagonally, the way bicycle messengers do.
If you wish to carry your bag this way, make sure your shoulder strap can extend long enough to provide you with enough room to take the bag up and off of yourself easily. Because of the way the bag's weight gets distributed on you, a protection pad is not as important a feature. Back to top. In addition to checking a bag's seams, take a look at its zippers. In general, the YKK brand zippers are probably the best in consistent quality.