While I didn’t back the backpack so I have no actual say in this, I like the idea that the pinchers are part of the strap because as you said it helps with longevity and a more consistent look without having to try and bend them upright all the time. However, if I had to wear it, the gap caused by the rings and hooks in the backpack example would bother me. I think I’d be completely fine with just a gap the length of the d-ring but like this it seems like the pinchers are almost 50% longer. To be fair the angle of the backpack in the example is probably making it look worse because the beetle itself is shortened in perspective so the proportions of the longer pinchers can stand out more.
BUT I don’t think this design is necessarily bad - the crossbody picture has a good positioning of the pinchers and, while they seem a bit more on the side of the head than originally planned, I don’t mind that. If I had one I would probably try to only wear it as a backpack using the side d-rings. I don’t think it’s easy to just source shorter rings and clasps or plan a new strap design so I think that might be the best option.
I only wonder if attaching backpack straps on the side would make it less stable to wear (e.g. straps sliding off the shoulder more easily) I think having some information on that would be useful. If that is indeed a problem here is an idea for a slight adjustment: what if there were d-rings placed horizontally a bit higher on the side wall of the torso so we can thread the clasp through them before we attach it into the actual side d-rings? Or maybe a small carabiner we can hook into the ring that the clasp is attached to? That way there would still be the same movability for crossbody wear (as shown in picture 2) by not doing that but also the option to hold the straps closer to the bag if we wear it backpack style. Since it would all be hardware against hardware there is no risk of the leather creasing oddly in that spot. But again, there might not be an issue with backpack straps being attached in the side.
I’d be curious where the people who actually bought a backpack stand on this.
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While I didn’t back the backpack so I have no actual say in this, I like the idea that the pinchers are part of the strap because as you said it helps with longevity and a more consistent look without having to try and bend them upright all the time. However, if I had to wear it, the gap caused by the rings and hooks in the backpack example would bother me. I think I’d be completely fine with just a gap the length of the d-ring but like this it seems like the pinchers are almost 50% longer. To be fair the angle of the backpack in the example is probably making it look worse because the beetle itself is shortened in perspective so the proportions of the longer pinchers can stand out more. BUT I don’t think this design is necessarily bad - the crossbody picture has a good positioning of the pinchers and, while they seem a bit more on the side of the head than originally planned, I don’t mind that. If I had one I would probably try to only wear it as a backpack using the side d-rings. I don’t think it’s easy to just source shorter rings and clasps or plan a new strap design so I think that might be the best option. I only wonder if attaching backpack straps on the side would make it less stable to wear (e.g. straps sliding off the shoulder more easily) I think having some information on that would be useful. If that is indeed a problem here is an idea for a slight adjustment: what if there were d-rings placed horizontally a bit higher on the side wall of the torso so we can thread the clasp through them before we attach it into the actual side d-rings? Or maybe a small carabiner we can hook into the ring that the clasp is attached to? That way there would still be the same movability for crossbody wear (as shown in picture 2) by not doing that but also the option to hold the straps closer to the bag if we wear it backpack style. Since it would all be hardware against hardware there is no risk of the leather creasing oddly in that spot. But again, there might not be an issue with backpack straps being attached in the side. I’d be curious where the people who actually bought a backpack stand on this.