If you’re looking for a new way to carry your camera, we put the Nicama Camera Harness vs the Cotton Carrier G3 Camera Harness head-to-head! Whether you’re a professional photographer, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a more comfortable way to carry your gear, we’ve got you covered. We dive into their design, comfort, usability, durability, and overall value for the price.
Which one is the right fit for your style of shooting? Watch the full comparison to find out!
Full Product Breakdown between Nicama vs Cotton Carrier G3
Carrying a wildlife camera on the trail can be done in a few ways that making hiking and photography comfortable, but I’ve found that wearing a harness while hiking makes carrying a heavier wildlife setup much more enjoyable.
The added weight from a wildlife camera doesn’t sit well using a shoulder strap. While hiking, the camera swings back and forth, and occasionally hits whatever I’m walking next to. Not something I want happening while on trail. A camera harness takes the weight from the camera and moves it front and center, and helps distribute the weight more evenly.
In this video I’ll be comparing two different camera harnesses from each end of the price spectrum. One from Amazon and the Cotton Carrier G3 camera harness. I’ll go over the features of both and you can decide which you’d like to pick up. Links for both will be in the description below, and purchases made through those links help support the channel.
Nicama Camera Carrying Chest Harness
The Nicama Camera Carrying Chest Harness is designed to carry one camera, but each of the harnesses in this video have options for multiple cameras. This model retails for $33.95 on Amazon.
This harness is made from a nylon material with two straps for each shoulder, and a waist strap. Each of which can be adjust for optimal comfort.
Each shoulder strap has some additional attachment points for a flashlight or carabiner.
The chest plate has an easy release clip and a ring for the safety tether which I’ll talk about a little later in the video.
The harness comes with a mounting cushion that goes on the bottom of your camera, and that disc slides into the chest harness. This disc is suitable for all cameras with a standard quarter-inch screw hole.
The mount has a channel for the locking mechanism on the harness, so if it’s mounted correctly you’ll rotate your camera for full release. I’ll talk about comfortable mounting positions forrrrr the cameraaaaa when I talk about the Cotton Carrier. You may be surprised which I prefer.
Below the mounting point theres an additional strap that goes over the lens for holding the camera more securely. This can be tucked under the flap when not in use. One gripe is that this strap can be adjusted, but it pull from the waist strap, so it’s not a great design.
The waist strap also doesn’t have any additional mounting points for accessories like an additional camera holder, or something for the rain.
There are two rings at the top of the chest harness to swap the position of the safety tether. Depending on how you shoot you may want it on the left or the right. I keep mine on the right, and the hand of the tether attaches to the camera. I clip it onto the existing Peak Design loop. There have been times when I’ve tripped and accidentally let go of my camera and the tether kept the camera from falling to the ground, so I never wear this harness without clipping in my camera.
Inside of the harness you have a bit of breathable mesh, but very little cushion. And the back panel is just breathable mesh. Here is where the shoulder straps enter for additional adjustments.
There you have the Nicama Chest Harness. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but for the price I’ve had no problems with the overall functionality of this camera harness. It did what I needed it to do while making hiking with a camera easier.
Cotton Carrier G3 Camera Harness
The overall functionality of this harness is the same. Two over the shoulder straps, waist strap and a camera mounting plate.
So let’s talk about some of the differences that may or may not make this one hundred dollars more expensive.
Starting from the front, the materials overall feel a little more high quality. The plate where the camera mounts feels sturdier, and the Kodra Synthetic canvas with DWR coating will hold up much longer over time.
Even with more durable materials, it’s also important to note here that Cotton Carrier does offer a three-year warranty against manufacture defects.
Below the mounting plate you have a stash pocket, an adjustable lens stabilizer strap, and a loop for connecting the rain shell.
Inside the chest panel, you have an additional stash pocket that fits my iPhone 14 Pro, but I’d probably put some snacks or my ID.
The waist straps have speed straps to tighten the harness around your torso and quick clip release points.
The shoulder straps feel more robust, and they feed into the vented back panel that features an additional stash pocket. This is actually where I keep my rain cover when I know It’s not going to rain, and this carrying loop. Not sure what I’d use this for, but maybe you can use it to hang it while not in use. Let me know in the comments what you use this for.
Everything about this harness works for my usage except for one thing.
In a lot of the photos, they feature photographers using the lens foot to mount the camera. I tried it this way and it was either a user error or poor design.
The mounting mechanism doesn’t fit tightly. Even when it’s in its locked position it swings, so when you’re walking it would swing enough to turn the entire camera sideways.
I just readjusted the mounting disc to the bottom of the camera and let the weight of the camera to sit down into the harness. With the attatched safety tether I’m not too concerned about it popping off accidentally.
Based on what you’ve seen, is the Cotton Carrier worth $129, or are you going for the cheaper alternative?
If you’re on a budget, the cheaper one works really well, but if you just like the feel of better materials, and you can afford it, the cotton carrier harness is great too.
In the battler of Nicama vs Cotton Carrier G3, let me know which you like more down below.