Abstract: A cushioned carrying strap comprises a rectangular cross-section tube of flexible material such as leather, vinyl, or canvas, a plurality of individual pads or blocks of elastic cushioning material such as foam rubber disposed in closely-adjacent substantially abutting relationship in a load-bearing section of the tube, and a stitched or otherwise suitable connection adhering opposite portions of the tube together immediately fore and aft of each elastic pad or block to form individual, adjacent pockets to hold them in discrete, closely adjacent positions lengthwise of the tube and thereby provide a substantially continuous, cushioned portion of the strap which is elastically deformable under load in both transverse and longitudinal directions relative to the length of the tube.