The straps won't soften, but they will loosen up somewhat with use. Despite this, they'll still be relatively firm and stiff. This is a huge pack to be carrying, especially without any waist harness or chest strap. You may want to look into some other products, including a Camelbak pack. The Alpine Explorer pack is a fantastic place to start in this size range:http://www.backcountry.com/store/CAM0230/CamelBak-Alpine-Explorer-Hydration-Pack-3L.html