Ripping them open doesn't sounds well laminated at all. However due to the stresses straps will take laminated really doesn't sound like the way to go. Have you tried all leather ones? I'd do Bloor to Spadina, rip Spadina a new one all the way down (a personal fav) to Front and then you have a bumpy little jaunt over to Bay. Or left off Spadina at Adelaide to Bay, also pretty bumpy, but not as bad as Front I don't think.