Bridle vs Water Buffalo Leather: What's the Difference?

Most HoldFast camera straps, from the MoneyMaker to the Camera Leash, come in two families of leather: Bridle and Water Buffalo. Both are real full grain leather, both are cut and put together by hand in our Oklahoma shop, and both carry our lifetime guarantee. They just feel, look and age differently. Here is how to choose.

The short version

• Bridle is cut from U.S. steer hides. It starts firm, breaks in like a good pair of boots, and has a natural, uncolored underside that will not color your clothes.
• Water Buffalo is an imported, full-bodied, vegetable-tanned hide with character from day one. Its color can bleed onto light clothing if the leather gets soaked.

Bridle leather

Bridle is our classic MoneyMaker leather. Our Bridle MoneyMaker is cut from U.S. steer hides, and the strap is 10 to 12 ounce leather.

How it feels. Bridle starts off a bit stiff. Wear it and it breaks in like a fine boot, molding to your body over a few uses.

The underside. The back of Bridle leather has a suede-like feel and has no color on it. That matters if you shoot in light clothing: the side against your shirt will not color-run onto it. When it is new, the underside sheds a little. That stops quickly. Running your hand down the length of the strap knocks the loose fibers away, and it will not keep shedding.

How it ages. Bridle grows more beautiful with time. The more you wear it, the more it takes on your shape and your story.

Colors. On the MoneyMaker, Bridle comes in Chestnut, Tan and Black.

Water Buffalo leather

Water Buffalo hides are imported. We use a full-bodied, vegetable-tanned hide that has character from day one.

How it feels. Where Bridle asks for a break-in period, Water Buffalo has character from day one.

How it looks. Water Buffalo is a beautiful leather in use, and every hide has its own grain and markings. It will change and patina over time as you use it.

The one caution: color bleed. The Water Buffalo finish can bleed color if the leather gets saturated and is worn against light clothing. If you wear white for most of your shoots, keep this in mind, because we do not accept returns for color bleed on this hide. Our HoldFast Leather Cream helps here: its beeswax keeps water out and lessens color seepage. For a better seal, apply it, then dry it into the leather with a hair dryer.

Colors. On the Original MoneyMaker, Water Buffalo comes in Burgundy, Tan and Black. The Skinny comes in Water Buffalo Tan and Black. Several of our Limited Edition straps also use Water Buffalo hides in other colors.

What both leathers share

• Full grain, with real marks. We use real full grain leather, so each hide shows the life the animal lived: scars, brands, wire cuts, insect bites and natural wrinkles. These are not defects. We keep good hides with marks like these, so your strap may carry one, and that makes it one of a kind.
• Same build and hardware. The MoneyMaker uses the same design and stainless hardware in either leather.
• Lifetime guarantee. If a leather piece breaks in normal use or ordinary wear, we will fix or replace it with a similar item, at our discretion, for the lifetime of the product.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Bridle if:

• You often shoot in white or light clothing.
• You like a strap that starts firm and molds to you over time.
• You want the classic MoneyMaker look in Chestnut, Tan or Black.

Choose Water Buffalo if:

• You want character from day one.
• You mostly shoot in darker clothing.

Neither is the wrong answer. Either one is built so you can buy it once.

See them side by side

Every color is shown on the Original MoneyMaker and Skinny MoneyMaker pages. To match your kit, the Camera Leash, Belt Anchor and HF Shoulder Pad come in both leathers too.

Questions

Is Water Buffalo leather American?

No. Water Buffalo hides are imported. Our Bridle leather is cut from U.S. steer hides. Both are made into straps by hand in our Oklahoma shop.

Which leather needs a break-in?

Water Buffalo has character from day one. Bridle starts off a bit stiff and breaks in like a fine boot over a few wears.

Will the leather stain my clothes?

Bridle has a natural, uncolored underside, so it will not color your clothes. Water Buffalo can bleed color if it gets soaked and is worn on light clothing, and we do not accept returns for color bleed on that hide. Leather Cream lessens color seepage but can't rule it out.

Why does my new Bridle strap shed a little?

The underside has a suede-like feel and sheds a little when new. Run your hand along the strap and it stops quickly.

Does the lifetime guarantee cover both leathers?

Yes. If a Bridle or Water Buffalo piece breaks in normal use or ordinary wear, we will fix or replace it with a similar item, at our discretion, for the lifetime of the product. Non-leather goods, such as canvas and vegan, carry a one-year warranty.