Review – CHI Levo Camera Wrist Strap

INTRODUCTION

Over more than 40 years in the photographic industry, we have never used wrist straps. We’ve always preferred camera straps. It wasn’t until we received the Peak Design Cuff for review shortly after its release that we tried a wrist strap. Even then, we still preferred using a camera strap over a wrist strap. The reason for this has been that our main lens for Travel Photography has been a 24-105 f/4 lens, and this, paired with a Sony A7Riii camera body, is better supported by a camera strap. However, over the last few years, our photography has evolved, and especially at night, we now tend to use lighter prime lenses. The combination of the camera with these lighter lenses makes it ideal for use with a wrist strap, and it now lives permanently in our camera bags. 

There are many camera wrist straps on the market, and they are all very similar in their functionality. However, variations in the materials and ways they connect to the camera separate them.

Recently, we reviewed the Chi L.D. Meter with a built-in laser rangefinder design for film photography. We were mightily impressed with this product from Chinotechs, a relatively unknown company, and we requested some of their other products. We thought that they had hit a home run with the L.D. Meter and wanted to see if their other products could hit the mark.

Chinotechs (Chi) kindly sent us the Chi Levo Camera Wrist Strap in coffee-coloured leather with the Black trim. Although they have sent us the product free of charge, we were not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in this post are ours. However, there are links in this post that can earn us a small commission if you choose to purchase the product using our links.  If you do, we thank you in advance.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

The Chi Levo Camera Wrist Strap arrives in a sturdy black rectangular-shaped recyclable box. The front of the box has “Levo” in silver lettering and a small sticker designating the colour. On the copy we received, the colour is Coffee. Now, this is a little confusing, as there are no wrist straps with this colour on the Chi website. They only offer Black, Green, or Blue, and these refer to the colour of the material linking the connector to the wrist strap. In our case, we have the Black colourway. We can only assume that the Coffee refers to the shade of leather on the wrist strap, which does have a coffee-coloured appearance. We’re not sure what will be written on the sticker for the Green and Blue versions of the strap. Nevertheless, this is a minor detail.

Inside the box is the Wrist Strap, a Quick Start Guide, and two Magnetic Coda Connectors. You only need one Magnetic Coda Connector to use the wrist strap, but having a spare is always handy.

All in all, the product is packaged nicely, giving it a bit of a luxurious feel. Hopefully, this continues with the product.

THE WRIST STRAP

There are two versions of the Chi Levo Camera Wrist Strap: the Leather version, available with Black, Green, or Blue trimming, and the Alcantara version, available in Classic or Moonlanding. The Classic has a Silver aluminium buckle with red stitching, whereas the Moonlanding is Black for both.

We received the Leather version with the  Black trimming. This is the cheaper of the two options. The leather is made from Crazy Horse leather, a full-grain cowhide treated with natural wax, giving it a distressed, vintage appearance and a soft, satiny sheen. The leather, although not tested, is probably not waterproof and may stain.

The Alcantara version is identical to the Leather version but constructed with Alcantara, a synthetic, suede-like microfiber fabric used as a durable, lightweight alternative to leather. This material is stain and water-resistant and therefore attracts a higher price point.

Regardless of which wrist strap you purchase, they both have the same benefits.

• Ultra-Fast Quick-Release: The Magnetic Coda Connector is the winning feature of this product. It allows you to attach or detach your camera with one hand in seconds, which is perfect for street photography or quickly packing the camera away. The strength rating of 220lbs (100kg) means this minimalist system is deceptively strong. Note: When disconnecting, press down the front of the connector and slide backward. If you press towards the back of the connector, it will appear locked.
• Premium, Low-Bulk Comfort: The use of materials like Alcantara provides a luxurious, skin-friendly feel that is superior to standard nylon or rough leather. It avoids the heat and bulk associated with thick, padded straps.
• Portability & Storage: Using internal magnets, the wrist strap can be quickly adjusted to fit like a secure bracelet when not in use, making it exceptionally travel-friendly and discreet.
•  Security for Light Gear: The ability to cinch the strap tightly around the wrist (via the aluminum anti-slip buckle) provides a crucial layer of drop protection, especially for high-value compact or mirrorless cameras.

The new ON1 Photo RAW 2027 is here - Elevate your photo editing with ON1 Photo RAW 2027—now available for pre-order! Packed with game-changing upgrades, this next-generation release features a brand-new RAW engine, state-of-the-art NoNoise AI, a smart AI Culling Assistant, redesigned masking tools, and the all-new Perfect Eraser.

Click the banner above and enter code WideScenes20 at checkout to instantly save 40%!

Key Features & Design

NEGATIVES (-)

The points below are observations rather than negatives, and personally, the only negative that we can find with this product is the possibility that the Leather may stain if wet.

• Price for Minimalism: The use of aerospace-grade aluminium and premium Alcantara means you are paying a high price for a minimalist accessory.
• Connector Size: While the Coda Connectors are great, they are still a specific piece of hardware. If you prefer to attach your strap directly to the camera’s lug, the Coda connector and its associated cord take up slightly more space than a simple metal split ring.

• Mixing Systems: If you currently use another brand’s connector for a camera strap, you must swap the connectors to use this wrist strap. For example, we currently use the Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap with their connector, and this works seamlessly with the Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap; however, their connector will not work with the Levo Wrist Strap, so we would have to change connectors.
  There are a couple of solutions. If you are looking for both a camera strap and a wrist strap, you could purchase the Chi Levo Wrist Strap AND the Chi Ultra Shoulder Strap. But our preferred solution is to add both the Peak Design and Chi connectors to the same split ring on the camera (see image below). We can then remove the Peak Design Strap and seamlessly add the Chi Levo Wrist Strap.

THE FINAL WORD

The CHI Levo Camera Wrist Strap is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and functionally fast options for minimalist shooters. It is the ideal choice for photographers using lightweight mirrorless, compact, or rangefinder cameras who want a high-end strap that prioritises instant access, style, and minimal bulk while retaining a military-grade security rating via the innovative Magnetic Coda Quick Connector system.

Would we use it – yes. It has an advantage over our current wrist strap as the magnetic connector is a little quicker to attach and detach, and we find it a bit easier to release from our wrist as well. However, as mentioned above, we would use both connectors concurrently, so we can continue using the Peak Design Slide Lite camera strap and the Chi Levo Wrist Strap without having to swap the connectors.

We love Peak Design products and have been using them for many years; however, in our opinion, the Chi Levo Camera Wrist Strap gives our Peak Design Cuff a run for its money, especially for its price.

If you have any questions about this product, feel free to leave a comment below.

RATED: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

PRICE

Click the BUY HERE button below or the banner above or the banner above to purchase directly from Chinotechs (CHI). Alternatively, you can also purchase on Amazon (at the time of writing, only the Alcantara Classic is available on Amazon). The shipping costs for USA orders is due to the current Tariffs on products from China.