AERIAL EQUIPMENT RESOURCE GUIDE
Hi! My name is Emma and I have been an aerialist for more than half of my life. The biggest
question I am asked is where to buy equipment and rigging, so I have made this handy dandy
reference sheet for yall!
I have tried so many brands of equipment in my time up high, so here are most that II have tried
and would recommend. I’ve also included my personal opinions, as well as pros & cons I’ve
gathered from myself and others who have used them. What doesn’t work for me may work for
you, so please feel free to send me a message to edit this document with your input!
STRAPS
Habitat Circus (Australia) - https://www.habitatcircus.com/shop/p/aerial-straps
• Super soft polyester suede covering with soft polyester core
• Multiple colors available
• Several length options
• Rigging plate set up available
• Avg. length is 9ft, 9in hand loops/ 2.5m, ~23cm hand loops
Pros: Very soft, many color options, they have some ‘grippiness’ to them making them less
slippy for grabbing above the hand loops or dynamics in the loops. Easy to clean.
Cons: If you are in the states shipping can get pricey. Softer core can cause the hand loop to
squish more/ doesn't hold a flatter shape around the hand, creating more pressure around the
thumb joint. Hand loops get dirty faster than other straps.
My Opinions: These are very comfy, and if my skin is angry I find I'm able to train a bit longer
on the Habitats because of how soft they are.
Les Ateliers Forest
(Canada) https://www.facebook.com/Les-ateliers-Forest-402649316474619
Phone - 1 418-522-5444
• Super soft microsuede covering with nylon inner core
• Multiple colors available
• Can order whatever length you want
• Rigging options available
• Avg. length is 9ft, 9in hand loops/ 2.5m, ~23cm hand loops
Pros: Soft and comfortable, hand loops hold their shape around the base of the hands. Their
color options are great as well. Ships fast to the states. Has some grippiness above the hand
loops.
Cons: Not the easiest to order, as you have to call them to place it. Can be slippy when worn in,
making them not the best for dynamics sometimes.
My Opinions: These were my first pair of straps and I really love them. They are able to
customize the length of both the straps and the hand loops. I perform in a lot of shorter venues
and having shorter straps is amazing for that.
Circus Concepts (Canada)
https://circusconcepts.com/shop/aerial-equipment/Soft-Apparatuses/aerial-strap.html/
• Offers many cover types: microsuede/ velvet, cotton, or plain nylon (aka murder seatbelts)
• Multiple colors available
• Several length options, also offers travel straps
• Rigging options available
Pros: Hold their shape around the base of the hand. Some grippiness above the hand loops as
well. They ship fast to everywhere from what I’ve heard. Easy to order and price efficient if
you're on a budget. Can bundle rigging plates in with your order.
Cons: Can be slippy when doing dynamics. Cotton covered straps can feel slicey on the skin
the more worn in they are.
My Opinions: The ‘velvet’ ones are a great replica of the Forest brand microsuede straps. In
recent years, these are the only straps in recent years that I know of that have had a
manufacturing issue where a strap has broken at the rigging end. They have since fixed any
issues and continue to make great products. I would avoid the plain nylon (murder seatbelts) in
lieu of saving money- splurge on the cotton or velvet, treat yoself.
Alexander Aerial Acrobatics (Germany) https://www.strapaten-shop.com/en/Straps/
• Cotton covered straps with a polyester core
• Most color options of any brand (and also offers color options for the stitching!)
• Several length options, travel straps, as well as self tightening straps
• Rigging options available
Pros: Most customizable straps out there as far as length, colors, hand loops and more. Very
grippy with the cotton covering. Great for big dynamics & duo work. Not super pricey, and
shipping isn’t bad either.
Cons: They sadly don’t ship to the states or Canada. Cotton cover can be harsh & slicey on
skin after longer use.
My Opinions: These straps have quite the cult following behind them. They have been an
industry standard amongst pros and enthusiasts for a long time. Getting them to the states can
be a hassle. Treat yourself to a European trip, or bug a friend abroad to get them shipped to
their place and forward the shipment to you. I personally have a love/ hate relationship with
them because they are amazing quality, but then I have to switch to a softer strap after a while
because they'll make my skin mad.
(Continued below)
Firetoys (USA) https://www.firetoys.com/collections/aerial-straps
• Plain nylon or cotton covered options
• Color options are black or white
• Two length options
• Rigging options available
Pros: The most budget friendly straps on the market today.
Cons: Least amount of customization, and as of Aug. 1, 2024 their inventory seems sold out of
most options.
My Opinions: Plain nylon should be outlawed. Jokes aside, these will get you by if you just
need some straps. The cotton cover is the same kind of cover used on an aerial rope, and is
great for grippiness, but can be harsh on your skin. I would recommend wrist coverings for
either option. Their cotton covered hand loop strap for lyra/ spanish web is one of the best I’ve
used for those apparatuses because of how well the cotton can hold you.
Where to buy straps rigging:
Disclaimer- there are multiple ways to rig straps. I chose the least fussy/ most lightweight setup
for mine (pictured below) so they are easy to pack and travel with.
Rock Exotica - I stand by this company so hard. Almost all of my hardware purchases have
been from this supplier. Maybe I’m bougie, maybe they just have good shit. I bought my
carabiner/ swivel/ carabiner from them, as well as my micro swivels.
- Website- https://www.rockexotica.com
Circus Concepts - Refer back to the link under where to by straps, because they will have
other options there as well! They usually push the rigging plate option.
Petzl - this is where I bought my quick links/ delta links. They also have a legit amazon store
(most of the time i strongly oppose buying rigging from amazon, but its a legit licensed store.
Just make sure you read all the descriptions before buying!)
- Website- https://www.petzl.com/US/en
Where to buy online training courses:
Most of my straps education was done online through a couple of courses/ reference guides by
Aaron Koz. I have linked his stuff here, as well as some other great coaches who do online stuff!
Aaron Koz (@circkoz) - https://linktr.ee/koz
- I highly suggest committing to the teacher training. It’s a lot, but it was an incredible
way to focus on the foundations and build strength to do them.
- I also suggest the conditioning programs. Just be honest with yourself about how much
training you want to/ can take on. It’s highly on the self motivated side, so get ready to commit
yourself to open gym times <3
- Swinging Guide - I helped on this one! Yall know I love beats, so give it a peep.
David Gray (@strapsninja) - https://linktr.ee/Strapsninja
- He now offers a virtual training program. I haven’t personally dove into this one just yet,
but several others have said it's an A+ recommendation.
- Also offers online privates. When I worked with him in Vegas he was wonderful at
explanations and skill progressions.
Max March-Steinman (@bo_ties) - https://linktr.ee/BowtieTraining
- One of my main straps students highly recommends Max & his nerdy training style!
- Offers a 6 week training course, and individual sessions.
Me! (@the_dlemma) - https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24448188
- This schedule will change once I get settled in Colorado/ figure out where I can host
classes comfortably.
- Always happy to do private lessons when I'm not around rigging. I have a catalog of
videos we can use.
Where to find straps classes/ workshops in person:
Dallas Circus Center - I am working on getting someone to cover my straps classes on sunday
mornings! The schedule is always subject to change, so please be on the lookout!
SEBASTIAN ROJAS WORKSHOPS! (@aregularpieceofasparagus)
My good friend and amazing straps artist is coming to Dallas! He will be here March 12 & 13.
Link to sign up: https://dallascircus.com/book_a_class/
This list should be pretty comprehensive, but if I left anything off please don’t hesitate to reach
out! Send me a DM, email, text, whatever!
