As an avid VR gamer, I’m constantly searching for ways to enhance my Quest 2 experience. The basic elastic head strap that comes bundled with the Quest 2 is passable for short sessions but leaves much to be desired in terms of comfort and stability during longer and more intense VR gameplay. Enter the Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap – a popular third-party accessory designed specifically to make wearing the Quest 2 for extended periods a pleasure rather than a pain.
I opted to give the Kiwi Design Comfort Strap a try based on highly positive reviews praising its comfort and durability. After extensive testing, I can confidently say this accessory is a very worthwhile upgrade that significantly improves the Quest 2 experience.
In this comprehensive review, I’ll break down the various features of the Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap, evaluate how it enhances comfort and durability compared to the default strap, and help you determine if it’s a smart purchase for your needs. I’ll also fact-check the manufacturer’s marketing claims against my own experience to give an accurate user perspective. Read on for my full impressions of the Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap For Quest 2.
Key Features
The Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap For Quest 2 is a rigid, cushioned head strap that provides a more secure fit and improved comfort compared to the basic elastic Quest 2 headband. It has a large, padded rear head support, an adjustment wheel to change the size and tighten the fit to your liking, and hinged side arms that let you flip the headset up to see the real world without having to take the headset off. Let’s look at some of the features of the Kiwi Design Comfort Strap for Quest 2:
Adjustable Fit – A ratchet wheel on the back lets you precisely tune the tension of the side straps for a custom fit. The top strap is also adjustable to ensure optimal positioning.
Hinged Design – The strap features a 52° adjustable hinge that allows you to flip up the Quest 2 without having to take off the strap entirely. This feature is especially convenient for glasses wearers and for those moments when you need to quickly interact with your real-world surroundings.
Thick Padded Cradle Design – Strategically placed memory foam and PU leather padding fully cushions sensitive areas like the back of your head for comfort.
Secure Fit – The cradling design and adjustable strap keeps the headset firmly in place during use.
Enlarged Head Support: Weighing in at 350g, the head strap is designed to fit head circumferences between 17.7 to 29.5 inches. The enlarged head support promises to cup your head for better stability and enhanced comfort during your virtual reality experiences.
You can purchase the Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap for Quest 2 from the Kiwi Design website or from Amazon.
Setup and Installation
Installing the Kiwi Comfort Strap on my Quest 2 was simple and straightforward, taking just 1-2 minutes. I first clicked the rear head support into the slots on the headband. Next, I removed the original elastic strap by detaching the side straps and detaching the top Velcro. I then fed the Kiwi Design straps’s top padded strap through the loop at the top of the headset and secured it into place.
The adjustable side straps click easily into the arms. Once in place, the whole thing feels very sturdy with no loose parts. The ratchet wheel and top Velcro allow easy tightening to your fit. Overall, the setup was extremely easy and I didn’t identify any issues.
Design Impressions
The Kiwi Design strap uses a combination of materials for both durability and comfort. The exterior is made of a flexible plastic polymer that seems very rugged while retaining some give to conform to your head. The back and top feature smooth PU leather over plush memory foam to ensure maximum comfort.
The ratchet wheel at the back gives a wide range of size flexibility with satisfying clicks as you turn the wheel to tighten or loosen in precise increments. The hinged side arms are a great addition, making it easier to position the headset over your face first, before pulling the head strap down, but also allowing you to flip the headset up to see the real world, without having to take the whole headset off every time.
I’ve found this really helpful for when I’m playing seated PCVR games, where I sometimes need to switch between looking at my computer screen/keyboard and using my headset. This strap means I can just quickly flip the headset up onto my forehead without having to take it off every time.
Comfort And Stability
After multiple multi-hour VR sessions wearing the Kiwi Design strap, I can definitively say it delivers substantial gains in stability, comfort, and fit adjustability compared to the basic elastic strap, and has a few advantages over the Elite Strap and other 3rd-party head straps. Here are some of the key benefits I noticed:
Even Weight Distribution – The strap feels nicely balanced with no concentrated pressure points. The large occipital head support helps balance the weight across a large area and the wide top strap spreads the load across the top of your head.
Targeted Rear and Top Padding – The plush rear pad feels great, cushioning the back of your head and eliminating contact with the hard plastic body. Meanwhile, the padded top strap provides feels thick, plush, and comfortable.
Adjustability – The ratchet wheel at the back allows you to adjust the tightness and fit of the head strap precisely to your liking. I often like a tighter fit when playing high-tempo games, to minimize movement of the headset, whereas I prefer a looser fit for more laid-back experiences. The top strap is also fully customizable, and people of all shapes and sizes should be able to get a comfortable fit.
Quick On/Off – The hinged arms of the Kiwi Design strap make it really easy to put on or take off your Quest 2 without having to adjust the tightness of the head strap. This means you can put the headset on and off in 2 seconds, without having to adjust the fit each time. I also love being able to tilt the headset up while still wearing it to see the real world as needed, such as when writing this article, with my Quest 2 perched on top of my head.
Durability
In addition to comfort improvements, it’s also vital that accessories like this are built to withstand regular use and last. After many hours of heavy VR gaming, I’m pleased to report that the Kiwi head strap still looks and performs like new:
Ultralight Yet Strong Construction – Weighing in at a mere 350g, the Kiwi strap only adds around 3⁄4 of a pound to the overall headset. The exterior has enough rigid reinforcement to avoid buckling while retaining some flex.
Even during active games requiring constant head movement and looking around, I never feel any strain or neck fatigue due to the thoughtful weight distribution and soft padding keeping things comfortable.
The combination of the flexible yet strong plastic frame has held up great so far. Despite frequent flexing to put it on and take it off, it is free of any signs of wear.
Padding Wipes Clean Easily – The padding requires minimal maintenance to look brand new. Just an occasional gentle wipe-down with a damp cloth is enough to get rid of any moisture residue. It doesn’t retain odors or get grimy with use.
Adjustments Maintain Tension – Through all my extended VR sessions, the ratchet wheel and top strap have maintained consistent tension without loosening. I set it and forget it once the ideal comfort is dialed in.
What I Like About The Kiwi Design Comfort Strap For Quest 2
The Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap for Quest 2 is a huge upgrade compared to the default head strap that comes with the Quest 2. It’s also extremely affordable, being considerably cheaper than the official Elite Strap, and better value than many other 3rd-party straps.
It has a simple design that’s easy to use and adjust and it’s really comfortable to wear during prolonged VR gaming sessions. The PU leather-covered foam that covers the rear head support and the top strap is extremely comfortable and easy to clean as necessary.
The flip-up design of the side arms is a welcome addition that improves upon the design of the official Elite Strap, making it easier to put on and take off the headset without having to readjust the fit of the strap.
Drawbacks Of The Kiwi Design Comfort Strap
Although I’m generally delighted with this head strap, there are a few negatives that you should be aware of. Firstly, the materials and build quality are not as good as the official Elite Strap. The build quality of the Kiwi Design strap is perfectly fine, but the official Elite Strap definitely has a more premium feel to it that some users may prefer. However, the official Elite Strap is almost twice the price, and I don’t think the difference in price is worth it.
Secondly, the Kiwi Design strap has no integrated battery, so you are still limited by the relatively short battery life of the Quest 2. Combining the Kiwi Design head strap with a suitable battery pack would be highly recommended if you want to extend the amount of time you can use your Quest 2 in one sitting.
Verdict
Pretty much every Quest 2 owner should get an upgrade from the default elastic strap, as it is uncomfortable and far from ideal for anything more than very short use of your headset. Whether you opt for the Kiwi Design Comfort Head Strap for Quest 2 will depend on a few things. You should pick the Kiwi Design Head Strap if you;
- Find the default Quest 2 head strap lacks stability or causes discomfort during longer play sessions
- Want the ability to fully customize both tightness and positioning, ensuring long-lasting comfort while using your Quest 2
- Are keen to choose a great value head strap that balances features with price.
- Prefer a hinged strap to make it easy to take your headset off and on quickly.
- Don’t need an integrated battery pack in your head strap
Having used the default elastic Quest 2 strap, the official Elite Strap, the Kiwi Design Comfort Strap, and several other third-party head straps for my Quest 2, I can highly recommend Kiwi Design Comfort Strap. Priced around $35, the Kiwi Design Comfort Strap For Quest 2 provides an essential upgrade to your Quest 2 experience for a highly affordable price and I can’t see anyone being disappointed with this head strap unless you want to opt for a head strap with an integrated battery pack.