Tamrac Pro12 disintegrating shoulder strap

I bought a Tamrac Pro12 camera bag about 17 years ago.

 

Since 2005 it's been inside my closet, unused, with my film cameras inside. The nylon(?) strap material between the shoulder pad and the D-rings is now disintegrating into a million pieces. What's left of the strap is more fragile than a tender pulled pork -- I had trouble just moving the pieces outside for a photo.

 

I have no idea what the warranty period was back in the year 2000, nor do I have my original receipt. I do realize Tamrac's current warranty runs 5 years.

 

That being said, this is not a "wear and tear" issue, and the shoulder strap was perfectly fine the last time I used it. Any chance Tamrac might replace this free of charge?

 

You could ask them, but I seriously doubt it.

Go to a store that specializes in Climbing / Hiking supplies -- buy Nylon strap and clips. If REI is near you're in business. Had Tamrac cases for years that I passed on to kids still going strong.

I've never seen nylon or any other synthetic come apart like that without major UV exposure of small animal intervention. My guess is that you had the latter.

Sorry for your loss. Ozone and UV or hydrocarbons can break down the straps. The natural history of some hydrocarbon fabrics is that they can/will off gas after months or years and can produce evil vapors such as formaldehyde and who knows what. I had an LL Bean nylon taffeta brief case bag that was stored in a box after many very good years. It was peeling and reeked of hydrocarbons and after month in the open air with out improving was put in the trash. Bean guarantees many of their things for life but I cant bring myself to inquire. After 17 years I am not sure what Tamrac would do but if you don't ask you don't get. If it was within warrantee that would be something else. I would just buy a new strap rather than bothering. I replaced all my Tamrac and Optech straps several years ago with more robust and expensive UPstraps. I have 4 or five very similar Tamrac and Optechs that I just decided to stop trusting with my babies. They look OK and are all well over a decade old some are over 15 years. I have left them in open air and they still look great. Who knows if they will not spontaneously disintegrate after 17 years. I would recommend the UPstrap if your budget will tolerate it. Good hunting.