A portable work apparatus has a main unit and a work tool. The main unit is carried by the user via a strap. The strap has a fastening section which is secured to the main unit via a fastening element. The fastening section is held between a pressure surface of the fastening element and a fastening surface formed on the main unit. To prevent twisting of the strap when the fastening element is secured, provision is made for the fastening surface to be formed with a structure that increases the friction coefficient. The structure interacts with a bearing surface, facing the fastening surface, of the fastening section such that the fastening section, which is held in a clamped manner between the pressure surface of the fastening element and the fastening surface of the main unit, is prevented from rotating relative to the main unit.
