As a PA player I find this fixed leather a real pain. Being hard to satisfy I am always fooling around with the straps. A good source of leather is the Salvation Army leather glove department. Leather is funny and has a grain which I can't see. I'll cut patches out of the gloves and if you pull it you can feel which way it gives more. I'll cut thumb straps and orient the leather the way it seems to be less elastic. Try to find men's gloves they are a little thicker. Deer skin is the best. It stretches, you can see it , and within reason and seems to have a good elasticity. I have had one of those on for quite a while. I will search out some more and cut them out and pass them out. Don't let me forget. Best to all, Jerry