The shoulder pad should probably be included (with the additional cost) and not an added option. For distracted shoppers like myself, you may not notice that the strap does not have any padding and just order the case. Once I received the case in the mail, I realized my error and then ordered the shoulder pad. The weight of a laptop and any other materials can be quite heavy and the padding is pretty much always necessary. I LOVE my bag (my first lasted me over 10 years) and maybe I am just a princess in need of more comfort :-)