The Different Types of Moving Straps

When we talk about moving straps, your first thought may be something that goes around an appliance and gets secured to a dolly or hand truck. That is certainly one type of moving strap, but there are others that can provide support and assistance when moving things by hand, which is inevitable at some point when you move just about anything. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of moving straps, how they work, and which ones are most appropriate for particular aspects of moving heavier objects.

Hand Straps

The most basic type of moving straps are hand straps, which are simply a strip of reinforced nylon with handles on either side that can be positioned around what you’re moving. While they are handy and can certainly help if you’re moving something that’s somewhat heavier than normal, hand straps are not meant to lift oversize or heavy items as they are typically fitted for use by one person alone. They are designed to go underneath what you’re moving and require some grip strength to do the lifting, but they do provide some support if you need to move something that is awkward to do with some balance assistance.

Forearm Straps

Unlike hand straps, forearm straps are made to be used by two people who are moving an item. They are fairly simple to use in that they go underneath the item being moved, go up the side and get secured around the forearms of both people on each arm. Forearm straps are a good form of protection from injury since they help to minimize stress that would otherwise be absorbed by the neck and back of those doing the lifting. For items like mattresses, small appliances, bookcases, and credenzas, forearm straps can be very helpful.

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Shoulder Straps

Shoulder straps, sometimes referred to as a shoulder dolly, are similar to forearm straps. They also fit underneath and alongside items to provide leverage and support to the two people doing the lifting. Since they are secured around the shoulders rather than forearms, they are more suited to heavier items than forearm straps since the shoulders can handle more weight. Another thing to keep in mind is that forearm straps can still cause injury if one of the parties is unable to handle the weight of the load, whereas shoulder straps make that much less of a possibility. The weight distribution is better with shoulder straps too, which can help if you have to work through doorways or tighter corners while moving furniture.

Back & Shoulder Straps

The strongest and most supportive type of moving straps are a combination back and shoulder strap. While they can’t necessarily handle more weight than shoulder straps, they do an even better job of distributing the weight since it is spread across the back and shoulders. While shoulder straps can be very helpful, they can also dig into the shoulders, causing some discomfort while moving heavier items. Straps the utilize the back and shoulders are generally padded (some shoulder straps are too), which provides more comfort and ease of use.