 just got a new Osprey sac which (as is de rigueur these days) comes with a sternum/chest strap. Personally I've never really got on with them, even though I can see the benefits, so remove them...... Just wondering what everyone else does?
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 Not found them critical on a day pack but on a backpack where more of the weight is on your hips they really help stop the shoulder straps floating off to the side. The rucsac I used a few weeks back on a backpacking trip hadn't been used for a couple of years & I'd nicked the sternum strap for another sac & didn't notice until I was away - it was a mild PIA not having one
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 Stops the shoulder straps sliding off
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 I use them, like Ross said I'd really miss one with a bigger load, with a 8 or 9kg pack for a week I have it fastened all the time
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 use em all the time
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 Never on a day sac... and if they're sewn in... then I cut them off. On a big pack, and only when the big pack is absolutely stuffed at the start of a remote trek where I have to carry a week or more of food, then I use the strap. Usually, somewhere in the middle of the trek, I'll give up using it once the pack weight has been reduced and the whole thing is a more comfortable carry anyway.
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I use them backpacking as I feel it adds to stability. Daywalks I don't use them until I mean business. Basically if I'm walking with people and going at their pace I only use them if the terrain gets rocky, steep, scrambly, slippy or other difficult conditions. I also use them when I am intending to really open up and move fast over the terrain, perhaps even running a bit. I am a fast downhiller and always use the straps if downhilling fast. If going slow because with people only if difficult terrain. Another time I use straps is if the shoulder straps are rubbing. I find, at times, the shoulder straps rub towards the front of the armpits for some reason. This is helped by using the chest straps to pull the shoulder straps together and away from the location that is subject to friction. I really have not worked out why this particular strap only occasionally has this issue so it is good to have the chest straps there as an easy solution. I would however like alpkit to use the OMM style chest strap with the whistle in the clasp. If they put one on the gourdon 20 sack I'd be happy and get another one!! It is such a good multi-use thing. I could replace with after market one but not got any attachment method for it on the gourdon 20. POD do replacement chest strap with whistle BTW.
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 Sternum straps - yep, like them, and with several of my rucksacks it's a very convenient strap on which to attach my camera!
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 Yep, always use a chest strap. I would be lost without, definitely feel the benefit. I have only one pack without and that is a very, very lightweight home made one. I wonder if as a female I feel the benefit more??
Cathy's Hubby - says they are always too short for him (he's a "strapping" lad!!).
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 Only on "gnarly" ground or scrambling. To keep rucksack from moving about and keep balance. Otherwise no.
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 Yep use em all the time!
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 Even with a light-ish load, I feel much more comfortable and secure with the chest strap secured on both my packs (a Talon 44 and a 65lt Jack Wolfskin). My day pack doersn't have a chest strap - well, what do you expect for a bag costing a fiver from Sainsbury?
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.jpg) Sternum straps - yep, like them, and with several of my rucksacks it's a very convenient strap on which to attach my camera! Snap! 
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Just the opposite to many. Use them if fitted on big sacks but don't miss them if not there. Brought up on sacks that didn't have them I suppose. Not really keen on them on lighter kit although handy if running. Once the going gets scrambly they get undone along with the waist belt. (That in itself is rarely used if its not on the big sack as it does nowt) In about 1980 Dougal Haston, in the Karrimor catalogue, reckoned that for technical stuff you should not use a waist belt as it held every thing in place when movement was needed. I suppose hip loading doesn't apply as much if at all with climbing and scrambling weight sacks. If it was good enogh for Dougal it will do for me although I am not so keen on his avalanche identification tips!
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 Used them all the time as I find it makes the bag more stable when moving, especially when scrambling or climbing or when moving over shifty ground.
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use them and like them - I'm a big bloke and sometimes the shoulder straps can get a bit wide and get in the way of my arm movement at the top by the shoulder - the sternum strap keeps it out of the way and holds the pack steadier, espeically when scrambling or running.
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 I've got a camelbak pack that only has a chest strap. On mu other packs tend to use it to keep from shifting around and also (as Kate says) to hang things from (eg compass) plus to stop my bladder tube wandering about too much.
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Come on , use them !
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