Wood, Bamboo, Metal or Chain? How to Choose Bag Handles and Straps
Wooden, bamboo, metal, chain or PU leather? Compare bag handles and straps by look, weight, attachment and best use, with real sizes to help you choose.
Short answer: choose wooden or bamboo handles for fabric, knitted and basket bags with a natural look; a metal top handle for structured handbags; a metal chain strap for evening bags and crossbody styles; and a PU leather strap when comfort and colour matching matter most. For a bold chain look without the weight, use an aluminium chain.
Handles and straps are the parts customers hold, so they decide how a bag feels as much as how it looks. This guide compares the handle and strap types we make most often, with real sizes and weights from our range.
Quick picks
Natural, handmade or summer bags: wood or bamboo handles.
Structured handbags and mini bags: metal top handle.
Evening, party and crossbody bags: metal chain strap.
Everyday comfort and colour matching: PU leather strap.
What types of bag handles and straps are there?
- Wooden handles: solid wood in half-moon, D or ring shapes, attached with a fabric slot or loops.
- Bamboo handles: real bamboo bent into a U shape, with drilled ends for rings or connectors.
- Metal top handles: zinc alloy D, arch or ring handles with screw ends.
- Metal chain straps: ready-to-clip chains with hooks or clasps at both ends.
- PU leather straps: stitched straps with metal clasps, in many colours.
Bag handles and straps compared
Type | Look and feel | Weight | How it attaches | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wooden handle | Warm, natural, smooth grip | Light to medium (half-moon about 68g) | Fabric through a slot, or loops | Totes, knitted and beach bags |
Bamboo handle | Natural nodes, vintage look | Light (about 20–33g) | Drilled ends with rings or connectors | Bucket, basket and leather bags |
Metal top handle | Polished, structured | Medium | Passes through tabs; ends screwed closed | Handbags, mini bags, clutches |
Metal chain strap | Dressy, eye-catching | About 78–110g per strap | Hooks or clasps onto D rings | Evening, crossbody and phone bags |
PU leather strap | Soft, colour-matched | Light | Swivel clasps onto D rings | Shoulder bags, baguettes, pochettes |
Our MOQ is 100 pieces per design for every type. To match metal parts with the rest of your hardware, see how to choose plating colours.
When should you choose wooden or bamboo handles?
Wood and bamboo give bags a natural, handmade character and keep the weight low. They are the classic choice for knitted, crochet, straw and fabric bags.
Wooden handles
- Half-moon handle: 24.5 x 11.5cm with an 11 x 8cm hand opening, about 68g. The fabric passes through a slot in the base.
- D-shape handle: 12 x 8.5cm, attached with fabric or leather loops around the straight bar.
- Colours: natural, walnut, dark brown and black, or custom stains; laser-engraved logos are possible.
Half-moon wooden handles. See the half-moon handle and the D-shape wooden handle.
Bamboo handles
- Sizes: 14 x 10cm (about 20g), 15 x 11cm (about 29g) and 16.5 x 13cm (about 33g).
- Attachment: drilled ends take metal rings, clamps or connectors.
- Good to know: node position and tone vary from piece to piece because bamboo is natural.
Natural bamboo U-shape handles. See the bamboo handles.
When is a metal top handle the right choice?
A metal top handle gives a small bag structure and a polished, jewellery-like detail. Our zinc alloy handles come in D-shape, flat arch and ring styles, including rings with pearl-bead end caps.
- Material: zinc alloy, in light gold, silver or gunmetal
- Fitting: the handle passes through tabs on the bag and the ends are screwed closed with a screwdriver
- Custom shapes: made from your drawing with a mould, usually USD 70–150 in zinc alloy, refundable once the agreed quantity is reached
See our metal bag handles and all bag handles.
Metal chain or PU leather: which strap is better?
Both clip onto D rings with hooks or clasps, so the choice is mostly about style and comfort. A chain looks dressy and photographs well; a PU leather strap is softer on the shoulder and can be matched to the bag colour.
Metal chain straps
- Ready to use: 100cm long with swivel snap hooks or lobster clasps, about 78–90g
- Styles: curb, wheat and box chain in silver, light gold, black and gunmetal
- Material: iron or zinc alloy, chosen to suit your price and design
- Lighter option: chunky aluminium chain for a bold look with less weight
Metal chain straps with hooks. See the chain straps and the aluminium chain.
A middle way is a chain with PU leather woven through the links: 120cm long, about 110g, with the softness of leather and the shine of metal.
Leather-woven chain straps. See the leather-woven chain strap.
PU leather straps
- Short shoulder strap: 56cm long, 2.2cm wide tapering to 1.2cm at the ends
- Hardware: gold swivel clasps; silver, light gold or gunmetal on request
- Colours: eight standard colours, including vachetta tan, burgundy, navy and black
PU leather short shoulder straps. See the PU leather strap.
How do I choose the right handle or strap?
- Start with the bag style: natural and handmade bags suit wood or bamboo; structured bags suit metal; evening bags suit chain.
- Think about weight: a full chain adds noticeable weight to a small bag, so consider aluminium or a leather-woven chain.
- Check the attachment: slots and loops for wood, rings for bamboo, screw ends for metal handles, hooks or clasps for straps.
- Match the colours: plate hooks, rings and handles in one finish, and approve them together on one sample.
- Choose the length: about 56cm for a short shoulder strap; 100–120cm for crossbody wear. We cut to your length.
How long do samples and production take?
- Samples: about 7–10 days
- New mould: about 10–20 days
- Bulk production: about 7–30 days depending on quantity and finish
- MOQ: 100 pieces per design
For the full development process read how to source custom bag hardware from China, and to pick a closure that matches your handle, see how to choose a bag closure.
Frequently asked questions
Which bag handle is the lightest?
Bamboo handles are among the lightest, at about 20–33g depending on size. A half-moon wooden handle weighs about 68g.
Can a chain strap be made in my length?
Yes. Our standard chain straps are 100cm and the leather-woven chain is 120cm, but we cut to the length you need.
Are your chain straps iron or zinc alloy?
Both are available. Tell us your target price and design and we will recommend the better option.
How is a metal top handle fitted to a bag?
The handle passes through tabs on the bag, then the ends are screwed closed with a screwdriver.
Can you add our logo to a wooden handle?
Yes. A logo or pattern can be laser engraved on the wood. Send vector artwork.
What is the MOQ for handles and straps?
100 pieces per design. Samples take about 7–10 days.
Need help choosing?
Send us a photo or sketch of your bag with your target price and quantity, and we will suggest a handle or strap and send samples. Request a quote or browse bag handles, bag chains and bag straps.