Top Sling Bags for Travelers: Review by Travelers

When you need to keep essential items close by but still have the freedom to move around, a sling bag is an ideal option. They’re lightweight, comfortable to wear, and versatile in terms of how they’re worn.

Many of the best sling backpacks also have anti-theft features to protect your belongings from petty thieves when you’re traveling in new places. This includes slash-resistant bodies and front accessory organization pockets.

The Everywhere Sling Bag

Whether you’re zipping through the streets of a new city or hiking an epic trail, a good sling bag is your secret weapon for on-the-go convenience and peace of mind. These bags are designed to be carried over one shoulder, allowing you to swing them to the front for hands-free access to all of your essentials. They come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every traveler’s aesthetic and needs.

The best sling bags feature an ergonomic design that’s comfortable to wear for extended periods. They should fit snugly against the back and hips, with the strap positioned at a height that’s comfortable when you’re walking or sitting. They should also be padded well, with thick padding on the strap and back panel to help absorb impact. The Patagonia Atom and The North Face Borealis are two sling bags that excel in this category, with padding that’s comfortable against the skin, a balanced fit across the body, and plenty of space for water bottles.

A good sling bag will also be easy to open and close. It’s important that the opening is large enough for you to easily reach your items, including a full-length zipper that runs the length of the bag. This way, you can quickly retrieve the snacks, extra layers, or even a rain jacket if the weather changes unexpectedly.

Many sling bags have mesh back panels to increase ventilation and prevent sweat buildup, which can lead to uncomfortable hot spots or pilling. These features are particularly important in sling bags that have a boxier construction or those that resemble backpacks. A mesh back panel is an effective, affordable way to improve comfort in these types of sling bags.

Some sling bags have a removable pouch for keys or a passport, which is ideal for those who like to travel with minimal luggage. The Away Travel Sling Bag is a great option for this, as it can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody and can transform into a fanny pack by tucking away the excess strap and clipping it to a secondary loop. It also has plenty of interior storage for belongings and a smart design that keeps everything secure but readily available. Consider using an Away Coupon Code for potential savings on your purchase, ensuring a versatile and convenient travel companion for your belongings.

The Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 6L

The smallest and lightest bag in Peak Design’s Everyday Line, the new Everyday Sling is designed for the minimalist, on-the-go carry of everyday gear or camera kit. It’s tough, comfortable, and crafted with recycled post-consumer materials. It also features a sleek and modern look that seamlessly blends into various environments, so you can easily get to your stuff while out in the wild.

The internal organization of the Everyday Sling is incredibly versatile, thanks to the included FlexFold dividers that connect to the padded cross-body strap with strong velcro and can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, you can keep the dividers upright to act as cubbies that securely store DSLR lenses. You can also fold them flat to create pouches that perfectly fit a small tablet, charging cables, and other essentials. This makes the sling well-suited for travelers who need space for a vlogging camera, mic, lights, and other accessories.

Another thing that makes the sling super versatile is the fact that it can be worn as a shoulder bag, casual hip pack, or large messenger pack for your tech gear. This functionality is particularly handy for photographers who need easy access to their camera equipment while on a photo shoot. The sling’s padded cross-body strap has a quick adjuster that you can loosen when accessing your gear and tighten while actively hiking or biking. It also features a weatherproof UltraZip that provides fast, expansive access.

If you need even more capacity, you can opt for the 10L version of the bag, which is perfect for a single mirrorless or DSLR camera with extra lenses and other accessories. The 10L is also equipped with a dedicated laptop sleeve that’s ideal for travel or daily work. It will accommodate up to a 14” laptop and can be attached to a rolling luggage bag for effortless transport.

The 10L version of the sling uses the same high-quality materials that you’ll find in the 3L and 6L versions, including the recycled 400D double poly-coated DWR-impregnated nylon canvas. This is the same fabric used throughout the Everyday Line and it feels amazingly durable, plus it’s extremely lightweight and water-resistant. The bags also feature oh-so-smooth Ultra-Zip zippers, which were developed by Peak Design in partnership with Zoom Zippers and are found across all of their Everyday Bags.

The Lululemon Everywhere Belt 1L

A belt bag is a great option for travel as it keeps your hands free while hiking, biking, and doing other activities outdoors. If you're looking for a great, comfortable, and spacious belt bag for your next trip, the Lululemon Everywhere Belt 1L is worth checking out.

The smallest version of this popular bag has been available in a wide range of colors and patterns for some time now. However, a few months ago, the brand released an updated version of this bag that now features a longer strap. This new strap increases the carrying capacity of this belt bag by an additional liter. In addition, the main zipper opening is now a bit wider and has a horseshoe shape to allow for better accessibility.

Like the previous version of this sling bag, the new larger Everywhere Belt Bag is still made out of water-resistant material and has the same stylish design. The difference is that the additional liter of space means this belt bag can now hold more gear than the smaller versions. This makes it a perfect option for hikers and backpackers who want to carry a day pack for long days out in the backcountry.

Another new feature of this belt bag is that it can be worn with the zippers open or closed, depending on your preference. This makes it easier to access the inside of the bag, especially when you're in a hurry. The only drawback to this is that the zippers can be quite loud when they're opened or closed, which can be a nuisance for people who are traveling in quieter settings.

This sling bag has been very well received by users who have tried it out. One of the most common compliments is that this belt bag is a good choice for travelers who want a hands-free way to carry their essentials while keeping their phone and camera close at hand. The versatility of this sling bag is also a huge selling point, as it can be worn around the waist, over the shoulder, or even crossed-body. Consider using an Accessories Coupons Code for potential savings on your purchase, ensuring a convenient and adaptable travel accessory for keeping your essentials within easy reach

The Cotopaxi Spacious Sling Pack

The Cotopaxi Spacious Sling Pack has a large-volume messenger style and comes in an impressive number of colors and patterns. It is a top choice for travelers seeking a sling bag with more of a fun aesthetic or a specific colorway to match their wardrobe. This model has plenty of intuitive pockets for storing all your gear, including an exterior pocket and small zippered pocket that can double as a water bottle holder, and two designated water bottle sleeves in the main compartment. It also has a padded back panel and strap for increased comfort when carrying this backpack.

The main compartment opens butterfly-style and has dividers to keep items like books or a tablet separated from other gear. There is also a pocket on the front of the bag for storing grab-and-go items like a wallet, passport, or headphones. This sling pack is perfect for a day hike or travel in general since it offers plenty of space and the ability to carry it over either shoulder depending on your preference.

This model is one of the pricier options among the best sling bags for travel, but it is worth the extra cost considering the thoughtful features and spacious capacity. For example, it has a removable stabilizing strap and RFID-blocking pocket for added security against theft. It also has a dedicated sleeve for a tablet, making it ideal for reading on flights or in hostels where shared spaces may be at risk of pickpockets.

Another excellent option is the REI Co-op Trail 2 waist pack. This model is a budget-friendly and feature-packed sling bag that offers plenty of space for essentials, such as wallets, passports, earbuds, and phones. It also has a padded main compartment to protect against impact, as well as a secure sleeve for a laptop. The only drawback of this sling pack is the fact that it’s a bit floppy, which can make it difficult to carry heavy items or gear. Despite this drawback, the REI Co-op Trail 2 packs still perform well in most metrics, making it an excellent option for travelers on a tight budget.

Conclusion

The top sling bags for travelers offer a perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality. These bags are designed to cater to the needs of modern-day travelers who want to travel light without compromising on their essentials. From the spacious compartments to the durable materials, these sling bags offer everything that a traveler needs on the go. Furthermore, the reviews by fellow travelers can serve as a guiding light in choosing the perfect sling bag for your next adventure. So, invest in the right sling bag and make your travels hassle-free and memorable.