A releasable gear strap for retaining and securing articles has a locking head and a strap portion. The locking head has a retaining loop and a tab. The strap portion connects to the locking head and has a tail section. A pivoting locking member extends from the tail section of the strap portion, and includes a release cam surface and an aperture. The retaining loop and the tab are positioned on the locking head such that the release cam surface clears the retaining loop simultaneously with the tab seating in the aperture, when the tail section of the strap portion is urged through the retaining loop. A stabilizer on the locking head under the retaining loop and tab help reduce bending of the locking head.