Replacing interior cinching straps

A fabric store should have buckles - they may have the ones that do not require sewing, luggage store that does repairs could do the whole thing - provide buckles & attach.

Maybe replace with these? They seem very sturdy. You'd have to measure to see if your straps are the correct width.
You should be able to just thread the straps through and pull tight, I don't think they'd need to be sewn onto the strap.
I'm not sure about metal, sturdier plastic should do it.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/parts?variant=16645155847

I would probably take it by your local shoe repair store for a consult, lol. They may have you go to a fabric store like Joann's and then they may be able to sew them in. I was looking for some buckles last week and Joann's had a selection of different kinds of plastic buckles but I don't remember if they had metal buckles as I was not looking for that.

Very good ideas and many thanks. The strap buckles seem to come in various widths, will definitely look into them as it seems the "easiest" solution. If that will not be feasible will check in the other stores mentioned.

https://www.rei.com/c/straps?r=c&ir=category%3Astraps&page=1

or make up your own with flat webbing and buckles:
https://www.rei.com/search.html?q=flat+webbing&ir=q%3Aflat+webbing&page=1

https://www.rei.com/c/buckles?r=category%3Acamping-and-hiking%7Cgear-storage-and-maintenance%7Cgear-repair%7Cbuckles-cordlocks-and-fasteners%7Cbuckles&ir=category%3Abuckles-cordlocks-and-fasteners

REI
7410 SW Bridgeport Rd
(exit 290 off I-5)
Tigard, OR 97224
P: (503) 624-8600

Edgar,

Thanks, good suggestion.. That is the REI I use anyway so could have an order sent there and pick it up free. I liked the buckles. Would see if I could get them onto the existing straps. Will measure the width of the straps when I get back from my walk {gotta stay in shape for all these grueling days of travel %) }

I didn't click on the links the others have shared, but looks like you would be best served with "old school" buckles (i.e., "belt buckle" type buckles). The modern plastic things we use are light weight, no doubt, but like you said, come apart easily. With some good old fashioned leather straps and an honest to goodness metal buckle (or brass even) your stuff isn't going to go anywhere.

Agreed. Unfortunately, given that the links are for plastic buckles (albeit much better quality than the ones currently on the bags) I will likely try them first as the bag is set up for them. May look into more drastic measures if that fails. Thanks.

KC: The modern plastic things....

Brings to mind, "The Graduate": Plastics. There's a great future in plastics

Modern plastics are much more robust and ductile than the 1967s plastics. And since Ray can get his plastic buckles from REI, REI's guarantee/return policy is also robust.

Okay, just ordered some buckles from REI (will pick them up in a few days) and they don't require sewing. They certainly look like a step up from the buckles in there now. We shall see. Much thanks for the help, encouragement and good ideas.

ray, coming late to your question.....hopefully what you have ordered from REI is exactly the rt thing. if the quest continues, I was just going to add the obvious that it's ok if a buckle is 1/4 inch too wide, but worthless if its a 1/4 inch too narrow.....so I'd err on the too wide choice if you're not sure.....

Thanks for the comment....better late than never. The strap seems to measure 1 inch, so that's what I ordered. We'll see if it fits.

"Sew, a needle pulling thread..." J. Andrews