Reddit reviews Hand Strap [5-Pack] Lanyard with Quick-Release for Camera & Cell Phone - Straps Around Your Wrist - by Premium Accessories Brand Nordic Flash - (Black) - 1 Year Warranty

• Helmet, as others have mentioned. Find one that fits you well. I wear a Bell Segment because it's the only one that fits my melon properly.
  
• Pads. I love my G-Form PRO-X knee and elbow pads. They're soft, flexible, lightweight, and thin, but on impact they transform into a hard protective layer.
  
• Backpack. Something like the Chrome Barrage Cargo is great because of the netting which can be used for your helmet, but my daily pack is a Timbuk2 Alcatraz. It's just enough bag that I can carry a first-aid kit, spare belts, skateboard tool, charger, pads and helmet. Riding the board (with pads and helmet on) I don't even notice it's there.
  
• Flatland 3D bash guards and remote ring.
  
• Spare lanyards. My original lanyard ripped off when I caught it on a chainlink fence. Got a pack of these spares from Amazon.
  
• Flat sole shoes. I go my Vans but whatever you like.

I got these ... not great but they do the trick and I like that you can pop them off super easily. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Z9P4OC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Phew!
Do you remember what kind of straps you bought? I see packs of 10 on Amazon for a few bucks and they def don't seem like a good idea. I got these and I hope they hold up pretty well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010Z9P4OC/ref=mp_s_a_1_35?qid=1462141649&sr=8-35&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wrist+straps

I don't think the thickness is the problem, they just aren't secured at the ends well enough.

As thin as that cord is, would probably be strong enough to hold a person if it was clamped at the end properly. At least, I've never seen an image with the cord itself failing, always the plastic housing letting it go.

I invested in a cheap but 5 star reviewed pack of lanyards designed to hold expensive cameras. The cord is the same as HTC's. really thin, but nobody dropped a camera yet. :)
http://i.imgur.com/XsYhukr.png

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B010Z9P4OC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered these

http://www.amazon.com/Strap-5-Pack-Lanyard-Quick-Release-Camera/dp/B010Z9P4OC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01

For those who would like something beefier and more functional, I am thoroughly pleased with my purchase of this 5-pack.
The thin piece on these is actually very strong fishing line.
Better cinch-lock knobs too!

Any camera or key chain lanyard will do so long as it's thin enough to thread through the loop.

I broke mine early on and ordered these. Actually turn out to be much better because they have a nifty quick release snap that makes it much easier to quickly detach the controller from your wrist when necessary:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010Z9P4OC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1451281728&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=nordic+lanyard&dpPl=1&dpID=51oEumV8ENL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003N19ASQ
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010Z9P4OC

there's these

These straps are awesome! Very very strong cheap and comes with 5...

Hand Strap [5-Pack] Lanyard with Quick-Release for Camera & Cell Phone - Straps Around Your Wrist - By Premium Accessories Brand Nordic Flash™ - (Black) - 1 Year Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Z9P4OC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_H9SlxbPAZ8KFA

I ordered these.

> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Z9P4OC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_H9S

Are you using these? They looked good, but it looks like they have a "quick release" which is the opposite of what I'm looking for.

I have these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Z9P4OC but they aren't that great