A chat with STRAP UP Custom Gear about celebrating their 10 year anniversary!
STRAP UP Custom Gear is celebrating their 10 year anniversary in 2026, so we talked with the founder Lou about it!
If you’ve been to a bear event or bear run in the United States across the last 10 years that has vendors, you have probably met Lou, the founder of STRAP UP Custom Gear. His warm personality shines just as bright as the colorful gear that he sells, greeting everyone with a smile and an aura that can make anyone feel comfortable in his presence.
STRAP UP Custom Gear is an inclusive and body positive brand that’s perfect for anyone new to the scene or even those with years of experience. Each piece is custom made to fit everyone with hundreds of different stylings and designs, and best of all, one doesn’t need to break the bank to get quality gear that they’ll love for years to come!
Over the years, STRAP UP Custom Gear has only grown more and more. His work has appeared in magazines, the local news, and has even appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 via the season’s winner, Yvie Oddly.
From doing custom fittings at bear events around the country to creating and crafting new designs and taking online orders from his home studio in Denver, CO, Lou has truly made a name for himself and the brand he founded 10 years ago.
I had the honor and privilege of speaking with Lou about celebrating this milestone and more, check out the interview below!
Bryce Quartz: Hey there, Lou, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today! How are you doing lately?
Lou: Bryce! It is so nice to chat with you again! I am doing as well as I can given current world circumstances, but I am harnessing my queer joy as much as possible! No pun intended… or maybe a little!
Bryce: Congrats on celebrating 10 years of STRAP UP Custom Gear, that’s so exciting and awesome! We love to see queer owned businesses like yours thrive. I am curious to know, where did the idea come from to start your business? Did anything specific inspire you?
Lou: That is an awesome question, and like many ideas and inventions, a personal need is what brought me to this awesome concept and business! I was about 125 pounds heavier when I started this business and honestly, leather wasn’t really accessible or affordable for me at the time. I was shopping at a Joann Fabric (RIP) and stumbled upon webbing, and I created my first harness out of that.
When I was creating the gear, I had the idea to add adjusters into each piece so I could tighten or loosen each strap to my comfort level, and something that would live with me as I lost weight! After some trial and error, I found an amazing product that fits every body, regardless of size, stature, or shape.
Bryce: You make some incredible custom gear that’s also custom fit for all body sizes, which I know our community truly appreciates. There are literally thousands of ways people can customize their gear from you. How do you manage all the possibilities that customers request?
Lou: Another great question! It’s not easy to juggle over 100 patterns and colors and 20 different hardware colors. I think the customer experience is what truly makes STRAP UP unique. Whether in person, or over the internet, I take immense pleasure and pride in ensuring all my clients not only love my products but also understand them.
Each piece is hand made to their specifications, which I believe makes people really feel good. I work with talented artists to create different straps that will turn heads, and start conversations! I rotate out different patterns and colors, and I am always open to new designs and trends. I am always looking for new inspiration and I can also create custom designs. The possibilities are endless!
Bryce: I had the privilege of meeting you at Midwest Bearfest a few years ago, you are truly one of the kindest and most talented people I know. You’ve essentially toured the country as a vendor at bear events which is awesome. What are some of the events you’ve been at in the past and where will you be in the future?
Lou: I am so thankful to have traveled to most of the major bear events in the United States. I have been to too many bear events to count! As far as for the future, with air travel becoming more expensive, and getting less for more money, I have started driving to events!
I am also bringing the in-person experience online so that people unfamiliar with my gear can feel more comfortably understand my products and get their own custom pieces. So while I might not be at all the events, I am still here and kicking!
Bryce: I recently had the pleasure of working with Yvie Oddly on my most recent song release, she is truly one of the kindest people I know, and you’ve also worked with her before. What was that experience like for you?
Lou: I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Yvie for almost a decade now. I was first enamored by her drag, and, after a joint in the alley, we became fast friends. I was asked to help create a harness for her infamous T-Rex look for the ball challenge on Season 11 of Drag Race!
As a huge fan of Yvie, and the show, I couldn’t miss the opportunity. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with some amazingly talented weirdos for the show, which includes season 14 winner Willow Pill and several other Denver drag icons.
I had the pleasure of heading to LA with the Odd Squad to watch Yvie take the crown. I actually stoned “FREE BRITNEY” onto those panties during the SOS lipsync. It was such a surreal experience all around, and I will be forever grateful to Yvie for including me!
Bryce: Let’s talk about what makes your brand truly special. STRAP UP Custom Gear is uniquely made for every individual person, especially us bigger boys. What are some of the most rewarding moments you’ve witnessed over the years with some of your customers?
Lou: I have been through my fair share of self doubt and lack of self confidence. STRAP UP has allowed me to show others that each person is unique and should strive to feel sexy. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to help someone feel confident in their own skin, embracing and loving who they are in that moment.
I have had clients tell me they never considered wearing gear because of body dysmorphia or low self esteem. Even if it is just the first step in their journey, I am thankful to create this gear for them.
Bryce: It’s true that most brands on the market don’t offer bigger sizes and it can be exhausting and dissapointing for the bears and chubs to look for something they like only to find out they don’t carry their size. STRAP UP Custom Gear breaks that mold, so tell our readers why they should consider ordering something from you!
Lou: I create gear and accessories for not just anybody… but Every Body. STRAP UP offers endless customization options with over 100 different straps to choose from, and 20 different hardware colors and sizing from Extra Small all the way to 7X in standard sizing!
All gear is made by hand to your specifications in Denver, CO. I usually make most of the gear on TikTok Live (@LouBear303) and I look forward to making your next favorite piece of gear!
Bryce: I want to finish this interview by congratulating you again on celebrating 10 years of Strap Up Custom Gear. We at Bear World Magazine are proud of you and hope you continue to prosper for years to come! Thanks for taking the time to speak with me too. Is there anything you’d like to leave our readers with today?
Lou: I want to thank everyone for reading, especially fans of STRAP UP and my clients. Thank you for your continued support and love. I couldn’t have done this without you!
Be sure to check out STRAP UP Custom Gear’s website, and show some love by giving Lou and the business a follow on social media!
STRAP UP Custom Gear’s Links
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter
Lou’s Social Media Links
